KOTTAYAM: The supreme head of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India, Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, was laid to rest with state honours in a specially-made crypt, adjacent to the chapel at the Catholicate palace in Devalokam –which is the headquarters of Orthodox Church –on Tuesday evening.
The funeral service was led by senior metropolitan Kuriakose Mar Clemis who was given the charge of Malankara Association by the late Catholicos while the latter was undergoing treatment at a hospital. Earlier in the day, the mortal remains of Catholicos were kept at a special venue in Catholicate palace for the public to pay their homage.
In his last ‘kalpana’ (edict) – which was released by the church leadership on Tuesday – the late Catholicos talked about a litigation-free Malankara Church which is constituted by Orthodox and Jacobite factions.
“Malankara Church is going through a crucial period. The Supreme Court verdict on July 3, 2017 is a god given gift to make the church litigationfree,” he said. He said in his ‘kalpana’ that he had opposed attempts at temporary adjustments that were not founded on this legal base (SC verdict). He also said that no further litigations should be made on this in future. Nobody should say that we cheated our faithful. I’m sure that truth will prevail even if it’s delayed, he wrote.
The head of Catholic Church Pope Francis, US president Joe Biden and supreme head of Syrian Orthodox Church Ignatius Aphrem II were among those who sent condolence messages.
Catholicos passed away at a private hospital due to post-Covid complications at the age of 74 on Monday.
