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H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews III

ninth Catholicos of the East – in Malankara

His Holiness Baselious Marthoma Mathews III

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.

DIOCESAN METROPOLITAN OF UK, EUROPE & AFRICA

H. G. Abraham Mar Stephanos

Born to Late Mr. K. A. Thomas and Mrs. Annamma, Kadakkamannil House, Mylapra in Pathanamthitta on June 11, His Grace Abraham Mar Stephanos belongs to the parish of St. George Orthodox Church (Valiyapalli), Mylapra under the Thumpamon diocese.

His Grace completed his primary education from Seventh Day Adventist School, Pathanamthitta (1974-78), and Marthoma High School (1978-84), following which he completed Pre-Degree course (1984-86) as well as a degree in Mathematics (1986-89) from Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta . He joined Kottayam Old Seminary (1995-99) and completed BD as well as GST. He also completed his M.Th (2000-02) from FFRRC, and MA in Late Antiquity and Byzantine Studies from Kings College, London.

He was ordained sub-deaconship (1998) by H.G. Kuriakose Mar Clemis Metropolitan at Mar Basil Dayara, Pathanamthitta. Further, he was ordained deaconship (1999) by L.L. H.H. Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II Catholicos at St. Thomas Chapel in Old Seminary, Kottayam, and priesthood on 8th April 2000 by H.G. Kuriakose Mar Clemis Metropolitan at St. George Orthodox Church, Mylapra.

He was chosen as a Metropolitan in the Malankara Syrian Christian Association held at Kolencherry on 25th February 2022. He received the status of Ramban at the Parumala Seminary on 2nd June 2022. He was ordained as Metropolitan by the name ‘Mar Stephanos’ by H.H. Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews III Catholicos at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pazhanji on 28th July 2022.

His Grace has taken charge as Metropolitan of UK, Europe, and Africa dioceses since 3rd November 2022.

H. G. Abraham Mar Stephanos

Contact:

Malankara House, 35 Hennman Close, Swindon, SN254ZW, United Kingdom

Email:

abrahamstephanos@mosc.in

UK, Europe & Africa Diocese

UK-Europe and Africa Diocese is one of the 30 dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. In accordance with the geographical division implemented in 2009, the Diocese of UK-Europe and Africa was established with the purpose of encompassing all parishes, congregations, and spiritual organizations of the Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Syrian Church within the boundaries of Europe and Africa.

L.L His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, the then Supreme Head Malankara Metropolitan and Catholicos of the East, appointed His Grace Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios as the inaugural Diocesan Metropolitan of this newly instituted diocese, a position he assumed in May 2009. Prior to this significant development, these parishes were subject to the jurisdiction of LL Thomas Mar Makarios, the former Diocesan Bishop overseeing Canada, UK, and Europe.

Following His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Marthoma Mathews III’s Kalpana (No 344/2022), His Grace Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios was relieved of the responsibilities as Diocesan Metropolitan and His Grace Abraham Mar Stephanos succeeded him by assuming office as the Diocesan Metropolitan of the UK-Europe and Africa Diocese in November 2022.