H H Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II – Jan 26 I Angel Bava I Mount Horeb Shasthamkotta

His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II (30 January 1915 – 26 January 2006) was the Supreme Primate of Indian Orthodox Church. He was the sixth Catholicos of the East, nineteenth Malankara Metropolitan and Eighty ninth successor to the Holy Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas. His Holiness was Giant figure and Towering personality of Malankara Orthodox Church, a vibrant charismatic leader of our Church. Thirumeni made a mark on all the people, he met through His devoted and deeply spiritual leadership and loving nature.

His Holiness never lost sight of the difficulties facing the people of his Church and reminded them how indispensable it is to live in harmony. He found a place in the hearts of his people as a holy father by his spotless purity and nobility of character. He often pointed out that the human family is a community brought together by the Grace of God to love each other – God’s grace surpasses all human weakness and the love of God embraces and upholds all human beings in their weakness. He was a role model for even other denominations. He won the heart of his people by his infectious and never fading smile and alluring overtures. It was his prayer life, uncompromising ascetic, penance and fasting that raised him as one of the most Charismatic leaders in Indian Christianity’s ecclesiastical office in the Church

Childhood and Early Life

His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, was born on January 30, 1915 at Perinadu in Kollam District of Kerala. Kochunnunni, as called was the eldest son of Puthusserazhikath Puthenveedu Idiculla and Annamma. The boy was very studious, calm and quite with a great love to God. His Holiness had his early secular education in a local school, amongst many Hindu and Muslim friends and his interaction with people from other religions developed in young Mathews an open-minded attitude and broadmindedness that came handy to him later his life. He studied in the primary levels in Kavara School and then joined Prakulam N.S.S High School for his higher secondary education. He received inspiration from the spiritual discourses of Ala Achen of Marthoma Church and Sadhu Kochu Kunju Young Mathews was very fond of reading biographical sketches of Hindu ascetics. He was inspired by then Catholicos Baselius Geevarghese II, whom he looked on to as his role model. This developed a yearning within him, to serve the Church as a priest. With the great inspiration of memory from his role-model in his mind, Mathews self-determined to dedicate himself for the priestly service. Mathews saw in his dream that God called him similar to the call received by Prophet Samuel. He confided this about his dream to his cousin Thalavoor Charuvilla John, who informed his parents and parishioners. He prayed incessantly for God’s will to happen, against the wishes of his father. Seeing his staunch faith in Christ and Church and his interest in prayerful life, his Perinadu parishioners requested his father, to send him to seminary so that he can select the vocation to serve the Church and that they will get a local priest too. But his father, a businessman, refused at first, but as he suffered losses in his business, agreed and yielded to request and wishes of his son Mathews and the parishioners. Thus, the earnest prayers to this cause and the call of God, eventually yielded and he decided to dedicate everything for the Glory of the God.

Priestly Ascetic Life

He was ordained as Deacon by Catholicos Geevarghese II. Mathews started his theological education in Old Seminary, but unfortunately Old Seminary was closed owing to litigations. At that time Mathews heard about Puthenkavil Mar Philexinos Thirumeni’s plan to start training deacons at Basil Dayara, Pathanamthitta. He heard that more theological training was being given there. He enquired with Puthenkavil Thirumeni about him possibly joining Basil Dayara for studies, to which Thirumeni agreed. He learned under Puthenkavil Thirumeni, Daniel Clery (Daniel Mar Philexinos) and Thengumtharayil Geevarghese Cor Episcopa. Later he joined Bishops College, Kolkatta for his BD after which he pursued higher education in Theology from General Theological Seminary, New York. He was ordained as Priest in 1941.He was ordained as sub-deacon on 7th April 1938. After completing theological training in the Basil Dayara, Dn. Mathews returned to the Catholicos Mar Baselius Geevarghese II. Catholicos found him ready and ripe for the priestly service and ordained him as full deacon at Pandalam Pongaladi Church and further in 1941 ordained Dn. Mathews as a priest at the Old Seminary, Kottayam

Just around after his ordination, the St George Dayara at Othera, started. It was during his stay at St. George Dayara, Catholicos Geevarghese II was looking out for an unmarried priest to put in charge of the Dayara, and Fr Mathews was given the charge, of Othera Dayara. Fr. Mathews took charge of his newly designated pastureland at Othera without even seeing or foreknowledge about the condition of Dayara. Here, Fr Mathews made a mark as a devoted and an able priest of the Indian Orthodox Church. He was noted for his spiritual leadership and loving nature and could endear himself to everyone who met him. He was known as “Father Angel” at that time. He led a disciplined monastic life. Extreme poverty was the hallmark of Othera Dayara. Most of the days there was nothing to eat, as a result many inmates of the Dayara left for their homes. The food that was served was either Bajara or Jackfruit grown in the Dayara compound itself.  But Fr Mathews was hesitant in informing to any Church authorities. Once famed lay leaders, K C Mammen Mappilai and Adv E J John came to the Dayara at noon. Embarrassed to serve them Kanji, Fr Mathews asked the cook to dry out the water and serve them rice. But both the lay leaders could make out that the rice served to them was made from Kanji. Adv E J John, before leaving the Dayara, promised sufficient rice from his paddy fields thereafter.  Fr Mathews was joined in the Dayara by Pappan, who came to Dayara as a cook, who later would turn out to be his driver for a long time. The prayer life of Fr Mathews made the Othera Dayara a Centre of spiritual excellence.

