Kochi: The Metropolitan of the Kochi diocese Joseph Mar Gregorios has been elected as the metropolitan trustee of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church.

He was elected unanimously during a meet of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Association at the Church headquarters, Patriarchal Centre, at Puthenkurisu.

The entire administrative responsibility of the Church would be the responsibility of the metropolitan trustee.

Catholicos Baselios Thomas I, who had been working as the metropolitan trustee from 1997, had abdicated the position on account of advancing age. Following this, the new metropolitan trustee was elected as per the instructions of His Holiness Ignatius Aphrem II, patriarch of the Jacobite Syrian Church.

Joseph Mar Gregorios had been functioning as the episcopal synod secretary for the past 18 years.

The episcopal synod that met on May 25 had decided that the new metropolitan trustee should be elected within three months. Only the name of Joseph Mar Gregorios was suggested for the position. Dr Abraham Mar Severios, Dr Thomas Mar Thimothios and Joseph Mar Gregorios were given the administrative responsibility after Baselios Thomas I stepped down from the position.