Thoma I

His Grace Mar Thoma I Metropolitan was the first bishop of the Indian church. Arch Deacon Thomas and 1,000 followers stood up to the Portuguse who wanted to make the church Catholic. By doing this the Coonen Cross Oath came into affect. "We and our children shall never be under Rome." Thus 12 priests put their hands on the head of Arch Deacon Thomas Thus elevating him as Mar Thoma I by his supporters. He was later consecrated Metropolitan by the Antiochean Syrian Orthodox Patriarchal delegate Mar Gregorios Abdul Jaleel of Jerusalem in 1665. He belonged to Pakalomattom , an ancient Suriyani (Syrian) Christian family in Kerala , India.

References

Mar Thoma Sabha

See also

• Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church