Late Catholicos made sacrifices for Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, says Patriarch

Patriarch Aphrem II praises late Catholicos Baselios Thomas I as a true shepherd and source of strength for his flock.

Patriarch of Antioch and head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church Ignatius Aphrem II described Catholicos Baselios Thomas I, head of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church who passed away on October 31, as a true shepherd to his flock, who led them on the right path.

The late Catholicos made sacrifices for the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church at a time when the Church went through several crises. He stood firm as a source of strength for his flock while standing also firm in his allegiance and faith in the seat of Antioch, the Patriarch said.

He was delivering the presidential and benedictory address at the 40th-day remembrance of the Catholicos at Puthencruz near Kochi. Thousands of faithful from across Kerala participated in the memorial Mass and the ceremonies that followed. The Mass was led by the Patriarch, and several bishops of the Church joined the ceremonies.

He said they had gathered on the remembrance day to celebrate the life and the passing of the Catholicos. The good name of Catholicos Baselios Thomas I is being recalled not only by members of the Jacobite Church but also by thousands of people from across the globe and different faiths.

The Patriarch thanked the Union government and praised India’s culture and tradition of honouring all faiths and keeping them united. He also thanked the State government and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for promising to ensure that the Jacobite Church did not lose its identity.

The Patriarch said he would leave for Damascus on Tuesday (December 10), cutting short his visit to Kerala on account of the crisis in Syria. He appealed for prayers for peace to prevail so that the people of Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and other countries did not suffer on account of the latest crisis.

The new Catholicos designate of the Malankara Church Joseph Mor Gregorios said the late Catholicos Baselios Thomas I was a source of great strength at a time when the Church went through long periods of crisis.