His Holiness Philipose Mar Chrysostom Marthoma Valiya Metropolita

 

Former Metropolitans: Mathews Mar Athanasius (1843-1877), Thomas Mar Athanasius (1877-1893), Titus First *1893-1910), Titus Second (1910-1943), Abraham Mar Thoma (1943-1947), Yuhanon Mar Thoma (1947-1976), Alexander Mar Thoma (1976-1999). Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma (1999-

 

Head of the Church: Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Metropolitan (April27, 1918-); Ordination: June3, 1944; Consecration: May 23, 1953.

Suffragan Metropolitan: Joseph Mar Irenius (June 27, 1931- ); Ordination: Oct.18, 1967; Election: Nov.4, 1974; Consecration: Fen.8, 1975

Vicars General: Rev.C.G.Alexander, Rev.P.M.George, Rev.P.V Thomas, Rev. Dr.P.P.Abraham, Rev.A.C.Kurian; Sabha Secretary: Rev. Dr.P.J.Philip; Clergy Trustees: Rev.N.I.Mathai; Lay Trustee: Adv. Suresh Koshi.

 

History:     The Mar Thoma Church of Indian is an Oriental Church born out of the Protestant Reformation.  It is the product of Anglican influence on St. Thomas Christians of India during the 18^th century. The Church in India founded by St.Thomas the Apostle, remained monolithic till the advent of European missionaries in the 15^th century.  The efforts of Portuguese Missionaries to Latinize the Church, led to dissension.  One group adhered to the Pope while others declared allegiance to the Jacobite Patriarch of Antioch.  The latter group was called “Puthencoor”. The Puthencoor group came into close contact with English Protestant missionaries during the period of Mar Thoma VI who was also known as Dionysius I (1765-1808).  In 1806-07 chaplains of East India Company visited Tranvancore and Cochin .  Col. Manroe, Resident of the British government, also showed much interest in the affairs of the Syrians of Malabar.  He helped Ittoop Ramban to start a seminary at Kottayam in 1813.

The Mar Thoma Church is one of the historic Churches of Christendom and belongs to the family the Lesser Eastern Churches.The Mar Thoma Church retains its essential Character of the Eastern Church in its liturgy and mode of worship, its ceremonies, rituals and traditions. It also maintains friendly contacts with some of the Protestant Churches.

The Mar Thoma Church is a part of the Ancient Syrian Church of Malabar, founded in AD 52 as a result of the missionary efforts of St. Thomas, the Apostle.

The Mar Thoma Church which began in Kerala is now grown into a church with Parishes all around the Globe. The Head Quarters of the Church is in Thiruvalla, Kerala, India.

The Mar Thoma Church has 9,00,000 members, 708 clergy and 1062 parishes including congregations divided into 11 dioceses. The church has a democratic pattern of administration with a representative assembly (Prathinidhi Mandalam), an executive council and an Episcopal Synod. The Church has been active in the field of education and owns 8 colleges, 6 High er Secondary Schools, 9 High Schools, 15 UP Schools, 117 Primary Schools and one Training School. There are several schools and other educational institutions owned and managed by individual parishes. The Mar Thoma Church have three technical institutions.

The Mar Thoma Church has 30 social welfare institutions, 9 destitute homes, 5 Hospitals, 4 Camp centres and 3 Study centres. The Mar Thoma Theological Seminary and 7 other institutes cater to the theological education of both clergy and the laity. The religious education of the children is looked after by Sunday School Samajam and the work among the youth is carried on by the Yuvajana Sakhyam. The famous Maramon Convention held annually for the last 104 years is a source of great spiritual power and inspiration for innumerable people. As members of the Mar Thoma Church, let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God so that He may exalt us in due time and use us for His glory for the extension of His Kingdom in India and abroad.

The English displaced the Dutch from Cochin in 1795 and with the arrival of the English, the foreign domination of South India changed hands. The East India Company under which the English operated in India, appointed a British Resident for Cochin and Travancore. The first two Residents, Colonel Macaulay and Colonel John Monroe were men of strong Christian convictions and they were prepared to help the Syrian Christians. The Malankara Metropolitan Mar Dionysius I was deeply interested in instituting schools in the parishes. Towards the close of Mar Dionysius I's life, Dr. Claudius Buchanan, Principal of Fort William College, Calcutta visited Malabar in 1806-1807. He had received a special commission from Lord Wellesley, Governor General of India, to study and report on the Malankara Church. Later, Dr. Buchanan reported the needs of the Church to Lord Wellesley. On his return to England, Dr. Buchanan warmly advocated the cause of the Syrian Christians and as a result, the Church Missionary Society (CMS) under the patronage of the Church of England, provided the services of Rev. Thomas Norton, Rev. Benjamin Bailey, Rev. Joseph Fenn and Rev. Henry Baker.

The first Anglican mission (CMS) started to work in Kerala in 1816. A number of Jacobites came under their influence and reforms were introduced on Anglican lines. Leadership for this reform group was provided by Palakunnath Abraham Malpan and Kaithayil Geevarghese Malpan, the two professors of the Syrian Seminary at Kottayam.

