Department of Ecumenical Relations

23/01/2026

Catholicos of the East Conveys Solidarity and Support to His Holiness Karekin II

Kottayam — His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, has conveyed the prayerful solidarity and fraternal support of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church to His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, during the present period of difficulty within the life of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

In a message addressed to His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of the East assured him of the continued prayers of the Holy Synod, clergy, and faithful of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. His Holiness expressed deep respect for the historic witness of the Armenian Church and reaffirmed the enduring bonds of communion shared among the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III conveyed his strong fraternal support for His Holiness Karekin II in his sacred pastoral ministry, offering encouragement and prayers for wisdom, strength, and peace as he continues to shepherd the Armenian Church with faithfulness and courage.

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church stands in solidarity with the Armenian Apostolic Church, united in the one holy, catholic, and apostolic faith of the Oriental Orthodox communion, and reaffirms its commitment to mutual prayer, unity, and brotherly support in times of trial.

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church calls upon the faithful to remember the Armenian Church and its leadership in their prayers, trusting in the guidance and sustaining grace of Almighty God.

23/01/2026

Catholicos of the East Conveys Prayers and Best Wishes to Pope Tawadros II

Kottayam — His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, has conveyed his prayers and best wishes to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark of the Coptic Orthodox Church, following His Holiness Pope Tawadros’ recent medical procedure.

In his message, His Holiness the Catholicos assured Pope Tawadros of the prayers of the Holy Synod, clergy, and faithful of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. He expressed his prayerful concern and invoked God’s healing grace for a swift and complete recovery, good health, and renewed strength. The Catholicos of the East also reaffirmed the deep bonds of fraternal love and communion shared between the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church, united in the common faith and witness of the Oriental Orthodox family.

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church joins the Coptic Orthodox Church in offering prayers to Almighty God for the continued recovery and well-being of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II.

25/11/2025

23/11/2025

On Sunday, November 23, in the presence of several hundred faithful, His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, was received by His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand, at His Grace’s cathedral - the Holy Resurrection Armenian Cathedral. His Holiness was led to the Cathedral by His Grace Bishop Vardan, along with the esteemed clergy and faithful of the Armenian Church.

His Holiness offered his gratitude to Bishop Vardan and spoke how both the Malankara Orthodox Church and Armenian Orthodox Church are of one faith, and sister churches in the Oriental Orthodox communion.

Afterwards, His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, the Primate, and the cathedral community hosted a banquet in honor of His Holiness the Catholicos of the East.

His Holiness is currently on his first Apostolic Visit to the newly formed Diocese of Asia Pacific.

11/11/2025

10/11/2025

His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan offered a fraternal visit to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

His Holiness was received at the Papal Residence in Cairo, with the accompanying delegation.

During the reception, Pope Tawadros welcomed His Holiness the Catholicos and his companions, then accompanied him on a tour of the Papal Residence. The visit included the Church of Archangel Michael and the Gift Museum, before a joint session was held, presided over by both His Holiness Pope Tawadros and His Holiness the Catholicos, and attended by the delegations of both Churches.

His Holiness the Catholicos and his delegation toured Saint Mark’s Cathedral, the Church of St. Peter (El-Botroseya), the Shrine of Saint Mark the Apostle, and the Shrine of Saint Athanasius the Apostolic, where they were given an explanation of the history of these places.

The delegation of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church included His Eminence, Metropolitan Abraham Mor Stephanos, Metropolitan of London, Rev. Fr. Aswin Zephrin Fernandez, Rev. Fr Baiju Johnson, and Mr. Jacob Mathew.

The delegation of the Coptic Orthodox Church included His Eminence Metropolitan Thomas, Metropolitan of El-Qussia and Mir, His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos of London, His Grace Bishop Angelos, General Bishop of Northern Shoubra Churches, Hegumen Mousa Ibrahim, Spokesman of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Monk Fr. Kyrillos El-Maqari, Dr. Girgis Saleh, Honorary Secretary-General of the Middle East Council of Churches and Deacon Joseph Reda from the Secretariat of His Holiness the Pope.

The Coptic Orthodox Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church are sister churches which belong to the ancient Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Photo Credit: Media team of the Coptic Patriarchate

08/11/2025

His Holiness the Catholicos has expressed deep concern over the growing wave of ethnic conflicts and violence in various parts of the world, warning that such unrest poses a serious threat to global peace and human dignity.

Referring specifically to the ongoing crises in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Sudan, His Holiness noted that numerous Orthodox Tewahedo Christians have been brutally killed in Ethiopia, while civilians in Nigeria and Sudan continue to suffer amid persistent conflict. Places of worship are being destroyed, and violence in the name of religion stands in stark opposition to the values of humanity and divine love.

His Holiness further stated that the widening clouds of unrest in Gaza, Ukraine, and Russia are deeply painful and alarming. “We must all remember that the blood of every human being, regardless of race, nationality, or faith, bears the same color. In wars, the only victors are arms dealers; the true victims are children and ordinary citizens,” His Holiness remarked.

Calling for unity and compassion, His Holiness urged world leaders to join hands in the pursuit of peace and appealed to religious leaders across all faiths to rise above division and work together for reconciliation and mutual understanding.

“Unless humanity awakens to the cries of the innocent, the tears of orphaned children will one day scorch this world,” His Holiness Stated.

27/10/2025

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria 
and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, received delegates of the Oriental & Eastern Orthodox Churches, attending the 6th World Conference on Faith & Order of the World Council of Churches in Egypt.

His Eminence Metropolitan Abraham Mar Stephanos, Reverend Father Aashu Alexander, & Reverend Father Jibin Abraham are representing the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

27/10/2025

His Eminence Metropolitan Abraham Mar Stephanos, Reverend Father Aashu Alexander, and Reverend Father Jibin Abraham of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, participated in the Divine Liturgy, concelebrated with the hierarchs of the Oriental Orthodox Churches at the Creed Church, Logos Papal Centre in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, during the 6th Conference on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches.

This sacred gathering of Coptic, Malankara, Armenian, and Syriac Orthodox Churches around one Holy Altar, bore witness to the unity of faith and the enduring commitment of the Oriental Orthodox family to the pursuit of Christian unity and mutual understanding.

24/10/2025

His Eminence, Metropolitan Abraham Mar Stephanos represent the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church at the WCC’s Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order is taking place in Egypt, bringing together more than 350 Christians from around the globe to explore “Where now for visible unity?”

This gathering will also commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.