Joseph Mar Thoma
Encyclopedia
Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan is the present head of the Mar Thoma Church
with its center in Kerala
state in south-western India
. He is the 21st Mar Thoma.
, a member of the Panamkuzhy house of Kuruvalingadu came and settled in Kozhencherry
on the banks of river Pampa. Later they moved to Maramon
, and lived at Chackkalyil, on the other side of the river. The second son in that family, Mathen moved to a nearby house at Palakunnathu. He had six sons and a daughter. The daughter was married to Mallapally Pavoothikunnel family and the first four sons moved to Themoottil, Neduvelil (Kozhenchery), Periyilel and Punamadom (Othera). The fifth son was a hermit priest (sanyasi achen). As was the custom, the youngest son Mathew lived at Palakunnathu family house. (This house still exists). Abraham Malpan
, leader of reformation in Malankara church was the second son of Mathew. Thomas Mar Athanasius
Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XIV) and Titus I Mar Thoma Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XV) were the sons of Abraham Malpan
.
A number of other Marthoma Church leaders were also born in this family. Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XIII) and Titus I Mar Thoma
Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XV) were from this family. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XXI), is also from this family.
Palakunnathu Kadon House and Mariamma of Maramon
, Puthoor House.
After his education at Maramon
and Kozhencherry
, he joined Union Christian College Aluva
.
, Karnataka
, India and obtained a B.D.
degree.
He was ordained as Deacon
of the Mar Thoma Church
on June 29, 1957 and Kasseessa (priest) on October 18, 1957.
Then he continued his studies at the Protestant Episcopal Seminary in Virginia, USA. From there he went to Canterbury and Oxford in England. He was able to obtain MDiv (Master of Divinity
) and STM (Master of Sacred Theology
) degrees. He was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity
by Virginia Seminary where he studied.
, the Church Mandalam (representative assembly) in 1974, decided to consecrate two more bishops. Rev. P.T.Joseph was one of those who were selected. He was ordained as Ramban on January 11, 1975.
Metropolitan assisted by the other bishops of the church ordained Rev. P.T.Joseph and was given the episcopal title, Joseph Mar Irenaeus. Rev. V.T. Koshy, Easow Mar Timotheos was also ordained on the same day.
Suffragan Metropolitan was designated as Officiating Metropolitan .
After the great swearing in 1653 it became necessary to appoint a bishop. For this purpose a special chair was made and Mar Thoma I
the first bishop of Malankara Church was enthroned. This throne, used for the consecration of Mar Thoma I
, is in the possession of the Mar Thoma Church
and is kept 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. This was the throne used for the consecration of Mar Thoma XXI, Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan.
It is said that after Thomas Mar Athanasius lost the case against the Jacobites he had come back to the old seminary in Kottayam to collect his things kept there ;some people and had thrown out all his things and along with it the Malankara Throne too saying take this also the throne of Mar Thoma, Thomas Mar Athanasius had to then take that chair also which had by then broken a leg back to Maramon.
on October 2, 2007 when Philipose Mar Chrysostom was made Valia Metrapolitan. (Senior Metropolitan)
in India and was one of the senior Presidents of CCA and the chairman of CASA.
Mar Thoma Church
The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It has an entirely different identity when compared with other Churches in India. Most Christian churches around the world are divided into...
with its center in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
state in south-western India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. He is the 21st Mar Thoma.
Palakunnathu Family
In the seventeenth century KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, a member of the Panamkuzhy house of Kuruvalingadu came and settled in Kozhencherry
Kozhencherry
Kozhencherry is a small town in Pathanamthitta district of Central Travancore region in Kerala state, South India. It is on the banks of river Pampa. It is a commercial centre with many of the Banks and trade companies have their establishments here. It is believed that once the Kovilans of...
on the banks of river Pampa. Later they moved to Maramon
Maramon
Maramon is a small town on the Pampa River, opposite to Kozhencherry town in the state of Kerala, India. It is 12 km from the Pathanamthitta district headquarters, the town of Pathanamthitta. Maramon is famous because of the Maramon Convention, the largest Christian gathering in Asia...
, and lived at Chackkalyil, on the other side of the river. The second son in that family, Mathen moved to a nearby house at Palakunnathu. He had six sons and a daughter. The daughter was married to Mallapally Pavoothikunnel family and the first four sons moved to Themoottil, Neduvelil (Kozhenchery), Periyilel and Punamadom (Othera). The fifth son was a hermit priest (sanyasi achen). As was the custom, the youngest son Mathew lived at Palakunnathu family house. (This house still exists). Abraham Malpan
Abraham Malpan
Palakunnathu Abraham Malpan of Malankara Church, was a strong Churchman, loyal to the best traditions of his Church. He wanted only to effect such reforms in the Church as were consistent with the apostolic and truly evangelical traditions of the Church...
