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Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

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Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
Catholicate Emblem
LanguageMalayalam, English, Hindi, Konkani, Kannada, Syriac
HeadquartersKottayam, Kerala, India
TerritoryUniversal
PossessionsUnited Arab Emirates, United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Singapore and Australia,
FounderSt. Thomas the Apostle
IndependenceApostolic Era
RecognitionOriental Orthodox
Official website[7]

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, also known as the Indian Orthodox Church, is an Autonomous Oriental Orthodox church centred in the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of the churches of India's Saint Thomas Christian community, which traces its origins to the evangelical activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. The church is locally headed by the autonomous Catholicos and its present primate is Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II, Catholicos of the East and the Malankara Metropolitan.

Historically, the Saint Thomas Christians were united in leadership and liturgy, and were part of the Church of the East centred in Persia.[2][3] From the 16th century the Portuguese Jesuits attempted to forcefully bring the community fully into the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church. Resentment of these measures led the majority of the community to join the archdeacon, Thomas, in swearing never to submit to the Portuguese in the Coonan Cross Oath in 1653. The part of the church that followed Thomas is known as the Malankara Church.

Following the arrival of the Bishop Gregorios Abdul Jaleel of Jerusalem, Archdeacon Thomas forged a relationship with the Syriac Orthodox Church and gradually adopted West Syrian liturgy and practices. Over time, however, relations soured between the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs and the local hierarchy, particularly after Patriarch Ignatius Peter IV (reigned 1872—1894) began demanding registered deeds for the transfer of properties. In 1912, a synod led by the Patriarch Ignatius Abdul Masih II, who had been controversially deposed by the Ottoman government,[4][5] consecrated Evanios as Catholicos of the East, under the name Baselios Paulose I. The faction that supported Baselios Paulose became what is now the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, while those who supported the Patriarch became the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. The two groups were briefly reunited between 1958 and 1975, but attempts by church leaders and two Supreme Court decisions were unable to resolve the contention, and the two churches operate independently today.

The church is theologically and traditionally a part of the Oriental Orthodox communion of churches. The Indian Orthodox Church accepts the Alexandrian Christology, as does the Coptic Orthodox Church, and uses the Malankara Rite, a local variant of the West Syrian Rite.

History

First 17 centuries

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

Thomas the Apostle is credited by tradition for founding the Indian Church in 52 AD[3] This Nasrani faith had many similarities to ancient Judaism, see also Jewish Christianity, and, owing to the heritage of the Jewish Christian Nasrani people, developed contacts with the Non-Chalcedonian religious authorities of Edessa, Mesopotamia.

The local church maintained its autonomous character under its local leader. When the Portuguese established themselves in India in the 16th century, they found the Church in Kerala as an administratively independent community. Following the arrival of Vasco de Gama in 1498, the Portuguese came to South India and established their political power there. They brought missionaries to carry out evangelistic work in order to establish churches in communion with Rome under the Portuguese patronage.

These missionaries were eager to bring the Indian Church under the Pope's control. They succeeded in their efforts in 1599 with the Synod of Diamper.The representatives of various parishes who attended the assembly were forced by Portuguese authorities to accept the Papal authority.

Following the synod, the Indian Church was governed by Portuguese prelates. They were generally unwilling to respect the integrity of the local church. This resulted in disaffection which led to a general revolt in 1653 known as The Coonan Cross Oath.Under the leadership of their elder Thomas, Nazranis around Cochin gathered at Mattancherry church on Friday, January 24, 1653 (M.E. 828 Makaram 3) and made an oath that is known as the Great Oath of Bent Cross. The following oath was read aloud and the people touching a stone-cross repeated it loudly. By the Father, Son and Holy Ghost that henceforth we would not adhere to the Franks, nor accept the faith of the Pope of Rome[29]

Those who were not able to touch the cross tied ropes on the cross, held the rope in their hands and made the oath. Because of the weight it is believed by the followers that the cross bent a little and so it is known as ‘’Oath of the bent cross (Coonen Kurisu Sathyam) ’’ This demanded administrative autonomy for the local church. Since it had no bishop, it faced serious difficulties.

It appealed to several eastern Christian churches for help. Mar Gregorios of Jerusalem came to India in 1665. He confirmed Marthoma I as the bishop and worked together with him to organize the Church.