The first synod of the Indian Jacobites was celebrated in 1836 and it decided to sever all ties with the Anglicans. But Abraham Malpan and his party continued to carry on the reforms already started, for which they were excommunicated by Dionysius IV in 1837. There followed a period of confusion. Mathew Mar Athanasius, who had been consecrated bishop by the Jacobite patriarch in 1842/43 emerged as the leader of the reform group. The tussle continued for some time more, and in 1875 Mathew Mar Athanasius was deposed by Ignatius Mar Peter IV, patriarch of Antioch, who visited India that year. Consequent to this excommunication, Mar Athanasius and his followers were deprived of all the churches and properties. The Church plunged into a litigation known as the 'Seminary Case'. Finally, in 1889, with help of the CMS, they organized a new Church - the "Mar Thoma Church".

The Mar Thoma Church is an amicable blending of two characteristic tracts, namely, the Orthodox Church features and reformation (Protestant) ideals, or in other words, blending of Eastern and Western forms. This nature of the Church points to its uniqueness when compared to other Churches. The supreme authority of the Church is the General Assembly which is consisted of the bishops, the clergy and elected representatives of the local parishes.

The conventions convened time and again enriched the spiritual life of the people. Of all the conventions the Maramon convention which began in 1896 ranks first with respect to the large number of people attending it every year. There are around half a million members in this Church.

With his help of Church Missionary Society of London sent missionaries to inject new life into the Syrian Church .  The missionaries arrived in 1816.  They started English schools and published the Bible in Malayalam.  The relations between the missionaries and the Syrians were smooth during the periods of Pulikottil Mar Dionysius (1817-18) and Punnathara Mar Dionysius (1818-25).  The Synod of Mavelikara (1818) officially decided to have close cooperation between the missionaries and the Syrians.

During the period of Cheppad Mar Dionysius, tension developed.  The missionaries wanted certain proposals of reformation to be accepted by the Syrians.  A Synod was convened at Mavelikara in 1836.  The Synod decided not to accept the changes and that was the end of the relationship.

                     A group in the Syrian Church led by Palakkunnath Abraham Malpan of Maramon (1796-1845) who was a professor at Kottayam Seminary and Kaithayil Geevarghese Malapan of Puthuppally stood for reforms.  

                      In 1836 this group approached Col. Frazer for help, but as help did not come, Abraham Malpan took a bold step. He translated Qurbana into Malayalam and eliminated prayers fro the dead in 1837.  He celebrated this Qurbana.  He removed the wooden image of a saint from the Church.  His actions infuriated the Metropolitan.  The latter refused to ordain the deacons, who worked with the Malpan.  This created the need of a bishop.  The Malpan sent his nephew, Deacon Mathew, to the Jacobite Patriarch at Mardin , Syria .  He got himself consecrated bishop and reached Malabar in 1843.  The new bishop, Mathews Mar Athanasius, strongly carried forward the reform ideas.  Abraham Malpan died in 1845.

                   The Syrian Church in India began to move in two directions.  Mar Dionysius invited the Patriarch to Malabar.  Meanwhile, Mathews Mar Athanasios with the Support of Thozhiyoor bishop got his nephew, a son of Abraham Malpan, consecrated bishop with the name Thomas Mar Athanasios in 1869.

                   Patriarch Pathros III came to Malabar and convened a synod at Mulanthuruthy in 1876.  The Synod divided the Church into seven dioceses.  It condemned Mathews Mar Athanasios and his colleagues.  Mar Athanasius argued that the Patriarch had no power to do so.  Thomas Mar Athanasius succeeded him in 1877. There were litigations between the groups.  The final verdict of 1899 went in favour of the Patriarch.  Mar Athanasius got the support of only three Churches; Kozhencherry, Maramon and Kottarakara.  They decided to form a separate Church.  They were called “the reformed party.”

                    Thomas Mar Athanasius died in 1893.  He had not ordained a successor.  The Bishop of Thozhiyoor Church came to the help of the young Church.  Geevarghese Mar Koorilose of Thozhiyoor consecrated the younger brother of Mar Athanasius as Titus I.  He was succeeded by Titus II (1899-1944) during whose time the reformed group adopted the new name “ Marthoma Syrian Church ”.  In 1917 Abraham Marett was ordained Bishop Abraham Mar Thoma (1917-47).  In 1927 new liturgical books in accordance with the reformed theology were published.  When Titus II died in 1944, Abraham Mar Thoma took over, who was succeeded by Yuhanon Mar Thoma (1947-76).

In 1952 K.N.Daniel spearheaded a split in the Church, forming St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India.  In 1976 Alexander Mar Thoma Succeeded Yuhanon Mar Thoma, followed in 1999 by Philipose Mar Chrysostom.

                   The Church that started with three Churches has today 1062 parishes, 11 dioceses and 680 priests in different parts of the world, including West Asia , Africa , North America and Western Europe .

                  The Church has a democratic pattern of administration with the Metropolitan as head.  He is assisted by Episcopal Synod, Executive Council and Prathinidhi Mandalam.

                  The Metropolitan is the head of the Church.  He creates new dioceses, appoints bishops and presides over all Assemblies and Councils.  He is also a trustee of the Church.  Episcopal Synod comprises of all bishops.  It is responsible for the publication of books.  The Synod appoints and transfer priests.  The decisions of the Councils and Mandalam require the assent of the Synod to become law.

                  Prathinidhi Mandalam is the supreme legislature body of the Church.  It consists of elected members of the Church, 65 percent of whom are laymen and 35 percent are priests.  Lay representatives are elected by parishes, and other institutions.  Representatives of the priests are elected on seniority.

