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Introduction 

'CATHOLICOS OF THE EAST' was originally the title conferred to the ecclesiastical head of the Christian congregation in the erstwhile Persian Empire that extended from Mesopotamia in the west, to the boundaries of the present day Afghanistan and Northern India in the east. In the beginning the bishop who assumed this title was known as MAJOR METROPOLITAN / CATHOLICOS OF SELEUCIA; Seleucia being the capital city of Persian Empire. This institution was initially set up to serve as a link between the Patriarch of Antioch, and the Syrian Christian Community in Persia who found the journey to the Patriarchate at Antioch, hazardous because of the bitter political rivalry between the Roman and Persian empires. 

The Church in Persia was known in different names: Persian Church, Babylonian Church, East Syrian Church, Church of East, Chaldean Church etc. Though the jurisdiction of the Seleucian Catholicate was initially within the Persian Empire only, it later extended to few other regions outside the empire in Asia in the further East, through missionary activities. 

 

Catholicos/Maphryono (Maphrian) 

The term ‘Catholicos’ (Katholikos) is derived from the Greek words ‘Kath-Holikos’, meaning ‘General Primate’ or ‘General Vicar’. Even before the primates of the Church adopted this title, it existed in the Roman Empire where its Government representative who was in charge of a large area was called ‘Catholicos’. The Government servant, who was in charge of State treasury, too was known by that name. In due course, the secular administrative heads in Persian Empire also adopted this title.     

The Churches (mainly outside the Roman Empire) started to use this term for their Chief Bishops much later, probably by 4th or 5th centuries.  Now the primates of the Orthodox Churches in Armenia, Georgia, Iraq and India, use the title ‘Catholicos’. 

‘Maphryono’ (Maphrian) is derived from the Syriac word afri, “to make fruitful’, or "one who gives fecundity". This title came to be used exclusively for the head of the Syrian Orthodox Church in the East (Persia) after the prelates who occupied the office of the Catholicate since late 5th century adopted Nestorian Christology and separated from the mother Church. From the mid 13th century onwards, a few occupants of the Maphrianate were referred also as ‘Catholicos’, but the title never came into extensive usage. However in the 20th century when this office of the Maphrianate under the Holy See of Antioch was established in India, the chief of the local church assumed the title ‘Catholicos’. It is this title that is being used in India today, while the title ‘Maphryono’ (Maphrian) is no longer used.

 

Evolution of the historic office of Catholicos of the East 

At the dawn of Christianity in the 1st century, there were two great political powers that stood against each other in the Near and the Middle East; the Roman (Byzantine) Empire and the Empire of the Parthians (or Sassanaid Persians since the early 3rd century), the traditional enmity of which has a determining influence on the history of that area for centuries. The border line between these rival empires divided the landscape of Mesopotamia with the Syriac speaking population on either side. The great city of Antioch where a Christian presence appeared for the first time outside Palestine, was the capital of the Syrian Province, in the Eastern part of the Roman Empire. The bishoprics of the city of Antioch have special importance in the history of Christianity as it was here St. Peter, the chief of the Apostles, established his Apostolic See in AD 37.  Antioch and regions east of it were placed under the care of the Bishop/Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. (The Christian church laws that took shape in the early era through regional and ecumenical councils reaffirmed the ecclesiastical jurisdictions of the Patriarchs of Antioch, Alexandria and Rome). 

But the political barriers between the Persian and Roman Empires and the bitter rivalry of its rulers made intercommunications between the two regions much more difficult and dangerous. There were instances where clergy from Persia who were ordained by the Patriarch of Antioch were put to death alleging to be spies.  It therefore, became necessary for the Patriarch to vest authority in an ecclesiastical dignitary to carry on the administration in the Persian region.  Thus evolved the historic office of the Catholicate in Seleucia (Persian capital).  The Bishop/Catholicos of Seleucia acted as the deputy of the Patriarch of Antioch, in the Persian Empire, with some exclusive privileges to consecrate bishops on behalf of the Patriarch. Though attempts to bring the Church under this single authority (Seleucian bishop) started in early 4th century itself, it became fruitful only a century later.  Initially the other prelates of Persia were opposed to the idea of vesting powers in this Catholicate, but the support from the Antiochean Patriarchate helped to shed all barriers.

