We mourn the loss of our great, holy, dear, former Catholicos

In sadness we mourn the loss of our former Catholicos H.H Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, 89th successor to the Holy Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas. His Holiness passed away on Thursday, 26th January 2006. Orthodox Christians all over the world have lost their Shepherd.

His Holiness served our church meritoriously in varied ways. He was well respected by religious and community leaders. As President of the Ecumenical committee in Kerala and also in various other Inter-Church Committees he has shown excellent leadership. He kept in touch with the heads of other churches and promoted Ecumenism. This was shown in his way of promoting dialog globally, across cultural and religious borders. Due to ill health and old age His Holiness voluntarily resigned from his position as the Supreme Head of the Indian Orthodox Church on 29 October 2005. He did serve energetic to the very end, fighting bodily weakness yet showing spiritual strength. We give thanks to the Lord for granting the former Catholicos H.H Baselios Marthoma Mathews II so many years to gratify God with his life.

Mortal remains of His Holiness will be entombed on saturday, 28th Jan 2006 afternoon at the Sasthamkotta Mount Horeb Asramam in Kerala, India.

The beloved former Catholicos H.H Baselios Marthoma Mathews II is gone from his body but home with the Lord!