AD 52
St. Thomas tradition
According to Church tradition, St. Thomas the Apostle arrived in India and established Christian communities along the Malabar Coast.
Our Heritage
History of the Mar Thoma Church
Faith, reformation, worship and witness through the centuries.
History & Reformation
The Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar traces its spiritual heritage to the St. Thomas Christian tradition in India. The Church’s nineteenth-century Reformation emphasized renewal of faith, Scripture, worship and mission.
AD 345
East Syrian connections
Traditions recall the migration of East Syrian Christian families to Kerala and the growth of Syriac Christian heritage.
AD 1498
Portuguese arrival
Portuguese contact brought increasing Latin Catholic influence to the St. Thomas Christian community.
AD 1599
Synod of Diamper
The Synod of Udayamperoor (Diamper) sought to bring the local Church into closer conformity with Latin Catholic practices.
AD 1653
Coonan Cross Oath
A major movement of resistance to Portuguese ecclesiastical control took place at Mattancherry.
AD 1665
West Syriac connections
The arrival of Mar Gregorios deepened links with the Antiochene / West Syriac tradition.
AD 1811–1813
Scripture and education
Malayalam Bible translation efforts and the establishment of a seminary helped prepare the ground for renewal.
AD 1836
Reformation movement
Abraham Malpan and other reformers advocated renewal of worship and church practice in the light of Scripture.
19th century
Liturgical renewal
The Reformation encouraged worship in Malayalam and reforms in liturgical and devotional practices.
AD 1889
Royal Court judgment
The Seminary case judgment became a decisive event in the separation of the Mar Thoma and Jacobite traditions.
1888–1924
Mission and organizations
The Evangelistic Association, Maramon Convention, Sunday School Samajam, Sevika Sangham and Yuvajana Sakhyam became important expressions of mission and fellowship.
Metropolitans from the Time of Reformation
The following succession follows the numbering and earlier tenure dates used in the parish’s historical page, updated through the present Metropolitan.
Mathews Mar Athanasius
1843–1877
Thomas Mar Athanasius
1877–1893
Titus I Mar Thoma
1893–1910
Titus II Mar Thoma
1910–1943
Dr. Abraham Mar Thoma
1943–1947
Dr. Juhanon Mar Thoma
1947–1976
Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma
1976–2000
Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma
2000–2007 (retired)
Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma
2007–2020
Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma
2020–present
Current MetropolitanHis Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma was installed as the 22nd Metropolitan on 14 November 2020. Historical tenure dates may differ slightly among sources depending on whether consecration, accession or formal installation is used.
Administration of the Church
The Mar Thoma Church is administered through its central institutions, dioceses and parishes. Its constitution provides for the spiritual leadership of the Metropolitan and the participation of clergy and laity in Church governance.
Metropolitan
The spiritual head of the Church, who presides over the Episcopal Synod, Sabha Prathinidhi Mandalam and Sabha Council.
Episcopal Synod
The body of bishops responsible for episcopal oversight and important matters of worship, ministry and administration.
Sabha Prathinidhi Mandalam
The Church’s representative assembly, with participation from the clergy, parishes and recognized institutions.
Sabha Council
The executive body supporting the implementation of decisions taken through the Church’s governance structures.
Sabha Office
The central secretariat coordinating administrative work and communication with dioceses, organizations and parishes.
Dioceses & Parishes
Local and regional bodies through which worship, pastoral care, fellowship and mission are carried out.
For further information: Mar Thoma Church overview ↗ · Official bishops page ↗