                    Mandalam elects Sabha Council for the execution of its decisions, with the Metropolitan as the President, and all bishops and Vicar General as ex-officio members.  Other members are elected by the Mandalam.  The council elects Sabha Secretary, and trustees.The term of the Prathinidhi Mandalam is three years.  It meets once a year.  The bishops are elected by the Mandalam.  Such meetings should have the participation of at least 50 per cent of the members.  The elected candidate should get 75 percent of votes polled by both laymen and priests.There are assemblies and council at diocesan and parish levels.  

       Metropolitan Mathews Mar Athanasius and Thomas Mar Athanasius gave sterling leadership to the Church in times of great stress and strain during the early days of the Reformation. This has been dealt with in the previous chapters. Their successors also have given very valuable leadership and significant contributions in the development of the Church.

Titus I MarThoma

      When Thomas Mar Athanasius, the second Metropolitan after the Reformation, died suddenly without consecrating a successor, the choice of a successor, in those days when the church was passing through great hardships, was really difficult. In the circumstance, another son of Abraham Malpan by name Titus agreed to accept the heavy responsibility. The Metropolitan of the Independent Church of Thozhiyoor consecrated him in 1893. He was a man of great spiritual fervor and a powerful preacher. The Church continued to grow under his leadership.  In the place of the Old Seminary, which was lost to the Mar Thoma Church, a new site was bought for the Seminary in Kottayam itself and a school was started in a temporary shed in the premises. This school has since developed as the M. T. Seminary High School, Kottayam. Another school was started in Tiruvalla, which since grew to the Syriah Christian Seminary High School, Tiruvalla. The Sunday School Samajam was started in 1905 for the Christian education of the children in the Parishes. The Evangelistic work in Central Travancore was started in 1890. As a result of it 85 people accepted Christianity and took Baptism at Othara in 1892. The work spread to other areas also viz. North Travancore and the seacoast area under a wave of spiritual revival. The challenge to take up Evangelistic work in a Mission field outside Kerala was accepted and work was started in North Kanara in 1910.

Titus I Mar Thoma escaped death narrowly on two occasions. The first instance was when the Church building collapsed when he was resting in the Maramon Church. The other was when some miscreants set the roof of the room in which he was sleeping on fire. The Metropolitan could coolly face adversities since he had deep faith in God.  He also got the support of faithful and dedicated friends among the clergy and laity. One of the most important of them was Vicar General lpe Thoma Cathanar, an outstanding personality with a record of distinguished service to the Church and the State

The Constitutions of the Mar Thoma Church was drawn up on democratic principles, retaining the Episcopal tradition during his regime. The official publication of the Church called Malankara Sabha Tharaka (Star of the Malankara Church) began to be published under the editorship of Mr.K. N. Daniel who was an able exponent of reformation principles. Titus I was a Saintly Bishop noted for his deep devotion, intimate fellowship with God and love towards all people. He passed away in 1910.

Titus II Mar Thoma

He was the nephew of Titus I and was consecrated by him in 1899, assisted by Metropolitan Mar Coorilos of Thozhiyoor. He worked with Titus I as his Suffragan Metropolitan, and became Metropolitan in 1910. He worked vigorously for the building up of the Church. In those days when it was difficult to travel from place to place he visited Churches in out-of-the way places and organized the Parishes on constitutional lines. He took measures to ensure that the Parish officials maintained the Parish accounts up-to-date; and he fostered various programs of the Parishes. The Mar Thoma Sevika Sangham was organized in 1919 and the Voluntary Evangelists Association in 1925. The Mar Thoma Theological Seminary for the training of the Clergy was established at Kottayam in 1926. Bishop Abraham Mar Thoma was consecrated as Suffragan Metropolitan in 1917 and the two Bishops worked together tirelessly for the growth of the Church. Titus II Mar Thoma passed away in 1943 after being Metropolitan for 33 years.

Abraham Mar Thoma

Abraham Mar Thoma was known all over India for his burning passion for Evangelism, for his zeal for spreading the gospel through the length and breadth of India. He was the first Bishop of the Mar Thoma Church with a University Degree. He received Theological training in Canada. It was during his time that the Mar Thoma Church became well known in the Western world.

He was consecrated Bishop in the year 1917 and he worked untiringly as Suffragan Metropolitan for the spiritual strengthening of the Church and for its witness

He was installed Metropolitan in 1943 when Titus II passed away. He was born in an illustrious Orthodox family but his father passed away when he was very young and he was brought up in his mother’s house at Eraviperoor, a home that cherished the blessings of the reformation. Thus from his early days he was inspired with Evangelistic zeal. Even as a student in High school at Kottayam and in the madras Christian College, he was a spiritual leader among his fellow-students.

He strongly believed that evangelism was the responsibility of every member of the Church and not of the clergy alone. He emphasized that every man and woman was called to be a witness to Jesus Christ, irrespective of his secular occupation. It was this conviction that led him to organize groups of men and to give them specialized training in personal evangelism. Thus the Voluntary Evangelists Association was established as a voluntary laid movement of the Church. The women of the Church also were encouraged to take their part in fulfilling the mission of the Church.  He encouraged the formation of the Mar Thoma Suvisesha Sevika Sangham, which is the women’s auxiliary of the Evangelistic work in the Church.

