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{{refimprove|date=September 2018}}
{{refimprove|date=September 2018}}
{{short description|Leader and first bishop of the Malankara Church}}
{{short description|17th century Saint Thomas Christian bishop}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox bishop
{{Infobox bishop
| honorific_prefix = H.G. Mar
| honorific_prefix = [[His Grace]]
| name = Thoma I
| name = Mar Thoma I
| honorific-suffix =
| honorific-suffix = Malankara Metropolitan
| bishop_of = [[Malankara Metropolitan|Malankara Methran]]
| bishop_of = [[Malankara Church]]
| image = Erzdiakon Thomas.jpg
| image =
| caption = Arkkadiyakon Thoma become H.G.Mar Thoma I;
| caption =
The first [[Malankara Metropolitan]] .
| diocese = [[Malankara Church (Puthenkur)| Malankara Syrian Church]]
| diocese = [[Malankara Church (Puthenkur)| Malankara Syrian Church]]
| ordination = 1637
| ordination = 1637
Line 17: Line 16:
| enthroned = 22 May 1653<ref name=ThomasJoseph/>
| enthroned = 22 May 1653<ref name=ThomasJoseph/>
| ended = 1670
| ended = 1670
| predecessor = post established
| predecessor = ''post created''
| successor = H.G.Mar [[Thoma II]]
| successor = [[Thoma II|Mar Thoma II]]
| birth_name = Parambil Thoma
| birth_name = Palamattom Thoma
| birth_date =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Kuravilangad]]
| birth_place = [[Kadamattom]]
| death_date = 25 April 1670
| death_date = 25 April 1670
| death_place = [[Angamaly]]
| death_place = [[Angamaly]]
| buried = [[St. Mary's Jacobite Soonoro Cathedral, Angamaly|St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Angamaly]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sor.cua.edu/ChMon/Ankamaly/AnkamalyHVMary.html/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-04-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405125033/http://sor.cua.edu/ChMon/Ankamaly/AnkamalyHVMary.html |archive-date=5 April 2016 }}</ref>
| buried = [[St. Mary's Jacobite Soonoro Cathedral, Angamaly|St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Angamaly]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sor.cua.edu/ChMon/Ankamaly/AnkamalyHVMary.html/ |title=Morth Mariam Church, Ankamaly |access-date=2016-04-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405125033/http://sor.cua.edu/ChMon/Ankamaly/AnkamalyHVMary.html |archive-date=5 April 2016 }}</ref>
| nationality =
| nationality =
| signature =
| signature =
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|title= Archdeacon of All India of the [[Archdiocese of Cranganore]]
|title= Archdeacon of All India of the [[Archdiocese of Cranganore]]
|predecessor= Arkadeacon [[Givargis of the Cross]]
|predecessor= Arkadeacon [[Givargis of the Cross]]
|successor= [[Kadavil Chandy|Arkadeacon Alexandros]]
|successor= post abolished
|appointed= by [[Etienne de Brito|Stephen Britto]]<ref name=Thekedath/>}}
|appointed= by [[Etienne de Brito|Stephen Britto]]<ref name=Thekedath/>}}
| type = Bishop
| type = Bishop
}}'''Mar Thoma I''', also known as '''Valiya Mar Thoma''' (Mar Thoma the Great) and '''Arkkadiyakkon Thoma''' (Archdeacon Thomas) in [[Malayalam]], and referred to as '''Thomas de Campo''' in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], was the first native-born [[Malankara Metropolitan|Metropolitan]] bishop of the [[Malankara Church]] in the 17th century. He was the last Archdeacon of the undivided [[Saint Thomas Christians|St. Thomas Christians]] of Malankara.<ref name=Thekedath>{{cite book|title= The troubled days of Francis Garcia S. J. Archbishop of Cranganore (1641-1659)|page= 7, 21 |last= Thekedath |first=Joseph|year=1972|isbn= 9788876521584 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=chkD52PhJZUC&pg=PA21}}</ref>
}}
'''H.G.Mar Thoma the First''', also known '''''Valiya Mar Thoma''''' (Mar Thoma the Greater), '''Arkkadiyokkon Thoma''' in Malayalam or '''Thomas de campo''' in Portuguese (from the Malayalam ''''Parambil Thoma'''')<ref name=Thekedath>{{cite book|title= The troubled days of Francis Garcia S. J. Archbishop of Cranganore (1641-1659)|page= 7, 21 |last= Thekedath |first=Joseph|year=1972|isbn= 9788876521584 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=chkD52PhJZUC&pg=PA21}}</ref> is the first native democratically elected/selected Metropolitan bishop of the Puthenkoor faction of the Saint Thomas Christians or [[Saint Thomas Christians|Malankara Church]]. He was the last Archdeacon of the undivided St. Thomas Christians of Malankara(Maliyankara). After the death of [[Archdeacon George of the Cross]] on 25 July 1640, Parambil Thoma Kathanar was elected and enthroned as new Archdeacon, when he was less than 30 years old. He led the Church to the Coonan Cross Oath on 3 January 1653 and to the subsequent schism in [[Saint Thomas Christians]] Church. After the [[Coonen Cross Oath]], he was elected as a Bishop by Malankara (Yogam) Association and consecrated as a Bishop at St. Mary's Church Alangad, by laying hands of 12 priests on 22 May 1653.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}} Only two Southist churches of Kaduthuruthy and Udayamperoor and a very few people elsewhere refused to recognise him as Bishop{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}. Any how, the archdeacon began to exercise powers of episcopal order, though he openly tried to regularize his episcopal consecration as a Bishop from the [[Syriac Orthodox Church|Church of Antioch]]. His episcopal consecration as a Bishop was regularized in the year 1665 by Mar [[Gregorios Abdal Jaleel]] the Patriarchal delegate of the [[Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch]].<ref name=ThomasJoseph>{{cite encyclopedia |first=Thomas|last=Joseph|title=Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church|encyclopedia=Gorgias Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Syriac Heritage: Electronic Edition |editor1=Sebastian P. Brock |editor2=Aaron M. Butts |editor3=George A. Kiraz |editor4=Lucas Van Rompay
⚫
|url=https://gedsh.bethmardutho.org/Malankara-Syriac-Orthodox-Church |publisher=Gorgias Press|year=2011|access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref> (The exact date and place of this event is unknown). [[Palliveettil Mar Chandy]], Kadavil Chandy Kathanar, Vengoor Geevargese Kathanar and Anjilimoottil Ittithomman Kathanar were the advisors of the bishop Mar Thoma {{sfn|Brown|1956|p=103}}.


