Thomas Mar Athanasius
Encyclopedia
Thomas Mar Athanasius Mar Thoma XIV (1877–1893) 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 Church was divided into two. The majority came under the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Antioch
, while the remaining individuals continued to be independent with their own Metropolitan, Thomas Mar Athanasius.
On the South Western coast of India
lies a small state known as Kerala
. It was here in the 1st century, Thomas the Apostle
arrived to preach the gospel
to the Jewish community. Some of the Jews and locals including the wise men who saw Jesus as a baby at Bethlehem
, became followers of Jesus of Nazareth
. They were known as Malabar Nasrani
people and their church as Malankara Church. They followed a unique Hebrew-Syriac Christian
tradition which included several Jewish elements and Indian customs.
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 a member of the Pavoothikunnel family and their first four sons moved to Themoottil, Neduvelil, Periyilel and Punamadom. 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). He had two sons. The youngest son was Abraham Malpan
leader of reformation in Malankara Church.
A number of Church leaders were born in this family. Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XIII); Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XIV); Titus I Mar Thoma
Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XV); Titus II Mar Thoma
Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XVI); were from this family. The present head of the Mar Thoma Church, Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma
Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XXI), is also from this family.
Palakunnathu Abraham Malpan
, leader of Sucheekaranam (Reformation) and Aleyamma, Thondamvelil, Thumpamon, Kerala. He was born on 7 October 1836 and his parents called him Thomaskutty. Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan was his first cousin.
. While living in the seminary, he also joined C.M.S. School nearby, to continue his academic studies. After completing the courses he went to Madras to continue his education.
parish, in his home village. He was an orator and was very particular to give messages during worship services. People from nearby parishes used to come and attend his services and to listen to his messages. He asked the people to give their health, wealth and time to the benefit of others.
By this time the duties of Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan doubled and he needed the help of an assistant. So Rev.Thomas was transferred to Kottayam
and took charge of certain duties of a 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 XIV, Thomas Mar Athanasius.
ordained Rev. Thomas and was given the Episcopal title Thomas Mar Athanasius. He became the Metropolitan of Malankara Church after the demise of Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan on 16 July 1877.
, Ignatius Pathrose IV, who was on a visit to Malabar
. This helped to tighten his hold over the Syrian Church in temporal as well as in spiritual affairs. Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan and his followers inspired by the reformation of the Church did not attend this synod.
Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan followed in the footsteps of his predecessor. Two strong groups were in the church at this time. One owing allegiance to the Metropolitan and supported independence and purification of the church (called Metran Kakshi) and the other under the control of Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II
, (1833–1909) spearheading orthodoxy and subservience to Patriarch of Antioch
(known as Bava Kakshi).
, made a claim that he and the fellow trustees were the lawful owners of the Church and demanded the possession of the Seminary and control of the assets of the Church. Dionysius filed a case at Alappuzha
civil court on 4 March 1879 (O.S.No.439 of 1054).
During the course of this litigation, Metropolitan was asked whether it was possible to take a decision according to the opinion of the majority. Metropolitan answered, “The Episcopal throne of Patriarch was the throne of St. Peter, while the throne of Malankara Church was that of St. Thomas. Malankara Church is as old as the Church in Antioch, equal in status, and both are independent. The land, where the Seminary stands, the funds and the materials were donated by the Government of Travancore
to its subjects. So even if the majority agrees, it is not right to take away the land and property from them and give it away to foreigners.”
In the final verdict two of the judges of the Royal court decided in favour of the defendants and Justice Ormsby decided in favour of the plaintiffs. Thus when the verdict was announced on 12 July 1889. Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan lost all the properties claims. The court verdict was only about the Church properties, and it mentioned that the consecration, the authority of Thomas Mar Athanasius as Metropolitan and the properties of the individual parishes were not under the jurisdiction of the court.
Before announcing the verdict Maharaja of Travancore
asked the Diwan (chief minister) to convene a meeting of both parties. Representing Metran Kakshi Mar Athanasius Metropolitan and Church trustee Punnathra Chandapillay Kathanar attended while Mar Dionysius and Mr. E.M.Philip represented the Bava Kakshi. Diwan informed them that, “When the verdict is announced one party will lose all their places of worship. So the winning party should allow the other Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II
, agreed to this reluctantly but Thomas Mar Athanasius refused.
, became Malankara Metropolitan for the Bava Kakshi (the supporters of the Patriarch of Antioch
).
When the Anglican missionaries (C.M.S.) formed a new church in 1878, they gave it the name C.M.S. Church. They called Malankara Church, Jacobite Church. But when the Church was again divided, they gave the name "Reformed Church" to the Metran Kakshi. Later, Jacobites adopted the name Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and Metran Kakshi adopted the name Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church or Mar Thoma Church
.
and organized the first meeting on 8 March 1895, This lasted for ten days and was and still continues to support the missionary work of the Church. This Convention has grown to such an extent that it is now the greatest Christian gathering in Asia.
