Title Marthoma The title affixed to the Catholicos is Baselios Marthoma Mathews I. While 'Baselios' has been the traditional formal title of all Catholicoi taken after the great scholar and theologian
Mar Baselios of Cappadocia, 'Mar Thoma' was suffixed to imply the lineage of Malankara Metropolitans, in which Mathews I came 18th. The term 'Mar Thoma' has a historical significance. Following the
Coonen Cross Oath of 1653, the Malankara Metropolitan took the title 'Mar Thoma' signifying and following the St. Thomas tradition of the Church. Nine Malankara metropolitan, who ruled the Church from 1653 to 1816, bore the title Marthtoma. This title, however, came to be dropped following the intervention of the Church of Syria from the times of Mar Thoma VI (I 765). Mar Thoma VI accepted the title Mar Dionysius (I) in certain exigent situation of dependence on them. Mar Thoma VII, VIII and IX, however, had not used the title. But later on, traditional Greek names like Dionysius, Athanasius, which were commonly used in the Eastern Church including the Church in Syria came into regular use in the Malankara Church since the time of Metropolitan Pulikottil Mar Joseph Dionysius II (1816). Nevertheless, the Church recaptured the spirit of national independence and affixed the 'Mar Thoma' title to the Catholicos when Mathews I was installed as the Primate of the Church
Administration Mathews I made himself available to the entire Church. While he was in office, the present system of holding the Holy Episcopal Synod at least twice a year at fixed periods and with proper agendas came into effect.
Seminary Mathews I wished the Malankara Church to be known as Indian Orthodox Church, and worked to preserve its independence. During his time the
Orthodox Theological Seminary at Kottayam was affiliated to the Serampur University, Calcutta and the seminary was upgraded as a degree college. He wanted the Theological College to be made an independent university for Theology.
Consecration of Holy Myron He consecrated
holy Myron, a very rare function, on 1 April 1977 at
Old Seminary Chapel, Kottayam and on 25 March 1988 at Devalokam Catholicate Chappel.
Consecration of bishops He consecrated 10 bishops (Metropolitans), five at Pazhanji Church on 15 May 1978 and at Puthiacav St Mary's Church, Mavelikara on 15 May 1985.
Contributions Mathews I was an authority on Church Canons, Constitution and history. He was closely associated with the lawsuits related to factional disputes within the Church when he was a layman and he sought advice on such matters from experts in the field during this time, especially from his elder brother Cherian Vattakunnel. As an unmatched authority on Church Canons, he was able to strengthen the autonomy and continue the autocephaly of the Church unchallenged. He translated and published several works so they were available to all in Malayalam, English, Tamil, and Hindi, and celebrated the Qurbana (Divine Liturgy) in English for the diaspora. For the conservation of rare books and records he started the Malankara Orthodox Archives. School of Liturgical Music was also started at the Seminary with the aim of preserving and teaching sacred music. He was a good exponent of "Eccara", the canonical songs. He was very concerned to preserve the
Beth Gazo. For the Theological education of the Elderly he started a course by the name "Divya Bodhanam" which has become very popular now.
Awards He was awarded
The Order of St. Valdimer by the Patriarch of Russia and made a Fellow of the Leningrad Theological Seminary. He was decorated with
The Order of St. George of the First Degree by the Georgian Catholicose-Patriarch
Ilia II on 30 August 1982 'for proacting and strengthening the fraternal ties between Georgian and Indian Churches'. Serampur University conferred a Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) on him.
Catholicate Platinum Jubilee Celebrations The 70th year of the establishment of the Catholicate was celebrated with great pomp and glory in 1982. The celebratory meeting held at
Kottayam Nehru Stadium on 12 September 1982 had
HE Gyani Zail Singh, President of India, as the chief guest. Dignitaries from several Churches around the world were present at the meeting including
Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen I and
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.
Dr. P. C. Alexander, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India and Union Minister
C. M. Stephen were among the guests at this immense meeting.
HG Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios, Catholicos Designate
Mathews Mar Coorilos,
Governor of Andhra Pradesh K. C. Abraham, HG Michael Bosco Duraisamy of
Salem representing the Pope of Rome, Metropolitan HG
Emilianos representing the
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Metropolitan HG Nathaniel of
Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan HG Vladimir of
Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan HG Sairadhariar of
Armenian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan HG Nestor of
Romanian Orthodox Church, Bishop HG Josif Velichki of
Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Bishop Ambrosius of
Finland,
Kerala state minister
R. Balakrishna Pillai and Chief Editor of
Malayala Manorama Mr.
K. M. Mathew were also present on the occasion.
Order of St. Thomas During his reign, Mathews I instated the
Order of St. Thomas, which is the highest honorary award given by the Indian Orthodox Church. The first recipient of the award was HE
Gyani Zail Singh, the President of India at the Catholicate Platinum Jubilee Celebratory meeting in 1982.
Ecumenical Relations Mathews I had close ties with several Orthodox primates. A number of Patriarchs, Catholicoi and Metropolitans from sister Orthodox Churches visited India during his reign. He also visited several foreign countries as the guest of Orthodox primates. On 8 February 1986,
Pope John Paul II visited Catholicos Mathews I at Mar Elia Cathedral, Kottayam. ==Death==