Following the death of [[Giwargis of the Cross|Archdeacon George of the Cross]] on 25 July 1640, Parambil Thoma Kathanar was elected and enthroned as the new Archdeacon while still under 30 years old. He played a significant role in leading the Church during the [[Coonan Cross Oath]] on 3 January 1653, an event that led to a schism within the Nasrani Church. After the Oath, Thoma was elected as a Bishop by the Malankara Yogam (Association) and was consecrated at St. Mary's Church, Alangad, by the laying on of hands by 12 priests on 22 May 1653.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}} However, certain factions within the community, including two Southist churches in [[Kaduthuruthy]] and [[Udayamperoor]], did not recognize his episcopal authority.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}
==Early Church history==

[[Thomas the Apostle]] arrived to Kerala to preach the [[gospel]] to the Jewish community. Some of the Jews and locals became followers of Jesus of [[Nazareth]]. They were known as [[Syrian Malabar Nasrani|Malabar Nasrani]] people and their church as Malankara Church. They followed a unique [[Hebrew]]-[[Syriac Christianity|Syriac Christian]] tradition which included several Jewish elements and Indian customs. This was the tradition till 1599, when the Malankara Church of St. Thomas Christians in India, formally became part of the Catholic Church by the [[Synod of Diamper]] (Udayamperoor). After the Synod of Diamper three Jesuit archbishops ruled their church until 1652. The archdeacons continued to function under these Archbishops.
Despite this, Thoma began to exercise episcopal powers and sought to regularize his consecration with the Church of Antioch. His episcopal consecration was formally recognized in 1665 by [[Gregorios Abdal Jaleel|Mar Gregorios Abdal Jaleel]], a delegate of the [[Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East|Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch]], though the exact date and location of this event remain unknown.<ref name=ThomasJoseph>{{cite encyclopedia |first=Thomas|last=Joseph|title=Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church|encyclopedia=Gorgias Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Syriac Heritage: Electronic Edition |editor1=Sebastian P. Brock |editor2=Aaron M. Butts |editor3=George A. Kiraz |editor4=Lucas Van Rompay
⚫
|url=https://gedsh.bethmardutho.org/Malankara-Syriac-Orthodox-Church |publisher=Gorgias Press|year=2011|access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref> During his tenure, Mar Thoma was advised by [[Palliveettil Chandy|Palliveettil Mar Chandy]], [[Kadavil Chandy|Kadavil Chandy Kathanar]], Vengoor Geevargese Kathanar, and Anjilimoottil Ittithomman Kathanar.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Brown|first=Leslie W.|title=The Indian Christians of St Thomas: An Account of the Ancient Syrian Church of Malabar|year=1956|location=Cambridge|publisher=Cambridge University Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H9gYAAAAIAAJ |page=103}}</ref>{{Nasrani People}}


