Farewell to Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas-I; funeral completed in presence of thousands of believers

KOCHI: The funeral of his holiness Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas-I, the spiritual spirit and strength of the Jacobite Church, has been completed. All eight phases of the funeral were completed by 5.30 pm. The services were held at Mar Athanasius Cathedral in Patriarchal Centre, Puthencruz. Archbishop from the United States, Divannasios John Kavak Metropolitan and UK Archbishop Athanasios Thoma David Metropolitan who are representatives of the Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Aphrem II and Metropolitan Trustee of the Jacobite Church Joseph Mar Gregorios, presided over the funeral services.

The funeral service ceremony was held in the presence of a large crowd. Thousands of devotees paid their last respects. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Union Minister Suresh Gopi, Minister VN Vasavan, Opposition leader VD Satheesan and actor Mammootty paid tributes.

The body was kept for public viewing yesterday at Cheriyapalli in Kothamangalam and Martha Mariam Valiyapally. Goa Governor Adv PS Sreedharan Pillai, MPs Dean Kuriakose and Benny Behanan, Minister Saji Cheriyan, MLAs Antony John, Mons Joseph, PV Srinijin, Eldhose Kunnappilly, Chandy Oommen, former chief secretary VP Joy and others paid their last respects there.

The procession started in a special bus at 4 pm and reached Puthencruz late at night via Muvattupuzha. Along the way, hundreds of believers were waiting to pay their last respects.

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.