The Catholicose of the East
The Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan is the Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India — successor to the Apostolic Throne of St Thomas.
His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III is the Ninth Catholicos of the East in Malankara and the 92nd Primate on the Apostolic Throne of St Thomas. He was enthroned as Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan — Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India — on 15 October 2021.
Formation, ministry, and service.
A brief portrait drawn from the official biography — not an exhaustive CV.
Formation
Born 12 February 1949 (Mattathil family, St Peters Church, Vazhoor). BSc (Kerala University); theological training at Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam (GST); BD (Serampore); higher studies at Theological Academy, Leningrad, and Oriental Institute, Rome (MTh, PhD).
Episcopal ministry
Ordained deacon (1976) and priest (1978) by HH Baselios Mathews I. Consecrated Episcopa at Parumala, 30 April 1991; metropolitan in 1993. Faculty member of Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam; former secretary of the Holy Episcopal Synod.
Service and witness
Known as a teacher and author of devotional works in Malayalam. His philanthropic work includes initiatives for the poor, especially women, and employment opportunities for those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Baselios Marthoma Mathews III
The Ninth Catholicos of the East in Malankara — shepherding the Church from the Catholicate Aramana, Kottayam, as successor to the Apostolic Throne of St Thomas.
Nine Catholicoses on the Apostolic Throne.
Since the Catholicate was established in India in 1912.
First Catholicos in Malankara (1912–1913). Consecrated 15 September at St Mary's, Niranam.
Second Catholicos (1925–1928). Installed Niranam, 30 April 1925.
Third Catholicos (1929–1964). From his time, Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan were united in one person ("Valiya Bava").
Fourth Catholicos (1964–1975). Installed 22 May 1964, M.D. Seminary, Kottayam.
Fifth Catholicos (1975–1991). Installed Old Seminary, 27 October 1975.
Sixth Catholicos (1991–2005). Enthroned 29 April 1991.
Seventh Catholicos (2005–2010). Enthroned Parumala, 31 October 2005.
Eighth Catholicos (2010–2021). Enthroned 1 November 2010.
Ninth Catholicos. Enthroned 15 October 2021. 92nd Primate on the Throne of St Thomas.
The Malankara Church has long held that St Thomas had his apostolic throne in India, as St Peter in Rome or Antioch. The Catholicos today bears the title successor to that throne.
Catholicate Aramana.
Correspondence to His Holiness the Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan.
Catholicate Aramana
Devalokam P.O, Kottayam
Kerala, India
0481 2578500