Our Patrons
Hierarchy - Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church
His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II
Patriarch of Antioch and
All the East, Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church
His Holiness, the Patriarch, Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II is the legitimate successor of St. Peter the Head Apostle. The Patriarch is the Supreme Head of the Syrian/Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, the defender of its faith, doctrine, and apostolic traditions. The symbol of its unity, its representative and spokesman everywhere the general supervisor of all its affairs and the Spiritual Father of all Syrian/Syriac Orthodox people worldwide. His Holiness must be obeyed by the Catholicos, Metropolitans (Bishops), Priests (Vicars), Monks, Nuns, Deacons and all laity.
Holiness name shall be proclaimed throughout all Syrian/Syriac Orthodox Churches/Parishes and Congregations during the Holy Qurbano (Holy Mass) and canonical prayers, before the name of the Diocesan Metropolitan (Bishop), and in Jacobite Syrian Churches/Parishes and Congregations before the name of the Catholicos. His title is: His Holiness the Supreme Pontiff Moran Mor Ignatius … Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and the Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church. His Holiness name shall be proclaimed throughout all Syrian/Syriac Orthodox Churches/Parishes and Congregations during the Holy Qurbano (Holy Mass) and canonical prayers, before the name of the Diocesan Metropolitan (Bishop), and in Jacobite Syrian Churches/Parishes and Congregations before the name of the Catholicos.
His Eminence Mor Gregorios Joseph
Catholicose of the East
Mor Gregorios Joseph was born as the youngest of four children to Srambikkal Pallithitta Geevarghese and Saramma in Perumpilly, Mulanthuruthy. He is the grandchild of the cousin of Geevarghese Gregorios of Parumala. Joseph had his primary education at Perumpally Primary School and high school education from Mulanthuruthy High School. At the age of 13 Joseph was ordained deacon by Geevarghese Mor Gregorios (Perumpally Thirumeni) at Mor Ignatius Dayro Manjinikkara on 25 March 1974. Joseph served as the secretary to Perumpally Thirumeni for many years. He did pre-degree and degree studies from Maharajas College, Ernakulam and joined Mor Julius Seminary, Perumpally, for his theological studies. Later on 25 March 1984, Joseph was ordained Kassiso at Marthoman Church, Mulanthuruthy, by Mor Baselios Paulose II, Catholicose. Joseph did his master's degree in philosophy from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland and higher studies in theology from the US.
His Beatitude Mor Baselios Thomas I
Catholicose of the East
July 2002 – Oct 2024
The Catholicos of India is an ecclesiastical office of the Syriac Orthodox Church and the head of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. He is the Catholicos/Maphrian of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, an autonomous body within the Syriac Orthodox Church. The jurisdiction of Catholicos was in India of the East, Hence Syriac Orthodox Church Catholicos of the East was renamed the Catholicos of India in 2002. The position had remained vacant between 1996 and 2002.
The Catholicos of India is His Beatitude Baselios Thomas I (Jul 2002 - Oct 2024). He was enthroned as the Catholicos by Ignatius Zakka I Iwas Patriarch of Antioch at St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral in Mor Ephrem Monastery near Damascus on 26 July 2002. He is the third Indian Maphrian and Catholicos of the Syriac Orthodox Church in India and former Metropolitan Trustee of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church.
His Grace Issac Mor Osthatheos
UK Diocese - Metropolitan
H.G. Mor Osthatheos Ishaq was born on January 17th 1976 as the son of Mr. C.I. Thomas and Saramma Thomas, Pachilakkattu (Ceetharukuzhiyil) Puthuveli, Kottayam. The St. Stephens Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Koothattukulam in Kandanadu Diocese is the home parish of the Metropolitan. Late Lamented Mor Osthathios Thomas, Metropolitan of Kochi diocese, is his grandfather’s brother.
From a very young age itself he was greatly involved in religious affairs. It was at the age of seven, that he came to Kyomtha Seminary, Thiuvankulam with his grand uncle Mor Osthathios Thomas. He completed primary and secondary school education from Georgian Academy English Medium School, Thiruvankulam and high school from RMHS Vadavucode. Later he attained graduation in Economics from St. Alberts College, Ernakulam and Post-graduation from Kerala University. He also graduated in Library Science from Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi.