The Church in Kerala traces its origin  to   the  preaching  of St. Thomas, one of the Apostles of Jesus  Christ.  Hence  the   christians  here  are  called  'St. Thomas Christians' .   In the fourth century it came  in  contact  with  the  Syro - chaldean  churches  and   consequently   adopted  the Syrian liturgical traditions  in its worship.

 

The Historical Event of  Reunion

 

    In 1926  the  Episcopal  Synod  held  at  Parumala,  empowered  metropolitan Mar Ivanios to enter into negotiations with Rome to effect a reunion  with the  catholic church under the expressed condition  that  the  ancient  and  venerable   traditions  of  the  Malankara  church  should  be  retained and kept  intact . The holy father Pope Pius XI graciously accepted the conditions and welcomed the reunion. His Grace Archbishop Mar Ivanios, passed away on 15th of July 1953

    The Church in Kerala records its origin to the coming and preaching of St.Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.  Hence, in the first century itself, a Christian community flourished in this great land.  This Apostolic Church had been in Catholic Communion from the early centuries.

           In the fourth century this community came into contact with the Syro-Chaldean Churches and as a result adopted the East Syrian liturgical traditions in its liturgical practice.

          In the 16^th century it came in contract with the Western Church through its missionaries.  In 1653 A.D. due to the policy adopted by the Portuguese missionaries of Latinizing the liturgy and indigenous customs of the Apostolic Indian Church.

A section of the community broke away from the Portuguese ecclesiastical authorities.  Eventually this break away group got into communion with the Jacobite Patriarch of Antioch and they organized among themselves and started to adopt Jacobite (or West-Syrian) liturgical tradition in their worship.

         After the above unfortunate division that happened in the Church in Kerala, Several attempts were made to regain the original apostolic communion. In 1926 the Episcopal Synod held at Parumala, empowered Metropolitan Mar Ivanios to enter into negotiations with Rome in order to have a reunion with the Mother Church.  Pope Pius XI graciously accepted the request and the conditions expressed by the Metropolitan that the ancient traditions of the Malankara Church should be retained and kept intact.

         Accordingly on Sept. 20, 1930 Archbishop Mar Ivanios, Bishop Mar Theophilos,  Rev.Fr.John Kuzhimepurath OIC, Deacon Alexander and Chacko Kilileth made their profession of faith and were duly received into the Catholic communion by Bishop Dr. Maria Benziger of Quilon, specially deputed by the Pope.

           In 1932, Mar Ivanios made his official visit to Rome and Pope Pius XI invested him with the Sacred Pallium (a kind of dress which is a sign of the Metropolitan power and full communion of the Metropolitan autonomous Church with the Pope).

On June 11, 1932, the Holy Father, through the Apostolic Consitution “Christo Pastorum Principi” erected the Syro-Malankara Catholic Hierarchy comprising the Metropolitan Eparchy (Diocese) of Trivandrum and the Eparchy of Tiruvalla.

The Metropolitan Eparchy of Trivandrum was inaugurated on May11, 1933 and Mar Ivanios was enthroned as its first Metropolitan.  The Eparchy of Thiruvalla was inaugurated on Nov.6, 1933 and Most Rev. Jacob Mar Theophilos was appointed its first bishop.  Other prelates of the Eparchy of Tiruvalla were Joseph Mar Severios (1938-1977), Zacharias Mar Athanasios (1955-1987), and Isaac Mar Youhanon (1978-1987)

 

Reunion Movement and its Impact

 

         The historic reunion of the Archbishop Mar Ivanios with the Catholic Church was a great inspiration among the whole Christian community.  On the following day of the reunion, two Rembans, Joseph Pulikottil and Rt.Rev. Philipose Cheppad made their profession of faith and were received into the Catholic communion.  On of Nov.29, 1937, Joseph Mar Severios of the Orthodox Church and on of Nov. 12, 1939 Thomas Mar Diascorus, Metropolitan of the Knanaya Jacobite Church, reunited with the Catholic Church.