 

The First Catholicos of the Syrian Church 

It was around the year 300, an attempt was made for the first time to establish the Church in the Persian Empire in an organised form.  The initiative for this was taken by Bishop Papa (Baba, AD.267-329) of the Persian royal capital at Seleucia-Ctesiphon with the consent of the Patriarch of Antioch.  In AD 315, the Bishop convened a Synod of the Persian prelates at Seleucia in which he tried to organize the local churches, with himself as a head.  But the other prelates, especially those of Persia proper resisted and even deposed Bishop Papa.  At this crucial juncture, the Bishops of Antioch, Edessa and Nisibis came to his rescue and reinstated him as prelate of the prime city.   

It is believed that the title 'CATHOLICOS' was first used by this Bishop Papa.  Anyhow, neither this Seleucian bishop nor his successors, until 410, never had any authority over other bishoprics in Persian empire and hence the title Catholicose, if ever used by Bishop Papa, does not mean in the same sense as it was known later

About a century after, another serious attempt was made to unite all the bishoprics in the Persian Empire.  In AD 410, an historic Synod of the churches in Persia was held under the auspices of Bishop Mor Marutha of Muipharqat (delegate of the Antiochean Patriarch), which recognized the primacy of the Metropolitan of Seleucia for the first time.  Thus MOR ISHAQ (Issac), the bishop of Seleucia becomes the head of the Persian Church.  He is the one who is acknowledged as the first "CATHOLICOS", with jurisdiction over the entire Persian Empire.  He assumed this title at the Synod of Seleucia held in AD 410.  The primate at that time, was also conferred with the title "Great Metropolitan and Chief of All Bishops". (In some other records the title is mentioned as "Great Metropolitan of All the East and Major Metropolitan of Seleucia-Ctesiphon".)

 

Churches that claim the succession from the Catholicate of the East 

From the days of establishment of Christianity in Persia, the Church there had to face severe persecutions; first from the Parthian and Persian kingdoms that considered the Christians as their adversaries, then due to the dissidence grown within their congregations and because of crusades, finally on account of the Moslem and Mongolian aggressions.  Thus the Syrian Church in Persia/East separated into three main stream Churches with two more sub-divisions in the last century.  The lists of the Syriac Churches in the East that are under separate Catholicates are given below.

Orthodox

1.   Syrian Orthodox (Jacobite) Church of Antioch & all the East
2.   Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church   (Sect separated from the Syrian Orthodox Church in 1912)
 

Nestorian

3.   Assyrian Church of the East
4.   The Ancient Church of the East   (Sect separated from the Assyrian Church in 1968)
 

Roman Catholic

5.   Chaldean Church of the East   (Sect separated from the Nestorians in 1445)

 

 

{1}  CATHOLICATE OF THE SYRIAN ORTHODOX (JACOBITE) CHURCH

      OF ANTIOCH AND ALL THE EAST

          (Orthodox)

In the early centuries the Christians in the Persian and the Roman Empires were subject to religious persecutions, so the Church spread its wings without the help of any of the imperial authorities.  After the Roman Emperor accepted Christianity in 315, the church in Rome was spared from atrocities, but from then onwards the Persian rulers adopted a much more hostile attitude towards those Christians in Persia as they were considered as agents of the former.  It was during this period that the office of the Great Metropolitan, which later came to be known as the Catholicate of East, was established in Persia.  As the enmity between the empires increased, the leaders of the Church in Persia found it nearly impossible to continue ecclesiastical commune with the universal Church.  Meanwhile some in the Catholicate of Persia found it more convenient to adopt the Nestorian Christology which was earlier officially rejected by the universal Christian councils for its remarks on the Mother of God; thus they tried to convince the Persian rulers that they distance themselves from the mother Church and the Roman (Byzantine) Empire.  By this act, the Christians in Persia who accepted Nestorian Christology could easily win the favour of the Persian rulers while those of non-Nestorian faith suffered severe persecution.  As the office of the Catholicate fell into heresy, the Orthodox faithful were wandering in wilderness.  The Catholicos of Seleucia meanwhile took over the title 'Patriarch', thus trying to be equal in status with the Patriarch of Antioch. 

