Catholicos of the East

H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, The Ninth Catholicos of the East in Malankara

His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III was enthroned as the Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan (the Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India) on Friday, 15th October 2021. His Holiness is the 92nd Primate on the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas.

His Holiness was born on 12 February 1949 to Mr Cherian Anthrayos of Mattathil family, being a member of St Peters Church, Vazhoor. After his school education, he joined Kerala University and passed his BSc Chemistry. After his BSc, he joined Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam, and had his GST degree. His Holiness took his BD degree from the Serampore University and did his higher studies in Theology at Theological Academy, Leningrad, Russia. Thereupon he joined Oriental Institute, Rome, and took his MTh and PhD from there. His Holiness was ordained a deacon in 1976 and a priest in 1978 by HH Baselios Mathews I. His Holiness was escalated to the post of an Episcopa on 30 April 1991 at a function at Parumala, and metropolitan in 1993. He is a well-known teacher and a faculty member of the Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam. A philanthropist, he works relentlessly for the uplift of the poor, especially women. He has started many ventures to help give employment opportunities to women from the economically backward classes. His Holiness was  also served the Holy Episcopal Synod as its secretary.

His Holiness has authored a few devotional and contemplative books in Malayalam.

To contact the Catholicos’ Office 

Catholicate Aramana

Devalokam P.O, Kottayam

Kerala, India

Tel: 04812578499, 04812578500

Email: catholicos@mosc.in

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Full List of ‘Catholicos of the East’

First Catholicos of the East:        His Holiness Baselios Paulos I (15th September 1912 – 2nd May 1913)

Second Catholicos of the East:   His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese I (30th April 1925 – 17 December 1928)

Third Catholicos of the East:      His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II (15 February 1929 – 3 January 1964)

Fourth Catholicos of the East:    His Holiness Baselios Augen I (22 May 1964 – 8 December 1975)

Fifth Catholicos of the East:        His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews I (27 October 1975 – 27 April 1991)

Sixth Catholicos of the East:       His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews II (1980 – 2006)

Seventh Catholicos of the East:  His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymos I (10 September 1992 – 1st November 2010)

Eighth Catholicos of the East:     His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II – (2010 – 2021)

Ninth Catholicos of the East:     His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III (current Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan) — (15th October 2021 onwards)

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Adapted from:

(Click links to read more)

http://mosc.in/holysynod/h-h-baselios-marthoma-paulose-ii

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baselios_Mar_Thoma_Paulose_II

https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2013/september/documents/papa-francesco_20130905_chiesa-sira-malankarese.html (A letter from Pope Francis to the Catholicos)