| Date of Birth | 10 November 1960 |
| Family Name | Srambickal Pallathitta, Mulanthuruthy |
| Education | Masters in Philosophy from the University of Wublil, Ireland |
| Theological Studies | Mor Julios Seminary, Perumpally; higher theological studies in the USA |
| Deacon | 25 March 1974 |
| Kassisso | 25 March 1984 |
| Ramban | 14 January 1994 |
| Metropolitan | 16 January 1994 |
| Metropolitan of Kochi Diocese | 23 January 1994 |
| Catholicos / Maphriyono | 25 March 2025 |
His Beatitude Mor Baselios Joseph was born as the youngest of four children to Srambickal Pallathitta Geevarghese and Saramma on 10 November 1960 at Perumpally, Mulanthuruthy.
He is described by the source as a great-grandchild of the brother of St. Gregorios Geevarghese Chathuruthil, popularly known as Parumala Thirumeni. He completed his early education at Perumpally Primary School and Mulanthuruthy High School.
He completed his pre-university and degree studies at Maharaja's College, Ernakulam, and subsequently joined Mor Julios Seminary, Perumpally, for theological studies.
At the age of thirteen, Joseph was ordained as a deacon on 25 March 1974 by Mor Gregorios Geevarghese (Perumpally Thirumeni) at Mor Ignatius Dayro, Manjanikkara. He subsequently served for a long period as secretary to Mor Gregorios.
On 25 March 1984, Catholicos H.B. Baselios Paulose II ordained Dn. Joseph as Kassisso at Marthoman Church, Mulanthuruthy.
He later travelled to Ireland for a Master's degree in Philosophy at the University of Wublil and proceeded to the USA for higher theological studies. During his time abroad, he served as vicar of several churches, including St. Thomas Syrian Orthodox Church in London for four years.
When Mor Osthatheos Thomas, the then Metropolitan of the Cochin Diocese, retired from his temporal responsibilities because of old age, Fr. Joseph was selected for episcopal ministry.
On 14 January 1994, he was ordained Ramban by His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch, at Damascus.
On 16 January 1994, he was consecrated Metropolitan by the Patriarch and received the episcopal name Mor Gregorios Joseph. He assumed responsibility for the Cochin Diocese on 23 January 1994 at Kyomtha Cathedral, Thiruvankulam.
As Metropolitan of the Cochin Diocese, Mor Gregorios Joseph continued his pastoral and administrative ministry and initiated a number of projects for the Church and the wider community.
The source specifically mentions orphanages, schools and the Gregorian Public School at Ernakulam among the initiatives associated with his ministry.
In 2023, he was chosen as Malankara Metropolitan. Following the passing of Catholicos Mor Baselios Thomas I, Mor Gregorios Joseph was unanimously elected to lead the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church as Catholicos.
On 25 March 2025, the Feast of the Annunciation of Mother Mary, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of the Apostolic See of Antioch and All the East, installed Mor Gregorios Joseph as Catholicos / Maphriyono with the title Mor Baselios Joseph.
The solemn function took place at St. Mary's Patriarchal Cathedral at the Patriarchal Center in Atchaneh, approximately 20 km from Beirut, Lebanon.
The source describes him as the 81st Catholicos / Maphriyono of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church and the fourth Catholicos from the Church in Malankara.
The installation was conducted through the traditional ecclesiastical rite. The elected Maphriono, Mor Gregorius Joseph, presented the Shalmoutho and affirmed his commitment to the Orthodox faith, apostolic laws and the dignity of the Maphrionoutho.
His Holiness the Patriarch invoked the Holy Spirit and placed his hand on the head of Metropolitan Joseph, consecrating him as Maphriono of the Holy and Blessed Church of Antioch in India under the name Mor Baselios Joseph.
The newly installed Maphriono was then seated on the throne and carried in the ceremonial procession while the congregation proclaimed his worthiness. The Patriarch and participating archbishops presented him with the pastoral staff and offered the kiss of peace.
The occasion was attended by Syrian Orthodox metropolitans, clergy, faithful, representatives of sister Churches and official delegations from India, Lebanon and other countries.
In the Patriarch's address, the Syriac Church in India was described in the context of its historical relationship with the Holy Apostolic Throne of Antioch. The address recalled the tradition that St. Thomas the Apostle brought the Gospel to India and also referred to the fourth-century migration of a Syriac Christian community from Urhoy (Edessa) to India under Thomas the Canaanite.