Even though the Church in Persia had officially accepted Nestorius as a Church father, a substantial group of Christians in Mosul, Niniveh and Tigris (Tagrit) continued to keep their loyalty to the old faith.  A few decades later the Orthodox wing of the Church in Persia that continued to be under the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch & all the East, got reorganized under St. Ya`qub Burdono and installed St. Ahudemmeh as 'The Great Metropolitan of the East', but he too found it difficult to discharge his ecclesiastical duties smoothly.  However by the 7th century the situation changed for better which finally led to the formation of an office of the 'Maphrianate of the East’ at Tigrit (Tagrit).  

In AD 629, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East elevated St. Marutha (Marooso) as the first MAPHRIYONO OF THE EAST for the rejuvenated Syrian Orthodox (Jacobite) Church in Persia. Later the centre of the Maphrianate was shifted to St. Mathew’s Dayro in the city of Mosul in Iraq and continued there till the middle of the 19th century.   


Catholicate in Malankara (India
)

In 1860 the office of Maphrianate was abolished as per the decision of the Syrian Orthodox Church Synod held at Deyrul' al Zafran Monastery (Kurkkumo Dayro) under Patriarch Ignatius Ya`qub II.  The same was re-established in India in 1964 by the Universal Synod held at Kottayam, presided by Patriarch Mor Ignatius Ya`qub III.  From the days of the establishment of this Maphrianate in India, the Church started to officially use the title ‘Catholicos of the East’, with his jurisdiction limited to India in the East.  In 2002 the office of the Maphrianate was renamed ‘Catholicos of India’ in accordance with its actual jurisdiction. Present headquarters of this ancient Catholicate (Maphrianate) of the Syrian Orthodox Church is at Puthencuriz, Cochin, with Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I as the Chief of the Church in India. 

In Episcopal dignity the Catholicos ranks second to the Patriarch.  As His Holiness’s deputy, the Catholicos preside over the provincial Holy Synod.  He and all the clergy of the faithful in India pledge loyalty to the Patriarch of Antioch, the supreme spiritual authority of the Syriac Orthodox Church throughout the world. In its long history there are many instances when a Maphrian (Catholicos) was elevated to the position of the Patriarch in the Syrian Orthodox Church.

     The Maphryono's (Catholicos') from the Middle East who died in India

               1. St. Baselios Yeldo         (d. 1685)   [entombed at the Marthoma Church, Kothamangalam ]

               2. Mor Baselios Sakralla III (d. 1764)   [entombed at the Marth Mariam Church, Kandanad]

     The Catholicos' of the Indian Church

               1. Mor Baselios Augen I     (1964-1975)

               2. Mor Baselios Paulose II  (1975-1996)   [entombed at the Malecuriz St. George Dayro]

               3. Mor Baselios Thomas I   (2002-      )

 

 

{2}   CATHOLICATE OF MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH

           (Orthodox)

This wing of the Orthodox Church in Kerala, India, originated in 1912 with the establishment of an autonomous Maphrianate/Catholicate for the section separated from the ancient Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Christian Community of Malabar.  The Chief of this Church since then assumed the title ‘Catholicos of the East’.  In 1934, this independent group got organised itself under the banner ‘Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church’ with headquarters in the town of Kottayam in southern Kerala. Though in 1964 the group reunited with the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church following the consecration of a Catholicos by the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, they once again separated from the Holy Church in mid-1970's.  The present Catholicos of the Church is Mar Baselios Marthoma Didymos I.

 

 

{3 CATHOLICATE  (PATRIARCHATE) OF THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF EAST

          (Nestorian)

Nestorian Church which is also called the 'Church of the East' and more recently the 'Assyrian Church', is one of the most important sections of the ancient Christian Congregations in Persia.  By the end of the 5th century, when the chief of the Persian church (Catholicos of Seleucia), adopted Nestorian doctrinal teachings, a vast majority of faithful followed him.  In 498, the section declared their independence claiming it as an exclusive Persian Church. Since then the Catholicos (also called 'Catholicos-Patriarch') of the Persian Church assumed the title 'PATRIARCH of the East, sometimes known as 'Patriarch of Babylon'.  

At present there are two independent Patriarchates for the Assyrian Church of East It was in the middle of the 20th century, a split happened in the Church which resulted in the formation of two independent factions.  The dispute was triggered off in the Church after the reigning Patriarch Mar Simon decided to adopt the Gregorian calendar in 1964.  But the actual reason behind the controversy was over the hereditary succession of the Patriarchs that started in 1450.  The office of the Patriarch and some other Episcopal sees had since then become hereditary within one family, usually being passed down from uncle to nephew. Opposing this practice, a section under a Metropolitan separated in 1968 and this led to the formation of a parallel Catholicate/Patriarchate.  However in 1973, the age old practice of hereditic succession came to end with the retirement of the Patriarch Mar Simon in 1973, who had himself become the prelate at a young age of 12.  But the division that occurred in 1964 still continues and two parallel Patriarchates are functioning in the Church of the East. 