Marthoma church. He was not able to consecrate his successor.
But the Church survived. The dedicated and loyal clergy gave the necessary support. Their evangelistic zeal found expression at this time. The voluntary donations of its people sustained the Church during those difficult years. Soon parishes began to form in various parts. The church grew out of Kerala and spread around the world. The verdict of the court was not a defeat but was the dawn of a great age to the Malankara Church.
In Malayalam:
Patriarch of Antioch
Patriarch of Antioch is a traditional title held by the Bishop of Antioch. As the traditional "overseer" of the first gentile Christian community, the position has been of prime importance in the church from its earliest period...
, while the remaining individuals continued to be independent with their own Metropolitan, Thomas Mar Athanasius.
On the South Western coast of 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...
lies a small state known as 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....
. It was here in the 1st century, Thomas the Apostle
Thomas the Apostle
Thomas the Apostle, also called Doubting Thomas or Didymus was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is best known for questioning Jesus' resurrection when first told of it, then proclaiming "My Lord and my God" on seeing Jesus in . He was perhaps the only Apostle who went outside the Roman...
arrived to preach the gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
to the Jewish community. Some of the Jews and locals including the wise men who saw Jesus as a baby at Bethlehem
Bethlehem
Bethlehem is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank of the Jordan River, near Israel and approximately south of Jerusalem, with a population of about 30,000 people. It is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate of the Palestinian National Authority and a hub of Palestinian culture and tourism...
, became followers of Jesus of Nazareth
Nazareth
Nazareth is the largest city in the North District of Israel. Known as "the Arab capital of Israel," the population is made up predominantly of Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel...
. They were known as Malabar Nasrani
Syrian Malabar Nasrani
The 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...
people and their church as Malankara Church. They followed a unique Hebrew-Syriac Christian
Syriac Christianity
Syriac or Syrian Christianity , the Syriac-speaking Christians of Mesopotamia, comprises multiple Christian traditions of Eastern Christianity. With a history going back to the 1st Century AD, in modern times it is represented by denominations primarily in the Middle East and in Kerala, India....
tradition which included several Jewish elements and Indian customs.
Palakunnathu Family
In the 17th century, a member of the Panamkuzhy family came and settled in KozhencherryKozhencherry
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 a member of the Pavoothikunnel family and their first four sons moved to Themoottil, Neduvelil, Periyilel and Punamadom. 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). He had two sons. The youngest son was 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.
A number of Church leaders were born in this family. Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XIII); Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XIV); 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); Titus II Mar Thoma
Titus II Mar Thoma
-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* Titus I Mar Thoma* Abraham Mar Thoma-For further reading:...
Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XVI); were from this family. The present head of the Mar Thoma Church, Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma
Joseph Mar Thoma
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.- Palakunnathu Family :...
Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XXI), is also from this family.
Early years
Thomas Mar Athanasius was the second son of PakalomattomPakalomattom family
The Pakalomattam family is an ancient Suriyani Christian family in Kerala, India. They are popularly known as Syrian Christians in view of the Syriac liturgy used in church services since the early days of Christianity in India and not for any Syrian migration...
Palakunnathu 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 Sucheekaranam (Reformation) and Aleyamma, Thondamvelil, Thumpamon, Kerala. He was born on 7 October 1836 and his parents called him Thomaskutty. Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan was his first cousin.
Education
Thomaskutty learned Syriac and church liturgy at the Old Seminary, KottayamKottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
. While living in the seminary, he also joined C.M.S. School nearby, to continue his academic studies. After completing the courses he went to Madras to continue his education.
Entering the ministry
While still in school, he was ordained as a Semmasu (deacon) In 1858, and as a Kassessa (clergy) in 1859. Soon after returning from Madras in 1862, Rev. Thomas joined duty at the 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...
parish, in his home village. He was an orator and was very particular to give messages during worship services. People from nearby parishes used to come and attend his services and to listen to his messages. He asked the people to give their health, wealth and time to the benefit of others.
By this time the duties of Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan doubled and he needed the help of an assistant. So Rev.Thomas was transferred to Kottayam
Kottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
and took charge of certain duties of a 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 XIV, Thomas Mar Athanasius.
