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Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

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Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
CATHOLICATE EMBLEM
LanguageMalayalam,Syriac, English, Hindi
HeadquartersKottayam, Kerala
TerritoryIndia
PossessionsUnited Arab Emirates, United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, Oman and Australia,
FounderSt. Thomas the Apostle
IndependenceApostolic Era
RecognitionOriental Orthodox
Official websiteMalankara Orthodox Syrian Church

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (also known as the Malankara Orthodox Church, Orthodox Church of the East, Orthodox Syrian Church of the East,The Indian Orthodox Church) is an autocephalous church and a prominent member of the Oriental Orthodox Church family in Christianity, founded by St. Thomas, the Disciple of Christ in A.D. 52.

File:CATHOLICOSOFINDIA.jpg
Supreme Catholicos Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Didymos I

Official name of the Church

The official name of the church is Indian Orthodox Church.However in Malayalm language used in Kerala ,it is known by the name Malankara Orthodox Suriyani Sabha.

Hierarchy, distribution and doctrine

The spiritual supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is the Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan . The Church has dioceses and churches in most parts of India as well as in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Western Europe, Persian Gulf nations, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. The official title of the head of the Church is the "Catholicos of the East and the Malankara Metropolitan". The present Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan is Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Didymos I, who was enthroned on October 31, 2005, at Parumala Church by the Holy Synod amidst the Holy Eucharist.

The Church, though modern in its vision and outlook, keeps the traditional oriental Orthodox faith and liturgy. It accepts the first three Ecumenical Synods. The Church has suffered considerable persecution from Western European colonial forces after Vasco da Gama set foot on Kerala soil on A.D. 1498. The liturgy now in use is the translation of the liturgy adopted from the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antiochian since their relationship started in 17th century. It had an earlier relationship with the Churches of Edessa, Tigris and Selucia and these Churches sent bishops to look after the spiritual needs of Malankara church. Today the Church uses liturgy in Syriac, Malayalam, Hindi, and English.

The sub culture of Indian Orthodox community is a part of vast Indian culture, which is formulated by the continuous interaction of Christian faith and South Indian civilization in the last 20 centuries which bear remarkable difference from western Christian culture.

The Church has theological seminaries at Kottayam and Nagpur.

History

During the later Old Testament times the Malabar Coast had trade relations with West Asia. These trade routes later enabled Christianity to reach Kerala, a state on the south western coast of India. Tradition states that the Apostle Thomas preached the Gospel to the locals (which included Jewish settlers in Kerala), baptized many, and founded seven churches. The churches are Niranam, Palayoor, Nilackal, Kottakavu, Kothamangalam, Kollam and Maliyankara. These churches remain the major Christian centers in Kerala. The Christians of this ancient tradition were and are known as either Nasranis or Syrian Christians.

The Christian Community of Kerala (India) traces back its origin to the advent of St. Thomas, the Apostle to India, who reached the Cragnanore Port in AD 52 and its subsequent spiritual stabilization and growth.

St.Thomas

It is believed that the Apostle started his gospel mission in India, from a small town called "Maliyankara" on the sea coast of 'Paravur' Taluk in Kerala, at a short distance away from Cranganore Port. From such small beginnings, the Christian Community of Kerala grew to its present stature against heavy odds aided, among other providential factors, by the continued tolerance and hospitality of many a neighborhood, the goodwill of the local rulers, chieftains and others.

The Portuguese who colonized India in AD 1498 tried to convert the St. Thomas Christians to western Catholicism. By AD 1599 Goan Arch Bishop Menezes succeeded in forcibly converting some to the Catholic Church. But in AD 1653, a section of St. Thomas Christians revolted and resolved against accepting foreign authority known in church history as 'Koonan Kurishu Oath or Coonen Cross Oath'. The people that sought to preserve the Church's freedom again appealed to several Eastern Christian centers for help in restoring its Episcopal succession. The Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch responded and Mar Gregorios Abdul Jaleel, the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, came to India in AD 1665. The Archdeacon who had been declared in the meantime to be Metropolitan Mar Thoma by the laying on of hands by twelve Presbyters was now confirmed by him in his Episcopal rank, and both of them worked together to organize the church on firm footing. Mar Thoma I was followed in succession by a series of Prelates with the same name till AD 1816 when the last of them namely Mar Thoma IX came to the scene, but was soon replaced by Mar Dionysius II.

The London Missionary Service was active in India. Bishop Norton inaugurated the first Anglican Church in Kerala at Thalavady in the house of one Itty Matthan Panickar who was till then a Syrian Orthodox Christian. This church was later known as Christian Missionary Service and after Indian Independence it became the Church of South India. Lore says that Bishop Norton was tutored in Malayalam by Itty Matthan Panickar. Later the same person tutored Bishop Benjamin Bailey in Sanskrit & Malayalam, and was presented the chair on which the Bishop sat as a gift. Later in the 19th century, exposure to the doctrines of the Church of England inspired a reform movement led by Abraham Malpan. This led to the formation of the Mar Thoma Church.

