The award is usually presented at large public gatherings held at different locations of importance to the Malankara Church within India.
During the Catholicate Platinum jubilee celebratory meeting[1] held at Kottayam Nehru Stadium on 12 September 1982, the chief guest Gyani Zail Singh,[2] President of India, was awarded the Order of St. Thomas by Catholicos Baselios MarThoma Mathews I. 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.
On 19 November 2000, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I was awarded the Order of St. Thomas by Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews II at Parumala Seminary.
The dignitaries who were present at the public meeting included Armenian Ambassador to India Ashot Kocharian,[7] Catholicos Designate Paulos Mar Milithios, Thomas Mar Athanasius of Chengannur, Knanaya Catholic Archbishop Mathew Moolakkatt of Kottayam and Priest Trustee Johns Abraham Konat among others.
During his visit to India, Abune Paulos was also the chief guest at the centenary celebrations of Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement (MGOCSM).