One of his greatest aims was to find proper persons for both the ordained ministry of the Church and for lay activities. It was through his influence that many educated persons came to join the ministry of the Church, when they could have got lucrative positions elsewhere. After finding out suitable young people he arranged to send them for appropriate higher education and theological studies. He organized special summer schools for lay people engaged in secular jobs, for Bible study and training. The Vanitha mandiram for training women workers also was developed with his active encouragement. The call that he gave to young men and women to go and live in the villages of India in different language areas resulted in the establishment of Ashrams in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and up to the borders of Tibet. His help was sought by Christian friends all over India to lead evangelistic conventions. Such assignments took him from cape Kanyakumari in the South to Kashmir in the North. He was a friend of every missionary in India and all of them looked up to him for inspiration and guidance. The Tiruppathur Ashram and the Kodaikanal Ashram established by members of other Churches regarded him as their friend, guide and philosopher.

He was President of the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association and the National Missionary Society Even though he was suffering from acute diabetes for many years, he went on working without a pause with the motto "it is far better to burn out than to rust out". The Abraham Mar Thoma Bible Institute established for the training of Voluntary evangelists in the Church was named after him. Though he was Metropolitan only for, four years, his long ministry as a Bishop strengthened the Church in all its missionary enterprises.He was called to eternal rest in 1947.

Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan

The Church saw remarkable growth during the long Episcopal administration of Metropolitan Titus II and Abraham Mar Thoma. Many new church buildings came up in different places and parishes became well organized. The whole region in Kerala was divided into administrative divisions under the charge of Divisional Secretaries. The need for consecrating more Bishops was keenly felt and Rev. C. M. John and Rev. C. T. Mathew was selected. They were consecrated Bishops of the Church in 1937 with the names Juhanon Mar Timotheos and
Mathews Mar Athanasius. This was the first time in the Mar Thoma Church when two Bishops were consecrated together. They were given charge of two Dioceses. On the expiry of Abraham Mar Thoma Metropolitan in 1947, Juhanon Mar Timotheos was installed as Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church, with the title Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan.

Juhanon Mar Thoma had his theological education in the United Theological College, Bangalore, and in the Union Theological Seminary, New York. He taught in the Mar Thoma Theological Seminary at Kottayam before he was consecrated as Bishop. He was reputed for his deep concern for social justice derived from the study of the message of the prophets and of the message of the kingdom of God proclaimed by Jesus Christ. During the days of revival in the Church, emphasis was primarily on individual relationship to God and personal holiness. With the new understanding of the message of the kingdom of God, there came an awareness of the wider implications of the Gospel, and a deep social consciousness. The gospel of liberation proclaimed in the Nazareth manifesto made its impact on the life of the Church.

The national struggle under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi for freedom from foreign rule was at its peak.  Juhanon MarThoma made no secret of his identification with the national aspirations and he encouraged those who took part in the political and social struggles. His influence was widely recognized and acclaimed, even though many in the older generation thought that Christians should side with the ruling party.

While being deeply committed to the principle of reformation, his friendship and affection crossed all denominational barriers. Ecumenism was a reality with him and he appreciated the good points in other Churches and also in other religions. Therefore he was looked up to with respect and admiration by Christians belonging to other denominations and also by non-Christians. His advice was sought in social and political concerns as well as in spiritual matters. He actively participated in the ecumenical movement from its very inception in the first Assembly of World Council of Churches at Amsterdam, in 1948. In the second Assembly at Evanston in 1954, he was elected as one of the Presidents of the World Council of Churches and was in the presidium when the Third Assembly met at New Delhi in 1961. Thus he rose to great eminence in ecclesiastical and national spheres. It was during his regime that full communion relationship was established with the C.S.I. and C.N.I.

He had strong convictions and he was fearless. When Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Metropolitan saw that the country was in danger of losing its hard-won freedom, clamped the national emergency on the country. He was the only Church leader in India who took courage to write a personal letter to the Prime Minister asking that the emergency should be lifted in the interest of democracy. Thus he faced the risk of being placed under arrest. Before long, emergency was lifted. We are not sure how much the above letter weighed with the authorities in deciding the issue.

He made his mark as an educationist also. Four institutions of higher education in the Mar Thoma Church (The Mar Thoma College, Tiruvalla, St. Thomas College, Kozhencherry, Christian college, Chengannoor and Titus II Teachers College, Tiruvalla) were started under his leadership. They have grown in a marvelous way and reached postgraduate level. Even when facing tremendous strain to raise funds for development of the institutions, he adhered to the principle that no money should be collected as donation or capitation fee as basis for appointing teachers or giving admission to students. Technical institutions also were started to give job-oriented training to young people to help them to find employment His concern for the poor and the needy in the society found expression in action. He started the project to provide land for the landless and home for the homeless, even before Vinoba Bhave undertook it on a national scale. He appealed to the people and many came forward in response to the call. When a new house was constructed for him and also to provide accommodation for guests, he wanted that before staying in the new house, a house should be built and donated to a poor man preferably to a non-Christian. This was done and the key of the house was handed to a Hindu friend simultaneously with the dedication of the new bungalow for the Metropolitan. The project of the Church for providing at least 100 houses per year to the poor irrespective of religion and caste was started on that occasion. It has been achieving more than the target in the past years. The Government of Kerala followed this example and started a scheme to build one lakh houses, with Government resources. Thus Juhanon Mar Thoma was a pioneer in this social program. Individual parishes and members of the Church also have followed this good example and many thousands of houses have been constructed for the poor. Considering the housing situation of Kerala this was just a beginning; there are many more lakhs of people in need of houses. 