In 1912, the Catholicate of the East was revived in India with the co-operation of Mar Ignatios Abdel Messiah, senior canonical Patriarch of Antioch and the Bishops of the Church. The ceremony was held at St. Mary's Church, Niranam on 15 September 1912.

Despite several schisms, the Indian Orthodox Church remains a stronghold of Oriental Orthodoxy in the The Subcontinent.

The Metropolitan Bishopric of the United States and Canada was created in 1979 with the appointment of Bishop Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios to the new diocese. The first church of this diocese was consecrated in 1980 as the St. George Malankara Orthodox Church, located on Cedar Grove Avenue in the New Dorp Beach section of Staten Island, New York. An additional 74 parishes have been established in the United States since then.

Catholicate of the Church

File:Bavacatholicos.jpg
Moran Mar Baselios Mar Thoma Didymos I,The present Catholicos
H.B. Paulose Mar Milithios,the present Catholicos Designate.

The word Catholicos means The General Head . It can be considered as equivalent to Universal Bishop. There were only 3 ranks of priest-hood in the early Church; namley - Episcopos (Bishop), Priest and Deacon. By the end of the third century certain bishops of certain important cities in the Roman empire gained pre- eminence than other bishops and they came to be known as Metropolitans. The Ecumenical councils of the fourth century recognized the supreme authority of these Metropolitans. By the fifth century, the Bishops in major cities like Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch etc. gained control over the churches in the surrounding cities. Gradually they became the heads of each independent regional church and were called Patriarch which means common father. The same rank in the Churches outside the Roman Empire was called Catholicos. There were three ancient Catholicates in the Church before the fifth century. They were the Catholicate of the East (initially in Persia,later relocated to India in 1912), the Catholicate of Armenia and the Catholicate of Georgia. None of these ranks and titles are the monopoly of any church. Any Apostolic and national church has the authority to declare and call its head, Catholicose, Pope, or Patriarch.

As we say that St. Peter was the first Pope of Rome, St. Thomas was the first Head or the Catholicos of India. As all other Apostles did, he also established Church in India and made a set up to continue its administration in India. This Apostolic authority existed in India throughout the centuries. The first stage of the apostolic ministry in the Malankara Church is from the time of St.Thomas ,when he converted 7 Brahmin families of India to Christianity ,and gave them priest-hood. The second stage is the period of the reign of the Archdeacons which started from the fourth century and lasted till the sixteenth century.

The third stage started when the archdeacon was elevated to the position of a Bishop by the community with the name Marthoma Iin 1653. Since then the head of the community was the Marthoma Metrans and later the position was developed to Malankara Metropolitan with more recognition.

In 1912,the Catholicate of Persia was relocated to India, and H.H Moran Mar Baselios Paulose I was seated in the Apostolic Throne of St.Thomas as the Supreme Catholicos Of All East And Of India

However,in 1934,through the meeting of theMalankara Association the authority and powers of the Malankara Metropolitan was also entrusted to the Catholicos. Thus both the spiritual and temporal authorities of the Church was vested in one person who came to be known as CATHOLICOS OF ALL EAST and MALANKARA METROPOLITAN

Catholicate Palace

Devalokam Aramana
File:Kaabar.jpg
Kabar Of Catholicoses

The Headquarters of the Indian Orthodox Church,named Devalokam is located at Kottayam,in Kerala. It is the official headquarters of the Catholicos Of The East and Malankara Metropolitan who reigns on the Throne of St. Thomas, the Apostle, and was established on 31 December 1951.

The Chapel next to the Aramana built in 1953 was primarily the efforts of the women folks of the Malankara Orthodox Church.The construction of the Holy Altar was completed on 15 August 1956.

The Catholicate Office built in 1957 was donated by Dr.Mrs Lukose in memory of her husband the renowned high court Judge Kunnukuzhiyil K.K. Lukose. On 22 April 1957 the Catholicos consecrated the building.

The new Aramana which was built in 1961 was inaugurated by the visiting Armenian Catholicos VASCAN A burial place for the interment of the Holy Fathers was constructed next to the Aramana by His Holiness Baselios Ougen I Catholicos. The burial places of His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II and His Holiness Baselios Ougen I were embossed with marble and made beautiful with ornate engravings. The room for tombs was widened in order to facilitate the interment of successors of the Catholicos.An auditorium and an administrative Block were also constructed close to the Aramana. The Office of His Holiness the Catholicose, the Office of the Holy Synod, Kottayam Central Diocesan Office, Malankara Corporate Management Office, Sunday School Office, Malankara Sabha Magazine Office, Catholicate Press, M.O.C Publication Office etc are also at the head quarters.

