(Photos from Facebook/JSCNews)
Kochi: The head of the Jacobite Syrian Church, Catholicos Mor Baselios Thomas I, was bid a tearful farewell as the nation mourned his passing. The burial was completed following the funeral services held at St. Athanasius Cathedral, adjacent to the Puthencruz Patriarchal Center. He was laid to rest in a specially prepared grave with official honors.
remains of the revered Catholicos
Numerous dignitaries, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Minister V.N. Vasavan, Union Minister Suresh Gopi, actor Mammootty, and MP Shashi Tharoor, paid their tributes. Due to the heightened conflict in Lebanon and the resultant crisis in air travel, the Supreme Head of the Church, Ignatius Aphrem II, was unable to attend the funeral. However, representatives of the Patriarchate, including Archbishop Divannasios John Kovalak from America and UK Archbishop Athanasius Thomas David, participated in the ceremony.
