H.H. Basalios Marthoma Paulose II was the eighth Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan of Malankara Orthodox Church from 1st November 2010 to 12 July 2021. His Holiness was the 91st Primate on the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas. Mar Basalios Paulose succeeded the Seventh Catholicos His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymos I. His Holiness had been called for his eternal abode on 12 July 2021. His mortal remains is interred in the Chapel at Catholicate Palace, Devalokam, Kottayam, India.

With deep sorrow I write this tribute to beloved Bava Thirumeni as his departure from this world was quite unexpected and excruciating. Thirumeni was an epitome of love and compassion and personification of celestial mercy and Godly amity. His friendship was warm and awesome. He cared for people of all religion and of all classes.

Bava Thirumeni was born on 30th August 1946 in a village Mangad in Pazhanji near Kunnamkulam as second son of Kollannur Iype and Pulikkottil Kunjeetty. His maternal family Pulikkottil had contributed two Malankara Metropolitans Pulikottil Joseph Mar Dionysius II and Pulikottil Joseph Mar Dionysius V. As a child K. I. Paul completed his preliminary education at the Mangad Church School until his 7th standard. He completed his high school studies at the Pazhanji Government High School, which was established by the late Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius II. From childhood Paul was very pious and became acolyte (altar boy) at a young age.

Paul graduated in Physics from St. Thomas College, Trichur. During this time, he was an active member of the MGOCSM at his church. Further Paul joined the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam from where he obtained G.S.T and B.D. degrees of the Serampore University. After becoming a priest, he joined C.M.S College, Kottayam and took his M.A in Sociology.

In 1972, Paul was ordained for the first stage of deaconate in Parumala Seminary. He was ordained a full deacon at Koratty Zion Seminary. On 21 June 1973, Dn. Paul was ordained as a priest. Fr. Paul celebrated the first Holy Qurbana at Mangad St. Gregorios Church. In 1983, Paul was ordained as a Ramban (Monk Priest).

At the young age of 36, the Malankara Syrian Christian Association which is the church Parliament elected Ramban K.I.Paul as Bishop. On 15th May 1985, he was consecrated as Episcopa (bishop) with the ecclesiastical title as Paulose Mar Milithios. Subsequently, His Grace was elevated as the first Metropolitan of the newly formed Kunnamkulam diocese on 1st August 1985.

The Malankara Syrian Christian Association held at Parumala on 12th October 2006 unanimously elected His Grace Paulose Mar Milithios Metropolitan as the Catholicos Designate and the successor to the Malankara Metropolitan. As the seventh Catholicos His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I renounced the position due to illness, His Grace Paulose Mar Milithios Metropolitan was enthroned as the Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan on 1st November 2010 with title as His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II at St. Paul's and St. Peter's church at Parumala in the presence of his predecessor.

H.H. visited most Oriental Orthodox Churches and had discussions with the heads with a broad view of Inter-Church relations. The meeting with the Pope Francis of the Catholic Church has enhanced the bilateral relations between the two Churches. In 2012, Marthoma Paulose II, was invited and attended the enthronement service of the supreme head of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

For our family, departure of beloved Bava Thirumeni is a great loss and feeling of vacuity as we had kept personal relationship with him for long years as Thirumeni being classmate of my wife in CMS College Kottayam for MA in Sociology. He visited our house in India and had long personal private chats whenever he visited in North East States of USA. As on request, Thirumeni had sent a hand-written article for Light of Life 'How to follow Jesus' by post from Kerala which we preserve as treasure.

Beloved Thirumeni, we bow before you and kiss your hands with tearful prayers....

RELATED ARTICLE IN LOL:
FELICITATION TO H. H. BASALIOS MARTHOMA PAULOSE II CATHOLICOSE OF MALANKARA ORTHODOX CHURCH