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He passed away on 31 October at the age of 95 after leading the church for over two decades.
Throughout his leadership, His Beatitude ordained approximately 350 priests and 13 bishops and played a pivotal role in the establishment of various educational institutions and hospitals.
In a letter of condolence, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed deep sadness.
“Through his spiritual leadership for more than two decades Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I, promoted and sustained the spiritual life of Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in India,” wrote Pillay. “He strengthened the witness of his church locally and globally through promoting and consolidating dialogues with other Oriental Orthodox Churches and supporting ecumenical engagement.”
Pillay mourned the loss of an inspired spiritual leader who committed himself to a common and prophetic voice of Christians in India in the face of societal challenges.
“On behalf of the World Council of Churches, I extend our profound condolences to the members of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in India,” concluded Pillay. “May his memory be eternal!”
Dr Mathews George Chunakara, general secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia, extended condolences as well.
“The legacy of a devoted shepherd and spiritual leader, His Beatitude Catholicos Mor Baselios Thomas I, will forever be remembered by multitudes of faithful in the church as well as by the people of Kerala at large,” said Chunakara.
Born as C.M. Thomas on 22 July 1929 in Puthenkurish, Kerala, India, His Beatitude was ordained as a priest in August 1958 and consecrated as Metropolitan with the title “Mor Dionysius” on 24 February 1974 in Damascus, Syria.
On 26 July 2002, at the age of 73, he was consecrated as the Catholicos with the title Baselios Thomas I.
The mortal remains of His Beatitude Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I will be kept at Kothamangalam Cheriapally for the public to pay homage.
Later, the remains will be moved to the Bishop’s House at the Patriarchal Centre, where he used to live. He will be interred in a specially constructed tomb at the Patriarchal Centre on 2 November.
