Thoma I

His Grace Mar Thoma I Metropolitan (fl. 1653-1670) was the first metropolitan bishop of the Indian Mar Thoma Church.

Malankara Mooppen Thomas (Arch deacon Thoma) of Pakalomatom family and 1,000 followers opposed the Portuguese attempts to bring the Indian Christian church into the Roman Catholic Church. In 1653, Thomas and his followers swore the Coonen Cross Oath, declaring an independent church, and stating "We and our children shall never be under Rome." Twelve priests put their hands on the head of Arch Deacon Thomas, elevating him as Mar Thoma I. In 1665, he was consecrated Metropolitan by Mar Gregorios Abdul Jaleel, delegate of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.

Malankara Throne

The throne used for this consecration in 1653 is still in the possession of the Mar Thoma Church and kept in the Poolatheen, the residence of the Malankara Metropolitan at Tiruvalla. It has been used in the installation of every Mar Thoma Metropolitan, to this day, so that the continuity of the throne of Mar Thoma is ensured. Mar Thoma survived a number of assassination attempts. He died on April 25, 1670 and was laid to rest in Ankamali Marthommen Palli (church).

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See Also

• Mar Thoma Church
• Syrian Malabar Nasrani
• Saint Thomas Christians
• Christianity in India
• List of Catholicoi of the East and Malankara Metropolitans
• List of Syrian Malabar Nasranis
• Mar Thoma II
• Mar Thoma III
• Mar Thoma IV
• Mar Thoma IX
• Mar Thoma V
• Mar Thoma VI
• Mar Thoma VII
• Mar Thoma VIII
• Mar Thoma IX

References

• 1. Juhanon Marthoma Metropolitan, The Most Rev. Dr. (1952). Christianity in India and a Brief History of the Marthoma Syrian Church.. Pub: K.M. Cherian.
  2. Mathew N.M. (2003). St. Thomas Christians of Malabar Through Ages’’, C.S.S. Tiruvalla. ISBN 81-4821-008-8 and CN 80303
  3. Zac Varghese Dr. & Mathew A. Kallumpram. (2003). ‘’Glimpses of Mar Thoma Church History’’. London, England. ISBN 81/900854/4/1
  4. Chacko, T.C. (1936) Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charithra Samgraham’’. (Concise History of Marthoma Church), Pub: E.J. Institute, Kompady, Tiruvalla.
  5. Eapen, Prof. Dr. K.V. (2001). ‘’Malankara Marthoma Suryani Sabha Charitram’’. (History of Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church). Pub: Kallettu, Muttambalam, Kottayam.
  6. Ittoop Writer, (1906). ‘’Malayalathulla Suryani Chistianikauleday Charitram’’. (History of Syrain Christians in the land of Malayalam)
  7. Mathew, N.M. ‘’Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charitram’’, (History of the Marthoma Church), Volume 1.(2006), Volume II (2007). Volume III (to be released in 2008) Pub. E.J.Institute, Thiruvalla

External Links

• http://marthomasyrianchurch.org.