Comments from
Joseph V. Thomas,
Bergenfield, N.J. 07621, U.S.A
August 29, 2007
I thank you for your usual email update of the change in the administrative leadership in the Mar Thoma Church. With all respect for your hard work and fine editorial news put fourth for millions around the world, may I please make a couple of corrections to this editorial?.
First of all, our beloved Thirumeni, Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostem, will remain in the hearts of millions around the world for his superb leadership, unmatched ability to deliver speeches, and most inspiring faith. Although His Grace has stepped down from the administrative role of the church, he will remain as "Valiya Thirumeni" for ever. The world will change, many churches and their leadership will change, but our beloved Thirumeni will not change nor fade away. His charismatic approach and most inspiring leadership qualities have brought the church to its remarkable growth, throughout the past almost 7 decades. No other spiritual leader has been at least in many of our memories put fourth such an impeccable service to the church. May Lord continue blessing this Holy Father of millions around the world.
1. First of all, Mar Thomas Church was formed by seven renowned priests who were originally from a 15-20 mile radius around maramon/Kozhenchery/Pullad/Kumbanad/Eraviperoor region, shortly after the 10 year long litigation between then "Malankara Metropolitan, His Holiness Athanatius, (The Great Palakkunnathu Thirumeni) and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church as a whole. During the year 1878, under the British command, the State High Court ruled against His Holiness Athanatius, who wanted a reformation in the church. It was so unfortunate that this dispute in the Church took place, as a result of direct influence of the Anglican Church, lead by Rev.Fenn, Rev. Bailey and a couple of other priests. Prior to forming the litigation, there were already 2 churches established by the Anglican Church leaders, (1 in Kottayam and 1 in Mallappally). Formerly, called as "CMS" and then also known as "C.S.I".
With the fear of losing the church members, His Holiness Athanatius took the initiative in changing the way of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church's tradition way of worship. This decision was of course not accepted by the majority of the church members, thus a dispute within the church leadership had taken place around 1868. During the historical trials in the State High Court, based in Trivandrum, there were many evidences and many witnesses were produced against the then Malankara Metropolitan, His Holiness Atanatius. This type of dispute was totally uncalled for in the church.
As a result of the negative verdict against His Holiness, all supporters of His Holiness decided to depart from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. As a result, around 1881 about 7 prominent priests were the cornerstones of the Mar Thomas Church, when it was formed. The methods of the church service was changed significantly as their leader had originally wished, and this new spiritual group was named, "Mar Thoma Church" by these well known priests who were very loyal to their spiritual leader.
Please remember, Mar Thoma Church was formed only 126 years ago, "not 170 years ago" as you have stated in your publication. Even if it was 170 years, how could it claim the throne of St. Thomas?
2. Secondly, please be noted that Mar Thoma Church was not founded by St. Thomas. It was formed and founded only 126 years ago, in the manner as outlined above.
3. The original churches were founded by St. Thomas around A.D. 52, did not have any name at first. These 7 churches were known by the name of its town, or region. At first, Christians who were believed to have a faith in "Jesus Christ" did not have too much knowledge of Jesus Christ, nor about the Holy Bible. Initially these churches were independent, though about 100 years later, some form of communications were established to link these Christian believers together. Thereafter, they formed a union in which their leader was called "Archdeacon" (or Arch Deacon). During the long term ruling of the entire State of Kerala, by "Cheraman Perumal Maha Raja", those who believed in Jesus had to suffer a lot. It was around A.D. 350, the merchant ship arrived Cochin area from the Middle East with a Bishop and a group of people lead by "Knanaya Thomman". Their departure from the middle east was because of the Persian King's contineous tortures toward Christian believers. When this group arrived, all Christian believers very well respected them, because they were coming from the land of Jesus Christ. Thereafter, the "Kaldayans" from Iraq region arrived around A.D. 370. They were also well respected by the Malankara Christians at all times.
It was around A.D. 380, when the "Cheraman Perumal Maharaja" decided to learn more about Jesus Christ. He had a dream about his descendants were going to be vanished, and that his Kingdom was to be ended because he supported his people to hurt Christians. After the dream, he called all religious leaders into his Palace and prepared Dinner for them. In that meeting there were 19 "Poojarees" who were leaders of their Temples from various parts of Kerala State, also attended. "Knanaya Thomman" was given many recognitions in that Dinner. All Christian leaders were recognized by the King.
After the death of this great king, his son inherited the kingdom. As his father had given certain instructions to this young man, he decided to learn more about Jesus Christ. He then gathered many of Christian leaders in Palace and then decided to travel to Jerusalem. This was around A.D. 390, when he traveled to Jerusalem and stayed there about 6 months. Prior to him leaving for the Holy Land, he made certain manuscripts for his followers, who were "Poojarees" of the temples in various parts of Kerala, stating that if the King is demised at any time, all wealth and leadership of Kerala State will be divided among 19 mini Kings. This :"written will" also instructed that no Christians should be suffered after his time, due to religious disputes or any other reasons, in the State.
On his return from the Holy land, the King suffered from massive heart attack and died and buried in "Muscat". During that time, there were no Muslims in that region, nor anywhere in the world, (Muslim religion was formed around A.D. 1350). His tomb is still visible in Muscat at the burial place. Thereafter, according to the wish of the Maha Raja, these 19 mini kings took over the ruling of Kerala State. Most of these Kings took initiative in appointing many Christians into their army to fight any enemies coming against them. Many of these Christian loyalists became popular by their loyal service for the Kings, and were given recognitions after their retirements, (names were given such as, Pillai, Panicker, Muthalali, Tharakan, Mappila, etc,.). Many of these powerful Christian individuals under their heavy influential, established churches around the State, particularly in the southern, mid-section of Kerala State. The old church establishment did not have any struggle until the "Portuguese" arrived with "Roman Catholic" influence around A.D. 1500. Most of the Christian members were converted into Roman Catholic belief, forcefully. There were a very few church members were able to stay isolated from the Roman Catholic influence. In around 1640, a Syrian Bishop arrived Port Cochin to preach Gospel in Kerala. Upon arrival at the Port, this Bishop was pushed into the water in an effort to kill intentionally, under the order of Roman Catholic leadership. Unfortunately, this Bishop was killed and Romans re-assured their establishment in Kerala, for sometime.
Thereafter, most of the Malankara Christians were gathered and declared that no Evangelists should be killed on the Kerala soil. The Malankara Christians were so strong in their pledge. In 1665, another Bishop from Syria arrived Cochin. Name of this Bishop was, His Grace Abdul Galil Mar Gregorius. This Bishop not only made all Malankara Christians much stronger, by faith and by examples he showed others what Christianity is all about. Many believers started coming out of Roman Catholic belief and joined this Bishop. This Bishop started naming churches the traditional middle eastern way of names, such as St. Mary, St. Thomas, St. Stephens, etc. This Bishop established many good things in the church, such as infant baptism and meaningful way of church worship. Through his strong prayers, this Bishop healed many sick people, including non-Christians. Many people got converted into Christianity because of this Holy father.
Because of the above Bishop, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Christians took their pride in the Orthodox traditional way of worship in the churches throughout Kerala State. Now, it is so unfortunate that the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Christian leadership has split into 2 divisions. One group that is directly under the leadership of the Catholicose of the East/Malankara Metropolitan, and one under the leadership of the Patriarch in Syria. Both of these groups have prides in their way of worship as being one.
I thank you for reviewing the above historical perspective.
Your's In Christ,
Joseph V. Thomas
