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His Holiness Baselios Mar
Thoma Matthews II, The 'Catholicos of the East' and the Malankara
Metropolitan.
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Mathews,
who is now the Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan,
was born at Perinadu in Kollam district of Kerala, India
on January 30,1915,the son of Mr. Iduculla and Mrs.
Annammma, Puthusherazhikathu Puthen veedu. After attending
schools and colleges, he completed his theological studies
at Basil Dayara, Pathanamthitta and Old seminary Kottayam.
Later he joined Bishops College, Calcutta for his BD
Degree. He had his higher education in Theology at General
Theological Seminary, New York.
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He was
ordained as Sub Deacon in 1938 by His Holiness Baselios
Geevarghese II, as Deacon on May 6,1941 and as priest on
May 25,1941. It was during his stay at St. George Dayara,
Othara that Fr. Mathews made a mark as a devoted and an
able priest of the Orthodox Church. He was noted for his
spiritual leadership and loving nature and could endear
himself to everyone who came in contact with him. He was
known as "Angel Achan" at that time. |
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The then Catholicos His Holiness
Baselios Geevarghese II took special interest to see that
the services of Fr. Mathews are utilized in a still better
way for the Church and the community. On May 15,1953 he
was ordained as a Bishop of Orthodox Church. He was only
38 years at that time.
He became the Metropolitan of Kollam
Diocese on 1953. As a metropolitan he was fully
responsible for the growth and progress and the number of
parishes almost doubled with in a short period. Several
Monasteries and Convents were started, large number of
educational institutions and hospitals were established.
His services in the field of education and social service
are all very well known. Several colleges, schools,
hospitals and other service institutions are successfully
established and administered under his direct control and
leadership.
On April 29,1991, Mathews Mar Coorilose
Metropolitan became the 6th Catholicos and Malankara
Metropolitan of Malankara. Baselios Mathews II is the most
traveled Catholicos in the history of the Catholicate,
having visited nearly every country in the world which
would receive him. He has very friendly relations with
leaders of other religions as well and has fully
demonstrated by his activities. He encourages all
activities directed towards the progress and development
of the Nation and promotion of communal harmony and
maintenance of peace in the country.
A good orator, an eminent scholar, a
renowned theologian, an able administrator and a man of
Word of God, he has all the qualities needed for a
spiritual leader and a good shepherd. With his
intelligence, wisdom, love and vision and with his vast
experience in various fields he has proved himself
successful as a skillful ecclesiastical head of an ancient
Church. With his devotion and dedication in life and
sincerity of purpose, no doubt the community at large is
benefited by his true Christian life as servant of God in
the service of mankind.
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