Mor Baselios Joseph ordained as new Maphrian of the Syriac Orthodox Church in India

BEIRUT — In a historic ceremony on Sunday, Mor Baselios Joseph was ordained as the new Maphrian (Catholicos) of the Syriac Orthodox Church in India. He succeeds the late Mor Baselios Thomas I, who passed away in October at the age of 95.

The ordination took place at the Church of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, in Atchaneh, Bikfaya, Lebanon, and was officiated by Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, assisted by senior metropolitans of the Holy Synod of the Syriac Orthodox Church. The event drew widespread official and popular attendance, underscoring the deep historical ties between the Syriac Orthodox Church in India and the Apostolic See of Antioch. These ties date back to Saint Thomas the Apostle’s evangelization in the first century and the migration of Syriac Christians in the fourth century.

In his address, Patriarch Aphrem II highlighted the sacred responsibilities of the Maphrian, urging Mor Baselios Joseph to lead with humility, wisdom, and steadfast unity with the Antiochian See. He emphasized the critical role of the Maphrian in pastoral care and the Church’s unity.

Mor Baselios Joseph expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support of religious and political leaders, including the Prime Minister of India, the President of Lebanon, and heads of sister Churches worldwide. He pledged to uphold the faith and serve his people with dedication, saying, “I will honor the trust placed in me by the Holy See and my faithful community.” He concluded his remarks with prayers for peace, especially in the Middle East, and extended thanks to his family and Syriac Orthodox faithful around the globe.

In ceremony was attended by:

• Armenian Orthodox Patriarch of the Great House of Cilicia Catholicos Aram I
• Syriac Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rai
• Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch Mor John X Yazigi
• Catholicos of the Malankara Catholic Church Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis
• Catholicos-Patriarch of Cilicia for Armenian Catholics Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian
• Syriac Catholic Patriarch Mar Ignatius Youssef III Younan
• Bishop Joseph Mar Barnabas of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church
• Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East Mar Awa III Royel
• Coptic Orthodox Bishop Antonius, Bishop of the Jerusalem, Kuwait, and Near East Diocese representing Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria Tawadros II
• Armenian Orthodox Archbishop of Damascus Armash Nalbandian representing Catholicos-Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church Karekin II
• Melkite Greek Catholic Metropolitan of Beirut and Jbeil Bishop Georges Bacouni representing Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Youssef Absi
• Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon Archbishop Paolo Borgia
• MP Ibrahim Kanaan (Free Patriotic Movement, FPM), representing President of Lebanon Joseph Aoun