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The Catholicos of the East

His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East

His Holiness Moran Mar

Baselios Marthoma Mathews III

The Ninth Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan

92nd Primate on the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas

Born 12 February 1949
Enthroned 15 October 2021
Seat Devalokam, Kottayam

About His HolinessThe 92nd Successor to St. Thomas

His Holiness Moran Mar 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, 15 October 2021. He is the Ninth Catholicos of the East and the 92nd Primate on the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas, continuing an unbroken line of succession tracing its origins to the evangelical mission of the Apostle Thomas in India in 52 AD.

His Holiness was born on 12 February 1949 to Mr Cherian Anthrayos of the Mattathil family, a member of St Peter's Church, Vazhoor. From early life he discerned a vocation to the service of the Church — a calling fulfilled with singular dedication through decades of scholarship, pastoral ministry, theological teaching, and compassionate outreach to the poor.

"The Catholicos is the symbol of the Apostolic unity and the spiritual father of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church."

Academic FormationEducation & Scholarship

After completing school, His Holiness pursued undergraduate studies at Kerala University, earning a BSc in Chemistry — a grounding in the sciences that would complement a lifetime of theological inquiry. He then entered the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam, earning the GST degree, before proceeding to Serampore University where he was awarded the BD in Theology.

Pursuing higher studies, His Holiness attended the Theological Academy in Leningrad, Russia — one of the foremost Orthodox institutions of the era — before joining the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome, where he completed both his MTh and PhD, making him one of the most academically distinguished primates in the history of the Malankara Church.

BSc, Chemistry Kerala University
GST Degree Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam
BD, Theology Serampore University
Higher Studies in Theology Theological Academy, Leningrad
MTh & PhD Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome

Ecclesiastical JourneyA Life of Ordained Service

The ecclesiastical life of His Holiness spans more than four decades of ordained ministry. Each step was marked by the deepening of his spiritual formation and an ever-widening scope of service to the Church.

  1. 1976
    Ordained Deacon

    Received the Holy Orders of the diaconate, entering into full liturgical ministry of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

  2. 1978
    Ordained Priest

    Ordained to the priesthood by His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews I, the fifth Catholicos of the East, under whom he was shaped as a priest and scholar.

  3. 1991
    Consecrated Episcopa

    Elevated to the episcopate on 30 April 1991 at Parumala — the sacred site associated with the holy Mar Gregorios — marking his entry into the College of Bishops.

  4. 1993
    Elevated to Metropolitan

    Received the rank of Metropolitan, bearing greater pastoral and administrative responsibility within the Church's diocesan structure.

  5. 2021
    Enthroned as Catholicos of the East

    On 15 October 2021, His Holiness was enthroned as the Ninth Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan — the Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church — becoming the 92nd successor on the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas.

Ministry & ServiceTeacher, Scholar & Philanthropist

Throughout his ministry, His Holiness has been renowned as a gifted teacher and faculty member of the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam — one of the oldest and most eminent theological institutions in Asia. His scholarship has enriched generations of clergy formed through the Seminary.

His Holiness served the Church at the highest administrative level as Secretary of the Holy Episcopal Synod, lending his learning and judgment to the governance of the entire Church.

A committed philanthropist, His Holiness has worked with particular dedication for the uplift of the poor — especially women — founding ventures that create meaningful employment for those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. He has also authored several devotional books in Malayalam, nurturing the spiritual lives of the faithful through the written word.

Catholicate AramanaContact & Correspondence

All correspondence to His Holiness may be directed to the Catholicate Aramana, the official residence and administrative seat of the Catholicos at Devalokam.