Until 1599, it depended on the Assyrian (Persian) Church for prelates to ordain its priests.[6]

Administration

Archdeacon or Arkadiakon in Malayalam was “the prince and head of the Christians of Saint Thomas” and had such titles as Archdeacon and Gate of All India, Governor of India. He was the temporal ruler and administrator of the Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala. The Archdeacon was more of a secular ruler, having sanction of local Hindu rulers and he is said to have carried around a small army of few hundred Syrian Christian soldiers.[7]

The earliest historical documents that shows the existence of Archdeacons is around the year AD 800. The Nestorian Patriarch Timothy I (780–826) wrote to the Archdeacon ( Arken), the Head of the Faithful in India, about the right norms to be followed in the ordination of the priests, bishops, metropolitans and patriarch.[8]

After the arrival of the Portuguese, the records next mention Archdeacons. The following is a known list of Archdeacons in Malankara:[9]

  • Nestorian Patriarch Timothy I calls Archdeacon (Arken), head of faithful of India c. 780–826
  • Metropolitan Mar John appoints George Pakalomattam (Ittikuriath) as Archdeacon 1502
  • Followed by Archdeacons Jacob and Alexander according to tradition (Dates unknown)
  • Archdeacon George of Christ (mentioned in 1552 documents onwards) c. 1552–1585
  • Archdeacon John c. 1585–1591
  • Archdeacon Jacob appointed by Mar Simon c. 1584–1596
  • Archdeacon George of the Cross appointed by Archbishop Mar Abraham 1593–1640
  • Archdeacon Thomas appointed by elders of Malankara. In 1653, after the Coonan Cross Oath, Archdeacon Thomas was consecrated as Bishop Mar Thoma I, thus the role was changed and his line continued until Mar Thoma VIII in 1815 among the Malankara Orthodox Syrians.[10]

Reign of the Marthoma Metropolitans (1653–1816)

In 1653, following the Coonen Cross Oath the Malankara Church felt the need to have an indigenous bishop. The parish elders (Idavaka Mooppens) of the church met together and elected Archdeacon Thomas as their leader. This was followed by a general meeting at Allangad on 22 May 1653 where Archdeacon Thomas was elevated to the status of bishop with the title Mar Thoma I by laying on of hands of 12 leading priests of the church.[11]

The other section of Christians under the Roman Catholic Church did not consider Mar Thoma I as a bishop due to the nature of his ordination and many of the revolters returned to the Roman Catholic Church between 1653 and 1665 as a result of the proselytization efforts of the Carmelite missionaries sent by Rome.[12] To confirm this rank, the Metropolitan and leaders of the Church together wrote letters to the patriarchs of Alexandria and Antioch to send a higher authority.[13] For twelve long years, there was no response from any of the churches. At long last, Mar Gregorios Abdul Jaleel, the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem arrived in 1665 and regularised the ordination of Mar Thoma I.[14] This started the reign of the Marthoma Metropolitans of the Pakalomattom family in Malankara.

  • Mar Thoma I (1653–1670) – In 1653, Kuravilangad Parampil Thomas of Pakalomattam family was consecrated with the title Marthoma I by the elders of the Malankara church. He was also the Archdeacon of the time, the leader of the entire Saint Thomas Christians. In 1665, his ordination was regularised by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mar Gregorios of Jerusalem. Marthoma I survived a number of assassination attempts by those under the control of the church in Rome. He died on 25 April 1670 and was interred in Angamaly Martha Mariam Church.[15]
  • Mar Thoma II (1670–1686) – Before his demise in 1670, Mar Thoma I ordained his nephew as Mar Thoma II. According to a local tradition once the people of Niranam were suffering from severe drought and they appealed to Mar Thoma II for his special prayers. They believe that as a result of his prayers the village received plenty of showers. Mar Thoma II led the church for 16 years and died in 1686. His mortal remains were entombed in the St.Marys Orthodox Church, Niranam and every year his memorial day is celebrated on 16 April.[16] During his time Eldho Mor Baselios and Hidayathullah Mar Ivanios from Syria visited Malankara.[17]
  • Mar Thoma III (1686–1688) – Consecrated by Mar Ivanios Hidayathullah (from Antioch). He died on 21 April 1688. He was buried at St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Kadampanad, Adoor.
  • Mar Thoma IV (1688–1728) – Consecrated by Mar Ivanios Hidayathullah. He ruled the Church for four decades. The East Syrian Catholicos-Patriarch of Babylon, hearing of members lost to the Roman Catholics, sent Mar Gabriel to Kerala to try to reclaim them.