Mar Dinkha IV with his residence in Chicago USA, is the current Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East; the official name of the Church is 'Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East'.  They follow the Gregorian calendar since 1964.  This Church has about 30,000 faithful in Kerala (India). In India the Assyrian Church is also referred to as Chaldean Syrian Church which must not be mistaken for the Church in Roman Catholic communion).

 

 

{4}   CATHOLICATE OF THE ANCIENT CHURCH OF THE EAST

           (Nestorian)

The Ancient Church of the East was formed in 1968 following certain disputes with the Assyrian Church.  Even after the split they stick to the Julian calendar whereas the other sect is now using the Gregorian calendar. The Primate of the Church is called, the 'Patriarch of the Ancient Church of the East'.  The present Patriarch is Mar Adai II, residing in Baghdad.

 

 

{5}  CATHOLICATE  (PATRIARCHATE) OF THE CHALDEAN CHURCH OF EAST

       (Roman Catholic)

The Chaldean Church which is in commune with the Roman Catholic Church is a break away group of the Nestorian Church. The Church came into existence in AD 1445 after the then chief of the Nestorians embraced the Roman Catholic faith. The Chief of the Church used the title ‘Patriarch of Chaldeans’ from its inception. Their headquarters is in Bagdad, Iraq. The present primate of the Chaldean church is Mar Emmanuel III Delly. The official title of the Chaldean primate is 'Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans'. 

More recently, in 2005, the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church of India which separated from the Malankara Orthodox Church to join the Roman Catholic Communion in 1930’s has also created a Catholicate. The first Catholicos who adopts this title is Cyril Mar Baselios, the head of the Malankara Catholic Church and the Archbishop of Trivandrum diocese. He is the fourth successor to Mar Ivanios, the founder of the Church. It was this Mar Ivanios, along with Mar Dionysius Wattasseril, was instrumental in the formation of the Malankara Orthodox Church in India towards the beginning of the 20th century.

 


 

PART  II

CATHOLICATE / MAPHRIANATE OF THE EAST THROUGH CENTURIES

 

Sacred Tomb of Mor Gregorios Bar Ebroyo (1264-'86), the most famous of all the

Maphriyono's of the East, in the Mor Mattai Dayro, Mosul (Iraq)

 

 

 

 Chronological order of the

Catholicos/Maphriyono's of the East

[I].  METROPOLITANS OF SELEUCIA

 
(Following are the list of bishops, starting from Papa bar Aggai, who tried to bring the Church in the Persian Empire in an organised form)

 

Papa bar Aggai

285-326/7

He was the first bishop of Seleucia-Ctesiphon who tried to bring all churches in the Persian Empire under a single authority. Though he had the support of the Patriarch of Antioch and his counterparts in the Eastern Roman Empire, he couldn't succeed because of the rivalry between the bishops in Persia.

 

Shimun (Simon) Bar Sabbae

326/7-344

Martyred by order of Persian King Shapur II

 

Shahdost

344-345

Martyred

 

Barbashmin

345-346

Martyred on January 9, 346

 

Thomooso

364/5-372/3

 

 

Qayuma

372/3-380

 

 

[II].  CATHOLICOS OF SELEUCIA/EAST

Around 300 AD, attempts were begun to establish the Church in the Persian Empire in an organised form. In Persia, till then, there was no particular or specific bishop, who was deemed the head. It was Papa Bar Aggai, the bishop of the Persian royal capital at Seleucia-Ctesiphon, who for the first time, tried to bring about the consolidation of the Church. In fact, from around 315 AD, he had been using the title ‘CATHOLICOS’ in his communications. But this title, with its full jurisdictional implications, gained legal recognition only by 410 AD, at the Synod of the Persian Bishops held at Seleucia. The referred Council was held under the auspices of Bishop Mor Marutha of Muipharqat of the Eastern Roman Empire, after obtaining the letter of consent from the Patriarch of Antioch and the prelates of Aleppo, Edessa, Tella and Amid. It was this historic Synod that upheld for the first time, the primacy of the Seleucian bishop. MOR ISHAQ (Issac), the bishop of Seleucia, thus became the head of the Persian Church and was acknowledged the first "CATHOLICOS OF THE EAST", with jurisdiction over the entire Persian Empire. 