, leader of reformation in Malankara church was the second son of Mathew. Thomas Mar Athanasius
Thomas Mar Athanasius
Thomas Mar Athanasius Mar Thoma XIV was the Metropolitan of the Malankara church. Mar Athanasiu's period was a turbulent one in the history of this Church. There was a litigation that took ten years to settle. After the final verdict, the Church passed through a period of transition. Malankara...
Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XIV) and Titus I Mar Thoma Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XV) were the sons of Abraham Malpan
Abraham Malpan
Palakunnathu Abraham Malpan of Malankara Church, was a strong Churchman, loyal to the best traditions of his Church. He wanted only to effect such reforms in the Church as were consistent with the apostolic and truly evangelical traditions of the Church...
.
A number of other Marthoma Church leaders were also born in this family. Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XIII) and Titus I Mar Thoma
Titus I Mar Thoma
Titus I Mar Thoma was known as Thithoos Mar Thoma Metropolitan among his people, and was the fifteenth Mar Thoma . He was a saintly and missionary bishop of the church...
Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XV) were from this family. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XXI), is also from this family.
Early life
P.T. Joseph was born on 27 June 1931 as the son of Palakunnathu T. Lukose of MaramonMaramon
Maramon is a small town on the Pampa River, opposite to Kozhencherry town in the state of Kerala, India. It is 12 km from the Pathanamthitta district headquarters, the town of Pathanamthitta. Maramon is famous because of the Maramon Convention, the largest Christian gathering in Asia...
Palakunnathu Kadon House and Mariamma of Maramon
Maramon
Maramon is a small town on the Pampa River, opposite to Kozhencherry town in the state of Kerala, India. It is 12 km from the Pathanamthitta district headquarters, the town of Pathanamthitta. Maramon is famous because of the Maramon Convention, the largest Christian gathering in Asia...
, Puthoor House.
After his education at Maramon
Maramon
Maramon is a small town on the Pampa River, opposite to Kozhencherry town in the state of Kerala, India. It is 12 km from the Pathanamthitta district headquarters, the town of Pathanamthitta. Maramon is famous because of the Maramon Convention, the largest Christian gathering in Asia...
and Kozhencherry
Kozhencherry
Kozhencherry is a small town in Pathanamthitta district of Central Travancore region in Kerala state, South India. It is on the banks of river Pampa. It is a commercial centre with many of the Banks and trade companies have their establishments here. It is believed that once the Kovilans of...
, he joined Union Christian College Aluva
Union Christian College Aluva
The Union Christian College, Aluva is one of the prominent educational institutions in Kerala, India. It is situated to the north of Aluva in Ernakulam district....
.
Ordination
Joseph always wanted an academic career, but when he was called to take up theological studies he readily accepted it. So in 1954, he joined the United Theological College, BangaloreBangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
, India and obtained a B.D.
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
degree.
He was ordained as Deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
of the Mar Thoma Church
Mar Thoma Church
The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It has an entirely different identity when compared with other Churches in India. Most Christian churches around the world are divided into...
on June 29, 1957 and Kasseessa (priest) on October 18, 1957.
Then he continued his studies at the Protestant Episcopal Seminary in Virginia, USA. From there he went to Canterbury and Oxford in England. He was able to obtain MDiv (Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
) and STM (Master of Sacred Theology
Master of Sacred Theology
The Master of Sacred Theology is a second-level graduate degree for those who wish to pursue a year of more advanced coursework focusing on a particular discipline....
) degrees. He was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
by Virginia Seminary where he studied.
Consecration
Realizing the need for more bishops for the Mar Thoma ChurchMar Thoma Church
The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It has an entirely different identity when compared with other Churches in India. Most Christian churches around the world are divided into...
, the Church Mandalam (representative assembly) in 1974, decided to consecrate two more bishops. Rev. P.T.Joseph was one of those who were selected. He was ordained as Ramban on January 11, 1975.
Episcopa
On February 8, 1975, Juhanon Mar ThomaJuhanon Mar Thoma
Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan was the Head of the Mar Thoma church from 1947–1976, who gave leadership to the church and at the same time actively participated in social and political arenas. He was respected by people from all walks of life, from all religions and from all age groups. He is...
Metropolitan assisted by the other bishops of the church ordained Rev. P.T.Joseph and was given the episcopal title, Joseph Mar Irenaeus. Rev. V.T. Koshy, Easow Mar Timotheos was also ordained on the same day.