It was important for Mar Thoma IV to monitor this bishop doctrinally and administratively. In confronting Mar Gabriel however, Marthoma IV found himself incompetent. He sent several appeals to the West Syrian Patriarch asking for help. But no reply or help came. He died on 24 March 1728 and is entombed at St.Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church, Kandanadu.[18]

  • Mar Thoma V (1728–1765) – Consecrated by Marthoma IV. In 1752 when Mar Baselios and Mar Gregorios came to Malankara, they insisted that he should receive their Ordination but he refused to comply fearing Antiochean domination.[13] Not only that, he consecrated his successor Mar Thoma VI without any assistance from foreign bishops, thus severing all allegiance to foreign bishops.Until Mar Thoma V, Malankara Church followed almost entirely East Syriac language, liturgy and practices. He died on 8 May 1765 and was buried at St. Marys Orthodox Church, Niranam.
  • Mar Thoma VI (1765–1808) – (1765–1808) Consecrated by Marthoma V. On June 1770, to avoid a split in the church, he accepted re-consecration and the title Dionysius from Antiochan bishops.[15] He also agreed with Mar Ivanios the visiting West Syrian bishop to follow in his Church certain traditions of the West Syrian Church along with the prevalent East Syrian traditions. The invasions of Tippu Sultan and devastation of many Christians and churches from Koodungallur to Kunnamkulam and forced conversions of Thomas Christians to Islam happened in this period.[19]

Mar Dionysius(Marthoma VI) was captured by Thachil Matthoo Tharakan a prominent Roman Catholic St. Thomas Christian and forced to conduct a Latin Catholic mass. But he escaped because of a Hindu revolt led by Velu Thampi Dalawa.[20] Died on 8 April 1808 and laid to rest at St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral, Puthencavu.

Mar Thoma VI interred at St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral, Angamaly
  • Mar Thoma VIII (1809–1816) – Consecrated on 2 July 1809 by Marthoma VII. During his time Orthodox Pazhaya Seminary or "Old Syrian Seminary" was opened and modern education began in Kerala. Marthoma died on 26 January 1816 and was interred at St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral, Puthencavu .[15] The establishment of Seminary and the rise of Pulikootil Joseph Ramban who was in charge of it weakened the prestige and power of the Mar Thoma considerably.
  • Mar Thoma IX (1816–1817) – Consecrated by Marthoma VIII without the consent of the people. So he retired to Kadamattom Church and spent the rest of his days there.[15]

Until Marthoma IX, all Metropolitans came from the Pakalomattom family. The rise of Pulikottil Joseph Ramban changed this and the people identified him as their new leader. With him the tradition of Marthoma Metrans from Pakalomattom family came to an end.

  • Mar Thoma 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). He died on 25 November 1816 and was buried at Seminary Church.

The new bishops after Marthoma IX came from different families and they came to be known more popularly with the title Malankara Metropolitans rather than as Mar Thoma. Malankara Metropolitans started to be recognised by the secular rulers of Travancore and Cochin kingdoms, by a Royal Proclamation.[15] Nevertheless the title Marthoma continues to be used by the Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.[21]

19th century

In 1795 the British captured Malabar, Kerala. In 1806, the Rev. Claudius Buchanan, an Anglican priest, visited the ancient Church of St.Thomas in India. In March 1815, Malankara Church opened a Seminary at Kottayam and in the next year, Anglican missionaries arrived to join this institution.[22][23] However in 1835, the missionaries began to impose Protestant doctrines on the seminarians.[24] As a result the Malankara church discontinued their association with the Anglicans.

This eventually gave rise to the division of the community into three bodies.

  • A group of people of the Malankara Church opted to join with the missionaries and be absorbed into the Anglican Church, and they became CSI (Church of South India) by the union of many churches.
  • One of them set out to bring about major reforms in the liturgy and practices of the Church, but failed. After about half a century of conflict within the Church, this body withdrew, and organized itself as the Mar Thoma Church.
  • A large majority of the community continued in the Malankara Orthodox Church without accepting the reforms.[25]

In 1825 to 1855 H.H.Philipose Mar Dionisius 4th [Cheppad Mar Dionisius ] lead the Malankara Church.

