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The Christian Community of Kerala (Malankara) traces its
origin back to the arrival of Apostle St. Thomas, who
according to common tradition landed first at the Muziri
Port (known as Crangannore, now Kodungalloor) in A.D. 52.
Even before and after the Malankara Church began its
cooperation with the Persian Church, matters of
administrative and spiritual leadership was exercised by a
(native) Archdeacon, who was Primate of the Church until
the Udayamperur Synod. The Archdeacons were historically
known as “Jathikku Karthavyan” and “Jathikku Thalavan”.
Palli Yogam (Church Committee) headed by the Vicar
governed its affairs autonomously.
We don't have an authentic list of Archdeacons and
Metropolitans who ruled the Church before the great
Fathers bearing the Titles “Mar Thoma”, “Dionysius” and
“Catholicos” assumed spiritual leadership. However, a
sincere effort is made to give a brief account of the
Forefathers:
MAR THOMA I (1653-1670)
Archdeacon Pakalomattom Thomas was the successor of
Archdeacon Pakalomattom Geevarghese who was the Archdeacon
of Malankara Church during and immediately after the
Udayamperur (Diamper in Portuguese) Synod (20-26 June
1599). Oath of the Coonen Cross (Mattancherri, 16 January
1653) ended the 54 years of foreign Catholic supremacy
over the Malankara Syrian Church.
Archdeacon Thomas was installed as Mar Thoma I. at a
conclave held at Alangad Church by twelve Priests, the
first in the long line up to Mar Thoma IX till 1816. At
the request of the St. Thomas Christians, Bishop Mar
Gregarious of Jerusalem came to Malankara in 1664 to
confirm the Episcopal consecration of Mar Thoma I. as the
Head of the Malankara Syrian Church. Thus began the formal
relationship with the Syrian Church with the explicit
approval of the traditional autonomous Malankara Church.
Mar Thoma I. audaciously protected the true faith and the
independence of the Malankara Church, which earned him the
title “Mar Thoma I., the Great”.
Mar Thoma I. passed away on 22 April 1670; mortal remains
are interred in Angamally St. Mary’s Church.
MAR THOMA II (1670-1686)
Mar Thoma II was the nephew of Mar Thoma I. Having
shouldered the administration of the Malankara Church from
1670 and preserved the faith and given leadership, Mar
Thoma II passed away on 13 April 1686; mortal remains are
interred at the Niranam St. Mary's Church.
MAR THOMA III (1686-1688)
Metropolitan Mar Ivanios (Mulanthuruthy) anointed another
member of the Pakalomattom family as Mar Thoma III. in
1686. He visited the Churches of Malankara during his life
time and administered the Church efficiently. During his
stay in Kadambanad he fell ill and passed away on 19 April
1688; mortal remains are laid to rest there at the ancient
St. Thomas (Valiya) Church.
MAR THOMA IV (1688-1728)
Mar Thoma IV was consecrated in 1688. It was during his
time that Catholicos Elisa of Baghdad sent Metropolitans
to propagate Nestorian beliefs in Malankara, which Mar
Thoma IV opposed resolutely. Mar Thoma IV passed away on
24 March 1728; the mortal body was laid to rest at the
Kandanad Martha Mariam Church.
MAR THOMA V (1728-1765)
Before his death, Mar Thoma IV consecrated a member of the
Pakalomattom family as Mar Thoma V. A section of the
church rejected his authority; attempt was made to bring
foreign Metropolitans and change the title from “Mar Thoma”
to “Mar Dionysius”. Mar Thoma V. stood firmly for the
independence of the Malankara Church. Thereupon the
foreign Metropolitans signed an agreement on 18 Dhanu 1754
declaring that they would abstain from giving ordination
without due permission from the Malankara Metropolitan;
further, they undertook not to interfere in the
administrative aspects of the Church. Mar Thoma V. passed
away on 8 May 1765; mortal remains are interred at the
Niranam St. Mary's Church.
MAR THOMA VI (1765-1808) (MAR DIONYSIUS I, THE GREAT)
Mar Thoma VI – known as Valiya Mar Dionysius (the Great) -
was consecrated at the Niranam St. Mary's Church on 10
July 1761 by Mar Thoma V. He took the Title “Mar
Dionysius” on 10 July 1770 to work in accord with the
Metropolitans of Antioch. Mar Thoma VI. was an able and
shrewd administrator. He passed away on 8 April 1808;
mortal remains are interred at the Puthencave St. Mary's
Church.
MAR THOMA VII (1808-1809)
Valiya Mar Dionysius' nephew Ramban Mathan was consecrated
at the Syrian Church, Chengannur as Mar Thoma VII. on 5
May 1796. Though his term was brief, many administrative
reforms were carried out in the Malankara Church. The
interest money from the Trust Fund (Vattipanam) was
collected by him on 1 December 1808 and invested as fixed
deposit. He passed away on 4 July 1809 and was laid to
rest at Kolencherry St. Peter's & St. Paul's Church.
MAR THOMA VIII (1809-1816)
When Mar Thoma VII was gravely ill, Pakalomattom Thoma
Kathanar was given the attire, insignia and the sceptre as
his successor. Mar Thom VII placed his hands on his head
and consecrated him as Mar Thoma VIII on 2 July 1809.
Following a dispute Ramban
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