Wishing to use the knowledge Fr Mathews acquired from his Theological education outside, Catholicos Geevarghese II appointed him as a teacher in Old Seminary (then, MD Seminary), still in charge as manager of the Dayara. Service of Fr. Mathews was not restrained to the Seminary and Dayara. Despite of his responsibilities as seminary teacher and the Dayara, Fr Mathews travelled across Malankara leading retreats and inspiring many. His spiritually stimulating divine voice started echoing in Churches, convention halls, youth and student conferences, women’s associations etc. across Malankara. He spoke in simple words and with parables and paradigms of our own surroundings which pierced and echoed, deep to the mind of the listeners. He used to well prepare in advance and was too emotional and enthusiastic to share his spiritual thoughts with his audience. Because of his handsome appearance and pleasant demeanor, he was called as “Angel Achen”

Metropolitan

On September 21, 1951 Fr. Mathews was elevated as a Ramban at Old Seminary Kottayam by Mar Baselios Geevarghese II. The Catholicos His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II took special interest to see that the services of Father Mathews are utilized in a still better way for the Church and the community. On May 15^th, 1953, he was ordained as a Bishop of Orthodox church. He was only thirty-eight years at that time. The young Bishop grew in stature very soon. As Metropolitan of the Diocese of Kollam, He was fully responsible for its growth and progress and the number of parishes almost doubled within a short period. Several monasteries and convents were started. Many educational institutions and hospitals were established. His services in the field of education and social service are all very well known. Several Colleges, Schools, Hospitals and other service institutions are successfully established and administered under his direct control and leadership. He has travelled wide to various countries: the United States, Canada, Europe, Malaya, Singapore, Gulf countries etc. and has attended various international meetings and conferences. It was on May 1, 1980, that he was unanimously elected as Catholicos Designate by the Malankara Syrian Christian Association, held in MD Seminary, a successor to the throne of Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan

When Catholicos Baselius Marthoma Mathews I relinquished the post, Mathews Mar Coorilos Metropolitan was elevated as Catholicos Baselius Marthoma Mathews II on April 29, 1991 in Parumala Seminary. During his tenure as Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan he conducted Holy Moroon Consecration on 26 March 1999 at Devalokam. He ordained a total of eleven Metropolitans. He has mentored many priests, some of whom went on to become Metropolitans, which include Mathews Mar Epiphanios, Zachariah Mar Anthonios and Yakoob Mar Elias. During his tenure the dioceses of Sulthan Battery, Mavelikkara and UK-Europe-Africa came into existence. He canonized Vattasseril Mar Dionysius, as the second declared saint of the Malankara Orthodox Church. He also consecrated the renovated Parumala, Puthupally and Chandanapally Churches among many. The young Bishop grew in stature very soon. 

Visionary, Skillful Ecclesiastical Leader

New schemes were started under his directions are found to be of much help and benefit for the community at large. A Civil Service Academy was started at Thiruvananthapuram, to give proper training for candidates appearing for IAS, IPS, IFS and other Central Service Examinations. With a view to provide shelter for the poor, a House Building Assistance project was started. The Community Marriage Scheme is found beneficial for the marriage of poor girls. Human Resources Development and Services Wing is also helpful for the community in general.

As the Metropolitan of the Diocese of Kollam he was fully responsible for its growth and progress and the number of parishes almost doubled within a short period.  Several monasteries and convents were started, large number of educational institutions and hospitals were begun.

His services in the fields of education and social service are all very well known.  Several Schools from Primary level to Higher Secondary level, Degree and Post Graduate colleges and also Professional Colleges were started under his initiative. Three Engineering Colleges, at Bhilai, Peermade and Sasthamcotta and one Medical College at Kolencherry were established during his time.  There are many Schools, Colleges, Hospitals and other service institutions which were established and successfully administered under his direct control and leadership.

As President of the Ecumenical committee in Kerala and also in various other Inter-Church Committees he has shown excellent leadership. He keeps in touch with Heads of other Churches constantly and is keenly interested to promote Ecumenism. He has very friendly relations with leaders of other religions as well and has fully demonstrated by his activities the role the Head of a Christian Church has to play in the Secular, Socialist, Democratic, Republic of India. He encourages all activities directed towards the progress and development of the Nation and promotion of communal harmony and maintenance of peace in the country.

A good orator, an eminent scholar, a renowned theologian, an able administrator and a man of the Word of God, he had all the qualities needed for a spiritual leader and a good shepherd. With his intelligence, wisdom, love and vision and with his vast experience in various fields he has proved himself successful as a skilful ecclesiastical head of an ancient Church. With his devotion and dedication in life and sincerity of purpose, no doubt the community at large is benefited by his true Christian life as a servant of God in the service of mankind. Catholicos Mathews II was a well-known figure in the ecumenical circles in Kerala. He also was keen on maintaining the religious harmony in the country especially in the state of Kerala. It was his timely intervention that prevented communal disharmony in Nilackal. He held close friendship with various religious and political leaders. He was in forefront of many social issues, especially the Kallada irrigation project. He travelled widely in India and abroad, either for attending International meetings and conferences or for meeting his folk.

It was during his tenure that the Supreme Court of India delivered its famous verdict in Church litigations in 1995. Even though several attempts were made for unity, it didn’t come to fruition. But still Metropolitans Abraham Mar Severius, Thomas Mar Athanasius, Yuhanon Mar Meletius and Zachariah Mar Nicholovos who were with Jacobite faction, accepted the Catholicate, leading to partial unity in the dioceses of Kandanad, Angamaly and Thrissur. The Malankara Association held in Parumala Seminary in 2002 with Justice Malimath as the special overseer appointed by the Supreme Court, upheld his status as Malankara Metropolitan.

He abdicated from his position due to advanced old age on November 30, 2005. He entered into eternal rest on 26 Jan 2006 and laid to rest in Mar Elia Chapel Shastamcotta. His Holiness’ name will emit its never dying brilliance as a bright star in the galaxy of saints ‘ANGEL BAVA’.