Consecration
Those who were loyal to Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan suggested to consecrate Rev. Thomas as a Metropolitan. Though he was reluctant at the beginning, due to the compulsion of the clergy and the people finally Metropolitan agreed. On 1 June 1868, Mathews Mar Athenasius Metropolitan assisted by Joseph Mar Koorliose, Alathoorey, (1856-4888) of Malabar Independent Syrian ChurchMalabar Independent Syrian Church
The Malabar Independent Syrian Church, also known as the Thozhiyur Sabah , is a Christian church centred in Kerala, India. It is one of the churches of the Saint Thomas Christian community, which traces its origins to the evangelical activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century.Considered part...
ordained Rev. Thomas and was given the Episcopal title Thomas Mar Athanasius. He became the Metropolitan of Malankara Church after the demise of Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan on 16 July 1877.
Condition of the church in 1877
In June 1876 there was held a synod at Mulamthuruthi presided over by the Patriarch of AntiochPatriarch of Antioch
Patriarch of Antioch is a traditional title held by the Bishop of Antioch. As the traditional "overseer" of the first gentile Christian community, the position has been of prime importance in the church from its earliest period...
, Ignatius Pathrose IV, who was on a visit to Malabar
Malabar District
Malabar District was an administrative district of Madras Presidency in British India and independent India's Madras State. The British district included the present-day districts of Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad , and Chavakad Taluk of Thrissur District in the northern part of...
. This helped to tighten his hold over the Syrian Church in temporal as well as in spiritual affairs. Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan and his followers inspired by the reformation of the Church did not attend this synod.
Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan followed in the footsteps of his predecessor. Two strong groups were in the church at this time. One owing allegiance to the Metropolitan and supported independence and purification of the church (called Metran Kakshi) and the other under the control of Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II
Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II
Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II , the Malankara Metropolitan, was born into the family of Pulikkottil, a famous and important family in the annals of the history of Malankara church. He was a courageous, popular, spiritual leader, who guided his followers through one of the most difficult...
, (1833–1909) spearheading orthodoxy and subservience to Patriarch of Antioch
Patriarch of Antioch
Patriarch of Antioch is a traditional title held by the Bishop of Antioch. As the traditional "overseer" of the first gentile Christian community, the position has been of prime importance in the church from its earliest period...
(known as Bava Kakshi).
Litigation
Soon after Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan took charge as Metropolitan of the Church, Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious IIPulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II
Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II , the Malankara Metropolitan, was born into the family of Pulikkottil, a famous and important family in the annals of the history of Malankara church. He was a courageous, popular, spiritual leader, who guided his followers through one of the most difficult...
, made a claim that he and the fellow trustees were the lawful owners of the Church and demanded the possession of the Seminary and control of the assets of the Church. Dionysius filed a case at Alappuzha
Alappuzha
Alappuzha , also known as Alleppey, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. As per 2001 census Alleppey is the sixth largest city in Kerala with an urban population of 177,029. Alleppey is situated to the south of Kochi and north of Trivandrum...
civil court on 4 March 1879 (O.S.No.439 of 1054).
During the course of this litigation, Metropolitan was asked whether it was possible to take a decision according to the opinion of the majority. Metropolitan answered, “The Episcopal throne of Patriarch was the throne of St. Peter, while the throne of Malankara Church was that of St. Thomas. Malankara Church is as old as the Church in Antioch, equal in status, and both are independent. The land, where the Seminary stands, the funds and the materials were donated by the Government of Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
to its subjects. So even if the majority agrees, it is not right to take away the land and property from them and give it away to foreigners.”
In the final verdict two of the judges of the Royal court decided in favour of the defendants and Justice Ormsby decided in favour of the plaintiffs. Thus when the verdict was announced on 12 July 1889. Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan lost all the properties claims. The court verdict was only about the Church properties, and it mentioned that the consecration, the authority of Thomas Mar Athanasius as Metropolitan and the properties of the individual parishes were not under the jurisdiction of the court.
Before announcing the verdict Maharaja of Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
asked the Diwan (chief minister) to convene a meeting of both parties. Representing Metran Kakshi Mar Athanasius Metropolitan and Church trustee Punnathra Chandapillay Kathanar attended while Mar Dionysius and Mr. E.M.Philip represented the Bava Kakshi. Diwan informed them that, “When the verdict is announced one party will lose all their places of worship. So the winning party should allow the other Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II
Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II
Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II , the Malankara Metropolitan, was born into the family of Pulikkottil, a famous and important family in the annals of the history of Malankara church. He was a courageous, popular, spiritual leader, who guided his followers through one of the most difficult...
, agreed to this reluctantly but Thomas Mar Athanasius refused.
