H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II: Profile
His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, Sixth
Catholicos of the East, and 89th successor to the Holy Apostolic Throne
of St. Thomas, was born on January 30, 1915 at Perinad in Kollam
District of Kerala. His Holiness had his early education in a local
school. After his High School education he had his training at Old
Seminary Kottayam and also at Basil Dayara, Pathanamthitta. Later he
joined Bishop's College, Calcutta for his B.D. Degree. He had his
higher education in Theology at General Theological Seminary, New York.
He was ordained as Deacon in 1938 and as Priest in 1941. It was during
his stay at St. George Dayara. Othara that Father Mathews made a mark
as a devoted and an able priest of the Indian Orthodox Church. He was
noted for his spiritual leadership and loving nature and could endear
himself to everyone who came in contact with him. He was known as
"Father Angel" at that time. The Catholicos His Holiness Baselios
Geevarghese II took special interest to see that the services of Father
Mathews are utilized in a still better way for the church and the
community. On May 15, 1953 he was ordained as a Bishop of Orthodox
church. He was only thirty eight years at that time. The young Bishop
grew in stature very soon. As Metropolitan of the Diocese of Kollam he
was fully responsible for its growth and progress and the number of
parishes almost doubled within a short period. Several monasteries and
convents were started. A large number of educational institutions and hospitals were established. His services in the field
of education and social service are all very well known. Several
Colleges, Schools, Hospitals and other service institutions are
successfully established and administered under his direct control and
leadership. He has traveled wide in various countries: the United
States, Canada, Europe, Malaya, Singapore, Gulf countries etc. and has
attended various international meetings and conferences. It was in 1980
that he was unanimously elected by the Malankara Syrian Christian
Association as successor to the throne of Catholicos of the East and
Malankara Metropolitan. In recent years some of the new schemes started
under his directions are found to be of much help and benefit for the
community at large. A Civil Service Academy was started at
Thiruvananthapuram, to give proper training for candidates appearing
for IAS, IPS, IFS and other Central Service Examinations. With a view
to provide shelter for the poor, an House Building Assistance project
was started. The Community Marriage Scheme is found beneficial for the
marriage of poor girls. Human Resources Development and Services Wing
is also helpful for the community in general.
As President of the Ecumenical committee in Kerala and also in various
other Inter-Church Committees he has shown excellent leadership. He
keeps in touch with Heads of other Churches constantly and is keenly
interested to promote Ecumenism. He has very friendly relations with
leaders of other religions as well and has fully demonstrated by his
activities the role the Head of a Christian Church has to play in the
Secular, Socialist, Democratic, Republic of India. He encourages all
activities directed towards the progress and development of the Nation
and promotion of communal harmony and maintenance of peace in the
country. A good orator, an eminent scholar, a renowned theologian, an
able administrator and a man of the Word of God, he has all the
qualities needed for a spiritual leader and a good shepherd. With his
intelligence, wisdom, love and vision and with his vast experience in
various fields he has proved himself successful as a skillful
ecclesiastical head of an ancient Church. With his devotion and
dedication in life and sincerity of purpose, no doubt the community at
large is benefited by his true Christian life as a servant of God in
the service of mankind.
He entered into eternal rest on 26 Jan 2006 and laid to rest in Mar
Elia Chapel Shastamcotta.
Source: MOSC Website
H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II: Life Events
H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, the sixth Catholicos of the East and the Malankara Metropolitan of Malankara Orthodox Church talks about the events in his life in this world in the documentary (Belahinanaya Njan). As the message of life, HH shares Psalms 118:8 "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man".
Source: CROSS (Christian Revival for Saving Souls) Media,
Producer: John Thomas,
Director: M. Kurian Thomas
