His
Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, eighth Catholicose of the East in Malankara.

Three score years
ago in a small village called Mangad near Kunnamkulam was born Paul on 30th Aug 1946 in the ancient Syrian
Christian family of Kollannur to K. I. Ipe and Kunjeetty. Paul’s mother hails from the famous family of
Pulikkottil and Paul was baptized at St. mary’s orthodox church, pazhanj. Groomed by his parents and grand
parents, Paul had his LP and UP education at Mangad schools.
He had his secondary education at Govt. H. S, Pazhanji, Paul moved to the city of Trissur for
his pre-university and undergraduate studies at St. Thomas college, Trissur from where Paul passed in flying
colours. He had his postgraduate studies in sociology at CMS College, Kottayam.
From his childhood Paul showed keen interest in spiritual matters. His parish church, St. Marys
Orthodox church was the nerve centre of his spiritual growth. At the age of 13, he was selected by his parish
priest to be vast in the ‘washing of feat’ service celebrated by H G Paulose Mar Severios Metropolitan. This marked
a turning point in the life of young Paul when the metropolitan invited him to the priesthood. The influence
of his parents especially that of his mother who hails from the famous Pulikkottil family played a great role in
moulding his early life. Even from his childhood, he use to learn Syriac chants and prayers and was very keen in
attending the church service. Young Paul joined the Orthodox Theological Seminary from where he secured GST
and took BD from the Serampore University.
H G the late Yuhanon Mar Severios, Metropolitan of Kochi diocese ordained him as sub deacon at
Parumala seminary on 8th April 1972 and as deacon at Sion seminary, Koratty on 31st May 1973. He was ordained
as priest by H G the late Yuhanon Mar Severios at Sion Seminary, Koratty on 2nd June 1973. Fr K I Paul celebrated
his fist Holy Qurbana at Mar Gregorius Orthodox Chapel Mangad.
Fr Paul served as a model shepherd of St. Marys Orthodox Church Ernakulam, Moolepat Orthodox
church Pazhanji, St. Marys Magdalene Convent Adappotty, Kummanmkulam and Medical College Chapel Kottayam. The
malankara Syrian Christian association held at MGM Thiruvalla on December 28th 1982 elected Fr Paul as
metropolitan. H G the late Mathews Mar Coorilos (later H H Moran Mar Baselius Mar Thoma Mathews II) professed
him Ramban on 14 May 1983 at Parumala Seminary. On 15th May 1985 H H Moran Mar Baselius Marthoma
Mathews I consecrated Paul ramban as Episcopa with the name Paulose Mar Milithios.
H G Paulose Mar Milithios had the privileged of becoming the first bishop of newly formed
Kunnamkulam diociese on 1st August 1985. His Grace was elevated as Metropolitan on 25th Oct 1991. besides
shepherding the kunnamkulam dioceses His Grace serves as the president of orthodox Syrian Sunday school association
of the east (OSSAE), MBCH Mannapra Vadavucode, Pulikottil Mar Divannasius Bhavan Kottapady. His Grace is the
vice president of Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement of India, MMM hospital, Kunnamkulam and manager
of M. D. college Pazhanji. His grace has also served as the president of the Orthodox Youth Movement.
The Holy Episcopal synod and the Managing committee nominated His Grace as the successor to the
Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan on 27 Sep 2006. Elevated to the throne of The Catholicos of
The East and Malankara Metropolitan on 1 Nov 2010.
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