St. Baselius Shakralla, Kandanad (+1764)

St. Baselius Shakralla, Kandanad (+1764)

October 22nd is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Baselios Shakralla +1764 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Baselios Shakralla Maphriyano was sent by the Patriarch of Antioch to Malankara (India) during a time of turmoil & confusion at the request of Marthoma V, the leader of the Syriac Orthodox Christians in Malankara. Shakralla was born in Aleppo to deacon Moosa Al Quasbji. After his seminary education he became a monk & was later ordained priest. After the death of Marthoma IV, a successor was required & so the faithful in Malankara sent letters to the Patriarchate to send someone to validate the consecration of Marthoma V (whose predecessor died before giving valid ordination). HH Patriarch Ignatius George III consecrated Raban Shakralla as Maphrian & delegated him to India. Baselios Shakralla was accompanied by Mor Gregorios Yuhannon of Jerusalem, Cor-Episcopo Geevarghese, Raban Yuhannon, & 3 deacons (Anthon, Moosa, Hadaya Shakr Allah). The entourage took the arduous journey to India even in the midst of a difficult political climate. Baselios Shakralla Maphrian carried with him 64 manuscripts, holy books, three crosses from Jerusalem & relics of saints for the Malankara Church. As they began their treacherous journey, they were first attacked en route to Baghdad & the money meant for travel was stolen. When they reached Iran, the group was forced to remain there for 7 months due to the threat of pirates & the ongoing battle between warlords. From there they reached Surat port in India but not without being robbed again by thieves. Baselios Shakralla reached Cochin on the feast of St. George in 1751, the cost to be paid to the company was Rs/-12,000 (an unimaginably enormous sum at the time). Contrary to the prior agreement Marthoma V refused to meet the expenses or visit the Maphrian. Mor Baselios sent 4 letters to Marthoma V but he did not respond. Baselios Shakralla stayed seventy two days at the Fort & after visiting the Rajah of Cochin on 3 Karkkidakam, he reached Kandanad Church on 4 Karkidakam 1751. Even there the meeting with Marthoma V did not happen. The Maphrian went to Kothamangalam travelling on foot via Mulamthuruthy, Kolanchery & Kunnukurudy. Mor Baselios stayed at Kothamangalam Valiyapally & Marthoma V at the nearby Cheriya pally for some days. In spite of that, the expected meeting did not take place. The Maphrian offered prayers at the tomb of his predecessor St. Baselios Yeldho Maphriyano & waited for the arrival of Marthoma V in vain. Marthoma V had spread some erroneous statements about the Maphrian. In this context, on 30 Medam 1752 Raban Yuhannon who had accompanied the Maphrian was consecrated the Malankara Metropolitan instead of Marthoma V at Kandanad Church. Raban Yuhannon was hence known as Mor Ivanios. Mor Baselios Shakralla also ordained many priests, monks, deacons & he diligently worked to root out all the elements of Latin influence during the Portuguese subjugation of the Malankara Church. Mor Baselios Shakralla nurtured the Syriac Orthodox Church in Malankara for 13 years despite all the hardships he had to endure. He reposed in the Lord while staying at Mattancherry Church (which he built). His mortal remains were later entombed in St. Mary's Cathedral Kandanad. In October 2008 vis Patriarchal Apostolic Bull E213/08, the thrice blessed late Patriarch HH Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of blessed memory declared and glorified Mor Baselios Shakralla Maphriyano as a saint, permitting the prayers at his tomb (Zadhiko). In 2017 vis Patriarchal Apostolic Bull No. E I23/17; the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East HH Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II permitted the recitation of the name of St. Baselios Shakralla in the 5th Thubden (Thubden d-Qadishe) at all Malankara parishes across the world. Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Oh Mor Baselios Shakralla Maphriyano! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.