Under the spiritual, intellectual and pastoral leadership of archbishop Mar Ivanios, the Malankara Catholic community strengthened its roots in India and abroad.  After a period of 22 year he fell ill for more than one year. He consecrated Benedict Mar Gregorios as his auxiliary onJan.29, 1953.  Archbishop Mar Ivanios, the pioneer of the reunion movement, passed away on July 15,1953.

On Jan.27, 1955, Benedict Mar Gregorios was enthroned as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) and the Head of the Syro-Malankara Hierarchy.  During this period, large number of people from non-Catholic Malankara Churches re-united with the catholic faith, and several parishes, missions and institutions were started in different places.  Paulose Mar Philexinos, the Metropolitan of the Malabar Independent Church, was received into the Catholic Church on Aug. 28, 1977, and he was appointed the Titular Bishop of chayal.  Lawrence Mar Ephraem was appointed Auxiliary to the Metropolitan Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram on No.6, 1980 and was consecrated on Dec.27, 1980.

             A significant development during this period was the establishment of parishes for the members of the Syro-Malankara faithful in different parts of India and in the United States of America.

            The Malankara Catholic Church has been steadily growing and spreading thoughout South India.  As a result the Eparchy of Bathery was erected on Oct. 28, 1978, bifurcating the Eparchy of Tiruvalla.  Cyril Mar Baselios was appointed the first bishop of the See.

              After 41 years of fervent service, Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios, passed away on Oct.10, 1994.  Cyril Mar Baselios, the then Bishop of Bathery became the Apostolic Administrator of the Church and on No.6, 1995 he was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Trivandrum and the Head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.  His enthronement was on Dec. 14, 1995.

             As a further development, the Metropolitan Eparchy of Trivandrum was bifurcated.  Dec. 6, 1996, the Eparchy of Marthandom was erected and Lawrence Mar Epraem was appointed its new bishop.

Juridical Status

           The Canon 155 of the Code states that a Metropolitan church sui juris is presided over by a Metropolitan of a determined See who is appointed by the Roman Pontiff and assisted by a Council of Hierarchs according to the norm of law.  It is solely the right of the supreme authority of the Church of erect, modify, suppress and define the territorial boundaries of Metropolitan Church sui juris.  Hence, according to the new Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church has the nature of a Metropolitan sui juris (autonomous) Church.  The juridical status of this community of the faithful as a particular Church in the Universal Church is dependent on its juridical affairs to the Holy See.

Hierarchy at Present

Today the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church has four Eparchies: Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruvalla, bathery and Marthandom.  It has six bishops and around 5,00,000 faithful.  The Metropolitan Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram Cyril Mar Baselios is the Head of the Malankara Catholic Church and the Head of the Malankara Catholic Hierarchy.  He has an auxiliary bishop, Dr.Joshua Mar Ignathios.

         The Eprach of Tiruvalla is Geevarghese Mar Timothios. He has an auxiliary, Thomas Mar Koorilos.  The Eparchy of Bathery and Marthandom are governed by Geevarghese Mar Divannasios and Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom respectively.

Council of Bishops

        Being an autonomous Church, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church has a Bishops’ Council  It is known as the malankara Catholic Bishops’ Council.  Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios is its Chairman and Bishop Geevarghese Mar Timothios, Vice Chairman and Bishop Thomas Mar Koorilos, Secretary.

Malankara Major Seminary

          The long-felt desire of a Major Seminary for the Malankara Catholic Church became a reality on June 29, 1983.  The Seminary is known as St.Mary’s Malankara Major Seminary.  It is at Bethany Hills, nalanchira, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala-695 015.

Extra-jurisdictional Regions

           Malankara Catholic Church has churches and centres in other parts of India and abroad.  These churches and mission centres are not under the direct jurisdiction of the Malankara Catholic Metropolitan and hence they are known as Extra-jurisdictional regions.  In India Banglore, Bhopal, Bhilai, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Nasik and Pune are some of the major mission centres.  There are such centres in the United States of America and Germay, too.

Religious Orders

        The orders of the Imitation of Christ (OIC) is a religious order for men founded by the late Archbishop Mar Ivanios.  Order of the Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap), Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), Kristu Sanyasa Samaj (KSS), franciscan Missionary Brothers and Kristu Sanyasa Samajam are some other religious orders for men working in the Malankara Catholic Church.