20th century

In 1912, the Catholicate of the East was revived in India. The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church wanted to retain its autocephalous nature. It appealed to Patriarch Ignatius Abdul Masiha II of the Syriac Orthodox Church, who ordained Murimattathil Paulose Mar Ivanios as Baseliose Paulose, Catholicos of the East. The ceremony was held at St. Mary's Church, Niranam in 1912.[26]

Hierarchy, distribution and doctrine

The spiritual regional head of the church is the Catholicos of the East and the temporal head over church assets is the Malankara Metropolitan. Since 1934, both the titles vest in one person. 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 Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II, who was enthroned on 1 November 2010, at Parumala Church by the Holy Synod. Paulose II is the 91st Catholicos of the East in the lineage of Apostle Thomas; 8th Catholicos after its re-instatement in India and 20th Malankara Metropolitan.

The church accepts only the first three Ecumenical Synods like all other Oriental Orthodox Churches.

The church primarily uses the liturgy of Saint James, as does its sister church, the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch. The Church in India was connected to the Church of East through the Catholicos of the East, existed in Edessa, Selucia, Tigris and Mosul in various intervals. Today the Church conducts liturgy in West Syriac, Malayalam, Hindi, and English.

The church has theological seminaries at Kottayam and Nagpur. The Church has dioceses and churches in most parts of India as well as in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Western Europe, Africa, Persian Gulf nations, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

The name Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church refers to St.Thomas Christians of India that come under the Catholicate of the East whose Supreme Head is His Holiness The Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, with its headquarters at Devalokam, Kottayam, Kerala, India.

Liturgy

Main article: Malankara Rite

Since the 17th century, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church uses the Syrian Orthodox Liturgy, which belongs to the Antiochene liturgical tradition. The East Syrian (Persian), Byzantine, Armenian, Georgian, Maronite liturgies also belong to the same liturgical family. In the first half of the 5th century, the Antiochene Church adopted the anaphora of Jerusalem, known under the name of St James, the disciple. In the 4th and 5th centuries, the liturgical language of Jerusalem and Antioch was Greek. Therefore, the original form of St James liturgy was composed in Greek.

Following the Council of Chalcedon (451), the Eastern Church was divided into two, one group accepting the council and the other opposing it. Both groups continued to use the Greek version of St James. The Byzantine emperor Justin (518–527) expelled the non-Chalcedonians from Antioch and they took refuge in the Syriac speaking Mesopotamia on the Roman-Persian Border (modern Eastern Syria, Iraq and South East Turkey). Gradually, the Antiochene liturgical rites were translated into Syriac. New elements such as Syriac hymns were introduced into it.

Mar Gregorios of Jerusalem came to Malankara in 1665 and introduced Syriac Orthodox liturgical rites. The most striking characteristic of the Antiochene liturgy is the large number of anaphoras (Order of the celebration of the Eucharist). About 80 are known and about a dozen are used in India. All of them have been composed following the model of Liturgy of St James.[27]

Catholicate

The word "Catholicos" means "The General Head". It can be considered as equivalent to "Universal Bishop". There were only three ranks of priesthood in the early Church: Episcopos (Bishop), Priest, and Deacon. By the end of the 3rd century certain bishops of certain important cities in the Roman empire gained pre-eminence over other bishops and they came to be known as Metropolitans. The Ecumenical councils of the 4th century recognized the supreme authority of these Metropolitans. By the 5th 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 5th century. They were the Catholicate of the East, 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, Catholicos, Pope, or Patriarch.

St.Thomas established the church in India and is recognized as its first Head or Catholicos.

The reign of the Archdeacons started from the 4th century and lasted until the 16th century. The third stage started when the archdeacon was elevated to the position of a Bishop by the community with the name Marthoma I in 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 the East was relocated to India, and Baselios Paulose I was seated on the Honorary Apostolic Throne of St.Thomas as the Catholicos of the East.

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

The new Aramana which was built in 1961 was inaugurated by the visiting Armenian Catholicos Vazgen I.

A portion of the holy relics of St. Thomas, the Apostle of India and Founder of the Church, is kept in the Catholicate Chapel. The mortal remains of Baselious Geevarghese II, Baselious Augen I, Baselious Marthoma Mathews I, and Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios Metropolitan are entombed in this Chapel.

List of Catholicoi

Main article: List of Catholicos of the East

The Catholicos lineage starts from the Apostle Thomas, continuing with the bishops of Edessa and Archbishops in Selucia-Ctesiphon. In 410 AD, Isaac first used the title Catholicos. Since then, the Catholicos has claimed jurisdiction over all Christians of the East outside the Roman Empire.