The Metropolitan appealed also for funds to help people in distress owing to fire accidents, natural calamities like floods, road accidents illness etc. This fund was called Relief fund. It is to be raised by practicing abstinence by denying at least one meal a week so as to identify with the sufferings of others. Many responded to this appeal following his personal example, and have contributed to the fund, which have given help to thousands in their need. Another appeal was to contribute money to help in the marriage needs of poor girls. This contribution is usually given by people on the occasion of the marriage of their sons and daughters as a thanksgiving offering, to God for providing for their own needs. He also appealed to people to curtail their personal expenses as much as possible and to live in a simple style, and to contribute liberally for the help of the needy. He himself lived a very simple life, almost ascetic in nature, and was an example of high thinking and simple living. Truly it can be said that he raised the prophetic voice in our generation.

He provided the Church with an emblem having the motto:” Lighted to Lighten". Many have appreciated this as showing both our privilege as lighted and our responsibility to lighten As the Church grew, many service institutions medical and other projects developed. This caused anxiety in the minds of some people that institutionalism was developing as a danger to the evangelical zeal of personal faith in Jesus Christ emphasized in the reformation. The hierarchy of the Church was alleged to have deviated from the purity of the spirit of the reformation. Under the leadership of an influential lay leader, Mr. K. N. Daniel, Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan was accused of leading the Church in the wrong direction; and this was the saddest crisis in his life. Sad to say that the matter was taken to the law courts. When the lower courts decided in favor of the Metropolitan it was taken up to the Supreme Court, and ultimately the Supreme Court gave the verdict clearly stating that the Metropolitan had not deviated from the path of reformation and the true faith of the Church. All along, the Metropolitan faced the situation with courage and trust in God, and kept loving relationship with those who opposed him, and showed great personal affection and concern for them.

Formation of the St. Thomas Evangelical Church

One unfortunate consequence of the prolonged litigation was that a group who sided with the views of Mr. K. N. Daniel left the church and formed themselves as St. Thomas Evangelical Church.  Some members of the clergy also joined them. One of the leaders among them was Rev. John Varghese who was in charge of our Ashram at Palghat. He later became a Bishop of that church. There has since been further division within the new church. Some of the priests and layman have come back to the Mar Thoma Church having become disillusioned with the claims made by the new Church.

The leadership of Juhanon Mar Thoma in combining the two emphases of Evangelism and Ecumenism and keeping them in balance has been a great blessing to the church in upholding its purity along with its Catholicity and Ecumenical nature.

A Center has been established in Trivandrum, in his name for study and a research on the social implications of the Gospel and its relevance in national life.

Mathews Mar Athanasius Episcopa

As mentioned above, he was consecrated in 1937 with Mar Timotheos (later Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan). He was noted for his deep personal dedication to Jesus Christ and his zeal for the spread of the Gospel, continuing in the Evangelical tradition of the Mar Thoma Church. He was full of energy and sacrificial spirit. At the age of 21 he left home to go to North Travancore, which was a very undeveloped area. It had been selected as a mission field of the Evangelistic Association. Soon he started a School at Keezhillam as means of reaching and helping the people in that area, with a band of fellow workers, having only trust in God as their resource. They worked hard and opened the way for education for hundreds of children in poor families. In those days education was not free.  Many of them could not find the money for paying the school fees. By giving concessions in fees to such students they were encouraged to study and the money for the concessions were taken from the meager salaries of the teachers who gladly accepted it as their way of serving the Lord. Gradually education began to spread in those areas and people began to see the truth of the gospel in the lives of their teachers. Many from that area like Very Rev.A. A. Pylee, who was one of the Vicars General of the Church bears testimony to this fact. The school at Keezhillam developed to be a High School with a well-managed boarding home.

Thereafter Rev.C. T. Mathew (Mar Athanasius) moved to Perumbavoor seeing the need of that area. He was supported by a small group of friends including Mr.A.Cherian who later became a judge. A High School was started there with no resources, but trust in God. By voluntary contributions a beautiful piece of land was purchased in due course, and a High School was developed in which the teachers worked on a fellowship basis, on the pattern of the Union Christian College, Alwaye. A group of dedicated teachers under the leadership of Rev. C. T. Mathew, the Headmaster, became the nucleus of an Ashram. The school was known as the Ashrarn High School. The teachers shared everything in common and lived a life of fellowship as the first century Christians, devoting all their time to the welfare of the students. The boarding home and the School became highly reputed all over the State. It was from there that Rev. C. T. Mathew was called to be a Bishop of the Mar Thoma Church. His deep devotion and sacrificial life and the spirit of fellowship were the special characteristics of his service as Bishop.

The spirit of adventure and trust in God made him a master builder of the Church wherever he saw the need, he launched out into action even when no resources were in sight. Undeveloped areas in Malabar became his concern as the Diocesan Bishop. He went to un-reached areas and helped small congregations of people who had gone there from Central Travancore, seeking opportunity to make a living. They were helped to settle down and develop as small communities in a spirit of co-operation. He reached all Nilambur and Chungathara and other places up to Guadalloor and the small congregations were encouraged and supported in various ways. Later when he was in charge of the Diocese in Central Travancore, he concentrated his efforts in developing the congregations among the new sealers in Chittar, Seethathode, Angamoozhy and other places which were very difficult to reach in those days. He opened dispensaries and clinics and schools while also caring for their spiritual needs. The Olivet Aramana at Chengannoor, the Retreat Center at Maramon and the Kalalayam at Ayroor came into being as a result of his enterprising spirit. It was owing to his far-sight that the Charal Mount, which has since become a favorite camp sight, was bought and made available for the Church.

