70th Birthday (Sapthathi) Celebration of
His Holiness Baselius Mar Thoma Paulose II
Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan
The Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India
It was certainly a memorable weekend for the Indian Orthodox Faithful in Philadelphia – God blessed us to celebrate the 70th birthday (Sapthathi) of our most beloved Bava Thirumeni, our Spiritual Leader, His Holiness Baselius Mar Thoma Paulose II, Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan, the Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India. Members of St. Gregorios Bensalem and St. George Fairless Hill churches organized the birthday celebrations for this blessed milestone in our beloved Bava Thirumeni’s life. More than 600 faithful participated in the weekend long celebration. Birthday Greeting from the Office of the President of the United States was read – “I hope your birthday is filled with love and laughter, and I wish you all the best for good health and happiness in the year ahead. I wish you long life and success.” The celebrations ended with cutting of birthday cakes for His Holiness, the Diocesan Metropolitan, and the Secretary of His Holiness, Rev. Fr. Jiss Johnson. We the Orthodox Faithful, your Spiritual Children, living in the land of the United States of America wishing you many more years of healthy, safe, and joyous birthdays for us to enjoy your blessed presence in our lives. Pray for us!