The ‘Catholicate of the East’ was set up to serve as a link between the Antiochean Patriarchate situated in the Eastern Roman Empire and the Syrian Christians living in the Persian Empire. With this, the Persians who had found it politically hazardous to go over to the Patriarchate for obtaining Episcopal ordination and fulfilling the ecclesiastical needs, could still claim and maintain apostolic relation with the Holy See of Antioch. The ‘Catholicos of Seleucia/East’ was the deputy of the Patriarch of Antioch with certain privileges including that of consecrating the Bishops on behalf of the Patriarch.  

Furnished below is the chronological list of the occupants of the seat of Catholicate, beginning from Mor Ishaq.

 

1.

Mor Ishaq (Isaac)

399-410/2

Died at Seleucia

2.

Mor Ahai

410/2-414/5

Died at Seleucia

3.

Mor Yaballaha I

414/5-420

 

4.

Mor Mana

420

Deposed from the Catholicate because of his Nestorian teachings.

5.

Mor Dadyeshu

421-450

 

6.

Mor Babowai

450-484

 Martyred by order of Persian King Peroz

The Catholicate fell into heresy after Mor Babowai

 

[III].  GREAT METROPOLITANS OF THE EAST

 

Bishops ordained for the rejuvenated Syrian Orthodox (Jacobite) Church in the Persian East after

the ‘Catholicate of the East’ fell into ‘Nestorian’ heresy.

 1.

Mor Ahudemeh

559-575

Born at Balad, he was consecrated a bishop for the diocese of Baarbaya. In 559 he was elevated to the office of the Metropolitan of the east by St. Yakub Burdono. Mor Ahudemeh is counted as the first 'Metropolitan of the East' after it had been usurped by the Nestorians. Tigrit was the headquarters of his Metropolitan See.  He was imprisoned by King Khusrau I for converting a member of the Persian royal family and received martyrdom on 2nd Aug, 575

 2.

Mor Khameeso

578-609

 

 3.

Mor Samuel

614-624

 

 

 

[IV].  MAPHRIYONO (Maphrian) OF THE EAST

The title ‘Maphriyono’ or ‘Maphrian’, came into usage since AD 629. The office of the ‘Maphrian of the East’ was founded to take care of the Syrian Orthodox faithful, living in the dioceses of the ancient territory of the Persian Sassanid Empire and who were under the Patriarchate of Antioch. The transition of the title, from ‘Catholicos’ to ‘Maphrian’, was effected by the Syrian Jacobites to maintain their identity and distinctiveness from those who embraced Nestorianism.  

Tigrit was originally the main centre of the members of the Syrian Orthodox community and also the head quarters of the Church. Following the destruction of the city around the 12th century, the Maphrianate was transferred at different times to various monasteries in Mosul and nearby areas, in Northern Iraq.

The term ‘Maphrian’ is derived from the Syriac word ‘afri’, meaning, “to make fruitful”. In the mid 13th century the title ‘Catholicos’ was adopted by some occupants of the Maphrianate. It is this title that is being used in India today, while the title ‘Maphrian’ is no longer used.

 

 

Period

Remarks

 The Patriarchs of Antioch who ordained the Maphriyono's

1.

Mor Marutha (Morooso)

629-649

He had oversight of 13 bishoprics to which 4 more added subsequently. Tigrit was the headquarters of the Maphrianate of the East --  Died on 2 May, 649

Patriarch Mor Athanasius I Gammolo

2.

Mor Denha I

649-659

 

Patriarch Mor Theodore

3.

Bar Easo

669-683

 

Patriarch Mor Severius bar Masqeh

4.

Mor Abraham (Ibrahim al-Sayyad)

685-686

 

Patriarch Mor Athanasius II

5.

Mor David

686

 

As the Patriarchal See was vacant after the demise of Patriarch Mor Athanasius II, Bishops of Tigrith Archdiocese ordained the Maphrian

6.

Mor Yohannan

686-688

 

As the Patriarchal See was vacant after the demise of Patriarch Mor Athanasius II, Bishops of Tigrith Archdiocese ordained the Maphrian

7.

