Catholicos H.B. Mor Baselius Paulose II, Malekurishu (+1996).

Catholicos H.B. Mor Baselius Paulose II, Malekurishu (+1996).

On September 1st the Syriac Orthodox Church commemorates the anniversary of the demise of His Beatitude Mor Baselius Paulose II +1996. HB was the Catholicos of the East & head of the Holy Synod in India, reigning from 1975 to 1996.Paulose was born in Cherai, Kochi Kerala to Rev. Fr. Joseph Puthusseril & Elizabeth. He completed his secular education at CMS College Kottayam & UC College Aluva. He studied Syriac under his father who was a Malpan. He was ordained deacon by Mor Yulios Elias the Patriarchal Delegate to Malankara, followed by Priesthood 5 years later. He then became the personal secretary to Mor Yulios, & served as teacher at Dayro d-Mor Ignatius Manjinikkara. Then Malankara Metropolitan Mor Athanasius Paulose, was in charge of the Kandanad diocese. As he was advancing in age, the faithful of Kandanad diocese chose Rev. Fr. PJ Paulose as designate. He accompanied Mor Yulios to Homs Syria, where he was consecrated bishop with the title Philexinos by the thrice blessed late Patriarch HH Mor Ignatius Aphrem I Barsoum of blessed memory on October 19 1952. He took charge of Kandanad Diocese in January, his temporary headquarters was Malekurishu Dayro founded by former Patriarchal Delegate St. Osthatheos Sleebo (gifted to the Holy Throne of Antioch by Kuriako Valayal). After the demise of Mor Dionysius Mikhayel +1956, the dioceses of Kottayam & Kollam were also the responsibility of Mor Philoxenus. The same year, the schismatic faction which had rebelled against the Holy See returned & there was a period of unity. Mor Philoxenus was assistant Metropolitan of Kandanad while Mor Timotheos Augin the senior. Mor Philoxenus did his level best to impart the true Orthodox faith & loyalty to the Holy Throne of Antioch among the faithful. He served as head of the Sunday School Association. Sadly, the period of peace broke down once again due to the underhanded & sinful nature of those who sought only power. The Church in Malankara was again split in two. Subsequently, Mor Philoxenus was consecrated as Catholicos Mor Baselius Paulose II by the thrice blessed late HH Mor Ignatius Yac'ub III of blessed memory in Damascus on September 7th 1975. He was a great shepherd for the Syriac Orthodox faithful in Malankara, strengthening his spiritual children as the Church faced insurmountable obstacles, litigation & persecution. His unflinching loyalty to the Holy Throne of Antioch was an example for young & old alike. The faithful looked to him as a beacon of hope as the Church waded through times of great turbulence. On June 25th 1980, HH Mor Ignatius Yac'ub III reposed in the Lord. HB Mor Baselius Paulose II chaired the Holy Synod for the election of Mor Severius Zakka as the next Patriarch. He officiated the consecration ceremony of Patriarch HH Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas on September 14th 1980. This was a historic moment because this was the first time that a Catholicos-Maphrian of Malankara (India) officiated the Patriarchal Enthronement ceremony! In addition, Mor Clemis Abraham Valiyametropolitan of the Knanaya Archdiocese also took part in the monumental event. After serving the Malankara Church as Metropolitan for almost 44 years & as the Catholicose of the East for 21 years HB Mor Baselius Paulose II Bava passed away on September 1st 1996. His funeral ceremony was attended by tens of thousands of faithful. His mortal remains were entombed in the Malekurishu Dayro according to his last wishes.Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Malayalam audio Biography by Basil C Alias: https://tinyurl.com/ydjhhckmFor full biography: https://goo.gl/fXLrR8