Baselios Yeldo
| Baselios Yeldho | |
|---|---|
| Maphrian of the Syriac Orthodox Church | |
| Church | Syriac Orthodox Church |
| Archdiocese | Maphrianate of the East |
| Diocese | Mosul and Nineveh |
| See | Mosul and Nineveh |
| In office | 1678–1684 |
| Predecessor | Baselios Habeeb II |
| Successor | Baselios George I |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 1678 by Ignatius Abded Mshiho I |
| Rank | Maphrian |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Yeldho |
| Born | 1593 Bakhdida, Ottoman Empire |
| Died | 29 September 1685 Kothamangalam, Kingdom of Quilon |
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day | 2 October |
| Venerated in | Syriac Orthodox Church, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church |
| Canonized | 2 November 1947 ; 20 October 1987 Parumala church by Baselios Geevarghese II ; Ignatius Zakka I Iwas |
| Shrines | Church of Mar Thoma |
Baselios Yeldho, also known as Yeldho Bava, was the Maphrian of the East of the Syriac Orthodox Church, from 1678 until his resignation in 1684.
Early life
Yeldho was born in 1593 in the village of Bakhdida near Mosul and at a young age, he joined the Monastery of Mar Behnam and become a monk. In 1678, he was consecrated maphrian by the Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Abded Mshiho I.
Malankara Church
From 1665 to 1681, Gregorios Abdul Jaleel, metropolitan bishop of Jerusalem, organised the Malankara Church and established ties between the church and the Syriac Orthodox Church. However, his death in 1681 allowed greater Portuguese interference into church affairs, prompting Mar Thoma II, metropolitan bishop of Malankara to appeal for assistance from the Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Abded Mshiho I.
The situation was discussed by Ignatius Abded Mshiho I and Yeldho amongst other prelates at the Monastery of Mor Hananyo in 1684. In response, Yeldho resigned his position as maphrian and volunteered to travel to India, despite concerns from fellow prelates over his age and health. Yeldho then returned to the Monastery of Mor Mattai to make preparations for the journey to India. Yeldho was joined by his brother Jamma, Ivanios Hidayat Allah and two monks, Joea and Matthew of the monasteries, Monastery of Mor Mattai and Monastery of Mor Behnam respectively.
Yeldho and his entourage travelled south to Basra and sailed to Surat, arriving in mid 1685, from which they proceeded south towards the Malabar Coast. Fearing Portuguese persecution, they were forced to travel in secret and arrived in Kothamangalam on 14 September 1685.[1] Whilst travelling, the group encountered a tiger which was repulsed by Yeldho when he made the sign of the cross in its direction, forcing it to run away.
Upon arriving, Yeldho ordained Evanios Hidayat Allah as metropolitan and helped Mar Thoma II to reorganise the church and preach amongst locals. However, Yeldho died on 29 September and was buried the following day.
Sainthood
Baselios Yeldho was proclaimed a saint by Baselios Geevarghese II of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, on 2 November 1947. Later, Ignatius Zakka I Iwas also declared him as a saint on 20 October 1987.
References
External links
| Preceded by | Syriac Orthodox Maphrian of the East 1678–1684 |
Succeeded by Baselios George I |
