His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II was enthroned as the Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan (the Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India) on 1st November, 2010. His Holiness is the 91st Primate on the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas.
Three score and ten years ago in a small village called Mangad near Kunnamkulam, Paul was born on 30th August, 1946 in the ancient Syrian Christian family of Kollannur to K. I. Ipe and Kunjeetty. Paul’s mother hails from the famous family of Pulikkottil. Paul was baptized at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Pazhanj. Groomed by his parents and grand parents, Paul had his primary school education at Mangad schools and secondary school education at Govt. H. S, Pazhanji.
Paul moved to the city of Trissur for his Pre-university and Undergraduate studies at St. Thomas College, Trissur where Paul passed in flying colours. He completed his Post-Graduate studies in Sociology at CMS College, Kottayam.
From his childhood, Paul had showed keen interest in spiritual matters. His parish church, St. Marys Orthodox church was the nerve centre of his spiritual growth. At the age of 13, he was selected by his parish priest to be vast in the ‘washing of feat’ service celebrated by H.G. Paulose Mar Severios Metropolitan. This marked a turning point in the life of young Paul, when the metropolitan invited him to the priesthood. The influence of his parents especially that of his mother who hails from the famous Pulikkottil family played a great role in moulding his early life. Even from his childhood, he use to learn Syriac chants and prayers and was very keen in attending the church service. Young Paul joined the Orthodox Theological Seminary from where he secured GST and took BD from the Serampore University.
Late Laminted H.G. Yuhanon Mar Severios, Metropolitan of Kochi Diocese ordained him as sub deacon at Parumala seminary on 8th April, 1972 and as deacon at Sion Seminary, Koratty on 31st May, 1973. He was ordained as priest by Late Laminted Yuhanon Mar Severios at Sion Seminary, Koratty on 2nd June, 1973. Fr. K.I. Paul celebrated his first Holy Qurbana at Mar Gregorius Orthodox Chapel, Mangad.
Fr. Paul served as a model shepherd of St. Marys Orthodox Church, Ernakulam, Moolepat Orthodox Church, Pazhanji, St. Marys Magdalene Convent, Adappotty, Kummanmkulam and Medical College Chapel, Kottayam. The Malankara Syrian Christian Association held at M.G.M. Thiruvalla on 28th December, 1982 elected Fr. Paul as metropolitan. Late Laminted H.G. Mathews Mar Coorilos (later H.H. Moran Mar Baselius Mar Thoma Mathews II) professed him Ramban on 14th May, 1983 at Parumala Seminary. On 15th May, 1985 H.H. Moran Mar Baselius Marthoma Mathews I consecrated Paul Ramban as Episcopa with the name Paulose Mar Milithios.
H.G. Paulose Mar Milithios had the privileged of becoming the first bishop of newly formed Kunnamkulam Diocese on 1st August, 1985. His Grace was elevated as Metropolitan on 25th October, 1991. Besides shepherding the Kunnamkulam Dioceses, His Grace serves as the president of Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East (OSSAE), MBCH Mannapra Vadavucode, Pulikottil Mar Divannasius Bhavan, Kottapady. His Grace is the Vice President of Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement of India, MMM Hospital, Kunnamkulam and Manager of M. D. College, Pazhanji. His grace has also served as the President of the Orthodox Youth Movement.
The Holy Episcopal Synod and the Managing committee nominated His Grace as the successor to the Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan on 27th September, 2006 and elevated to the Throne of The Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan on 1st November, 2010.
- H.H. Baselios Marthoma Paulose II
- Catholicate Aramana
- Devalokam P.O, Kottayam
- Kerala, India
- Telephone
- (0481) 2578 499 or (0481) 2578 500
- catholicos@mosc.in