Tombs of  'Geevarghese Arkadiyokan'   &   'Mar Thoma I'

 

  Mortal remains are interred inside the wall of the Madbha of Jacobite Syrian Church, Angamaly.

1653 - 1670

First Catholicose of Malankara

Malankara Nazaranis  who rejected the authority of the Jesute Arch Bishop Garcia at the foot of the "Slanting Cross" stood in need of a new head for their Church and the choice naturally fell on Arch Deacon Thomas Parambil of the Pakalomattam Family, who was already the ecclesiastical head of the Malabar Church since 1637.

Mar Thoma I was the successor of Archdeacon Geevarghese pakalomattom who was the Archdeacon of Malankara Syrian church during and immediately after the Udaymperoor Synod (1599). (Archdeacon Pakalomattom Thomas). In 1653, at the Alangatt Church meeting (Yogam), twelve priests installed him as the Metroplitan of Malankara Syrian Church. Certain indigenous priests, some say 12, due to exigency of effective leadership, with the authority of order from Patriarch Ahathalla, in an assembly at the Allangattu church elected Thoma Arkadyakon (1637 - 53) of Pakalomattom family and named him, Morthoma I in 1653, first indigenous bishop, immediately after the famous “Koonan Cross Pledge.” They also appointed four-member council of priests to assist Morthoma. They were Anjilimootil Itty Thoman Kathanar, Kadavil Chandy Kathanar, Vengoor Geevarghese Kathanar and Parampil Chandy Kathanar.
 
Things were not at all smooth thereafter. The stumbled Romans capitalized the situation. They spread rumors that a bishop could not be consecrated without laying of hands and the sacraments of a bishop without proper consecration were invalid. This caused confusion and many faithful deserted the mother Church and joined Romans. Kadavil Chandy Kathanar and Parampil Chandy Kathanar also defected due to bribe. They embraced once discarded heresy aspiring to become bishop, which of course Romans offered. Morthoma himself was aware of his infirmity and never executed anything that would jeopardize his conscience. Morthoma wrote detailed letters to the Patriarch of Antioch insisting to send bishops to regularize his position. In times of such trials and hardships  Anjilimoottil Itty Thomman Kathanar served as his most trusted lieutenant, aid and counselor. He encouraged the disheartened Morthoma. He wrote letters to Patriarch requiring him to send bishops to regularize Morthoma.
 
 Mean while, the new Pope Alexander VII  desired to bring back Malankara Nazaranis who rejected papel authirity at the "Slanting Cross" to the Roman obedience. He sent bishop Joseph who lured Morthoma. But Morthoma devoutly resisted him. The enraged bishop Joseph influenced the king of Cochin and inflicted a false case on Marthoma. Marthoma took asylum in Mulanthuruthy church. Itty Thomman Kathanar hurriedly reached there. King of Cochin connived with Portuguese and kept them in the palace prison to hand over to Portuguese. Luckily, two faithful visited Marthoma and  Itty Kathanar in the prison. This time Itty Kathanar got a wonderful idea to escape. The visiting faithful were eager on the safety of their spiritual leaders and upon mutual consent the faithful disguised in bishop’s and priest’s attire and in turn Morthoma and Itty Kathanar took layman’s dress and came out. Hindu guards failed to recognize them and thus both Morthoma and  Itty Thomman Kathanar miraculously escaped unhurt. After a while the king handed over the two to Poruguese governor. Bishop Joseph came with men to kill them but understood the trickery. They chastised them and let them free.  Itty Thomman Kathanar was “Bismarck of Church.” He was the greatest personality and a hero of unparalleled excellence, one who boldly organized the rally for Koonan Cross Oath, withstood firmly in times of vicissitude and persisted in the teeth of discouragement and delivered this Church from the dastardly onslaught of Roman heresy.
 
 To confirm this rank, the Metropolitan and leaders of the Church together wrote letters to the patriarchs of Alexandria and Antioch to send a higher authority. In 1665 the Metropolitan of Jerusalem Mar Gregorios came to Malankara and conferred on Mar Thoma the Apostolic blessings.' Mar Thoma I' was a courageous man who protected the true faith and the independence of the Malankara Church. In Church history, 'Mar Thoma I' has been described as ' Mar Thoma I the great'. He passed away on 22 April 1670. His mortal remains are interred in Angamaly Church. His death anniversary is celebrated on 25th April.