This Catholicate resided in Persia until the end of the 19th century. In 1912, the senior Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch[28] relocated the Catholicate to India. Catholicos Didymos I is the 111th Catholicos sitting on the throne of Saint Thomas. The Orthodox Catholicos is known also known as Maphrian to distinguish this church from the schismatic lineage formed in the latter half of the 5th century due to Nestorian influence.

To see the lineage of Catholicos: List of Catholicos of the East

List of Catholicos of the East
From Until Catholicos of the East Notes
1912 1914 Baselios Paulose I Catholicos of the East
1925 1928 Baselios Geevarghese I Catholicos of the East
1929 1964 Baselios Geevarghese II Catholicos of the East, 1929–1964 & Malankara Metropolitan, 1934–1964
1964 1975 Baselios Augen I Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan
1975 1991 Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews I Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan
1991 2005 Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan
2005 2010 Baselios Mar Thoma Didymos I Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan
2010 Present Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan


Saints of the Church

Gheevarghese Mor Gregorious
Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril

Current Metropolitans

Main article: List of Metropolitans of the Indian Orthodox Church

List Of Bishops

Theological seminaries

Ecumenical relations

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church takes an active role in various ecumenical activities at national and international levels. It was a founding member of the World Council of Churches.[29]

Various theologians were involved in negotiations between the Oriental Orthodox and the Byzantine churches. The Indian Orthodox Church participated in the Ecumenical Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches held in Addis Ababa, in 1965.

Other organizations to which the church belongs are

  • Faith and Order Commission
  • Christian Conference of Asia.
  • Global Christian Forum

Monasteries of the Church

Monasteries of the Church
Name Founded Notes
St. Thomas Dayara, Vettikkal, Mulanthuruthy 1125 Establishment of one of the crosses of Mulanthuruthy Church marked the beginning of today's Dayara
Vallikkattu Dayara, Vakathanam 1868 Established by Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II. Tomb of H H Baselios Geevarghese I, HG Augen Mar Dionysius
Mar Kuriakose Dayara, Pampady 1909 Established by HG Kuriakose Mar Gregorios
Bethany Ashram, Perunad, Ranny 1918 Established by HG Geevarghese Mar Ivanios and Alexios Mar Theodosius. Tomb of HG Paulose Mar Pachomios[30]
Mount Tabore Ashram, Pathanapuram 1929 Established by HG Thoma Mar Dionysius
CS Ashram, Thadagam, Coimbatore[31] 1936 Established by Herbert Pakenham Walsh and Mrs. Clare Pakenham Walsh
Mar Kuriakose Ashram, Mylapra 1937 Established by Ramban P I Mathews
Mar Basil Dayara, Pathanamthitta 1938 Established by HG Puthencavu Geevarghese Mar Philexinos
St. George Dayara, Othara, Thiruvalla 1944 Established on the land donated by Thottapurath T. K. Alexander
St.Pauls Ashram, Puthuppady, Kozhikkode 1958 Established by HG Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios
Bethlehem Ashram, Chengamanad, Kottarakkara 1960 Established by HG Mathews Mar Coorilos (Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II)
St. Gregorios Mount Ashram, Kottarakkara 1964 Established by HG Mathews Mar Coorilos (Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II). Branch of Bethlehem Ashram, Kottarakkara
St. George Mount Ashram, Chayalode, Pathanamthitta 1968 Established by HG Mathews Mar Coorilos (Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II)
Holy Trinity Ashram, Ranny 1970 Established by H G Geevarghese Mar Dioscoros
Mar Baselios Ashram, Njaliakuzhy, Kottayam 1971 Established by HG Mathews Mar Athanasios
St.Thomas Dayara, Bhilai 1973 Established by Stephanos Mar Thevodosios
Calvary Ashram, Pattazhi 1976 Established by HG Mathews Mar Coorilos (Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II). Branch of Bethlehem Ashram, Kottarakkara
Bethel Ashram, Kuttikonam, Kottarakkara 1976 Established by HG Mathews Mar Coorilos (Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II). Branch of Bethlehem Ashram, Kottarakkara
St.Thomas Ashram, Sooranad 1978 Established by HG Mathews Mar Coorilos (Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II)
Mount Carmel Ashram, Kallada 1978 Established by HG Mathews Mar Coorilos (Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II)
Mount Horeb Ashram, Sasthamcotta 1978 Established by HG Mathews Mar Coorilos (Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II)
MGD Ashram & Balabhavan, Karunagiri, Karukachal[32] 1979 Established by HG Dr. Geevarghese Mar Ostasthios
St.Thomas Ashram, Attappadi, Palakkad 1994 Established by HG Thomas Mar Timotheos (Baselios Mar Thoma Didymos I)
St. Thomas Karunya Ashram, Thiruvanathapuram 1998 Established by HG Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios

Pilgrim sites

Founded by St. Thomas

Founded by St. Thomas
Name Known As Notes Links
St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Arthat, Kunnamkulam Palayur Pally Believed to have been established by St. Thomas in AD 52[33] [8]
St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Niranam Niranam Valiya Pally Believed to have been established by St. Thomas in AD 54[34] [9]
St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Thiruvithamcode Arappally Believed to have been established by St. Thomas in AD 63[35] [10]

Tomb churches

Tomb Churches
Name Known As Notes Links
St.Peter's & St.Paul's Orthodox Church, Parumala Parumala Pally Tomb of : Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios [11]
Orthodox Pazhaya Seminary Chapel, Kottayam Pazhaya Seminary Tomb of : Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril [12]
St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Niranam Niranam Valiya Pally Tomb of : Mar Thoma II, Mar Thoma V [13]
Mar Kuriakkose Dayara, Pampady Pampady Dayara Tomb of : Kuriakkose Mar Gregorios, Mathews Mar Evanios Paret [14]
Martha Mariam Orthodox Church, Thevalakkara Mar Abo Pilgrim Centre Tomb of : Mar Abo of Nineveh [15]
St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Kallada Kallada Valiya Pally Tomb of : Anthrayos (Kallada Muthappan) [16]
St. Marys Orthodox Church, Panaji, Goa Relics of : Alvares Mar Julius [17]
St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, Puthencavu Tomb of : Mar Thoma VI, Mar Thoma VIII, H.G. Geevarghese Mar Philexinos [18]
St.Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Kadampanad Kadampanad Valiya Pally Tomb of : Mar Thoma III [19]
St. George Orthodox Church, Cheppad Cheppad Valiya Pally Tomb of : Cheppad Philipose Mar Dionysius (Mar Thoma XII) [20]
St. Peter's & St. Paul's Orthodox Church, Kolenchery Kolenchery Pally Tomb of : Mar Thoma VII [21]
St. George Orthodox Church, Kadamattom Kadamattom Pally Tomb of : Mar Thoma IX [22]
St.Thomas Aramana Chapel, at St.Thomas ashram, Kailash Nagar, Bhilai Tomb of : H.G Dr. Stephanos Mar Theodosius [23]
Holy Trinity Ashram, Ranny Tomb of : H G Geevarghese Mar Dioscoros H G Geevarghese Mar Dioscoros
Kunnakumkulam St. Mary’s Simhasana Church Tomb of : H.G.Paulos Mor Severios [24]
Angamaly St. Mary’s Church Tomb of : H.G.Geevarghese Mor Kurillos Ambattu, Mar Thoma I [25]
Aluva Thrikkunnathu St. Mary’s Church Tomb of : H.G.Paulose Mor Athanasius Kadavil, H.G.Geevarghese Mor Gregorios Vayaliparambil, H.G.Paulose Mor Athanasius [26]
St.Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church, Panampady Panampady Church Tomb of : H.G.Paulose Mor Koorilose Kochuparambil, H.G. Michael Mor Divansious [27]
Mor Aphrem church at the St. John's Dayro, Chingavanam Tomb of : H.G. Abraham Mar Clemis [28]
Kottayam St. Mary’s Knanaya Valiya Pally Kottayam Valiya Pall Tomb of : H.G.Geevarghese Mor Severios [29]
St.Mary’s Cathedral of Kandanad Kandanad Marth Mariam Church Tomb of : Mar Thoma IV [30]
St. Thomas Church, Pambakuda. Pambakuda Cheria Pally Tomb of : Moran Mar Baselios Paulose I [31]
Mount Horeb Chapel,Sasthamkotta . Tomb of : Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II
Valikattu Dayara, Vakathanam Tomb of : HH Baselios Geevargheese I, HG Augen Mar Dionysius [32]
St.George Orthodox Church Karmelkunnu, Mulakulam Tomb of : H G Joseph Mar Pachomios [33]
Carmel Dayara, Kandanad, Ernakulam Tomb of : H.G. Petros Mar Osthathis [34]

