The Malankara Syrian Christian Association, the representative body of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, elected four priests as Metropolitan-designates during its historic gathering at St. Gregorios Nagar, Vettickal, Mulanthuruthy.
The following were elected to the episcopate (listed in alphabetical order):
- Rev. Fr. Eldos A. A.
- Rev. Fr. Samji T. George
- Rev. Fr. Shibu Venad Mathai
- Rev. Fr. Thomas Paul Remban
The Association was presided over by His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, in the presence of the Metropolitans of the Holy Episcopal Synod, clergy, and representatives of parishes from throughout India and across the world.
More than 4,000 representatives from the parishes of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church were eligible to participate in the Association. Reflecting the increasingly global character of the Church, representatives from dioceses outside India were provided the opportunity to participate through electronic voting, while representatives attending in India cast their votes through the prescribed ballot process.
The election of four new Metropolitans marks an important moment in the continuing life and mission of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church as it responds to the pastoral and spiritual needs of its faithful in India and throughout the world.
The four Metropolitan-designates were chosen from six candidates previously presented to the Association following the prescribed ecclesiastical process. Their election represents the prayerful discernment of the Church expressed through the clergy and laity gathered in the Malankara Syrian Christian Association.
Following their election, the Metropolitan-designates will enter a period of prayer and preparation for the episcopal ministry. In accordance with the tradition and canonical order of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, they will subsequently be consecrated to the episcopate by His Holiness the Catholicos of the East, together with the Metropolitans of the Holy Episcopal Synod.
The election also carries particular significance as the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church continues to expand its ministry beyond Kerala and India. With dioceses and parishes serving growing communities across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, the ministry of the episcopate remains central to preserving the Orthodox faith while strengthening pastoral care, theological education, youth ministry, mission and ecumenical engagement.
The episcopate in the Orthodox tradition is understood not primarily as an office of honor, but as a ministry of apostolic service. Bishops are called to be shepherds of the faithful, guardians of the Apostolic Faith, teachers of the Gospel and visible signs of the unity of the Church.
His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III called the Church to receive the results of the election in a spirit of prayer and unity, entrusting the Metropolitan-designates and their future ministry to the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church gives thanks to God for the orderly and prayerful completion of the election and extends its prayerful congratulations to the four Metropolitan-designates.
As they prepare to assume the fullness of episcopal ministry, the faithful throughout the world are called to uphold them in prayer, that God may grant them wisdom, humility, courage and a true shepherd’s heart in the service of Christ and His Holy Church.