The mortal remains of Baselious Geevarghese II, Baselious Augen I and Baselious Marthoma Mathews I are entombed in the Catholicate Chapel. A Portion of the holy relics of St.Thomas, the Apostle of India and Founder of the Church, is also kept in the chapel.

Past Catholicoi

File:Catholicos1.jpg File:Catholicos2.jpg File:Catholicos3.jpg File:Catholicos4.jpg File:Catholicos5.jpg File:Catholicos6.jpg

Saints of the Church

File:Parumalathirumeni.jpg File:Vattasseril.jpg

Marthoma Metrans

After the The Great Swearing in Ceremony, the parish elders (Idavaka Mooppens) of the Church met together and elected Kuravilangad Parampil Thomas Kathanar as Malankara Elder (Malankara Mooppen). Following the ancient custom.[25] twelve Idavaka Mooppens laid their hands on him and appointed him as Malankara Mooppen. The Catholics considered this illegitimate, because this was not their practice. So the Marthoma Nazranis were forced to send letters to various other eastern Churches asking to send a bishop. In 1854, Mar Gregorios Abdul-Jaleel, Patriarch of Jerusalem arrived. Thus began the relation between the Malankara Church and the Anthiochian Jacobites.

It should be specially noticed that all the 9 Marthoma Methrans were members of the Pakalomattam family.

Marthoma I. - In 1653, Thomas of Pakalomattam Thravadu was consecrated with the title Marthoma I by Mar Gregorios. Marthoma I survived a number of assassination attempts. He died on April 25, 1670 and was interred in Ankamali Marthommen Palli. (church).

Marthoma II. – (1670-1686) Consecrated by Marthoma I and Mar Gregorios. Died on April 14, 1686 and was interred at Niranam Palli.

Marthoma III. – (1686-1688) Consecrated by Mar Ivanios Hirudyathulla (from Antioch), died on April 21, 1688. Laid to rest at Kadampanad, Near Adoor.

Marthoma IV. - (1988-1728). Consecrated by Mar Ivanios Hirudyathulla. Died on March 24, 1728 and was interred at Kandanad Palli.

Marthoma V. - (1728-1765) – Consecrated by Marthoma IV. Died on May 8, 1765 and laid to rest at Niranam Palli.

Marthoma VI. – (1765-1808) Consecrated by Marthoma V. Died on April 8, 1808 and laid to rest at Puthenkavu palli. Important events:

File:Marthoma6.jpg
Marthoma VI
  • On June 1770, to avoid a split in the Church, he accepted re-consecration and the title Dionysius from Antiochan bishops.
  • Mar Thoma VI did not approve the appointment of Kattumangattu Abraham Mar Coorilos as a metropoiltan by a bishop from Antioch. This was the beginning of Malabar Independent Syrian Church.
  • Forced to conduct a service according to Catholic rites, but escaped during a rebellion in Travancore under Velu Thampi.[26]
  • Rev.Dr. Claudius Bucahanan visited and made arrangement for the translation of the Bible into Malayalam. Marthoma gave him the manuscript of the Bible written in the oldest Syrian. This manuscript was deposited in the public library of the University of Cambridge.[27]

Marthoma VII. – (1808-1809) Consecrated by Marthoma VI in 1796. During his time on December 1, 1808, a sum of 3000 Star Pagoda (in 2002 one Star Pagoda coin had a market value of £475) was given as loan in perpetuity to the British resident Col. Maccaulay. This is known as Vattipanam. Marthoma died on July 4,1809 and was interred at Kolencherry palli.

Marthoma VIII. – (1809-1816) Consecrated on July 2, 1809 by Marthoma VII. During his time Kottayam Suryani Seminary was opened and modern education began in Kerala. Marthoma died on January 26 1816 and was interred at Niranam palli.

File:Marthoma8.jpg
Marthoma VIII

Marthoma IX. – (1816-1817). Consecrated by Marthoma VIII without the consent of the people. So he retired to Kadamattom palli and spent the rest of his days in prayer and fasting.

Marthoma X (Malankara Metropolitan)– (1816-1816). Also known as Pulikottil Joseph Mar Dionysius, was consecrated by Mar Philoxenos II, of the Malabar Independent Syrian Church (Thozhiyoor Sabha). Marthoma died on November 25, 1816 and laid to rest at Seminary palli. Important events:

  • First Metropolitan to be recognised by Travancore and Cochin as Malankara Metropolitan, by a Royal Proclamation to receive interest of Vattipanam (Fixed Deposit).
  • Opened the Kottayam Suryani Seminary.
  • Church Missionary Society (C.M.S.) missionaries arrived to teach there.

