KOTTAYAM : Baselios Marthoma Didimos I, the Catholicos emeritus of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC), passed away due to age-related illness at the St Gregorios Medical Mission Hospital, Parumala, on Monday late evening. He was 94. According to hospital sources, he breathed his last at 7.30 pm.
His mortal remains, to be brought to the headquarters of the MOSC at Devalokam at late night, will be kept at the Devalokam Palace on Tuesday for the people to pay their last respects.
Baselios Marthoma Didimos, who stepped down as the supreme head of the MOSC in 2010, due to ill health, was undergoing treatment for a while. His health condition reportedly deteriorated on Thursday evening.
Didimos was consecrated as Bishop on August 24, 1966, and had been serving as the Metropolitan of the Malabar Diocese of the Church. He was enthroned Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan (Malankara Orthodox Church) on October 31, 2005.
He is the seventh Catholicos since the Catholicate of the East was relocated to India. He is also the 19th Malankara Metropolitan of the Church.
Didimos was born on October 29, 1921 to Ittyavira Thomas of Mulamootil House at Nedumbram near Thiruvalla, and Sosamma of Chiramel House in Mavelikara.
He joined the Tabor Dayara at Pathanapuram in 1939, and completed his high school education.
Didimos passed Intermediate from CMS College, Kottayam, in 1945, B.A from National College, Tiruchirapalli in 1951, B.T from Maston Training College, Madras in 1954, and M.A from Christ Church College, Kanpur in 1961.
He completed his training in priesthood under the guidance of Thoma Mar Dionysius and His Holiness Baselios Oughen, Catholicos of the East. He received the order of Korooyo from His Holiness Geevarghese II Catholicos of the East on March 11, 1942, full deaconship on May 22, 1947 and priesthood on January 25, 1950 and His Holiness Baselios Oughen made him Ramban in May 1965 .
The Malankara Syrian Christian Association, which met on December 28, 1965, at M D Seminary, Kottayam, elected him as Metropolitan. On August 24, 1966, at Kolencherry His Holiness Baselios Oughen Bava consecrated him as Metropolitan Thomas Mar Timotheos.
He became the Metropolitan of Malabar on November 11, 1966. He continued to serve as the General Superior of Mount Tabor Dayara and Convent in Pathanapuram.
On September 10, 1992, the Malankara Association, which met at Parumala, elected him as successor- designate to the Malankara Metropolitan and Catholicos of the East.
Death Condoled
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy expressed condolence over the demise of Baselios Marthoma Didimos I. In his condolence message, the Chief Minister said Bava’s contributions to the Orthodox Church and society were precious and will be cherished. Excise Minister K Babu also condoled the death of Didimos.