==Early life==
==Early life==
[[Kuravilangad]] is a town located in the [[Kottayam]] district of [[Kerala]], [[South India]]. The town is situated in the [[Meenachil]] Taluk, about 22&nbsp;km north of [[Kottayam]]. [[Pakalomattom family]] was one of the oldest families at [[Kuravilangad]]. Thomas who later became the first Mar Thoma, was born in this family.<ref>{{Cite book|last=1912-1999.|first=Brown, L.W. (Leslie Wilfrid),|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/781412260|title=The Indian Christians of St. Thomas : an account of the ancient Syrian church of Malabar|date=1982|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=0-521-21258-8|oclc=781412260}}</ref>
[[Kuravilangad]] is a town located in the [[Kottayam]] district of [[Kerala]], [[South India]]. The town is situated in the [[Meenachil]] Taluk, about 22&nbsp;km north of [[Kottayam]]. [[Pakalomattom family]] was one of the oldest families at [[Kuravilangad]]. Thomas who later became the first Mar Thoma, was born in this family.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Brown |first=L.W.|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/781412260|title=The Indian Christians of St. Thomas: an account of the ancient Syrian church of Malabar|date=1982|publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=0-521-21258-8|oclc=781412260 |orig-date=1956 |edition=Revised}}</ref>


==Archdeacon==
==Archdeacon==
[[Givargis of the Cross|Pakalomattom Geevarghese Kathanar]], the Arkkadiyakkon (Archdeacon) died in 1637. His relative Thomas Kathanar was then appointed by Archbishop [[Etienne de Brito|Stephen Britto]] as the next Archdeacon. Thoma Kathanar and his followers swore the [[Coonen Cross Oath]], that "they would no longer obey Archbishop Garcia or any prelate from the society of Jesus, nor would ever again admit the Jesuits into Malabar or into their churches".<ref name=Thekedath/>
[[Giwargis of the Cross|Pakalomattom Geevarghese Kathanar]], the Archdeacon (Arkkadiyakkon) of the Saint Thomas Christians, passed away in 1637. Following his death, Thomas, a relative of Geevarghese, was appointed as the next Archdeacon by Archbishop [[Estevão de Brito|Stephen Britto]]. In 1653, Thomas and his followers took the Coonan Cross Oath, declaring that they would no longer obey Archbishop Garcia or any other prelate from the [[Jesuits|Society of Jesus]], and they vowed to exclude the Jesuits from Malabar and their churches.<ref name=Thekedath/>


After the Coonen Cross Oath, on 5 January 1653, the elders of the church met at [[St. George's Syro-Malabar Forane Church, Edappally|St. Mary's church Edapally]] (now dedicated to Saint George) and proclaimed Archdeacon Thoma as the Governor of the Church. Four very efficient trustworthy and responsible priests, Kalliseril [[Anjilimoottil Itty Thommen Kathanar|Anjilimoottil Itty Thomman Kathanar]], [[Kaduthuruthy]] [[Kadavil Chandy]] Kathanar, [[Angamaly]] Vengoor Geevarghese Kathanar and [[Palliveettil Chandy]] Kathanar<ref>[http://cs.nyu.edu/kandathi/parambil.html Mar Chandy Palliveettil] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411230832/http://cs.nyu.edu/kandathi/parambil.html |date=11 April 2011 }}</ref> were selected as his advisors.<ref>Mathew N. M. ''History of the Marthoma Church'', Vol. I. Page 183.</ref> All the three, except Kalliseril Anjilimoottil Itty Thomman Kathanar, later returned to the [[Malankara Church (Paḻayakūṟ)|Catholic faction]] of the [[St Thomas Christians]].
After the Coonan Cross Oath, on 5 January 1653, the church elders gathered at [[St. George's Syro-Malabar Forane Church, Edappally|St. Mary's Church in Edapally]] (now dedicated to [[Saint George]]) and proclaimed Archdeacon Thoma as the Governor of the Church. Four priests—[[Anjilimoottil Itty Thommen Kathanar|Anjilimoottil Itty Thomman]], [[Kadavil Chandy]], Vengoor Geevarghese, and [[Palliveettil Chandy]]—were selected as his advisors.<ref>[http://cs.nyu.edu/kandathi/parambil.html Mar Chandy Palliveettil] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411230832/http://cs.nyu.edu/kandathi/parambil.html |date=11 April 2011 }}</ref><ref>Mathew N. M. ''History of the Marthoma Church'', Vol. I. Page 183.</ref> Of these, three later returned to the [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] faction of the St. Thomas Christians.


