Baselios Geevarghese II
His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II
(Catholicos of the East) | |
|---|---|
| Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. | |
| File:Baselious-Geevarghese-II.jpg | |
| Diocese | Kottayam |
| Installed | 1934 |
| Term ended | 1964 |
| Successor | Baselios Augen I |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1898. |
| Consecration | Dec 24, 1934 |
| Personal details | |
| Died | Jan 3, 1964 |
| Buried | Devalokam Aramana,Kottayam |
His Holiness Baselius Geevarghese II of the Indian Orthodox Church (1874 – 1964), the Third Catholicos of Malankara and Malankara Metropolitan, was born to Ulah-anan and Naithi of the Kallaserri family in Kurichi, Kottayam India on 16 June 1874.
On 24 April 1892, Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasios ordained him as deacon and on 24 November and 27 November 1898 he was ordained as priest and Ramban respectively by Parumala Mar Gregorios.[1] He resided in Kadambanad church and took charge of the southern dioceses of the Indian Orthodox Church. He also served as Manager and Malpan of the Old Seminary. His published books included "Sahodaran- marude Charithram". "Rehasya Prarthanakal". "Parudaisa", and "Mar Yuhanon Mamdana".
On 8 September 1912 His Holiness Patriarch Abdhedh Meshiah consecrated him as Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Gregorios at Parumala Seminary. He was appointed as the Metropolitan of Thumpamon, Kollam and Niranam dioceses. On 15 February 1929, with the Malankara Metropolitan Vattaserril Geevarghese Mar Dionysios as the chief priest, he was installed as the Catholicos of the East, succeeding Catholicos Baselius Geevargheses I, who had died in the previous year.[1]
When the Association met on 24 December 1934 at M.D. Seminary, Kottayam, he was chosen as Malankara Metropolitan. It was a period when issues within the Indian Orthodox Church were becoming very complicated. Through prayer and fasting he received the strength from God to lead his people for many years, inspiring his people to work for their Church and for the glory of God. Following the peace pact of 1958, he had the good fortune to guide the destiny of the unified Indian Orthodox Church.[2]
Apart from consecrating twelve Metropolitans, and ordaining more than a thousand priests and deacons, he founded and consecrated many churches. On 22 April 1932 and on 20 April 1951 he conducted the 'Mooran Koodasha' at the Old Seminary. On 2 November 1947 he declared Parumala Mar Gregorios and Catholicos Baselios Eldho as saints.[1]
From his time onwards the offices of Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan were united in one and the same person. Baselius Geevarghese II died on 3 January 1964 at Develokam Aramana and was laid to rest beside the Devalokam Aramana Chapel. His anniversary is 3 January.