Division of the church
After this verdict, Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan was driven out of Old Seminary. All his belongings were thrown out of the room including the “Throne of St.Thomas,” the decorated chair that was used for the consecration of the head of Malanakara Church. This was the throne that was used when Mar Thoma I, was ordained in 1653.The two churches
The inevitable result of this verdict was that the church was divided into two. Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan became the head of the Metran Kakshi, while Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious IIPulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II
Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II , the Malankara Metropolitan, was born into the family of Pulikkottil, a famous and important family in the annals of the history of Malankara church. He was a courageous, popular, spiritual leader, who guided his followers through one of the most difficult...
, became Malankara Metropolitan for the Bava Kakshi (the supporters of the Patriarch of Antioch
Patriarch of Antioch
Patriarch of Antioch is a traditional title held by the Bishop of Antioch. As the traditional "overseer" of the first gentile Christian community, the position has been of prime importance in the church from its earliest period...
).
When the Anglican missionaries (C.M.S.) formed a new church in 1878, they gave it the name C.M.S. Church. They called Malankara Church, Jacobite Church. But when the Church was again divided, they gave the name "Reformed Church" to the Metran Kakshi. Later, Jacobites adopted the name Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and Metran Kakshi adopted the name Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church or 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...
.
Mar thoma church
It was during this most difficult period, the Church publication, Malankara Sabha Tharaka began. It guided the people in their study of the Bible, and explained the teachings of the Bible and of the church. Among all these great disappointments, Marthoma Evangelistic Association, the missionary wing of the Church was born. The first meeting was held on 5 September 1888 at Kallisseri. A clergy and eleven evangelists attended. Since then, this Evangelistic Association sent missionaries through out and into the world, with the support of all the Marthoma parishes. In 1895, it took charge of Maramon ConventionMaramon Convention
The Maramon Convention is a Christian convention held at Maramon, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India annually during the month of February on the vast sand-bed of the Pampa River next to the Kozhencherry Bridge...
and organized the first meeting on 8 March 1895, This lasted for ten days and was and still continues to support the missionary work of the Church. This Convention has grown to such an extent that it is now the greatest Christian gathering in Asia.
Last days
During his lifetime, Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan, in addition to his normal duties, had to face the court for about ten years. Finally he lost the case. He was driven out of the Old Seminary. He went back to his home village. Soon after this Metropolitan had a stroke and he died on 10 August 1893. He was laid to rest at 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...
Marthoma church. He was not able to consecrate his successor.
But the Church survived. The dedicated and loyal clergy gave the necessary support. Their evangelistic zeal found expression at this time. The voluntary donations of its people sustained the Church during those difficult years. Soon parishes began to form in various parts. The church grew out of Kerala and spread around the world. The verdict of the court was not a defeat but was the dawn of a great age to the Malankara Church.
Further reading
In English:-
- Juhanon Marthoma Metropolitan, The Most Rev. Dr. (1952). ‘’Christianity in IndiaIndiaIndia , 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...
and a Brief History of the Marthoma Syrian Church’’. Pub: K.M. Cherian. - Mathew N.M. (2003). ‘’St. Thomas Christians of Malabar Through Ages’’, C.S.S. Tiruvalla. ISBN 81-4821-008-8 and CN 80303
- #Zac Varghese Dr. & Mathew A. Kallumpram. (2003). ‘’Glimpses of 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...
History’’. London, England. ISBN 81/900854/4/1
- Juhanon Marthoma Metropolitan, The Most Rev. Dr. (1952). ‘’Christianity in India
In Malayalam:
-
- Chacko, T.C. (1936) ‘’Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charithra Samgraham’’. (Concise History of Marthoma Church), Pub: E.J. Institute, Kompady, Tiruvalla.
- Eapen, Prof. Dr. K.V. (2001). ‘’Malankara Marthoma Suryani Sabha Charitram’’. (History of Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church). Pub: Kallettu, Muttambalam, KottayamKottayamKottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
. - Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan. (1857). ‘’Mar Thoma Sleehayude Idavakayakunna Malankara Suryani Sabhaudai Canon’’. (Canon of the Malankara Syrian Church of Saint Thomas). Printed at KottayamKottayamKottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
Syrian Seminary. - Mathew, N.M. (2007). ‘’Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charitram’’, (History of the Marthoma Church), Volume 1.(2006), Volume II (2007). Volume III (2008) Pub. E.J.Institute, Tiruvalla
- Mathew, P.V. (1992) Randayiram Varsham Pinnitta Malankara Sabha. (Two thousand years of Malankara Church)
- ’’Mar Thoma Sabha Directory’’. (1999). Pub. The Publication Board of The 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...
, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India. - Titus Varghese, V. Prof (1970) Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan.
- Varkey, M.P.(1901) Malankara Idavakauday Mar Dionysius Metropolitan
External links
- http://www.marthoma.in
- http://www.marthomasyrianchurch.org
- http://www.marthomaevan.org
- http://www.kuwaitmarthoma.com/e-library