Second Commemoration Feast of the Late Cyril Mar Baselios

Malankara Catholic Church celebrated the second Commemoration feast of His Beatitude Cyril Mar Baselios, the first Major Archbishop Catholicos, on 17th January 2009 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos was the chief celebrant of the Holy Qurbono. His Grace Thomas Mar Koorilos gave the homily. Rev. Fr. Mathew Charthakuzhiyil delivered the memorial speech.

The celebration ended with the Dhoopaprarthana in the Tomb and Nercha.

Evening prayers and prayers with incence were offered at the tomb the previous evening (16th of January 2009) at 6.30 pm.

The feast falls on the 18th of January but the commemoration was scheduled a day earlier as the 18th was a Sunday.

The Blessing of the Renovated Tomb Chapel

The dedication and the blessing of the renovated and expanded tomb chapel where the mortal remains of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios, Archbishop Mar Gregorios and the first Major Archbishop Cyril Baselios Catholicos rest was blessed at the hands of Major Archbishop Baselios Cleemis Catholicos at 5 p.m. on Tuesday 30 September 2008. A large number of Priests, Religious and the Faithful from the city of Trivandrum participated in the blessing and prayed at the tomb.  The altar of the chapel was blessed and dedicated on 1 September 2008 in preparation for the 55th Feast of Commemoration of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios.

Eparchy of Mavelikkara Inaugurated, Joshua Mar Ignathios Installed as it’s First Bishop

The New Eparchy of Mavelikkara, Kerala was inaugurated and Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios installed its first Bishop today, Feb. 16, 2007.

Pope Benedict XVI had given his assent to the decision of the Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church for the creation of the new Eparchy of Mavelikara and the election of Joshua Mar Ignathios as its first Bishop. This new Eparchy was created by bifurcating the Archieparchy of Trivandrum.

The announcement of the creation of the new Eparchy was done on Jan. 02, 2007.

The ceremonies started with a vehicle rally. Hundreds of vehicles accompanying the specially decorated carriage of the first Bishop of the new diocese– at 7 am from Panikkaruveetil house in Puthiyakavu, the ancestral home of the late Mar Ivanios. The ceremonies at the Cathedral started with a colourful welcome for the metropolitan and other guests. The mass started at 8.30 am.

Major Archbishop-designate Baselios Mar Cleemis Catholicose led the mass, where church leaders from across the country were present. Synod chancellor Fr Antony Valiyavilayil read out the decree announcing Bishop Mar Ignathios’s installation.

Archbishop Joseph Powathil inaugurated the public meeting, where he insisted that the church’s interventions and opinions on social issues should not be interpreted as an effort to control the official state machinery. Nor are they effort to communalise issues.

Archbishop Powathil pointed out that the state cannot solve all the spiritual and temporal needs of the common man, and the church had a critical role in fighting social evils. Church cannot turn a blind eye to these challenges, he said.

Malankara Catholic Church administrator Geevarghese Mar Dionysius chaired the public meeting attended by thousands of devotees. Among those who spoke were the Archbishop of Mumbai Oswald Gracious, Major Archbishop-designate Baselios Mar Cleemis Catholicose, Metropolitan of Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church Zacharias Mar Theophilus, Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram Latin Archdiocese Susaipakiam and Church of South India Bishop Sam Mathew.

An array of political leaders from all parties, social leaders and other representatives of major organizations also spoke at the function. Among them were the state law minister M Vijayakumar, transport minister Mathew T Thomas, opposition leader Oommen Chandy, state Congress party president Ramesh Chennithala, Members of Parliament CS Sujata and PJ Kurian, Chief Secretary Lissy Jacob, NSS taluk union president KM Rajagopala Pillai and SNDP taluk union president R Subhas.

Mar Ignathios thanked the Lord for all the blessings, and expressed his confidence to shape the new diocese with a vibrant spiritual life and active participation of the people. Bishop Ignathios is presently the secretary of Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council and the chairman of the Labour Commission of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India.

Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios, was born on 24th May, 1950 at Kizhakketheruvu, Kottarakara, Kerala.

After his Seminary education at St. Aloysius Seminary, Pattom and at St. Paul?s Seminary, Trichy, he was ordained priest on 20th April 1978. Besides B. Th. at Urbaniana University, Rome, he gained his Master?s degree in History, M.Ed and Ph.D. in Education Administration. He served as Assistant Parish Priest at Kirathoor (Marthandom Diocese) and for fourteen years (1982-96) he was Parish Priest of St. Thomas Malankara Catholic Church, Padi, Chennai, during which period he was also Principal of the Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School, Chennai.

On 10th March, 1997, he was appointed Corepiscopo and on 15th April, 1998, Auxiliary Bishop of Trivandrum. From 1996 onwards he was Chief Vicar General of the Major Archdiocese of Trivandrum and from December 2001-2005 he held the office of Secretary of Kerala Catholic Bishops? Council (KCBC).

At present, Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios is the Chairman of the Labour Commission (CBCI), Patron of All India Christian Council as well as Chairman of All India Christian Council (Kerala Region). He is also Chairman of the Synodal Commissions for Social Apostolate, Education, Communication, Health and Dalit Christians in Malankara Catholic Church and Chairman of KCBC Commission for Temperance Movement (Madyavirudha Samithy).

