H. B. Catholicos Baselios Thomas I, Head of the Jacobite Syrian Church, had departed this world for his heavenly abode on Thursday, 31 October 2024. He was 95 years old. He was entombed at St. Athanasius Cathedral at the Patriarchal Centre, Puthenkurishu near Ernakulum on 2nd November 2024. Mor Thomas I was prelate of the Syrian Jacobite Church in Kerala till his departure.

Catholicos Baselios Thomas I was born in the Cheruvillil family of Vadayambadi Puthenkurishu (Ernakulum) to Mathai and Kunjamma on July 22, 1929. Though Mathai Thomas hailed from an aristocratic Kerala Syrian Christian lineage, he had to face financial hardships during his early stage of life. During his childhood Thomas was bitten by a street dog, frightening the little boy. Further to that he had recurrent bouts of illness which affected his education and subsequently he had to renounce his school education after fourth grade.

His mother used to take the sick young boy to the nearby hilltop Malekurishu Dayro near Puthenkurishu at the relics of late Patriarch St. Ignatius Elias III and St. Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala. One night, as his mother was praying with the young boy on her lap, she had a vision which inspired her to dedicate the child for the service of the church. Subsequently the ailments of the child was cured. Because of financial constraints of the family Thomas started working as a mail runner with the postal department.

Later Thomas received religious training under Njarthunkal Koruthu Malpan, Moosa Saloma Ramban and Kadavil Paul Ramban. In 1952, Thomas was ordained as a Sub deacon at age of 24 and in 1957 Mor Philexenos Paulose elevated him as full deacon. In 1958 Mor Julius Elias Qoro ordained Dn. Thomas as a Priest at Manjinikkara. Fr. Thomas commenced his ecclesiastical career serving as vicar of St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Church in Puthenkurishu. Later he ministered in churches at Vellathooval, Kezhumuri, Fort Cochin, Valamboor, Calcutta, and Thrissur. Fr. Thomas worked as organizing secretary for Kolenchery Medical Mission Hospital. Also he served missions across northern India. He supported coal miners in Calcutta through his work at Varikoly Hospital. Out of his fervency for proclamation of Gospel in the Church, he commenced St. Paul's prayer fellowship across the region and instigated for a centralized Puthenkurishu Gospel Convention which is held from December 26-31 every year.

Fr. Thomas was elected to the episcopate by the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Association held at Karingachira St. George Church in January 1974 and was consecrated as Metropolitan by H.H. Mor Ignatius Yacoub III on February 24, 1974 at Damascus with ecclesiastical name of Thomas Mar Dionysius and installed as the Diocesan Metropolitan of Ankamaly Diocese, which was the biggest diocese of the Jacobite Church. On July 26, 2002 Mor Dionysius was consecrated as Catholicos of the Jacobite Church by H.H. Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas at Damascus. Since then till his passing away in 2024, he led the Jacobite Church as its prelate and supreme head. H.B. Catholicos Baselios Thomas I was chief celebrant for consecration of 13 bishops of the Church. Also he had the fortune to preside over the enthronement of Mor Ignatius Aphrem II as the Patriarch of Antioch in 2014.

Beloved Thirumeni, we respect you and kiss your hands with prayers....