Four months after the Coonan Cross Oath, on 22 May 1653, twelve priests ordained Thomas as the first Bishop of the Malankara See through the act of laying hands on him collectively. However, the Catholic faction disputed the validity of this consecration, arguing that it was irregular. It is claimed that the consecration was regularized by [[Gregorios Abdal Jaleel]], a delegate of the [[Patriarch of Antioch]], in 1665, although the exact place and date remain unknown. Thomas adopted the name Mar Thoma, asserting his role as the successor of [[Thomas the Apostle|St. Thomas the Apostle]].
[[File:Alangad Syro-Malabar Church.jpg|thumb|St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Church, Alangad]]

Four months after [[Coonen Cross Oath]], on 22 May 1653, twelve kathanars (priests) ordained Thoma Kathanar as the first Bishop of Malankara See by the act of laying hands on him together. The Catholic faction argued that his consecration by 12 priests was irregular, from the fact that his consecration as a Bishop is said to have been regularized by [[Gregorios Abdal Jaleel]] ( a delegate of the [[Patriarch of Antioch]]), in the year AD 1665, but the place and date yet anonymous. They chose the name Mar Thoma as they considered him the successor of St. Thomas the disciple of Jesus Christ. This action was not accepted by two Southist churches-one at Kaduthuruthy and another at Udayamperoor. Later on Bishop Sebastiani (He was ordained as a Bishop on 15 Dec. 1659) could convince many of the Kathanars, including three trustworthy and responsible priests, [[Kaduthuruthy]] Kadavil Chandy Kathanar, [[Angamaly]] Vengoor Geevarghese Kathanar and [[Kuravilangad]] [[Palliveettil Mar Chandy]] Kathanar and also many other churches and important laymen that the consecration was irregular. Realizing this and also due to the political and monetary pressure exerted by the Carmelite fathers through the Portuguese and the native kings, many of the churches, Kathanars and laymen now withdrew their allegiance to Mar Thoma. They asked him to give up his dignity of Bishop, which was irregular, but he continued to wear the habit of Bishop and even started giving minor orders and blessing of Holy Oil etc., which acts, only a Bishop is entitled to do. Thus two parties were formed in the Malankara Church-one party under the Bishop Mar Thoma I and the other party under Bishop [[Palliveettil Mar Chandy]] referred to by the Europeans as [[Alexander de Campo]] (Chandy Parambil). Both of them claimed to have Apostolic briefs of appointment as Bishop. To resolve the issue and as suggested by the Archdeacons party, the case was referred to the King of Cochin. On 20 September 1661, the King of Cochin asked both parties, to present the Apostolic Briefs in his court. The Apostolic Commissary could produce Apostolic briefs from the Pope of Rome, while the Archdeacon's party failed to produce any briefs. On 9 October 1661, Bishop Sebastiani, tried to capture the Bishop Mar Thoma, with the help of the Portuguese General Captain Ignatius Sarmento, one Kurupp of Purakkad and the Cochin prince Godavarma II, from Mulunthuruthy Church, but he and his party escaped, during the previous night, wearing munds (loin cloths), swords, rollers in hands and special hats on their heads, just like gentile soldiers, so that they could not be recognized by the Nair soldiers.<ref>The Grave Tragedy of the Church of St. Thomas Christians and the Apostolic Mission of Sebastiani by Paul Pallath Page 159</ref>
This consecration was not accepted by two Southist churches, one at [[Kaduthuruthy]] and another at [[Udayamperoor]]. Later, Bishop Sebastiani, who was ordained on 15 December 1659, convinced many priests and laypeople, including the three advisors who had initially supported Mar Thoma, that the consecration was irregular. Due to political and financial pressures exerted by the [[Carmelites|Carmelite]] fathers through the [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] and native kings, many churches and laypeople withdrew their allegiance to Mar Thoma. They requested that he relinquish his episcopal dignity, but Mar Thoma continued to perform episcopal functions.