The address emphasized the continuity of faith, heritage and communion between the Church in India and the Holy Throne of Antioch and praised the generations of faithful, Catholicoi and bishops who preserved the Syriac Orthodox tradition.
The Patriarch's address explained that the Maphriono, also known as Catholicos, is one of the highest ecclesiastical ranks in the Syriac tradition. Historically, the office served communities geographically distant from the Patriarchal center.
The responsibilities described include pastoral care of the dioceses in India, safeguarding and teaching the Orthodox faith, guiding the local Church with wisdom and love, supporting clergy and faithful, and encouraging the spiritual and administrative development of the Church.
The Patriarch called upon Mor Baselios Joseph to lead with humility, love, wisdom and a spirit of service, to remain united with the Patriarchal Throne of Antioch and to work for unity and peace among the faithful.
The Patriarch gave thanks to God for the consecration of Mor Gregorius Joseph and welcomed the official and ecclesiastical representatives who attended the historic ceremony.
He expressed appreciation to the President of Lebanon, the Prime Minister of India, the Government of Kerala and the official delegations that participated in the ceremony.
His address highlighted the historic connection between the Syriac Church in India and Antioch, the pastoral importance of the Maphriono, and the need for unity, humility, service and obedience within the Church.
He congratulated Mor Baselios Joseph and prayed that God would grant him health, strength and wisdom to guide the faithful and lead the Church towards greater spiritual prosperity.
In his enthronement address, His Beatitude expressed humility and gratitude on entering the new phase of his ministry. He described the office not as personal exaltation but as a call to shepherd the faithful while carrying the Cross of Christ with love and humility.
He expressed filial obedience and gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, recalling their association during higher studies in Ireland and the Patriarch's commitment to the Syriac Orthodox Church and to people suffering from disasters and conflict.
He reaffirmed the historic relationship between Antioch and Malankara and his submission to the Holy Throne of St. Peter and to the Patriarch of Antioch. He also honoured St. Thomas the Apostle as the Apostle of India.
His Beatitude remembered St. Gregorios of Parumala and several other saints, seeking their intercession and guidance. He also remembered Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, who consecrated him Metropolitan in 1994.
He paid tribute to Catholicos Baselios Paulose II, who ordained him in 1984, and recalled the late Catholicos Baselios Thomas I, with whom he served for more than three decades and who prepared and encouraged him for leadership.
He remembered Perumpally Thirumeni, who selected him for the service of the Church at the age of thirteen, and expressed his belief that his spiritual fathers and predecessors continue to pray for the Church.
He expressed gratitude to the Government of India, the Government of Kerala, the Lebanese authorities, official delegations, sister Churches, clergy, religious communities and faithful who supported the historic ceremony.
He reaffirmed the Church's commitment to justice, peace, the constitutional values of India, tolerance, plurality and secularism, and concluded by calling for peace and stability in the world and especially in the Middle East.
A congratulatory message from the Prime Minister of India was read during the ceremony. The message described the occasion as historic and holy and recognized Mor Gregorios Joseph's commitment and service to the Church and society.
It highlighted his contribution to educational initiatives and support for underprivileged people and expressed confidence that his leadership would strengthen the Church's contribution to society, harmony, peace and spiritual growth.
The installation brought together representatives of several Oriental Orthodox, Catholic and other Churches. The source page records participation or representation from the Armenian Orthodox Church, Coptic Orthodox Church, Armenian Catholic Church, Maronite Church, Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch, Malankara Catholic Church, Armenian Catholic Church, Syriac Catholic Church, Assyrian Church of the East, Melkite Greek Catholic Church and other ecclesiastical bodies.
Indian representation included Church leaders, government representatives, members of Parliament and the Kerala Legislative Assembly, together with the Indian Ambassador to Lebanon and other officials.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 November 1960 |
| Ordained Deacon | 25 March 1974 |
| Ordained Kassisso | 25 March 1984 |
| Ordained Ramban | 14 January 1994 |
| Consecrated Metropolitan | 16 January 1994 |
| Assumed Metropolitan office, Kochi Diocese | 23 January 1994 |
| Chosen as Malankara Metropolitan | 2023 |
| Installed as Catholicos / Maphriyono | 25 March 2025 |
The source page also provides video links covering the enthronement ceremony, the ordination service, the Prime Minister's message and related reports.
You can add your preferred video player/YouTube embeds here if required. The page source contains links under its Enthronement Video and news sections.
വൈദിക വാർഷിക ധ്യാനവും വൈദിക സമ്മേളനവും ബെൽജിയത്തിൽ വച്ച് നടത്തപ്പെട്ടു
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