Catholicos Enthronement of H.B. Mor Baselius Thomas I

Catholicos Enthronement of H.B. Mor Baselius Thomas I

July 26th is the anniversary of the Catholicos Enthronement of His Beatitude Mor Baselius Thomas I. On Friday July 26, 2002 the thrice blessed late Patriarch of Antioch and all the East His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of blessed memory consecrated then 73-year old HG Mor Dionysius Thomas as the Catholicos (Maphriyano) with the title 'Baselius Thomas I' at a solemn function held at St. Peter & St. Paul Cathedral in Mor Ephrem Monastery, Ma`arat Sayyidnaya, near Damascus. Thus, fulfilling the wishes of a multitude of faithful, the Malankara Church received a Catholicos after a gap of six years (late Catholicos of the East Mor Baselios Paulose II of blessed memory died in 1996). In the Syriac Orthodox Church hierarchy, the Catholicos (Maphrian) is second in rank to the supreme spiritual head, the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. As the head of the Syriac Church in India, the Catholicos presides over the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Malankara Church. He is also the Metropolitan Trustee of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. Fourteen Syriac Orthodox Metropolitans from India, Syria, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, Lebanon, Jerusalem, Turkey & Australia attended the enthronement ceremony as co-celebrants. Thirtyfive Rabans, many clergy, nuns & laity were also present on the occasion to participate in the historical ceremony. Representatives from the Governments of Syria & India attended the consecration ceremony as special guests. The consecration ceremony started with the celebration of Holy Qurbono by HH the Patriarch, followed by the enthronement, signing of 'Susthathikon' (Patriarchal decree of appointment) & 'Axios' (Rising & Declaration). The ceremonial events ended with the completion of the Holy Qurbono by the newly consecrated HB Catholicos Mor Baselius Thomas I. The Sunthroniso was held at Marthoma Cheriyapally Kothamangalam on 31st July 2002. Barekmor Abun! Congratulations to our Bavathirumeni on this blessed day. May God almighty grant you many more years to shepherd the Malankara Jacobite Church. Remember us all in your prayers and Holy Qurbono. http://www.syriacchristianity.info/StGG/Catholicos_ThomasI.htm