Kolenchery: Today marks the solemn farewell for Catholicos Baselios Thomas I, revered leader of the Jacobite Syrian Church in India. The funeral service, set for 4 pm at Mar Athanasius Cathedral in Puthenkurissu (Puthencruz), is expected to draw thousands of faithful mourners. Baselios Thomas I, who dedicated decades to serving his community, will be remembered and laid to rest in the church’s Patriarchal Centre. The ceremony will be officiated by Joseph Mar Gregorios, Metropolitan Trustee of the Jacobite Church, joined by Archbishop Mar Divanassios John Kavak from the United States and Archbishop Mar Athanasios Thoma David from the United Kingdom, who are attending on behalf of Ignatius Aphrem II, the Patriarch of Antioch.
A massive crowd honored the Catholicos during a mourning procession that passed through Kothamangalam, where he served for many years. The body was taken through various locations of significance, beginning with services at Kothamangalam’s Mar Thoman Cheriya Palli and Valiya Palli churches, and then moved to Puthencruz, his birthplace and spiritual center of the Jacobite Church. The final rites will continue today with a series of services concluding with the burial.
In anticipation of the large crowd, the Ernakulam Rural Police have set up traffic regulations around Puthencruz. Parking restrictions are in place along the Kolenchery-Mananthadam stretch of the Kochi-Madurai National Highway, with specific detours and designated parking areas arranged to accommodate attendees. Vehicle access is also restricted from Malekurish to Puthencruz town.