When the Evangelistic work of the Church expanded he was the first Missionary Bishop of the Church, traveling all over India, visiting the scattered congregations and encouraging the Ashrams. He was present in many international Evangelistic conferences as in Tokyo, and other places. He was the first Bishop of the Mar Thoma Church to visit our congregations in Malaysia and Singapore. Even though suffering from diabetes for many years, nothing could stop him from all out endeavor in the cause of the spread of the gospel. He followed closely in the line of Abraham Mar Thoma and surpassed him in developmental activities of the Church. After a short period of illness, he was called to his heavenly reward in 1973 at the age of 73.

Consecration of Three New Bishops in 1953

By the year 1940 the members of the Mar Thoma Church had spread into most of the cities in India and to Malaysia and Singapore, in search of work. In organizing congregations in Malaysia, Rev. T. N. Koshy played a very significant role. By 1950 many of our people had taken up employment in the Arabian Gulf countries also. Pastoral care had to be extended to these far-flung regions.It became necessary for more Bishops to be consecrated. The Sabha Mandalarn decided that three more Bishops should be consecrated.  Rev. M. G. Chandy, Rev. P. Thomas and Rev. Philip Oommen were chosen. They were consecrated in 1953, with the names, Alexander Mar Theophilus, Thomas Mar Athanasius and Philipose Mar Chrysostom

Now there were five Bishops in the Church with Juhanon Mar Thoma as the Metropolitan. The Bishops were given charge of different Dioceses. These charges were changed in about five to seven years. Four Dioceses were in Kerala and the area outside Kerala constituted the other Diocese. The Bishop in charge of the Diocese outside Kerala was then known as Missionary Bishop as he had also the responsibility to look after all the Missionary work of the Church in the vast area. Mathews Mar Athanasius was the Missionary Bishop. Alexander Mar Theophilus was in charge of the Central Diocese except the parishes in Tiruvalla and Niranam centers which were under the charge of the metropolitan. Thomas Mar Athanasius Episcopa was in charge of the Diocese in Kerala, south of Adoor. Philipose Mar Chrysostom was in charge of the Northern Diocese.

Thomas Mar Athanasius, Suffragan Metropolitan

He was born in 1914 in the Panampunna family at Kottayam. He was a deep Scholar and continued his reading and studies to the end of his days. He was known for his deep devotion and great ability to build up the Church. He had his earlier education in the C. M. S. College, Kottayam,and later in Trivandrum where he took post graduate degree from the Arts College, in History.

He had his Theological training in the Bishops College, Calcutta and in Oxford,  England. He taught in the Vaidika Seminary and the M.T. High School, Kottayam. He was ordained as a Deacon of the Church in 1944 and as Kasseessa in 1946 and continued his teaching in the Theological Seminary.

On his consecration as Bishop in 1953 with the other two Bishops, he was first in charge of the Diocese in Kerala, South of Adoor, called the Southern Diocese at that time. After six years in this capacity, he functioned as Missionary Bishop from 1959 to 1963. Since then he has been in charge of the Northern Diocese with head quarters first at Kottayam, and later at Manganam.

He attended the first Assembly of the World Council of Churches at Amsterdam in 1948, and also the Assembly in New Delhi in 1961. He was a member of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches since 1961.Thus he made significant contributions to the cause of ecumenismHe has attended many other international conferences of the Churches. He was a delegate to the Melbourne Conference, where he made a distinct contribution as one of the leaders of Bible study. He also attended, the sessions of the second Vatican Council on special invitation. He was designated as Suffragan Metropolitan in May 1978 together with Philipose Mar Chrysostom. He has been President of various organizations of the Church, such as the Evangelistic Association, Sunday School Samajam, Sevika Sangham and Yuvajana Sakhyam on different occasions. He guided the evangelistic activities of the whole Church for many years. He was also a great builder. He opened up many centers for the development of the Church, raising funds by personal appeals. Thus were established the Diocesan Headquarters at Adoor, Manganam and Kunnamkulam. The Church center at Chungathara, the Convention Speakers suites in the Retreat Center at Maramon, and the St. Augustine Study Center at Manganam were all constructed with funds raised by his personal efforts. He raised funds for the St. Augustine Study Center with the view that the Clergy and Laity should take time off to stay at the center and read the latest books on theology and allied subjects. By his personal efforts he collected a library of over 6000 valuable books.The College for women at Perumbavoor was established under his inspiring leadership and patronage.

He gave leadership to the parishes in the Ranny area to establish a center for the Church. He was Chairman of different Colleges of the Church and of the Vaidika Seminary for many years and gave valuable contributions to their development. The last months of his life were spent in organizing and developing the parishes in North America. His sudden death on 27th November 1984 dealt a severe shock to the whole Church and to the ecumenical world. The loss is irreparable.

He was awarded a Doctorate by the Serampore University, considering his meritorious services to the Church in India, and in the ecumenical cause.

