Mor Baselios Joseph Enthroned as the Catholicos (Maphryono) of Syriac Orthodox Church in India

His Beatitude Mor Baselios Joseph

OCP News Service and syriacorthodoxchurch.org – 25/03/2025

Atchaneh- Lebanon : His Eminence Mor Gregorios Joseph was enthroned as the Catholicos (Maphryono) of India under the name “His Beatitude Mor Baselios Joseph” in a significant and reverent gathering at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Atchaneh, Lebanon, on March 25, 2025. The enthronement, held on the Feast of the Annunciation, followed the unanimous election by the Regional Holy Synod of India and endorsement by the Holy Synod of the Syriac Orthodox Church in January 2025.

The enthronement ceremony was led by His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church, along with several Metropolitans, bishops, clergy, and faithful from India and around the world. Among the distinguished guests were Patriarch John X of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Armenian Orthodox Church (Great House of Cilicia), Metropolitan Archbishop Anba Antonius, the Coptic Orthodox Church’s representative in Jerusalem, and Bishop Armash Nalbandian, representative of the Armenian Orthodox Church (Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin). Additionally, representatives of the Government of Lebanon, the Government of India, and the Government of the State of Kerala were present, underscoring the significance of the event on both religious and diplomatic levels.

The event marked a significant moment for the Syriac Orthodox Church in India, reaffirming its spiritual leadership and continuity following the passing of His Beatitude Mor Baselios Thomas I in October 2024.

Mor Baselios Joseph, born in Kochi in 1960, has served as Metropolitan of the Kochi Diocese since 1994 and was elected Metropolitan Trustee in 2019. He completed his master’s degree in philosophy from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, and pursued higher studies in theology in the United States, where he also served as vicar of several churches. His appointment as Catholicos of India is expected to guide the Church through a new era of growth and stability.

Faithful across India and the global Syriac Orthodox community have welcomed the enthronement with prayers and celebrations, seeking divine blessings for the new Catholicos in his spiritual mission.

Source:
OCP News Service