Mor Denha II

688-728

Following the complaints received from the Bishops of Tigrit Archdiocese, the Patriarch removed the Maphrian from the office

Name of the Patriarch who consecrated the Maphrian not available

8.

Mor Paulose

728-757

 

Patriarch Mor Athanasius III

9.

Mor Yohannan II

758-785

Maphrian was removed from the office by the Patriarch following complaints received from the Bishops of Tigrith Archdiocese

Patriarch Mor Geevarghese I

10.

Mor Joseph

785-786

 

Patriarch Mor Kuriakose of Tigrit

11.

Mor Sarbiel

794-810

The Maphrian submitted resignation before the Patriarch following allegations.

Patriarch Mor Kuriakose of Tigrit

12.

Mor Shemavun

811- ?

 

Patriarch Mor Kuriakose from Tigrit

13.

Mor Baselios

  ?  -830

 

Patriarch Mor Kuriakose from Tigrit

14.

Mor Daniel

829-834

 

Patriarch Mor Dionysius I from Tellmahreh

15.

Mor Thoma

834-847

Died May 8, 847

Patriarch Mor Dionysius I of Tellmahreh

16.

Mor Baselios II (Lazar the Stylite)

848-868

Died October 17, 868

Patriarch Mor Yuhanon III

17.

Mor Malkeesadek

857-869

Died November 25, 868

Patriarch Mor Yuhanon III.

18.

Mor Sargis

872-883

Died November 11. 883

Consecrated by the Episcopal Synod

19.

Mor Athanasius

887-903

Consecrated Maphrian on February 8, 887 -- Died December 27, 903

Patriarch Mor Theodosius Romanos from Tigrit

20.

Mor Thoma II (Stylite)

910-911

Consecrated Maphrian on September 9, 910

Patriarch Mor Yuhanon IV Qurzahli

21.

Mor Denha III

912-932

 

Patriarch Mor Yuhanon IV Qurzahli

22.

Mor Baselios III

936-960

Consecrated Maphrian in November 936

Name of the Patriarch who consecrated the Maphrian not available

23.

Mor Kuriakose

962-979

 

Patriarch Mor Abraham I

24.

Mor Yuhanon III of Damascus

980(981?) -988

 

Patriarch Mor Yuhanon VI Sarigta

25.

Mor Ignatius bar Keekke

991-1016

Tigrit was confirmed as the seat of the Syrian Orthodox in 991 by order of the Khalifate

Patriarch Mor Athanasius IV of Salah

26.

Mor Athanasius II of Edessa

1027-1041

 

Patriarch Mor Yuhanon VII bar`Abdun

27.

Mor Baselios IV of Tigrith

1046-1069

 

As the Patriarchal See remained vacant for a few years after the demise of Patriarch Mor Dionysius IV Yahya in 1044, Bishops of Tigrit Archdiocese ordained the Maphrian

28.

Mor Yuhanon Sleeba I

1075-1106

Following the attack on Tigrit by the Arabs in 1089, the Maphriante moved to Mosul

Patriarch Mor Baselios II

29.

Mor Dionysius Mosa

1112-1134

Maphrian Mor Dionysius returned to Tigrit

Patriarch Mor Athanasius VI bar Khamoro

30.

Mor Ignatius Lazar

1142(1143?) -1164

In 1152 the two sees of Mosul and Tigrit were united and the Maphrian’s title was “Metropolitan of Mosul and Nineveh”.  With the destruction of Tigrit by the caliph in 1156, the Maphrianate permanently moved to Mosul. Mor Mattai Monastery become the seat of Maphrian.

 

Patriarch Mor Athanasius VII bar Qutreh

31.

Mor Yuhanon Sarugoyo (Sarug)

1164-1188

 

Patriarch Mor Athanasius VII bar Qutreh

 

Mor Dionysius

1189-1203

Challenger

 

32.

Mor Gregorios Yakub

1189-1214

 

Patriarch Mor Michael Rabo

33.

Mor Ignatius David

1215-1222

Later enthroned PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH - Mor Ignatius III David (1222-'52)

Patriarch Mor Yuhanon XI

34.

Mor Dionysius Sleeba

1222-1231

 

Patriarch Mor Ignatius III David

35.

Mor Yuhanon Bar Ma`dani

1232-1252

Later enthroned PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH - Mor Yuhanon XII Bar Ma`dani (1252-'63)

Patriarch Mor Ignatius III David

36.

