Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) will host a special academic convocation Friday to honor His Holiness, Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, the primate of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) of India.

On September 23, 2022, at 5 p.m. EDT, the Seminary will award the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa to His Holiness. The academic convocation will also include an address by His Holiness, on the occasion of his historic first visit to SVOTS, and a reception to follow.

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During his visit, His Holiness will meet with SVOTS’ administration and faculty to discuss joint future endeavors.

Over SVOTS’ history, the Seminary has educated numerous seminarians of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church from North America and India. This year, eleven students from the MOSC are enrolled across SVOTS’ degree programs. Faithful of the MOSC have also served SVOTS in various capacities over the years, including as members of SVOTS staff, faculty, and board of trustees. Currently, His Grace, Zachariah Mar Nicholovos of the MOSC’s Northeastern American Diocese serves as trustee; The Reverend Dr. Varghese M. Daniel serves as the Seminary’s assistant professor of Malankara studies.

The special academic convocation is open to the public and there is no fee to attend. This convocation is in person only. To better serve you please register.

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ABOUT BASELIOS MARTHOMA MATHEWS III

His Holiness, Baselios Marthoma Mathews III is the supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India. He was enthroned as the Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan on October 15, 2021. Born in 1949 in Kerala, India, His Holiness went on to study chemistry before joining Orthodox Theological Seminary in Kottayam, Kerala, India. He then studied theology at St. Petersburg Theological Academy in Russia (then known as the Leningrad Theological Academy) and obtained a master’s and doctoral degree at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome.

His Holiness is known for his philanthropic work, among other areas of his ministry. His Holiness works tirelessly to uplift the poor in India, and has started many ventures to provide economic opportunities for impoverished women.

His Holiness has authored devotional and contemplative books in his native language, Malayalam.