St. Baselios Yeldho Maphriyano, Kothamangalam (+1685)

St. Baselios Yeldho Maphriyano, Kothamangalam (+1685)

October 3rd is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Baselios Yeldho +1685 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Yeldho was born in the famous Hadhai family in Qaraqosh (Karakosh) village (also known as Bakhdida, Baghdeda or Kooded) near Mosul, Iraq. He joined Dayro d’Mor Behnam at a very young age. In 1662 Patriarch Yeshu II (Quamsheh) consecrated Raban Yeldho as Maphrian (Catholicos of the East). Mor Baselios Yeldo was the Maphryono of the East (1685) ('Maphryono' is another canonical title of the 'Catholicos of the East' that functions within the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Antioch. In 1684 the successor to Baselios Yeldho, Baselios Geevarghese II was installed as Maphrian. That same year Patriarch Ignatius Abdul Messih I consecrated the holy chrism in Saffron (Kurkmo) monastery & spoke about the necessity of metropolitans going to Malankara to strengthen the faith of the Syriac Orthodox faithful in India during a period of great turbulence. Mor Baselios Yeldho who attended this holy function volunteered for the service despite his old age (91 years). The Patriarch & others who were concerned about the Maphriyono’s age & health, tried to discourage him. However they later succumbed to his determination. Mor Baselios set out for the journey, he was accompanied by his brother Jamma, two monks from Mor Behnam Monastery Jocko & Mathai, & Mor Ivanios Hidayatulla Episcopo. However, only Mor Baselios, the Episcopo & Raban Mathai arrived at Malankara.In 1685 they arrived at Thalassery. Fearing persecution from the Portuguese, they went to Pallivasal incognito. There are several stories of miracles that happened during the hazardous trip to Kothamangalam. They encountered a tiger on the way ready to pounce, but the Maphrian raised his cross & prayed, the tiger ran away. There was a an area which was the usual resting place for travellers, however Mor Baselios suggested to stop a further distance away. That night there was a heavy downpour, other travellers who remained at the usual site were washed away, but Mor Baselios & his entourage were saved. The next day he offered Holy Qurbono in Pallivasal. Many people opine that the place gained the name Pallivasal (place of the Holy Church) because the Holy Father had stayed there. They reached Kozhipalli village near Kothamangalam after traversing a forest. There Mor Baselios met a Hindu Nair gentleman who said a church was nearby but he is unable to leave his flock of cattle. Mor Baselios drew a circle on the ground & miraculously the cattle stood in the circle without moving away. Seeing that this individual was a holy man, the Nair gentleman asked Mor Baselios to bless some coconut water so his sister in labor pain may drink and be eased. When he went to climb the tree to grab a coconut, the tree miraculously bent down towards Mor Baselios who blessed the tender. Even now, the eldest member of Chakkalakkudy Thekkalakkattu Nair family leads the perunaal procession holding the lamp during the annual feast of Mor Baselios Yeldho. The Holy Maphrian was led to Kothamangalam Cheriyapally. On his arrival it is said the Church door opened by itself & the bell began to toll. It was the culmination of ultimate sacrifice, endurance & obedience. It was as indefinable as the glorious entry through heavenly portals. Mor Hidayathulla Episcopo was consecrated Metropolitan by Mor Baselios on 14 Kanni. Mor Baselios fell ill due to his extreme old age & tedious journey. He received the last sacraments of anointment with holy oil & unction on 19 Kanni, later that same day the holy Maphrian Mor Baselios Yeldho reposed in the Lord just 13 days after his arrival to Kothamangalam. At the time of his death the huge granite cross in the church compound was miraculously lit up. He was entombed in the sanctuary of Mor Thoman Cheriyapally, Kothamangalam on 20 Kanni 1685. Though the holy father had lived in this land for only a few days, his name has spread far & wide leaving a lasting mark in the history of Malankara Syrian Church. The mission undertaken by the saint was fulfilled to a large extent by his faithful associate, Metropolitan Mor Ivanios Hidayatulla +1688 (entombed at Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Church).The Sacred tomb of the holy father is a great solace for many; large groups of pilgrims, irrespective of caste & creed come to the church every day seeking his intercession & more particularly on annual feast days & also on Saturdays. A great number of miracles are happening by the intercession of the holy father. It is a common practise among parents to name their long awaited sons as ‘Yeldho’ & ‘Basil’, who they believe will be protected by the saint like a guardian angel. Dhukrono of St. Baselios Yeldho Bava is celebrated in the Mor Thoma Cheriapally Kothamangalam with spiritual grandeur every year on October 2 & 3 & this feast is popularly known as 'Kanni 20 Perunnal'. Fulfilling the wishes of multitude of faithful, the Holy Syriac Orthodox Church in 1987 included the name of the holy father in the 5th Dypthic (5th Thubden/Thubden d-Qadishe) along with the names of Patriarch St. Ignatius Elias III & St. Gregorios Geevarghese Chathuruthil of Malankara vis Apostolic Bull No. E 265/87 by the thrice blessed late Patriarch HH Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of blessed memory.Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' & Malankara Syriac Resources Oh Mor Baselios Yeldho Maphriyano! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.പരി. മോർ ബസേലിയോസ് എൽദോ ബാവ (detailed video biography on the life of St. Baselios Yeldho Bava): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUliQVv3kq0Various hymns in honour of St. Mor Baselios Yeldho Maphriyano: https://goo.gl/6f7xBkhttp://www.syriacchristianity.info/bio/MorBaseliosYeldho.htmhttps://urhotheway.com/2020/10/02/mor-baselios-yeldho/