Churches with historical importance

Dioceses

List of Diocese in Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
Angamaly Diocese Chengannur Diocese Idukki Diocese
Kandanad East Diocese Kandanad West Diocese Kollam Diocese
Kunnamkulam Diocese Kottayam Diocese Malabar Diocese
Mavelikara Diocese Niranam Diocese Sulthan Bathery Diocese
Thumpamon Diocese Trichur Diocese Thiruvananthapuram Diocese
Ahmedabad Diocese Bangalore Diocese Delhi Diocese
Kolkata Diocese Madras Diocese Mumbai Diocese
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Malankara Association

Malankara Association is the elected body consisting of members from parishes to manage and control the religious and social concerns of the church. The Association is believed to have established in 1873 by Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II by convening a meeting of the parish representatives in Parumala. In 1876 Mulanthuruthy Synod, an elected body in the name of Malankara Association took in charge [42]. Church constitution details the powers and responsibilities of the Association.

The Malankara metropolitan is the president and the Diocesan Metropolitans shall be vice-presidents of the association. The Association elects Malankara metropolitan, Catholicos, Metropolitans, Priest trustee, Lay trustee, Association Secretary and Managing Committee Members. Each parish is represented in the Association by a priest and lay people elected by the parish general body based on the number of parish members.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ [1] from official website
  2. ^ Frykenberg, p. 93.
  3. ^ Wilmshurst, EOCE, 343
  4. ^ Vadakkekara, p. 95.
  5. ^ Tamcke, p. 214.
  6. ^ Page 618, Sabha Vijnanakosham (Church Encyclopaedia)
  7. ^ Page 55, Malankara Nasranikalude Jathiaulkrishtiyavum Rajyasevanathalparathayum
  8. ^ Page 121, Ibn at- Taiyib II
  9. ^ The list given in ” The Archdeacon of All India” by Dr. Jacob Kollaparambil.
  10. ^ Page 657, Sabha Vijnanakosham (encyclopaedia)
  11. ^ "After 1653 as an independent Church". Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  12. ^ MOSC Sabhavijnanakosham
  13. ^ a b "The Fathers who led the Sabha". indianchristianity.org. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  14. ^ Page 657, Sabha Vijnana Kosham
  15. ^ a b c d e "History". kottayamcheriapally.com. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  16. ^ http://niranamchurch.com/MarThomaMetropolitans.htm#marthomaII
  17. ^ http://cheriapally.com/history/ortho.html
  18. ^ http://www.stmaryschurchkandanad.org
  19. ^ a b http://malankaraorthodoxchurch.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=42&Itemid=96
  20. ^ Sankunny Menon, P. (1878) A History of Travancore from the Earliest Times, (Thiruvithancore Charitram).Page 246.
  21. ^ http://malankaraorthodoxchurch.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=261
  22. ^ Cheriyan, Dr. C.V. Orthodox Christianity in India.2003. p. 235, 238.
  23. ^ N. M. Mathew, Malankara Marthoma Church History. (Malayalam) Vol I, 2006). P.241.
  24. ^ Dr. Samuel Nellimukal, ‘’Social Changes in Kerala’’ (Malayalam), p. 104. Pub: K.C.S. Books, Kottayam. 2003.
  25. ^ See verdict of Royal Court in 1899, all churches except 3 were vested with the Malankara Church. Also see discussion under "total population" title on the talkpage of Marthoma Church
  26. ^ "About the church". Niranam St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church. 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  27. ^ http://malankaraorthodoxchurch.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=242
  28. ^ Existing Patriarch was deposed uncanonically by a muslim ruler. This led to two Patriarchs in the same period. Refer website [2]
  29. ^ The Encyclopedia of Christianity by FAHLBUSCH, Erwin Fahlbusch, Geoffrey William Bromiley page 285
  30. ^ Paulose Mar Pachomios
  31. ^ www.csashram.org
  32. ^ www.geevarghesemarosthathios.org
  33. ^ St. Thomas Tradition and Arthat Church
  34. ^ About the Church - Niranam
  35. ^ Thiruvithamcode church to be global pilgrim centre
  36. ^ [3]
  37. ^ www.kalloopparachurch.com
  38. ^ [4]
  39. ^ [5]
  40. ^ [6]
  41. ^ Kadammanittapally
  42. ^ "Malankara Association". malankaraorthodoxchurch.in. Retrieved 22 October 2012.

References

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