At the time of his consecration as Bishop Mr. K. N. Daniel who questioned his loyalty to reformation principles started a controversy. After closely observing his life and work for some years. Mr. Daniel himself admitted that his fears were unjustified and he had full confidence in Mar Athanasius personal commitment to Jesus Christ, his evangelical zeal and loyalty to the Church.

Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan

He was born in 1913 as the son of Rev. M. C George, Kuriannor, a devout Minister of the Church, who passed away in 1923. After his graduation and teachers training, he taught in the C.M.S. High School, Kottayam for 12 years. He resigned his teaching job and studied Theology in the United Theological College, Bangalore. There after he secured S. T. M. Degree from the union Theological Seminary, New York, and Ph. D. on the Bhagavad Gita from the Kennedy School of Mission of the Hartford Seminary foundation.

He had the opportunity to travel extensively in the European countries. After returning from the States, he was in charge of the Manganam parish for a year, and thereafter he worked as the first Principal of Mar Thoma College Tiruvalla. In 1953 he was consecrated as Bishop with the name Alexander Mar Theophilus together with Thomas Mar Athanasius and Philipose Mar Chrysostom.

He has attended the Assemblies of World Council of Churches representing the Mar Thoma Church at Evanston in 1954, Nairobi in 1975 and Vancouver in 1983. He worked as Missionary Bishop for four years from 1955, and for another term of four years from 1969, which involved extensive travel in India and abroad.

He was President of the Bible Society of India for nearly 10 years. He was also one of the Vice-Presidents of the United Bible Societies. He has also attended the Central Committee of the W.C.C. on different occasions. He attended the Lambeth Conference in 1980, and the Anglican Consultative Council held in Nigeria in 1984. He was designated Suffragan Metropolitan in the year 1973, and on the demise of Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan in 1976, he was installed as the Metropolitan with the name Alexander Mar Thoma.Together with the responsibility as Metropolitan, he had also the charge of the Niranam-Maramon Diocese with 82 Parishes.

He spent several weeks in the year with the youth giving leadership in camps and conferences and challenging them to personal commitment to Jesus Christ.

He took special interest in the developmental activities and the social concerns of the Church, its educational institutions, its missionary and evangelistic outreach, its witness, and its ecumenical concerns.

Philipose Mar Chrysostom Suffragan Metropolitan

He inherited the missionary zeal of his father, Vicar General K. E. Oommen. After graduating from U. C. College, Alwaye, he took up work in the Ashram at Ankola along with Rev. P. J. Thomas. Then he received Theological education at U. T.C. Bangalore, and St. Augustines College, Canterbury. He became an ordained minister of the Church in 1944. He was consecrated as Bishop with Alexander Mar Theophilus; and Thomas Mar Athanasius in 1953.

He was in charge of the Dioceses in Kerala,and. also was Missionary Bishop for two terms. He was President of the National Christian Council of India and has attended the Assembly of World Council of Churches at Evanston in 1954, and at Upsala in 1968. He has been President of the Evangelistic Association and other organizations of the Church and the Governing Councils of different Colleges. He has attended the second Vatican Council and has thus made very valuable contributions to the ecumenical cause. He has deep concern for the uplift of the backward communities. Through a registered organization named STARD (South Travancore Agency For Rural Development) he has helped the economically backward communities of South Travancore to improve their lot and achieve self-reliance.

Joseph Mar Irenaeus

In 1975 two more Bishops were consecrated. They were Joseph Mar Irenaeus and Easow Mar Timotheos. Joseph Mar Irenaeus belongs to the Palakunnathu family in Maramon from which have come Abraham Malpan the reformer and the first four Bishops of the Church after the reformation. He had his theological training in the United Theological College, Bangalore and Protestant Episcopal Seminary in Virginia, U.S.A. He has also studied in Theological institutions in Canterbury and Oxford. At present he is the President of the National Council of Churches in India and member of Executive Committees of different development agencies like CASA and ECLOF. He is in charge of the Trivandrum Quilon Diocese. He has been awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity by the Virginia Seminary, where he has studied.

Easow Mar Timotheos

His zeal for mission made him dedicate his life for missionary work. He worked as a member of the Christa Panthi Ashram, Sihora for 21 years, commencing at the age of 20. He had his Theological education at the Leonard Theological College, Jabalpur, and later at St. Augustine College, Canterbury, U. K. His lives of prayer and deep spiritual experience are his special characteristics. He is deeply interested in rural development activities. He has been in Japan on two occasions to obtain training in this subject. He was consecrated Bishop along with Joseph Mar Irenaeus in February 1975. He was given charge of the Kunnamkulam -  Malabar Diocese where he worked strenuously for the uplift of the parishes in those undeveloped areas of Malabar. He has been Chairman of the Governing Board of the Mar Thoma College Chungathara, which was started out of his personal interest in the development of that region. He has been Chairman of the Committee directing the Wandoor Project for the integrated development of five Panchayats in that area.

Being also in charge of the parishes in the Arabian Gulf area, he raised funds from there for the development of Malabar area. On the rearrangement of the Dioceses, after the demise of Thomas Mar Athanasius Suffragan metropolitan he took charge of the Adoor Mavelikara Diocese. He helped many to find new life in Jesus Christ. He was very much in demand as a convention speaker and for leading retreats and conferences. His sudden demise at Port Blair, Andamans on 11th April, 1988 is a great loss to the church.