With him the reign of Marthoma Metrans came to an end and the power was transferred to Malankara Metropolitan.

Current Metropolitans of the Church


  • H.H. Baselios Mar Thoma Didymos I (Catholicose of East and Malankara Metropolitan)
  • H.B. Paulose Mar Milithios (Catholicose Designate)
  • H.G. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios
  • H.G. Mathews Mar Barnabas
  • H.G. Mathews Mar Epiphanios
  • H.G. Philipose Mar Eusebius
  • H.G. Thomas Mar Athanasios
  • H.G. Geevarghese Mar Ivanios
  • H.G. Dr.Thomas Mar Athanasius
  • H.G. Dr.Yuhanon Mar Milithios
  • H.G. Kuriakose Mar Clemmis
  • H.G. Zachariah Mar Anthonios
  • H.G. Dr. Mathews Mar Severius
  • H.G. Job Mar Philoxenos
  • H.G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos
  • H.G. Paulose Mar Pachomius
  • H.G. Dr.Yakoob Mar Irenios
  • H.G. Zachariah Mar Nicholovos
  • H.G. Dr.Gabriel Mar Gregorios
  • H.G. Dr.Zachariah Mar Theophilos
  • H.G. Dr.Yuhanon Mar Chrisostamos

Theological seminaries of the Church

Orthodox Theological Seminary,Kottayam

Ecumenical relations

Part of a series on
Christianity in India
Christianity in India
Communities
People
Denominations

Saint Thomas Christian denominations

Syro-Malabar Catholic, Syro-Malankara Catholic, Latin Catholic

Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Independent Oriential Orthodox

Malabar Independent Syrian Church

Chaldean Syrian

Mar Thoma Syrian, St. Thomas Evangelical

Protestant denominations
Andhra Evangelical Lutheran, Assemblies Jehovah Shammah, Christian Revival Church, Church of North India, Church of South India, Garo Baptist, Indian Brethren, Indian Pentecostal Church of God, Church of God (Full Gospel), North Bank Baptist Christian, Northern Evangelical Lutheran, Methodist Church, Presbyterian, The Pentecostal Mission, Seventh-day Adventist, United Evangelical Lutheran

Organisations

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church takes an active role in various ecumenical activities at national and international levels. It is a member of the World Council of Churches. Famous theologians such as Late H.G Paulos Mar Gregorios, Geevarghese Mar Osthathios, Very Rev. Fr. V.C. Samuel Cor-Episcopa, and Fr. Dr. K.M. George, who contributed to the negotiations between the Oriental and Byzantine churches, belong to this church. The Indian Orthodox Church also participated in the Ecumenical Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches held in Addis Ababa, in AD 1965.

  • International Ecumenical Organisations

World Council of Churches One of the founding members of this world-wide ecumenical body, the Malankara Orthodox Church has been an active participant in all its projects and programmes. Its members have held distinguished positions (Mrs. Sara Chacko, the late Metropolitan Dr.Paulos Mar Gregorios were its presidents) and at present the Church is represented in its Central Committee by Fr.Dr.K.M. George, the Principal of the Orthodox Theological Seminary. Fr.Dr.John Mathews, Professor of Biblical Studies at the Orthodox Theological Seminary serves as a member of the WCC's Committee on Education and Ecumenical Formation. Faith and Order Commission One of the early programmes that aimed at bringing the churches into closer unity, the Church's presence in well represented by Fr.Dr.V.P.Varghese, Professor of Liturgical Theology, Orthodox Theological Seminary.

Christian Conference of Asia This is an international ecumenical organization that has come into existence to enable the churches in Asia to work in unity and forge better fraternal relations. The Malankara Orthodox Church has been a significant partner in working towards the objectives of this organization, with H.G. Dr.Yakoob Mar Ireneus being its current representative. Further, Mrs.Susan Jacob is a member of its Executive Committee, while Fr.Philip Kuruvilla has joined its staff as the Secretary of the CCA's HlV/AlDS Programme and has been instrumental in disseminating information and awareness among the members of its constituent churches.

Global Christian Forum The fact that many evangelical, Pentecostal and charismatic Christian groups as well as the Catholic Church, are not represented in the WCC has led to the move to form an ecumenical body that would be truly universal in its reach. Under the aegis of the WCC, an unofficial organization labeled the Global Christian Forum, which involved practically all, and every Christian organization in the world. Fr.Dr.John Mathews has represented the Church at its nascent ecumenical organization.

Monasteries of the Church

Important pilgrim centers

Parumala Church
Parumala Church

Dioceses and churches

Other churches

References

  1. ^ Web site of CNEWA (Catholic Near East Welfare Association)on 11-06-2007

2. Staten Island Advance, March 1, 2008, page A9

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