Farewell to Catholicos Mor Baselios Thomas-I; dignitaries pay last respects at funeral

KOCHI: Believers and dignitaries paid their last respects to Baselios Thomas I, Catholicose of the Syriac Orthodox Church. In his final will written before death, Baselios Thomas I expressed his wish to make Mor Gregorios Joseph as his successor. However, the will leaves it to the church to make the final decision.

His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak and Metropolitan Archbishop Mar Athanasios Thoma David attended the funeral function as representatives of the Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Union Minister Suresh Gopi, Minister VN Vasavan, Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan and actor Mammootty paid tributes. The funeral function will be over before 5 pm on Saturday.

On Friday, the body was placed for public viewing at Marth Mariam Valiya Palli in Kothamangalam. Goa Governor Adv. P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, MPs Dean Kuriakose, Benny Behanan, Minister Saji Cherian, MLAs Antony John, Mons Joseph, P.V. Sreenijin, Eldhose Kunnappilly, Chandy Oommen, former Chief Secretary V.P. Joy and others paid their last respects.

The mourning procession started by a special bus at 4 pm, reached Puthenkurish late at night via Muvattupuzha. Hundreds of devotees swarmed on roadsides to pay their last respects.