Bishop Thomas Mar Koorilos’ Message

Dear faithful of Malankara Catholic Church and admirers of Late MajorArchbishop Cyril Baselios Catholicos,

Indeed it was a moment of great grief for all of us to acknowledge that our Bava thirumeni has left to join in the share of our great and venerable forefathers. His life was a life of great accomplishment. Ever since he assumed charge as head and father of our church 11 years ago, the Church was brought into tremendous growth. He was instrumental in creating three dioceses-Marthandom, Muvattupuzha and Mavelikara and raising Tiruvalla into Archdiocese. He ordained all our bishops except our Timotheos pithave. Each year there was something special to celebrate and commomorate. He was a great spiritual leader. Under his leadership we strengthened many of our mission centres, and started many. He was an ardent lover of the poor and the marginalized. He had a soft corner for our dalit bretheren and did everything possible for their well being. He wanted to bring the entire Malankra church in one fold and he did it very well. The funeral was the most precious moment when the glory of the Malankara Catholic Church rose into unprecedented heights.What a burial and what a slomenity. Even his death brought honour for our Church. This visionary has left us with a luminous example of courage, great religious life, indian spirituality, openness, etc. May our great and beloved Reesh Reesh Aboon rest in peace. I shall write the details of the funeral and other arrangements we have done soon. Meantime, keep praying and strengthening each other with fast and penance.

The funeral began at 7 a.m. with the Morning prayer and Holy Mass. At 9 the body was taken to Palayam our Church and it was kept in the podium. The Apostolic Nuncio H.Ex. Pedro Lopez Quintana and the CCBI President and Bombay Archbishop Oswald Gracias were present. H.G. Susa Pakkiam, the Latin Archbishop of Trivandrum gave the homily. He specially mentioned Bava thirumeni as a great visionary and promoter of the down-trodden. He also mentioned that some of the comments from some churches regarding the title he has taken according to the tradtion of the Malankara Catholic Church pained him very much. He said that the Malankara Catholic Church by this title has fully grown into its autonomy and it would remove the fear of any bretheren to come into communion with the Apostolic See of St. Peter, the pillar on which Christ built his church. Then the procession began and it was so moving. The faithful, sisters,seminarians and priests walked the street with great devotion and it was a great witness. In one of the papers it was remarked that Anandapuri has witnessed the greatest crowd after 2000. Some of our political leaders also walked the entire route. Then the final session of the burial with farewell prayers were recited. Our Administrator Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios lead the prayers. The burial took place at about 2.45 p.m. Thereafter a public meeting was held in which great leaders have participated. Central Minister Oscar Fernandes and Oppostion leader Oommen Chandy and other ministers were present.

The following matters were also decided in the bishops’ meeting:

Suspend all celebrations in the Church for one week; keep 21 days for mourning and prayers; on 7th February to hold the memorial day of our Bava tirumeni as Shradha Perunnal. The same evening the members of the episcopal synod would go into retreat and the following day will be kept as a day of special prayer and fasting. These are moments of great importance for our church and I request all of you to pray for our Church, and especially for all of us bishops that we may be truly under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

With love, 

Koorilose pithav

Decision on the next Archbishop and Catholicos

To decide on the next Archbishop and Catholicos of the Malankara Catholic Church, the Synod will be held after 21 days.

Bishop of Bathery diocese Geevarghese Mar Divanyasios has taken over as administrator of the Malankara Catholic Church following the passing away of Major Archbishop and Catholicos Cyril Mar Baselios on Thursday.

At a press conference held on Friday, synod secretary and Bishop Thomas Mar Coorilose said as per Section 127 of the canon law, Mar Divanyasios, senior Metropolitan of the synod, had taken over as administrator.

Mar Coorilose said the synod would meet after the 21-day mourning period to decide on the next Major Archbishop and successor to Cyril Mar Baselios.

“The synod will take a decision at the meeting that will last up to five days and later, the decision will be communicated to the Pope,” he said. Generally, the Pope agrees to the decision taken by the Synod.

Mar Divanyasios, said that the person to be selected by the synod would have all the powers and title enjoyed by Cyril Mar Baselios.

Born on August 16 1935 at Ullannoor, Pathanamthitta District of Kerala in a family blessed with two priests, four nuns and an Archbishop, he was ordinated as a priest on October 4, 1960. 

He received doctorate in Canon Law from Gregorian University, Rome, in 1975 after taking Masters degree in Psychology from the St John’s University, USA. He had taught at St Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Kottayam, and the pontifical seminary, Aluva.

After his Episcopal Ordnination on Dec. 28, 1978, he became the Bishop of Bathery diocese. 

Cyril Mar Baselious was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Trivandrum and head of the church in 1995 by Pope John Paul II. As the Metropolitan Archbishop he received sacred Pallium from Pope John Paul II on January 9, 1996 in Vatican.

He was elevated to Major Archbishop when the church was raised to the dignity of a major archepiscopal church.

