The Indian Syrian Orthodox church has lost a patriarch with the demise of Baselios Thomas-I. Till his last breath, Baselios Thomas-I devoted his life to the church and its pupils. Baselios Thomas Bawa came to lead the Jacobite Church, at a time, when it was going through the greatest crisis in its history.

When the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church split, Bawa led the Jacobite church albeit facing serious struggles. He appeared in front of the Kerala secretariat to seek justice for the church. His role in securing legal respite for the church amid those challenging days will be etched in the annals.

Bawa’s extraordinary sense of humour, unwavering faith and steadfast ideology made him stand apart from the rest. Starting from his younger days, Bawa was transfixed by the world of gods. He never missed any debates or talks on spiritual matters as it awed him beyond any comprehensible measure.

Even though he had to stop studying in the fourth class, Bawa was gaining knowledge spiritually. Mor Baselios Paulose II, the metropolitan at that time, was wonderstruck knowing Bawa’s prowess in spiritual matters and held him close in Kandanad church. Baselios Paulose II opened a new door of spirituality for Bawa and raised him to the holy path of priesthood. Bawa thus completed his spiritual lessons at Manjinikara Dayara Church, only at the behest of Baselios Paulose II.

By his own life, Baselios Thomas-I Bawa proved that the ways of spiritual life are not in ivory towers, but in realising what humanity is, by engaging with commoners. Bawa reached the pinnacle of success in spirituality and learned many foreign languages. Bawa was a frequent traveller and has visited 67 countries across the globe.

He had a profound knowledge of the Bible and knew all the verses like the back of his hand. Beyond his erudition, Bawa was known for his caring mien which many of his pupils cherished. He also had the rare knack of recognising people, even after years from their first meeting. He had a wide circle of friends that included the chief minister to even a local panchayat member. He maintained close ties with other religious leaders and the monastic community.

Baselios Thomas-I died at the age of 95 after battling age-related ailments. We bow in reverence before those noble memories.