As a result, the Malankara Church split into two factions: one led by Mar Thoma I and the other by Bishop [[Palliveettil Chandy|Palliveettil Mar Chandy]], also known as Alexander de Campo. Both claimed to have Apostolic briefs of appointment as Bishop. To resolve the dispute, the case was referred to the King of Cochin. On 20 September 1661, the King requested that both parties present their Apostolic briefs in his court. [[Apostolic Commissary|The Apostolic Commissary]] was able to produce briefs from the [[Pope|Pope of Rome]], while the Archdeacon's party failed to present any. On 9 October 1661 Bishop Sebastiani attempted to capture Mar Thoma with the assistance of Portuguese forces and local allies, but Mar Thoma and his followers managed to escape the night before, disguising themselves as soldiers to avoid recognition.<ref>The Grave Tragedy of the Church of St. Thomas Christians and the Apostolic Mission of Sebastiani by Paul Pallath Page 159</ref>


==Rise of Dutch power==
==Rise of Dutch power==
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By 1665, Cochin was under Dutch control. That year [[Gregorios Abdal Jaleel]], a delegate of the [[Patriarch of Antioch]] came to Malankara as per the request of Mar Thoma and regularized his Metropolitan consecration.<ref name=ThomasJoseph/>
By 1665, Cochin was under Dutch control. That year [[Gregorios Abdal Jaleel]], a delegate of the [[Patriarch of Antioch]] came to Malankara as per the request of Mar Thoma and regularized his Metropolitan consecration.<ref name=ThomasJoseph/>


==Last days==
==Death==
⚫
He died on 25 April 1670 and was buried in [[St. Mary's Jacobite Soonoro Cathedral, Angamaly]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stmarysangamaly.org/ |title=:::Welcome to St:mary's Jacobite syrian church Angamaly::: |access-date=2010-03-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324234344/http://stmarysangamaly.org/ |archive-date=24 March 2010 }}</ref>
The last days of Thoma I was comparatively peaceful period for the Puthencoor faction of the Malankara Church.

⚫
Valiya Thoma, Thoma I, died on 25 April 1670 and was laid to rest in [[St. Mary's Jacobite Soonoro Cathedral, Angamaly|St. Mary's Syrian Orthodox Church, Angamaly]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stmarysangamaly.org/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-03-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324234344/http://stmarysangamaly.org/ |archive-date=24 March 2010 }}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 72: Line 72:


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
*#Mathew N. M. (2003). ''St. Thomas Christians of Malabar Through Ages'', C.S.S. Tiruvalla. {{ISBN|81-782-1008-8}} and CN 80303.
* Mathew N. M. (2003). ''St. Thomas Christians of Malabar Through Ages'', C.S.S. Tiruvalla. {{ISBN|81-782-1008-8}} and CN 80303.
*#Mathew, N. M. ''Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charitram'' (History of the Marthoma Church), Volume 1 (2006), Volume II (2007), Volume III (2008). Pub. E.J.Institute, Thiruvalla.
* Mathew, N. M. ''Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charitram'' (History of the Marthoma Church), Volume 1 (2006), Volume II (2007), Volume III (2008). Pub. E.J.Institute, Thiruvalla.
*#The Grave Tragedy of the Church of St. Thomas Christians and the Apostolic Mission of Sebastiani, Paul Pallath, HIRS Publications.
* Pallath, Paul. ''The Grave Tragedy of the Church of St. Thomas Christians and the Apostolic Mission of Sebastiani'', HIRS Publications.
*#The troubled Days Francis Garcia SJ, Archbp. of Cranganore, Joseph Thekkedathu SDB, Universita Gregoriana Editrice.


