List of leaders of the Syro-Malabar Church
Mar George Alencherry | |
|---|---|
| Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church | |
 | |
| Church | Syro-Malabar Catholic Church |
| Elected | 24 May 2011 |
| Installed | 29 May 2011 |
| Predecessor | Mar Varkey Vithayathil |
| Other post(s) | Bishop of Thuckalay (1997 - 2011) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 19 November 1972 (Priest) |
| Consecration | 2 February 1997 (Bishop) by Mar Joseph Powathil |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 April 1945 |
The Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church is the head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and the Metropolitan of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Major Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly in Kerala, India. The Major Archbishop, a position equivalent to Patriarch and locally called as Head & Father of Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and The Gate of All India.
The archdiocese was established in 1896, when the first archbishop was appointed. In 1923 the hierarchy of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church was established, and the Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly was elevated to Major Archbishop and given authority over the whole church.
Archbishops of Ernakulam-Angamaly
- Mar Aloysius Pazheparambil Archbishop (1896 – 1919)
- Mar Augustine Kandathil Archbishop (1919 – 1956)
- Mar Joseph Parecattil Archbishop (1956 – 1984)
- Mar Sebastian Mankuzhikary Apostolic Administrator (1984 – 1985)
- Mar Antony Padiyara Major Archbishop (1985 - 1996)
- Mar Abraham Kattumana Pontifical Delegate (1992-1995)
- Mar Varkey Vithayathil Apostolic Administrator (1996 – 1999) Major Archbishop (1999 - 2011)
- Mar George Alencherry Major Archbishop (since 2011)