His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews I
Fifth Catholicos of the East in Malankara.
1972-1975 (Assistant) & 1975-1976 Metropolitan of the Diocese
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His Holiness was born on 27th, March 1907 as the youngest son of Vattakunnel Kurien Kathanar and Olesha Pulickaparampil Mariamma in Kottayam.
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He took his B.A, B.D. degrees. Even as a layman he had achieved the unique distinction in studies and also in the Canonical Laws; he was selected as a member of the Managing committee in 1944.
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He received on 18 August 1945 at the Old Seminary the order of "Musmrono" and on 19 August at Mar Elia Chapel he became a full deacon; on 27 October 1946 he was ordained as priest by His Holess Baselios Geevarghese II, Catholicos of the East.
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Later, on 21 September 1951, he was elevated to the rank of Ramban (Monk).
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His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II consecrated him as Episcopa under the name Mahews Mar Athanasios.
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He was further elevated to the office of Metropolitan on 12 July 1959.
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In 1960, he became Head of outside Kerala Diocese of the Malankara church.
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He was unanimously elected as the Supreme Head of the church and successor to the Catholicate of the East/Malankara Metropolitanate by the Malankara Association, which met on 31 December 1970 at M.D.Seminary, Kottayam.
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On 24 September 1975, he became Malankara Metropolitan.
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On 27 October 1975, at the Old Seminary, he was installed as Catholicos of the East with the title His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews I.
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He executed many administrative innovations and helped to strengthen the sovereignty of the Malankara Orthodox Church and its right to have its own sovereign Head.
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He was able to project the name and fame of the church on an international level.
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On 27 April 1991, due to failing health he relinquished his office.
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On 8 November 1996 he passed away, and was laid to rest in Devalokam Aramana.