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=Archdeacon Geevarghese}}
{{s-bef|before=Archdeacon Geevarghese}}
{{s-ttl|title= The last Archdeacon of the Malankara Church|years=1640–1653}}
{{s-ttl|title= The last Archdeacon of the Malankara Church|years=1640–1653}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Title Ended]]}}
{{s-aft|after=Title abolished}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before= [[No Predecessor]]}}
{{s-bef|before= No Predecessor}}
{{s-ttl|title= The first Metropolitan of the St Thomas Christians |years=1653 to 1670}}
{{s-ttl|title= The first Metropolitan of the St Thomas Christians |years=1653-1670}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mar Thoma II]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mar Thoma II]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}

Latest revision as of 17:05, 11 November 2024

His Grace

Mar Thoma I

Malankara Metropolitan
Malankara Church
Diocese Malankara Syrian Church
Installed22 May 1653[1]
Term ended1670
Predecessorpost created
SuccessorMar Thoma II
Orders
Ordination1637
Consecrationregularized in 1665[1]
Personal details
Born
Palamattom Thoma

Kadamattom
Died25 April 1670
Angamaly
BuriedSt. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Angamaly[2]
Parambil Thoma
Archdeacon of All India of the Archdiocese of Cranganore
Appointedby Stephen Britto[3]
PredecessorArkadeacon Givargis of the Cross
Successorpost abolished

Mar Thoma I, also known as Valiya Mar Thoma (Mar Thoma the Great) and Arkkadiyakkon Thoma (Archdeacon Thomas) in Malayalam, and referred to as Thomas de Campo in Portuguese, was the first native-born Metropolitan bishop of the Malankara Church in the 17th century. He was the last Archdeacon of the undivided St. Thomas Christians of Malankara.[3]

Following the death of Archdeacon George of the Cross on 25 July 1640, Parambil Thoma Kathanar was elected and enthroned as the new Archdeacon while still under 30 years old. He played a significant role in leading the Church during the Coonan Cross Oath on 3 January 1653, an event that led to a schism within the Nasrani Church. After the Oath, Thoma was elected as a Bishop by the Malankara Yogam (Association) and was consecrated at St. Mary's Church, Alangad, by the laying on of hands by 12 priests on 22 May 1653.[citation needed] However, certain factions within the community, including two Southist churches in Kaduthuruthy and Udayamperoor, did not recognize his episcopal authority.[citation needed]

Despite this, Thoma began to exercise episcopal powers and sought to regularize his consecration with the Church of Antioch. His episcopal consecration was formally recognized in 1665 by Mar Gregorios Abdal Jaleel, a delegate of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, though the exact date and location of this event remain unknown.[1] During his tenure, Mar Thoma was advised by Palliveettil Mar Chandy, Kadavil Chandy Kathanar, Vengoor Geevargese Kathanar, and Anjilimoottil Ittithomman Kathanar.[4]

Part of a series on
Saint Thomas Christians
Saint Thomas Christian cross
History
Religion
Prominent persons
Culture

Early life

[edit]

Kuravilangad is a town located in the Kottayam district of Kerala, South India. The town is situated in the Meenachil Taluk, about 22 km north of Kottayam. Pakalomattom family was one of the oldest families at Kuravilangad. Thomas who later became the first Mar Thoma, was born in this family.[5]

Archdeacon

[edit]

Pakalomattom Geevarghese Kathanar, the Archdeacon (Arkkadiyakkon) of the Saint Thomas Christians, passed away in 1637. Following his death, Thomas, a relative of Geevarghese, was appointed as the next Archdeacon by Archbishop Stephen Britto. In 1653, Thomas and his followers took the Coonan Cross Oath, declaring that they would no longer obey Archbishop Garcia or any other prelate from the Society of Jesus, and they vowed to exclude the Jesuits from Malabar and their churches.[3]

After the Coonan Cross Oath, on 5 January 1653, the church elders gathered at St. Mary's Church in Edapally (now dedicated to Saint George) and proclaimed Archdeacon Thoma as the Governor of the Church. Four priests—Anjilimoottil Itty Thomman, Kadavil Chandy, Vengoor Geevarghese, and Palliveettil Chandy—were selected as his advisors.[6][7] Of these, three later returned to the Catholic faction of the St. Thomas Christians.

