A bird’s eye view:

His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II strode like a colossus in the Malankara Church. He found a place in the heart of his people as a holy father by his spotless purity and nobility of character. He was a role model for even other denominations especially because of his quest for the divine spirit and close adherence to strict ethical values. He won the heart of his people by his infectious smile and alluring overtures.

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” II Timothy. 4: 6-8.

A flame has died down eternally but he lives in the heart of his people forever. The burial site is now a pilgrim centre. People of all faiths visit the holy place for his blessings and intercession incessantly.


His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios MarThoma Mathews II was born on 3oth January 1915 as the eldest son of Shri Iduculla and Smt. Annamma, Puthen Veettil, Perinad., in Kollam Distric of Kerala. He had his early education in a local school and High School education in Prakkulam N.S.S.High 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 sub-deacon on 17th April 1938 and as Deacon on 6th May 1941 and he was made a Priest in the same year. It was during his stay at St.George Dayara, Othara as a celibate Priest that Father Mathews made a mark as a devoted and a pious Priest of the 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 then Catholicos, His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II took special interest to see to it that the services of Father Mathews are utilized in a still better way for the Church and the Community. On 15th May, 1953 he was ordained as a Bishop of the Orthodox Church. He was only thirty eight at that time.

The young Bishop grew in stature very soon. As the 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 begun.

His services in the fields of education and social service are all very well known. Several Schools from Primary level to Higher Secondary level, Degree and Post Graduate colleges and also Professional Colleges were started under his initiative. Three Engineering Colleges, at Bhilai, Peermade and Sasthamcotta and one Medical College at Kolencherry were established during his time. There are many Schools, Colleges, Hospitals and other service institutions which were established and successfully administered under his direct control and leadership.







He had traveled wide in various countries such as, United States of America, Canada, Australia, U.K., Europe, Malaya, Singapore, Gulf countries etc. and has attended various international meetings and conferences. In October, 2002 he attended the 10th International Christian – Muslim Conference at Manama in Baharin and was the Chief Guest of honour there.

On 30th April 1991 he could consecrate five Bishops, on 16th August 1993 two Bishops and on 5th March 2005 four Bishops at Parumala Seminary for the Malankara Orthodox Church.

Holy Mooron was consecrated on 26th March 1999 at Catholicate Araman Chapel, Evalokam.

His Holiness Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius was declared by him as a Saint on 24th Feburary 2003 at Old Seminary, Kottayam.

The New Archway and Gate for Catholicate Aramana, Devalokam and Central Secretariat for the Church are new additions made in his time

Some of the new schemes started under his directions are found to be of much help and benefit for the community at large.


Being the President of the Ecumenical Committee in Kerala and also of various other Inter Church Committee he had shown excellent leadership. He kept in touch with the Heads of other Churches constantly and was keenly interested in promoting Ecumenism.

His contribution in the establishment and maintenance of communal harmony and peace among the people of our country and also his style of functioning were well appreciated especially in Nilackal case where he could bring about a clear understanding and reconciliation and avoid violence and hatred between the religious communities.

Nilackal in Pathanamthitta District is a place where St.Thomas, one of the Disciples of Jesus Christ had founded one of the Seven Churches in Kerala. Later, due to various adverse conditions had migrated from that area. In nineteen eighties a cross was unearthed from that area and Christians wanted to build a Church there. That area being close to Sabarimala the Hindu Pilgrim Centre, communal tension arose between Hindus and Christians which could have resulted in nasty clashes and bloodshed. The problem could not even be solved by the then Government of Kerala. Day by day the situation worsened, and became rather explosive.

His Holiness as Catholicos Designate at that time, took up the leadership of the various Christian communities in Kerala and with clever handling of the situation and honest negotiations and discussions with Hindu religious leaders could bring about an amicable settlement in the matter in the interest of communal harmony and peace in Kerala which is remembered with gratitude by everyone.

He had very friendly relations with leaders of other religions as well and had fully demonstrated by his activities the role as the Head of a Christian Church to play in the Secular, Socialist, Democratic, Republic of India. He encouraged all activities which aim for the progress and development of the Nation and promotion of communal harmony and maintenance of peace in the country.

He could always keep the Church in the main stream of activities in our country especially in the fields of Education and Social Service. Keeping in view the importance of Christian Service in our Country, concerted efforts were made to spread the activities with more vigour and concentration in states outside Kerala especially in northern parts of the country. The new St. Thomas Theological Seminary at Nagpur is now able to give proper training to members of the Church to work in states outside Kerala for the benefit of the community at large mainly for the poor, needy, underprivileged and marginalized without difficulty of language problem.

The Church has always been in the forefront and could extend its valuable services to various states in the country wherever there was any Natural Calamity like Flood, Cyclone, Earthquake and Tsunami has won the appreciation of one and all by its dedication.

A Good orator, an eminent scholar, renowned theologian, an able administrator and a man of the Word of God, he had all the qualities needed for a spiritual leader and a Good Shepherd. With his intelligence, wisdom, love and vision and his vast experience in various fields he had 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

He was the Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Church, which is an Autocephalous, Autonomous, Independent, Indigenous, National Church of India with an Apostolic foundation and established by St. Thomas one of the Disciples of Jesus Christ who came to India in A.D. 52, he was the Spiritual Head of 2.5 million Faithful of the Church. The church is now spread all over the world in 1662 Parishes in 25 Dioceses, Nineteen of them in Kerala and six outside, namely,I Madras, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, America and Canada. Parishes outside India other than those in the Diocese of America and Canada – U.K. Europe are included in the Dioceses of Madras, Bombay, Calcutta and Delhi.

As the Head of an ancient Church of India, His Holiness Baselios MarThoma II had a unique position among the Heads of Churches not only in India but in the whole world.

By Devine will, His Holiness was laid to rest within the beautiful chapel at the coastal resort of Sasthamcottah.

Sasthamcotta Lake had taken place in the History as the “Pure Water Lake”. His Holiness’ name will emit its never dying brilliance as a bright star in the galaxy of saints “ANGEL BAVA’.