Zacharias Mar Theophilus

After graduation, he took teachers training and worked as a teacher in the Ashram High School, Perumbavoor, till he went for Theological training at the Theological College, Jabalpur.After teaching for some more years at Perumbavoor, he went for higher Theological training at Princeton and took Doctorate from there. He has worked as Vicar of parishes in Bombay and Kozhencherry. He was consecrated as Bishop on May 1, 1980. He was given charge of the Adoor- Mavelikara Diocese till 1984. As the Bishop in charge of the Diocese, he organized a project at Pathanapuram for helping the disabled people. He also organized projects to help the poor people along the sea coast in Thrikunnapuzha area. He helped in setting up a working womens hostel at Haripad. Mar Theophilus is in charge of the newly formed Diocese of North America and U.K. He is a member of the Central Committee and of the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches.

CONSECRATION OF NEW BISHOPS AND FORMATION OF NEW DIOCESES

The sudden demise of Thomas Mar Athanasius in 1984 and Easow Mar Timotheos in 1988 was a great loss to the Mar Thoma Church. The need to consecrate more Bishops was felt by the Prathinithi Mandalarn as administration of all the Dioceses in India and abroad fell on the shoulders of four Bishops. As the number of parishes in each Diocese was on the increase, there was the pressing need to bifurcate some of the existing Dioceses and to form new ones in order to ensure more viability and better pastoral care. In response to these requirements 3 Bishops were consecrated on December 9,1989. Four years later, consecration of three more Bishops took place on 2nd October 1993. Now we have 11 Dioceses. They are: 

·         Niranam - Maramon

·         Ranny - Nilakkal 

·         Kottayam -Kochi 

·         Chengannoor Thumpamon

·         Adoor - Mavelikara

·         Trivandrum -Quilon

·         Bombay - Delhi

·         Madras - Calcutta

·         Kunnamkulam - Malabar

·         North America,Canada, Europe, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia

Geevarghese Mar Athanasius

After graduation from Mar Thoma College, Tiruvalla he went for Theological training at the Theological College, Jabalpur. He was ordained as Kasseessa in 1969 and subsequently served as Vicar of many parishes including Bombay, Kottayam and Madras. From 1975 - 1976 he was in Toronto, Canada, for higher theological training. On December 9,1989 he was consecrated as Bishop and was given charge of Bombay - Delhi Diocese. At present he is in charge of Kottayam Kochi Diocese.

Mar Athanasius served as Vice President of the Governing Board of Leonard Theological college and as President of the National Missionary Society. He took a keen interest in completing the Diocesan headquarters at Delhi.

Geevarghese Mar Theodosius

Mar Theodosius studied in Baselius college, Kottayam and Mar Thoma College, Tiruvalla. After taking a degree in Science he joined Leonard Theological College and took the B. D. Degree in 1972. His ordination as Kasseessa was in the year 1973. In 1980 he took a Masters Degree in Comparative Religions from Viswa Bharathi University

and Doctorate from McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada in 1986. He was consecrated as Episcopa on 9th December 1989, with Mar Athanasius and Mar Coorilos.

From 1973 onwards he was in charge of several parishes Bombay, Calcutta, Toronto and Nanthancode and served as Director of Thomas Mar Athanasius Orientation Center, Manganam. On consecration as Episcopa he was given charge of Kunnamkulam - Madras Diocese. Now he is in charge of the newly formed Kunnamkulam - Malabar Diocese.

Dr.Geevarghese Mar Theodosius is a good scholar and his books on Reform movements in Kerala, and their impact on the socioeconomic and religious life of the people have made a mark in academic circles.

Euyakim Mar Coorilos

After completing his degree and post graduate studies from Sacred Heart College, Thevara and Christ College, Iringalakuda, he joined the Mar Thoma Seminary for Theological education. He became a Deacon in 1978 and subsequently served as parish priest at Jalahali, Palarivattom, Colaba and Staten island, and other parishes. On December 9th 1989 he was consecrated as Episcopa and at present he is in charge of Adoor - Mavelikara Diocese.

Mar Coorilos is a man of prayers. As President of the Yuvajana Sakhyam he leads many young people to Jesus Christ.

Joseph Mar Barnabas

Mar Barnabas took his degree from CMS College, Kottayam and later studied in Bishops college, Calcutta. He was ordained in 1976 and served in different parishes in India such as Anakulam, Bombay,Chembur, Thuruthicad and North Madras. He was also in charge of Edmonton parish in Canada. He was consecrated as Bishop on 2nd October 1993 along with Mar Timotheos and Mar Philoxenos. He is in charge of the newly formed Chengannoor - Thumpamon Diocese.

Thomas Mar Timotheos

Mar Timotheos had his college education in Gujarat from where he took his postgraduate degree. He joined Union Theological College, Bangalore for his theological studies. He worked as a lecturer for a short period in Gujarat. He was ordained in 1983 and served as a parish priest in various places - Surat, Barooch, Vapi and Gudalur. He was consecrated as Bishop on 2nd October 1993. He is in charge of the newly formed Diocese, Madras - Calcutta.

Isaac Mar Philoxenos

Mar Philoxenos had his college education in Mavelikara and Benaras and studied theology at Bishops college, Calcutta and Princeton University. Dr. Philoxenos was ordained in 1976 and subsequently served in Rajhara, Bilaspur, Allahabad and Bombay. He was consecrated as Bishop on 2nd October 1993. He is in charge of Delhi - Bombay Diocese.