Eldho Mor Baselios
Eldho Mor Baselios or Maphryono Mor Baselios Yeldho or Eldho Bava, was born in Bakhdida near Mosul in Iraq where Mort Shmoni and her 7 children suffered martyrdom. At a young age he joined the Mor Bahnan Monastery and become a monk.In 1678 he was consecrated Maphryono (Catholicos) by the Patriarch of Antioch Moran Mor Ignatius Abdul Masiha I.
Catholicos Baselios Eldho was proclaimed as a saint by Catholicos Baselios Geevarghese II in 2 November 1947. Later Syriac Orthodox Church also declared him as a saint in 1987.
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Travel to India [edit]
In 1685 at the age of 92, he started the difficult mission to India at the request of Mor Thoma II of Malankara who informed the Patriarchate about the unpleasant situation of the Church there. The Maphryono was accompanied by his brother Jemma, Mar Evanios Episcopa and two monks (Rambans) Yovey and Mathai.[1] Fearing Portuguese persecution, they took a lengthy route, of travelling to Thalaserry, moving around incognito and finally reached Kothamangalam in Kerala on September 14, 1685.[2]
Mission in India [edit]
His mission was to reorganise the East Syrian Christians, and train them in the new West Syrian faith. Mar Thoma II was the lone Metropolitan in Malankara and needed assistance.Knowing about the situation prevailing in Malankara, Maphryono Mor Baselios Yeldho, who was above 90 years of age, volunteered for the service, relinquishing his administrative charges in Iraq. [3]
Death [edit]
Soon after reaching Kothamangalam, he consecrated Mar Evanios Episcopa and gave him the title, Metropolitan Mar Evanios Hidayuttullah (entombed at Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Church).On September 27, he received the last sacraments of anointment with Holy Oil . Two days after (on Kanni 19, which is September 29, 1685) in the afternoon, the saintly father died at the age of 92.
Feast at Kothamangalam [edit]
Eldho Mar Baselios was declared a saint on 1947 November 5, by Catholicos Baselios Geevarghese II.[4] Feast of the saint is celebrated in the Mor Thoma Church (Cheriapally) at Kothamangalam with spiritual grandeur every year on October 2 and 3 and is popularly known as "Kanni 20 Perunnal".In north malankara it is a common practise among the faithful to name their new born babies as ‘Eldho’ or ‘Basil’ during baptism. The parents believe that by doing so, the saint will protect their children from all evils. Mass baptisms are common in this parish particularly on Saturdays.
Feast at Pazhanji Palli [edit]
Every year on October 2 and 3 the feast of the saint is celebrated as a great festival at Pazhanji Palli[5]
References [edit]
- ^ http://www.syrianchurch.org/bio/MorBaseliosYeldho.htm
- ^ http://www.baselios.org/Baselios_Yeldho.htm
- ^ http://www.syrianchurch.org/bio/MorBaseliosYeldho.htm
- ^ Rev.Dr. Joseph Cheeran, et al. Tradition and History of Indian Orthodox Church, (2002) p. 314
- ^ http://orthodoxchurchpazhanji.net/ Source: Church website, refer "History" section
