Baselios Joseph

Mor Baselios Joseph (Syr: ܡܳܪܝ̱ ܒܰܣܺܝܠܺܝܳܘܣ ܝܰܘܣܶܦ݂; Mal: മോർ ബസേലിയോസ് ജോസഫ്; Born 10 November 1960) is the current Catholicos of India of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. He also serves as the Metropolitan of the Kochi Diocese and Angamali Diocese.

He was elevated to the position of Catholicos on March 25, 2025 at St. Mary's Cathedral, Atchaneh, Lebanon in a service presided by Ignatius Aphrem II, the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.

Early years

Joseph "Jose" Srambikkal was born in Perumpilly, Kerala as the youngest of four children to Srambikkal Pallithitta Geevarghese and Saramma. Joseph had his primary education at Perumpilly Primary School and his high school education from Mulanthuruthy High School. He was also instrumental in initiating several orphanages and educational projects. In 2019, he was elected as the Metropolitan Trustee of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Association, following the resignation of Catholicos Baselios Thomas I from administrative duties.

In 2023, Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II appointed him as the 26th Malankara Metropolitan of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. He also served as Catholicos Assistant to Baselios Thomas I until his passing in 2024.

Catholicos of India Following the death of Baselios Thomas I, Gregorios Joseph was unanimously elected as the Catholicos of India. He became the 81st Maphrian of the East and 4th Catholicos of India.