KOTTAYAM: Catholicos Baselios Didymos I, the supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, has turned 90.
For the spiritual head of the 30lakhstrong Orthodox Church, his birthday comes as he is about to complete in a few days his fiveyear reign as Catholicos.
He is the serving Malankara Metropolitan and twentieth in the series by virtue of his election by the Malankara Association as head of the denomination.
Born in Mavelikkara as the son of Ittyavirah Thomas and Sosamma, he chose the life of an ascetic at 17 and later graduated to full priesthood by 1950. Didymos I, a graduate and a masters degree holder, had been a college viceprincipal, before taking up important offices in the Church. Since his elevation as Catholicos on October 31, 2005, he had presided over four Malankara Association meetings and had been instrumental in anointing 14 new metropolitans.
The Catholicos was also noted for conducting the highly auspicious 'Moron' consecration, a rare event in the Church during his tenure. Additionally, he had led the publication of a codified Church service manual. The church is organising the Navati fete at Parumala on Friday by donating Rs 25,000 each as financial aid to 90 persons under the Marriage Aid scheme. He will also present the keys of houses built for 90 homeless families on the occasion