His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III

Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan
Primate of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
92nd Successor to the Throne of Saint Thomas & 22nd Malankara Metropolitan

His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III was enthroned as the Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan on Friday, 15 October 2021, becoming the 92nd Primate of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church on the Apostolic Throne of St Thomas.

Born on 12 February 1949 to Mr. Cherian Anthrayos of the Mattathil family, His Holiness hails from St. Peter’s Orthodox Church, Vazhoor. After completing school, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Kerala University, followed by theological formation at the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam, where he received his Graduate in Sacred Theology degree. He further obtained a Bachelor of Divinity from Serampore University and pursued higher theological studies at the Theological Academy, Leningrad, Russia.

Continuing his academic journey, His Holiness attended the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome, earning both a Master’s degree in Theology and a Ph.D. He was ordained a deacon in 1976 and a priest in 1978 by His Holiness Baselios Mathews I. On 30 April 1991, he was consecrated as a Bishop, and in 1993, elevated to the rank of Metropolitan.

Following the passing of His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, the Malankara Syrian Christian Association elected him Catholicos Designate on 14 October 2021 at Parumala. The next day, 15 October 2021, the Holy Synod enthroned him as the Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan, Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III.