Mor Ignatius Sleeba

1252-1258

Become the Maphrian in December, 1252

Patriarch Mor Yuhanon  XII bar Ma`dani

37.

Mor Gregorios Bar Ebrayo

1264-1286

The most famous of all the Maphrians--Ordained Maphrian on 19 Jan, 1264--died on 30 July, 1286

Patriarch Mor Ignatius IV Yeshu

38.

Mor GregoriosBar Souma

1288(1289?) -1308

Brother of Mor Gregorios Bar Ebrayo

Patriarch Mor Philexinos I

39.

Mor Gregorios Mathai

1317-1345

 

Patriarch Mor Michael III

40.

Mor Athanasius Abraham

1364-1379

 

Patriarch Mor Baselios III

 

Mor Gregorios bar Kainaya

(?)  - 1361

Challenger

 

41.

Mor Baselios Behnam al-Hadli (Hadliyo)

1404-1412

Became the Patriarch of Mardin in 1412. In 1445 he was enthroned PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH Mor Ignatius Behnam al-Hadli (1445-‘54)

 

Patriarch Mor Philexinos II

42.

Mor Behnam Araboyo (Diascorus)

1415-1417

 

Mor Ignatius Behnam al-Hadli, when he was the Patriarch of Mardin

43.

Mor Bar Souma Moudyano

1422 -1455

Consecrated Maphrian on April 9, 1422

Mor Ignatius Behnam al-Hadli, when he was the Patriarch of Mardin

44.

Mor Baselios Azeez

1471-1487

Died in September, 1487

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Khalaf

45.

Mor Nuh the Lebanese

1489-1493

Later enthroned PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH - Mor Ignatius Nuh (1493-1509) -- Died on 28 July, 1509

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Yuhanon  XIII

46.

Mor Abraham

1496-1508

Consecrated Maphrian on Jan 5, 1496.

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Nuh

47.

Mor Baselios Blias

(?)  - 1523

Details of this Maphrian is not available.

It is not known who ordained this Maphrian

48.

Mor Athanasius Habeeb I

1528-1533

 

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Abd-Allah I

49.

Mor Baselios Elias

1533-1552

From 1533 the Maphrians added ‘BASELIOS’ to their name. Since a Maphriante for ‘Turabdin’ came into existence around the year 1500, the MAPHRIANATE OF THE EAST, with their seat in Mosul, came to be also known as ‘MAPHRIANANTE OF MOSUL’ in order to distinguish from the former

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Abd-Allah I

50.

Mor Baselios Nemet Allah I

1555-1557

Later enthroned PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH - Mor Ignatius Ne`met Allah I (1557-'76)

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Abd-Allah I

51.

Mor Baselios Abded al Ghani

1557-1575

Died June 19, 1575

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Ne`met Allah I

52.

Mor Baselios David Shah Ibin Nur`Adin

1575-1576

Later enthroned PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH - Mor Ignatius David II Shah (1576-'91)

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Ne`met Allah I

53.

Mor Baselios Philathose

1576-1591

Later enthroned PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH - Mor Ignatius Pilate I (1591-'97)

Patriarch Mor Ignatius David II Shah

54.

Mor Baselios Abd al Ghani

1591-1597

 

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Pilate I

55.

Mor Pathros V Hadaya

1597

Later enthroned PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH - Mor Ignatius Hadayat Allah (1597-1639)

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Pilate I

56.

Mor Baselios Isaya

1626

 

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Hadayat Allah

57.

Mor Baselios Sakralla I

1639-1652

 

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Hadayat Allah

58.

Mor Baselios Abdul Masih I

1655-1662

Later enthroned PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH - Mor Ignatius Abdul Masih I (1662-'86)

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Simon I

59.

Mor Baselios Habeeb II

1665-1674

 

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Abdul Masih I

60.

Mor Baselios Yeldho

1678-1685

Born in the village of KOODED, also known as Karakosh (near Mosul in Iraq). 

Died when he was at Kothamangalam, India on 29 September (October 2nd ?) 1685.  Entombed in the Marthoma CheriaPally Kothamangalam. Dhukrono is celebrated on 1st and 2nd of October.   

Name of the Saintly Maphrian is recited in TUBDEN as per the Patriarchal Bull No. E 265/87 dated October 20, 1987.

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Abdul Masih I

61.