Four months after the Coonan Cross Oath, on 22 May 1653, twelve priests ordained Thomas as the first Bishop of the Malankara See through the act of laying hands on him collectively. However, the Catholic faction disputed the validity of this consecration, arguing that it was irregular. It is claimed that the consecration was regularized by Gregorios Abdal Jaleel, a delegate of the Patriarch of Antioch, in 1665, although the exact place and date remain unknown. Thomas adopted the name Mar Thoma, asserting his role as the successor of St. Thomas the Apostle.

This consecration was not accepted by two Southist churches, one at Kaduthuruthy and another at Udayamperoor. Later, Bishop Sebastiani, who was ordained on 15 December 1659, convinced many priests and laypeople, including the three advisors who had initially supported Mar Thoma, that the consecration was irregular. Due to political and financial pressures exerted by the Carmelite fathers through the Portuguese and native kings, many churches and laypeople withdrew their allegiance to Mar Thoma. They requested that he relinquish his episcopal dignity, but Mar Thoma continued to perform episcopal functions.

As a result, the Malankara Church split into two factions: one led by Mar Thoma I and the other by Bishop Palliveettil Mar Chandy, also known as Alexander de Campo. Both claimed to have Apostolic briefs of appointment as Bishop. To resolve the dispute, the case was referred to the King of Cochin. On 20 September 1661, the King requested that both parties present their Apostolic briefs in his court. The Apostolic Commissary was able to produce briefs from the Pope of Rome, while the Archdeacon's party failed to present any. On 9 October 1661 Bishop Sebastiani attempted to capture Mar Thoma with the assistance of Portuguese forces and local allies, but Mar Thoma and his followers managed to escape the night before, disguising themselves as soldiers to avoid recognition.[8]

Rise of Dutch power

[edit]

The Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or VOC in old-spelling Dutch, literally "United East Indian Company") was established in 1602. By 1652, VOC trading posts were established in Malabar Coast in India. On 7 January 1663, Cochin was attacked and the king of Cochin surrendered to the Dutch on 20 March 1663.

Regularization of consecration

[edit]

By 1665, Cochin was under Dutch control. That year Gregorios Abdal Jaleel, a delegate of the Patriarch of Antioch came to Malankara as per the request of Mar Thoma and regularized his Metropolitan consecration.[1]

Death

[edit]

He died on 25 April 1670 and was buried in St. Mary's Jacobite Soonoro Cathedral, Angamaly.[9]

See also

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Joseph, Thomas (2011). "Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church". In Sebastian P. Brock; Aaron M. Butts; George A. Kiraz; Lucas Van Rompay (eds.). Gorgias Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Syriac Heritage: Electronic Edition. Gorgias Press. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  2. ^ "Morth Mariam Church, Ankamaly". Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  3. ^ a b c Thekedath, Joseph (1972). The troubled days of Francis Garcia S. J. Archbishop of Cranganore (1641-1659). p. 7, 21. ISBN 9788876521584.
  4. ^ Brown, Leslie W. (1956). The Indian Christians of St Thomas: An Account of the Ancient Syrian Church of Malabar. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 103.
  5. ^ Brown, L.W. (1982) [1956]. The Indian Christians of St. Thomas: an account of the ancient Syrian church of Malabar (Revised ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-21258-8. OCLC 781412260.
  6. ^ Mar Chandy Palliveettil Archived 11 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Mathew N. M. History of the Marthoma Church, Vol. I. Page 183.
  8. ^ The Grave Tragedy of the Church of St. Thomas Christians and the Apostolic Mission of Sebastiani by Paul Pallath Page 159
  9. ^ ":::Welcome to St:mary's Jacobite syrian church Angamaly:::". Archived from the original on 24 March 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2010.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Mathew N. M. (2003). St. Thomas Christians of Malabar Through Ages, C.S.S. Tiruvalla. ISBN 81-782-1008-8 and CN 80303.
  • Mathew, N. M. Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charitram (History of the Marthoma Church), Volume 1 (2006), Volume II (2007), Volume III (2008). Pub. E.J.Institute, Thiruvalla.
  • Pallath, Paul. The Grave Tragedy of the Church of St. Thomas Christians and the Apostolic Mission of Sebastiani, HIRS Publications.
Preceded by
Archdeacon Geevarghese
 The last Archdeacon of the Malankara Church
1640–1653 		Succeeded by
Title abolished
Preceded by
No Predecessor
 The first Metropolitan of the St Thomas Christians
1653-1670 		Succeeded by
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