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.
His Holiness has authored a few devotional and contemplative books in Malayalam.
His Grace was born in Kallarackal Kaleelil family on 28 May 1964 as the son of Mr. P. T. Mathunny Panicker & Mrs. Kunjamma Panicker. He is a member of St. Thomas Orthodox Valiyapally, Kundara. He obtained his B.Sc degree from Kerala University(1984), theological diploma (GST) from Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam, Bachelor of Divinity (B.D) from Serampore University (1988), Master of Theology (1991) and Doctor of Theology (1995) from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. He also holds a certificate in Pastoral Counselling from Glasgow University, Scotland (1997).
He was ordained as Sub-deacon on 13 June 1987 and Deacon on 15 May 1989 and on 3 June 1989 he was ordained to the Holy priesthood by the late H.G. Geevarghese Mar Dioscorus, Metropolitan of Trivandrum Diocese. He was the director of Holy Trinity Centre for Disabled Children, Trivandrum(1990-91), Professor and Registrar of the Holy Trinity Theological College, Addis Ababa of the Ethiopean Orthodox Church (1994-1997), and the Programme Secretary, Sophia Centre, Kottayam (1997-2006).
He served as the vicar of Sreekaryam Mar Baselios Gregorios, TVM (1989-90), Makkulam St. George, TVM (1997-2000), Narickal St. Mary’s, TVM (2000-03), Valakam Mar Gregorios, TVM (2003-06), Koorthamala St. Mary’s, Chengannoor (Asst. Vicar, 1998-02), Kurichimuttom St. Stephen’s, Chengannoor (Vicar, 2002-04) Pullad St. George, Chengannoor (2004-06) and now serving a the Chaplain of Old Seminary, Kottayam and the Vicar of Kundara Kadeestha, TVM, from 2006 onwards.He is currently the Professor and Dean of Studies of Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam, Registrar of Divyabodhanam-the laity theological training programme of the Church, Joint Secretary of St. Thomas Orthodox Vaidika Sanghom, Chief Editor of Malankara Sabha Monthly, Publisher of Purohithan Quarterly, Editorial Board Member of Bethel Pathrika, Editorial Board Member of St. Ephrem Theological Journal, (Satna), Executive Committee Member of TLC, Thiruvalla, Member of the Joint International Dialogue between Roman Catholic Church and Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. He has authored five books and numerous articles and a good preacher, teacher and a retreat father.
The Malankara Syrian Christian Association met on 11 Sep 2008 at Pampakuda elected him as the bsihop along with six others. On 4 Dec 2008 His Holiness Baselius Marthoma Didymus I professed him as Ramban. On 19 feb 2009 he was ordained as bishop by H.H.Baselius Marthoma Didymus I, at St. George Orthodox Church, Puthupally.
His Grace is serving the Kottayam Diocese as its Metropolitan and Kottayam Central Diocese as Assistant Diocese Metrapolitan.