Mor Baselios Gevarghese II

1674-1687

Later enthroned PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH - Mor Ignatius Geevarghese II (1687-1708)

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Abdul Masih I

62.

Mor Baselios Isahac II

1687-1709

Later enthroned PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH - Mor Ignatius Isahac Azar (1709-'22)

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Geevarghese II

63.

Mor Baselios Mathai

1709

 

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Isahac Azar

64.

Mor Baselios Lazar III

1713

 

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Isahac Azar

65.

Mor Baselios Mathai II

1714- ?

 

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Isahac Azar

66.

Mor Baselios Sakralla II

? -1722

Later enthroned PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH - Mor Ignatius Shukr Allah II (1722-'45)

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Isahac Azar

67.

Mor Gregorios Lazar IV

1730-1742

 

Patriarch Mor Mor Ignatius ShukrAllah II

68.

Mor Baselios Sakralla III of Aleppo

1748-1764

Consecrated Maphrian for the Church in Malabar in 1748.  he reached Malankara in 1751 and died at Kandanad on 20 Oct, 1764

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Geevarghese III

69.

Mor Baselios Geevarghese III Mosa

1760-1768

Later enthroned PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH - Mor Ignatius Geevarghese IV (1768-'81)

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Geevarghese III

70.

Mor Baselios Sleeba IV

1773- ?

 

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Geevarghese IV Mosa

71.

Mor Baselios Bishara

1782-1811

 

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Mathew

72.

Mor Baselios Yavanan

1803

 

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Mathew

73.

Mor Baselios Kurillos Abd  al Azeez

1811-1816

 

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Mathew

74.

Mor Baselios Mathew IV

1820

Retired in the same year of ordination

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Geevarghese IV

75.

Mor Baselios Elias II

1825-1827

Excommunicated following his affection towards the Roman Catholics

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Geevarghese IV

76.

Mor Baselios Elias III Ankas

1827-1838

Later enthroned PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH - Mor Ignatius Elias II (1838-'47)

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Geevarghese IV

77.

Mor Baselios Behanam IV

1852-1859

 

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Ya`qub II

In 1860,  Office of the Maphrianate of the East was abolished as per the decision of the Universal Synod held under the Patriarch Mor Ignatius Ya`qub II at the Deir ez-Za`faran Monastery (Kurkkumo Dayro) in Turkey

[V].  CATHOLICOS OF THE JACOBITE SYRIAN CHURCH OF INDIA

In 1964, the office of the Maphrian was established in India, with the title ‘CATHOLICOS’. This was as per the decision of the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, held at Kottayam, under the venerable presidentship of Mor Ignatius Ya`qub III, the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East.

 

78.

Mor Baselios Augen I

1964-1975

Consecrated Catholicos on May 22, 1964  --  Removed from the office of the Catholicate (Maphrianate) in 1975 after the faction supporting him claimed to be a separate Church.

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Ya`qub III

79.

Mor Baselios Paulose II

1975-1996

Consecrated Catholicos on September 7, 1975  --  Died on September 1, 1996

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Ya`qub III

80.  

Mor Baselios Thomas I

2002

Consecrated Catholicos on July 26, 2002  

Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I

References:

         1.   Kalloopparambil Fr. V M Geevarghese :  "The Patriarchate of Antioch and the Malankara Syrian Church", 1995

2.   Wolfgang Hage: "Syriac Christianity in the East", 1997

3.   H.G. Kuriakose Mor Kurillos: "The Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church and The Catholicate of the East", 1990

4.   Chediyath Geevarghese: "Sabha Charithra Padanagal", 1996

5.   Chediyath Geevarghese: "BarEbraya Sabhacharithram", 1990

6.   O.S.S.A.E. Publication: "Catholicate History", 1999

7.   Dr. D Babu Paul: "The Saint from Kooded", 1985

8.   H.G. Thomas Mor Athanasius (Muvattupuzha): "Relationship between the Orthodox Churches", 1990

9.   Chronological list of Patriarchs of Antioch published in the ‘Syriac Orthodox Resources’ web site

 10.  Christine Chaillot: “The Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and all the East”, 1998

 11.  Patriarch Ignatius Aphram I Barsoum, translated by Matti Moosa: “History of Syriac Literature and Sciences”, 2000

 12.  Hollerweger Hans: “Living Cultural Heritage – TURABDIN”, 1999

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