Mor Yulios Elias Qoro +1962

Mor Yulios Elias Qoro +1962

February 19th is the anniversary of the demise of HE Mor Yulios Elias Qoro +1962. Mor Yulios was the delegate of the Apostolic See of Antioch to Malankara. Elias was born in Mardin Turkey on August 1st 1881 to Malke Qoro. After studying at the Church of the 40 Martyrs, in 1902 he joined the Monastery of Mor Hananyo (Kurkmo Dayro/Deir ez-Za`faran) & became a dayroyo in 1905. The following year he was appointed as the personal secretary of late Patriarch Mor Ignatius Abde d-Aloho II Sattuf of blessed memory. In 1908 he was ordained Qashisho & accompanied the Patriarch during travels to Jerusalem, London & India from 1908-1911. Raban Elias visited Malankara for the first time in 1909. He also had the honor of visiting King Edward VI twice. In 1911, Patriarch Abdullah II appointed Raban Elias as the abbot of Kurkmo Dayro & director of the printing press (established by late Patriarch Mor Ignatius Peter IV). Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V Reşâd presented Raban Elias with a medal of honour. On September 23rd 1923, the thrice blessed late Patriarch St. Ignatius Elias III of blessed memory consecrated Raban Elias with the title Yulios at the Church of the 40 Martyrs Mardin. Mor Yulios Elias Qoro was sent to serve the Syriac Church in Malankara, arriving on October 23rd 1923. In 1926 he would accompany Fr. Mikhayel (Mor Dionysius Mikhayel) & Fr. Ottathaikkal Thomas (Mor Dioscorus) to Jerusalem for their Metropolitan consecration. In 1927, he was appointed the assistant of then Apostolic Delegate St. Osthatheos Sleebo Abakar. After the demise of Mor Osthatheos, Mor Yulios Elias Qoro was appointed as the delegate of Apostolic See of Antioch to look after the churches & institutions which are directly under the administration & control of the Patriarch. When Patriarch St. Ignatius Elias III visited India on March 5th 1931, Mor Yulios along with St. Athanasius Paulose received the Patriarch at Karachi Port. At the untimely demise of St. Ignatius Elias III in 1932, both would lead the last rites of the Holy Father. In 1932 Mor Yulios took the initiative to build Dayro d-Mor Ignatius at the tomb of the late Patriarch in Manjinikkara. Under the able leadership of Mor Yulios, parish buildings were constructed for Simhasana churches at Kunamkulam, Malekurishu & Kottayam. He also established Simhasana churches at Thumpamon, Perumbally, Kallumgathara, Alleppey & Pampady. Mor Yulios left India to participate in the Synod at Homs in January 1933. In December 1933 he returned to India accompanied by Abdul Ahad Raban. He ordained Raban Abdul Ahad as priest in 1934. The Raban who would later became late Patriarch Ignatius Yac'ub III; stayed in Manjinikkara from 1933-1946. In September 1952, Mor Yulios would accompany Fr. PJ Paulose to be consecrated Mor Philoxinos Paulose (later the late Catholicos HB Mor Baselius Paulose II of blessed memory); returning together in January 1953. Mor Yulios gave great importance to the education of priests. Those who were trained during his tenure in Manjinikkara received incomparable knowledge & discipline. He was a master of the Beth Gazo & Patriarch Ignatius Yac'ub III (known as a nightingale) studied under the tutelage of Mor Yulios. The Apostolic Delegate tirelessly worked to strengthen the 2 millennia bond between the Church in Malankara & the Holy See of Antioch. In 1958, Mor Yulios was even arrested following a dissension in Kunamkulam Simhasana Church soon after the peace agreement of 1958. After serving the Holy Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch & after many years in Malankara, Mor Yulios Elias Qoro departed for the heavenly abode on February 19th 1962. His mortal remains were interred in the tomb he built for himself at Dayro d-Mor Ignatius Manjinikkara. Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Oh Mor Yulios Elias Qoro! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen http://sor.cua.edu/Personage/Sheema/MYuliusEQoro.html