Suffragan Metropolitan
He was designated as Suffragan Metropolitan on March 15, 1999 when Philipose Mar ChrysostomPhilipose Mar Chrysostom
-See also:* Mar Thoma Church* Syrian Malabar Nasrani* Saint Thomas Christians* Christianity in India* List of Syrian Malabar Nasranis* Juhanon Mar Thoma* Alexander Mar Thoma* Joseph Mar Thoma-Further reading:...
Suffragan Metropolitan was designated as Officiating Metropolitan .
Malankara throne
Mar Thoma I
-See also:*Indian Orthodox Church*Jacobite Syrian Church*Mar Thoma Church*Malankara Church*Dutch East India Company*Syrian Malabar Nasrani-Further reading:...
the first bishop of Malankara Church was enthroned. This throne, used for the consecration of Mar Thoma I
Mar Thoma I
-See also:*Indian Orthodox Church*Jacobite Syrian Church*Mar Thoma Church*Malankara Church*Dutch East India Company*Syrian Malabar Nasrani-Further reading:...
, is in the possession of the Mar Thoma Church
Mar Thoma Church
The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It has an entirely different identity when compared with other Churches in India. Most Christian churches around the world are divided into...
and is kept at Tiruvalla
Tiruvalla
Tiruvalla , is a city and a Taluk headquarters located in Pathanamthitta district in the State of Kerala in South India, spread over an area of 27.94 km2...
, 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. This was the throne used for the consecration of Mar Thoma XXI, Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan.
It is said that after Thomas Mar Athanasius lost the case against the Jacobites he had come back to the old seminary in Kottayam to collect his things kept there ;some people and had thrown out all his things and along with it the Malankara Throne too saying take this also the throne of Mar Thoma, Thomas Mar Athanasius had to then take that chair also which had by then broken a leg back to Maramon.
Enthronement
Joseph Mar Irenaeus Suffragan Metropolitan was installed as Mar Thoma XXI MetropolitanMetropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
on October 2, 2007 when Philipose Mar Chrysostom was made Valia Metrapolitan. (Senior Metropolitan)
General
He was the President of the National Council of ChurchesNational Council of Churches
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA is an ecumenical partnership of 37 Christian faith groups in the United States. Its member denominations, churches, conventions, and archdioceses include Mainline Protestant, Orthodox, African American, Evangelical, and historic peace...
in India and was one of the senior Presidents of CCA and the chairman of CASA.
Dates
| Ordained as Deacon = June 29, 1957 |
| Ordained as Kasseessa = October 18, 1957 |
| Ordained as Ramban = January 11, 1975 |
| Consecrated as Episcopa = February 8, 1975 |
| Designated as Suffragan Metropolitan = March 15, 1999 |
| Installed as Metropolitan = October 2, 2007 |
See also
- Mar Thoma ChurchMar Thoma ChurchThe Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It has an entirely different identity when compared with other Churches in India. Most Christian churches around the world are divided into...
- Syrian Malabar NasraniSyrian Malabar NasraniThe Syrian Malabar Nasrani people, also known as Saint Thomas Christians, "'Nasrani Mappila'" and Nasranis, are an ethnoreligious group from Kerala, India, adhering to the various churches of the Saint Thomas Christian tradition...
- Saint Thomas ChristiansSaint Thomas ChristiansThe Saint Thomas Christians are an ancient body of Christians from Kerala, India, who trace their origins to the evangelical activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. They are also known as "Nasranis" because they are followers of "Jesus of Nazareth". The term "Nasrani" is still used by St...
- Christianity in IndiaChristianity in IndiaChristianity is India's third-largest religion, with approximately 24 million followers, constituting 2.3% of India's population. The works of scholars and Eastern Christian writings and 14th century Portuguese missionaries created an illusion to convert Indians that Christianity was introduced to...
- List of Syrian Malabar Nasranis
- List of Catholicoi of the East and Malankara Metropolitans
- Juhanon Mar ThomaJuhanon Mar ThomaJuhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan was the Head of the Mar Thoma church from 1947–1976, who gave leadership to the church and at the same time actively participated in social and political arenas. He was respected by people from all walks of life, from all religions and from all age groups. He is...
- Philipose Mar ChrysostomPhilipose Mar Chrysostom-See also:* Mar Thoma Church* Syrian Malabar Nasrani* Saint Thomas Christians* Christianity in India* List of Syrian Malabar Nasranis* Juhanon Mar Thoma* Alexander Mar Thoma* Joseph Mar Thoma-Further reading:...
For further reading
-
- 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