His Beatitude Aboon Mor Baselios Joseph Catholicos Receives Warm Welcome at St. John’s Cathedral, Thiruvalla

Thiruvalla – The sacred halls of St. John’s Metropolitan Cathedral in Thiruvalla were graced today by a moment of profound ecclesial unity and respect as His Beatitude Aboon Mor Baselios Joseph Catholicos, the newly appointed Catholicos of India of the Malankara Syriac Orthodox (Jacobite) Church, was accorded a heartfelt and solemn reception.

Following his unanimous election as Catholicos on 25 March 2025 by His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, and his subsequent enthronement on 30 March at Mar Athanasius Cathedral, Puthencruz, this visit marked one of the earliest significant moments of his ministry in India. The reception was led by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mor Koorilos, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Major Archdiocese of Tiruvalla, who extended warm greetings on behalf of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church.

The event bore witness to a spirit of fraternal love that transcends ecclesiastical boundaries, as bishops and clergy from the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church and the Syro Malankara Catholic Church gathered in unity. Alongside Archbishop Mor Koorilos were venerable Metropolitans Mor Coorilos Geevarghese, Mor Yuhanon Meletius, Mor Mathews Theodosius, Mor Gregorios Kuriakose, and Mor Ivanios Kuriakose, who all participated in welcoming the Catholicos.

A resplendent motorcade procession accompanied His Beatitude from St. John’s Cathedral to the Municipality Office, where the civic body and local community joined in paying homage, before proceeding to the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox St. George Cathedral at Kavumthala.

Later in the afternoon, a felicitation assembly convened under the leadership of His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mor Koorilos. The assembly was inaugurated by His Grace Mor Theodosius Mathews Metropolitan of Kollam diocese, of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church. The gathering featured notable addresses, including the keynote speech by Member of Parliament Mr. Anto Antony, alongside reflections from Mor Samuel Theophilus, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Believers Easton Church, and His Grace Dr. Thomas Mor Koorilos.

The press conference that followed involved key figures such as Diocesan Secretary Rev. Fr. Rojen Rajan and clergy Rev. Fr. Mathews Kavunkal and Rev. Fr. Reji Mathew, providing further insights into the historic significance of this occasion.

In his remarks, His Beatitude Aboon Mor Baselios Joseph Catholicos acknowledged the “Malankara Syrian Catholic Church as the most caring Church amidst today’s challenges,” affirming a shared commitment to nurturing Christian unity and pastoral care.

This reception not only celebrates the ascent of a new spiritual father for the Jacobite faithful but also exemplifies the spirit of communion and mutual respect that enriches the Christian witness in Kerala and beyond.

The Syro Malankara Catholic faithful offer their prayers for the abundant blessings upon His Beatitude’s ministry, that he may shepherd his flock with wisdom, humility, and steadfast love.