Episcopal Hierarchy

His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III was enthroned as the Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan — the Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India — on Friday, 15th October 2021, as the 92nd Primate on the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas.

Born on 12th February 1949, His Holiness studied at Kerala University (BSc Chemistry), the Orthodox Seminary Kottayam (GST), Serampore University (BD), and pursued higher theological studies in Leningrad, Russia, before earning his MTh and PhD at the Oriental Institute, Rome. Ordained deacon in 1976 and priest in 1978 by H.H. Baselios Mathews I, he was consecrated Episcopa in 1991 and Metropolitan in 1993. A long-time faculty member of the Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam, he is known for his relentless philanthropic work uplifting the poor, particularly women.

H.G. Yakob Mar Elias was born on 24th February 1953. His home parish is St Elias Orthodox Church, Budhanoor, Chenganoor Diocese. He was consecrated Metropolitan on 12th May 2010 at Mar Elia Cathedral, Kottayam. He holds an MA from Kerala University and a BD and MTh from Serampore University.

Before becoming Metropolitan of the Brahmavar Diocese, he served in numerous roles across the Church, including Manager of Mar Elia Chapel Sasthamkotta, Director of St. Basil Bible School, Vice President of the Orthodox Christian Youth Movement, Secretary of Kottayam Diocese, and member of the Ecumenical Relations Committee and the Malankara Sabha Editorial Board, among others.