A keen sense of observation, skill for planning and organisation, administrative skills, sense of value and spiritual leadership constitute the personality of Dr Cyril Mar Baselios. He had a deep rooted knowledge in theology, philosophy, psychology and economics.

Major Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios Passes Away

The first Major Archbishop and Catholicos of the Malankara Catholic Church Cyril Mar Baselious passed away on Thursday 18th January, 2007. He was 71.

The Major Archbishop was diabetic and had been undergoing dialysis for the last six months. He was admitted to a private hospital here on Thursday morning following complaints of uneasiness.

He breathed his last there at 6.45 p.m. His death was unexpected as the Major Archbishop was the chief celebrant at an installation ceremony at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom, on Wednesday.

Funeral was held on Saturday, 20th January, 2007.

All educational institutions under the Malankara Catholic diocese remained closed on Friday and Saturday.

It was during his tenure as Archbishop in February 2005 that the Malankara Catholic Church was elevated to Major Archiepiscopal status. Cyril Mar Baselius was a member in the congregation for oriental churches in Rome.

People from all walks of life turned up in large numbers at the St. Mary’s Cathedral here on Friday to pay their last respects to Major Archbishop of the Malankara Catholic Church Cyril Mar Baselius who passed away on Thursday.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, Mayor C. J ayan Babu, District Collector N. Ayyappan, freedom fighter K.E. Mammen, Chennai Archbishop Chinnappa and Mavelikkara Archbishop Joshua Mar Ignatios were among those who arrived at the church in the morning to pay homage.

Representative of the Pope in India Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, C.C.B.A president Archbishop Oswald Gracious were among those who came to pay their respect to Archbishop Baselios. This was followed by the “Dhupa-Prarthana” by all seven Bishops of the Malankara Catholic Church. Following which, Trivandrum Arch-Diocese Arch Bishop and close friend of Catholica Bava, Arch Bishop Susapa gave a speech.

The funeral service which started at 12.15 p.m. was lead by Geevarghese Mar Divanyasios, the Bishop of Bathery and the administrator of the Malankara Catholic Church. The funeral rites were preceded by a public procession from St.Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Palayam.

It was a sad moment when H.E. Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios’ was taken from St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Pattom for a procession around the city of Thruvananthapuram.

The cathedral bells chimed and hymns in Syriac exhorting to `go in peace’ sung by the mourners rented the air as priests acting as pallbearers escorted the throne down the aisle. The throne was then raised at the four doors of the Cathedral, representing East, West, North and South, by the priests as sign of bidding adieu to the city and its people. The `funeral squad,’ comprising the State police armed battalion, reversed arms as a mark of respect.

“Ente nagarame, janame, ningalodu njyaan yatra parayunnu. Ningal samadhanathode vasikyuka” (My city, my people, I bid adieu to you. Peace be with you.) – was the farewell prayer being said as the procession moved around the city. As the procession moved through the city, people bid farewell with tears to the Archbishop.

The procession moved along the flyover, PMG Junction and Lourdes Church and reached the cathedral in two hours. Around 30,000 people including Cardinal Moussa Ignace Daoud, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches; Pedro Lopez Quintana, representative of the Pope in India, 25 Bishops, 1,500 priests and 3,000 nuns attended the service.

Draped in solemn vestment and seated on a throne with the symbolic staff in hand, the body was interred alongside his predecessors Mar Ivanios and Mar Gregorios, in a specially prepared vault filled with frankincense at the basement of the Cathedral.

Kuwait’s Adharanjali to Major Arch Bishop Baselios

Diocese of Mavelikkara – Bishop of the Diocese is Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios

The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church will have a new Diocese with Mavelikara as its headquarters under the Metropolitan Province of Trivandrum.

The Church authorities have also appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Trivandrum Joshua Mar Ignathios as Bishop of the newly constituted Mavelikara Diocese.

The decrees of the Major Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselius Catholicos constituting the new diocese and appointing Mar Ignathios as its Bishop were read out by Synod secretary and Muvattupuzha Bishop Thomas Mar Coorilos at a function held at St Mary’s Cathedral here on Monday. The Malayalam translations of the decrees were read out by Chancellor of the Archdiocese Fr Antony Valiyavilayil.

Archbishop Isaac Mar Cleemis and Bishops Yuhanon Mar Crisostum, Geeverghese Mar Divannasios and Joseph Mar Thomas and Geeverghese Mar Thimothios were also present on the occasion.

As per the ecclesiastical decrees, the new diocese will consist of the presbyteral districts of Mavelikara, Kollam and parts of Chengannur and Adoor spread over the civil districts of Alappuzha, Kollam and Pathanamthitta. The new diocese will consist of 92 parishes and 35,000 faithful and its Cathedral will be at St. Mary’s Church,Punnamoodu, Mavelikara.

Mavelikara is the sixth diocese of Syro-Malankara Church and the second Suffragan of the Archdiocese of Trivandrum, after Marthandam.

The formal inauguration of the new diocese and elevation of Mar Ignathios as its Bishop will take place on February 16,2006 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Punnamoodu, Mavelikara.

contributed by -

Mr. Bitu George, Punnamoodu, Mavelikara.