Our Church: History
The Church of the St. Thomas Christians who had freed themselves from the Roman Catholicism, were led till 1816 by Indian bishops of their own native origin and they were known by a common name-Mar Thoma. It is this church, which continued thereafter under bishops known as Mar Dionysius, now known by the name the Indian Orthodox Church”. During 17th to 19th centuries they were also known by some names, which in most cases were appellations imposed upon them by their opponents from time to time. These are “New Party” (Puthencoor), “Non-Romo Syrians”, “Malabar Syrians”, “Jacobite Syrians” etc. After the formation of the Church’s constitution in 1934 the name of this church became the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. They believe that they are the faithful original descendants and real continuation of the Church of the St. Thomas Christians of India. Hence they claim they are an ancient and apostolic Church like any other apostolic Church elsewhere in the world. The Church in India is eastern in its ethos and worship and is clearly distinguished from western (Roman and Protestant) church traditions.
The church is fully self-governed by its local leadership and is indigenous. No foreign leadership is allowed to rule over the church now. This element of self awareness always echoed whenever they were threatened during the periods of contact with Roman Catholicism, Protestantism and the West Syrians.
Moreover, a unique and noble feature of the church, even now is its broad vision of humanity, non- Christian religions and other ideologies. From time immemorial this Church was at peace, oneness and tranquillity with the surrounding Hindu, Muslim communities without prejudice, rivalry and fanaticism. Hindu rulers and others in recognition of the abilities of the faithful of the church and its tolerant attitude had been benevolent in granting material benefits of an everlasting nature towards the church. This church never engaged in proselytism of Hindu or Muslim brothers and that is its notable nobility in India. Its members serve in all noble spheres of life and actions of humanity all over the globe.
Church in 20th Century
Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril, who ascended the throne of Malankara Metropolitan in in 1908, played a significant role with the other clerical and lay leaders of Malankara in re-establishing the Catholicos of the East in India in 1912. The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church wanted to retain its autocephalous nature. When in a religious turmoil the Patriarch of Antioch interfered and suspended the Malankara Metropolitan demanding complete surrender, the Church consecrated the senior Metropolitan as the Catholicos and Head of theChurch. It appealed to the deposed Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, Mor Ignatius Abdul Masih II. He ordained MurimattathilPaulose Mar Ivanios as Baselios Paulose I, as Catholicos of the East on the Apostolic throne of St. Thomas. The ceremony was held at St. Mary’s Church, Niranam on 15 September 1912. The church in the 20th century remained the most favoured and strong denomination to be fully eligible for St. Thomas heritage. The lineage of St. Thomas is preserved based on two grounds. Firstly, the founder and first primate of the Church is St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ; and secondly, the church has no dependence on nor is under any foreign churches outside India. The Orthodox Churches are National Churches, for example the Russian, Greek, and Armenian Orthodox Churches are mainly confined within the national boundaries. They do not have a single universal administrative head. So is the Malankara Orthodox Church, under the control of its Supreme Head, the Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan with headquarters at Kottayam in Kerala. It is a national autocephalous Church, with no foreign authority having any control over its affairs,(in short, autonomous and autocephalous).