Our Spiritual Leaders
His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II
123rd Successor of St. Peter in the Apostolic See of Antioch
His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II was enthroned as Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church on May 29, 2014, at St. Ephrem’s Monastery, Maarat Saidnaya, near Damascus, Syria. The ceremony was solemnly overseen by His Beatitude Baselios Thomas I, Catholicos of India.
Born as Saʿid Karim on May 3, 1965, in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, he was the youngest son of Issa and Khanema Karim. In 1985, he embraced monastic life, taking the name Aphrem, and was ordained first as a deacon, then later that year, elevated to the sacred priesthood.
From 1988 to 1989, he served as secretary to Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, and taught at St. Ephrem’s Theological Seminary in Damascus. Between 1991 and 1995, he ministered to the Syriac Orthodox community in the United Kingdom, offering pastoral care and spiritual leadership.
In 1996, he was consecrated as Metropolitan Archbishop of the Eastern United States, a role he faithfully fulfilled until his election as Patriarch in 2014. During his tenure, he established numerous parishes and youth organizations, strengthening the Church’s presence and outreach across North America.
His Beatitude Aboon Mor Baselios Joseph
Maphrian of the Syrian Orthodox Church & Catholicos of India
On March 25, 2025, at a solemn ceremony held at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Atchaneh, Lebanon, His Holiness Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, consecrated Mor Gregorios Joseph as the Catholicos of India, bestowing upon him the title Baselios Joseph.
Born as Joseph Jose in Perumpilly, Kerala, he is the youngest of four children to Srambikkal Pallithitta Geevarghese and Saramma. His spiritual journey began early:
On March 25, 1974, at the age of 13, he was ordained a deacon by Mor Gregorios Geevarghese of Perumpally at Mor Ignatius Dayro, Manjinikkara.
- He was later ordained a priest on March 25, 1984, at Marthoman Church, Mulanthuruthy, by Mor Baselios Paulose II, Catholicos of the East.
- On January 15, 1994, he was elevated to the rank of Dayroyo (monastic priest) by Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas in Damascus.
- Just days later, on January 16, 1994, he was consecrated as Metropolitan Mor Gregorios Joseph, assuming leadership of the Kochi Diocese.
His Beatitude Baselios Joseph is widely respected for his theological depth, pastoral care, and visionary leadership. His consecration as Catholicos marks a new chapter in the spiritual life of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, continuing a legacy rooted in apostolic tradition and vibrant community service.
His Grace Issac Mor Osthatheos
Patriarchal Vicar of the United Kingdom | Metropolitan of the Mylapore Diocese
His Grace Issac Mor Osthatheos was consecrated as a Metropolitan on January 4, 2010, by His Beatitude Baselios Thomas I, assisted by metropolitans from India, at the St. Athanasious Cathedral, Puthencruz. Upon consecration, he was entrusted with the leadership of the Mylapore Diocese, formerly known as the Chennai Diocese.
Born on January 17, 1976, in Kottayam, Kerala, he is the son of Mr. C.I. Thomas and Saramma Thomas, of the Pachilakkattu Puthuveli family. His spiritual lineage is deeply rooted in the Church; his grand-uncle was the late lamented Mor Osthatheos Thomas, Metropolitan of the Kochi Diocese.
His Grace’s ecclesiastical journey began early:
- May 13, 1993: Ordained as a Sub-Deacon by Mor Osthatheos Thomas.
- Ordained as a full Deacon by His Grace Mor Athanasious Geevarghese.
- On November 12, 2006, he was ordained a priest at St. Peter's & St. Paul's Cathedral, Damascus, by His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas.
Received the Fifth Order of Priesthood from His Eminence Mor Gregorios Joseph.
On January 2, 2010, just days before his episcopal consecration, he embraced monastic vows alongside Fr. Zachraia Therambil, receiving the names Aphroth and Sabor, respectively, from His Beatitude the Catholicos.
Today, His Grace serves as the Patriarchal Vicar of the United Kingdom, offering pastoral leadership, theological guidance, and spiritual care to the faithful across the region. His ministry reflects a deep commitment to tradition, education, and community-building within the Syriac Orthodox Church.
