It is with deep sorrow and grief we convey the painful news that the primate of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church - H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, the Catholicos of the East (8th Catholicos in India), the 21st Malankara Metropolitan and the 91st successor to the Holy Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas - entered into heavenly abode today, the 12th of July in the 2021th year of the lord, early morning at 2:35 am. He had been undergoing treatment for cancer at St. Gregorios Mission Hospital at Parumala, Kerala since December 2019 and needed ventilator support, in his final days, citing some medical complications. Aged 74, he led the Church as its supreme head for a period of about 11 years since November 1, 2010.

A visionary and pioneer, His Holiness longed for lasting peace in the Church laying basis on the 1934 constitution and the Supreme Court Judgement. Ordained as a metropolitan at the age of 38, he served as the first Metropolitan of the Diocese of Kunnamkulam who worked for the Church throughout his lifetime with compassion and simplicity along with maintaining a very stern approach when it came to matters pertaining to the Church.

The last rites will be performed tomorrow around 3 pm in the afternoon at the Church Headquarters of Catholicate Palace at Devalokam, Kottayam in Kerala where his mortal remains will be laid to rest. The Vicar, Assistant Vicar, Managing Committee and the members of St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Ghaziabad pay their respects and homage to their beloved shepherd on his passage to the eternal life.