Comprehensive Study Notes on the Catholicoses of the Malankara Church

Final Resting Places of the Catholicoses of the Malankara Church

The Catholicoses of the Malankara Church have been laid to rest in various significant locations across Kerala. HH Mar Baselios Paulose, the first Catholicos, is buried in Pampakuda. HH Mar Baselios Geevarghese I, the second Catholicos, is interred at Vallikaattu (specifically Vallikattu Dayara). The third, fourth, fifth, and eighth Catholicoses—HH Mar Baselios Geevarghese II, HH Mar Baselios Augen I, HH Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews I, and HH Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II—are all buried at Devalokam, which serves as the official headquarters of the Catholicos. HH Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II, the sixth Catholicos, is buried in Sasthankotta (also spelled Sasthamkotta). HH Baselios Mar Thoma Didymos I, the seventh Catholicos, is buried at Mount Tabor Dayara in Pathanapuram.

Chronological Overview and Tenures of the First Four Catholicoses

The early history of the Catholicate of the East in the Malankara Church is defined by four foundational leaders. HH Mar Baselios Paulose served as the first Catholicos from $1912$ to $1914$, a reign lasting $19$ months, and he is buried at Pampakuda Church. He was succeeded by HH Mar Baselios Geevarghese I, the second Catholicos, who reigned from $1925$ to $1928$ for a duration of $3$ years; his final resting place is Vallikattu Dayara. The third Catholicos, HH Mar Baselios Geevarghese II, known affectionately as Valya Baava, held the longest tenure of the early fathers, reigning for $35$ years from $1929$ to $1964$. His reign was marked by the establishment of the Church Constitution, the consecration of Holy Mooron, and the pursuit of church unity under the Catholicate of the East. HH Mar Baselios Augen I, the fourth Catholicos, reigned for $11$ years from $1964$ to $1975$ before his voluntary retirement; both the third and fourth Catholicoses are buried at Devalokam.

Detailed Contributions of HH Baselios Geevarghese II (Valya Baava)

During the tenure of HH Baselios Geevarghese II, the Malankara Church experienced significant institutional progress. He was responsible for the ordination of $11$ Metropolitans and thousands ($1000s$) of priests and deacons, greatly expanding the clerical body. He performed the consecration of the Holy Mooron on two separate occasions, in $1931$ and $1951$. His reign saw three major historical milestones: the formal formation of the Church Constitution, the landmark Supreme Court Verdict of $1958$, and the successful achievement of Unity of the Church under the Catholicos of the East.

Governance, Headquarters, and Missionary Expansion

The administrative structure of the church mandates that all Diocesan Metropolitans serve as members of the Episcopal Synod, with the Catholicos acting as the President of this governing body. The official headquarters (HQ) of the Catholicos is located at Devalokam. Following the establishment of the Constitution, two major missionary movements were launched: the Society of Servants of the Cross, based in Mulanthuruthy, and St. Paul’s missionary society, located in Mavelikara. Furthermore, the church expanded its geographical reach by establishing two new dioceses, one specifically for the Malabar area and another dedicated to the regions outside of Kerala.

Significant Historical Events during the Reig-n of HH Baselios Augen I

The tenure of the fourth Catholicos, HH Baselios Augen I, was marked by international ecumenical relations and major anniversaries. In $1964$, he met the Pope of Rome in Bombay. His period of leadership also oversaw the $150th$ Jubilee celebration of the Old Seminary. Additionally, the year $1972$ marked a significant ecclesiastical milestone with the $19th$ Centenary celebration of the Martyrdom of St. Thomas, the Apostle.

The Emergence of the Jacobite Church and the Schism

A critical historical division occurred during the reign of HH Baselios Augen I involving Mar Philoxenos of the Kandanad Diocese. Mar Philoxenos was identified as a Metropolitan who worked against the established conduct of the Church, leading the Malankara Synod to suspend him. After his suspension, Mar Philoxenos teamed up with the Patriarch of that time, who subsequently elevated him to the position of HH Baselios Paulose II of the Jacobite Church. In response, the Malankara Synod expelled him from all positions within the Orthodox Church. This sequence of events directly led to the formation of the Jacobite Church as a separate entity.

Chronology and Burial of the Fifth through Eighth Catholicoses

The later history of the Malankara Church is led by the fifth through eighth Catholicoses. HH Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews I, the fifth Catholicos, reigned for $15$ years from $1975$ to $1991$ and is buried at Devalokam. HH Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II, the sixth Catholicos, reigned from $1991$ to $2005$ and is buried at Sasthamkotta; he was notably referred to as "Angel Bava." HH Baselios Mar Thoma Didymos I, the seventh Catholicos, served from $2005$ to $2010$ and is buried at Mount Tabor Dayara, Pathanapuram. The eighth Catholicos, HH Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II, reigned from $2010$ to $2021$ and is buried at Devalokam.

Legacy and Achievements of HH Mar Thoma Mathews I

HH Mar Thoma Mathews I, the fifth Catholicos, introduced the tradition of suffixing the title "Mar Thoma" to the Catholicos's name, a practice that began with him. Prior to becoming the Catholicos, he served as the Head of outside Kerala Dioceses and as the Principal of the Theological Seminary. He was a prominent figure in the ecumenical world, visiting numerous international dioceses. For his contributions, he was awarded "The order of Vladimir" by the Russian Patriarch. His leadership saw the establishment of the "Sruthi school for oriental music." Culturally and spiritually, he consecrated the Holy Mooron twice, once in $1977$ and again in $1988$.