Kottayam: Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, supreme head of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India, passed away in the early hours of Monday at Parumala Hospital in Pathanamthitta. The 74-year-old senior priest had been suffering from lung cancer since December 2019 and had recovered from Covid-19 in February. The body will be taken to Parumala Seminary for people to pay their last respects till 6 pm. The funeral will take place at 3 pm on Tuesday evening at Kottayam Devalokam Catholicate Palace as per Covid protocols.
Baselios Marthoma Paulose II was the eighth Catholicos of the East in Malankara and 91st primate on the Apostolic Throne of St Thomas. The priest was born to Pazhanji Mangad Kollannur KA Aype and Kunjeetti on August 30, 1946, in Kunnamkulam village, Thrissur. He completed his theological studies at the Orthodox Theological Seminary and the University of Serampore. He was ordained a deacon on May 31, 1972, and ordained as a priest on June 2, 1972.
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In 1982, Paul was ordained to the Episcopate as Mar Militios. In 1985, he became the Metropolitan and the first charioteer of the newly formed Kunnamkulam Diocese. He was ordained as the Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan on November 1, 2010, at Parumala Seminary.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of Baselios Marthoma Paulose II. "Saddened by the passing away of His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Paulos II, the Supreme Head of Indian Orthodox Church. He leaves behind a rich legacy of service and compassion. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the members of the Orthodox Church. RIP," tweeted PM Modi.
Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi also expressed grief over his death. "My condolences on the passing of the supreme head of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India- His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II. Along with his contributions as religious head, he will be remembered for his humanitarian work for the homeless," tweeted Gandhi.
"Saddened by the passing of the supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India, Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, just four@months after recovering from COVID19. A man of infinite compassion and grace, he will be widely mourned. RIP," tweeted Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP.
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