         The Congregation of the Sisters of the Imitation of Christ (SIC) was founded by the Archbishop Mar Ivanios for women.  The congregation of the Daughters of Mary (DM) is another religious order for women founded by Msgr.Joseph Kuzhinjalil with Mother Mary Kallarackal.  Holy Spirit Sisters, Sacred Heart Sisters, Dina Sevana Sabha, Vincentian Sisters, Snehagiri Missionary Sisters, Little Sisters of Jesus, Sisters of John the Baptis, Sisters of St.Martha Salesian Sisters, baselian Sisters, Little Servant of Divine Providence, Sisters of Mount Tabor and Sisters of Jesus of Gethsemane are some other women orders working it in the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

Syro-Malankara Catholic Bishops Council

 

Chairman:  Cyril Mar Baselios (Metropolitan Archbishop)

Vice-Chairman: Geevarghese Mar Timotheos

Secretary: Thomas Mar Koorilos

Priestly formation, Dialogue: Cyril Mar Baselios

Sacraments, Liturgy: Geevarghese Mar Themotheos

Youth Movement, Catholic Association, Family: Geevarghese Mar Divanyasios

Clergy, Religious Congregation: Youhanon Mar Chrysostom

Education, Re-Union Celeberation: Joshua Mar Ignathios

Catechism, Mass Media: Thomas Mar Koorilos

ARCHDIOCESE OF TRIVANDRUM

The Church in Kerala was founded by St. Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. Hence the Christians here are called "St. Thomas Christians". This Apostolic Church has been in communion with the Catholic Church ever since its foundation in 52 A.D. Till the middle of the 17th century, they were following the Syrian liturgy and so were called Syrian Christians.

But owing to the policy of the Portuguese missionaries in latinising the liturgy and indigenous customs of the Apostolic Church, a section of the community broke away from the Portuguese ecclesiastical authorities and eventually placed themselves under the Jacobite Patriarch of Antioch. Ever since the division in the Church, attempts were being made for healing this painful wound.

In 1926 a Jacobite Episcopal Synod held at Parumala empowered

In 1926 a Jacobite Episcopal Synod held at Parumala empowered. Archbishop Mar Ivanios to enter into negotiations with Rome to effect a reunion with the Catholic Church under the expressed condition that the ancient and venerable tradition of the Malankara Church should be kept intact. The Holy Father Pope Pius XI graciously accepted the condition and welcomed the reunion.

Accordingly on September 20, 1930 Archbishop Mar Ivanios, Bishop Mar Theophilos Fr. John O. I. C., Bro. Alexander (Fr. Seraphion O. I. C.) and Mr. Chacko Kilileth made their Professional of Faith and were duly received into the fold of the Catholic Church by His Excel. Rt. Rev. Dr. Benziger, Bishop of Quilon, specially deputed by the Holy See. The following day two Rembans, Rt. Rev. Joseph Pulicottil and Rt. Rev. Philipose Cheppad, made their Profession of Faith and were received into the Church.

In 1932 His Grace made his visit to Rome and His Holiness invested him with the Sacred Pallium. By the Apostolic Constitution, "Christo Pastorum Principi" (June 11, 1932) the Holy Father benignly established the Syro-Malankara Hierarchy, comprising the Archdiocese of Trivandrum and the Diocese of Tiruvalla.

On March 11, 1933 Archbishop Mar Ivanios dedicated his provisional Cathedral to the Mother of God and celebrated the solemn Holy Qurbana in the Cathedral on the following day assisted by Bishop Mar Theophilos and two Rembans. Mar Augustine Kandathil, the Archbishop of Ernakulam, was present on the occasion. The Apostolic Constitution was executed by Rt. Rev. Benziger, the special deputee of the Apostolic Delegate.

Archbishop Mar Ivanios made the Profession of Faith before the August assembly of the Bishops of the three Rites, priests and laymen and amidst the acclamations of Oxios (a customary hymn for the occasion). His Grace was enthroned as Hierarchical Head.

On July 15, 1953 His Grace Mar Ivanios passed away. A few months before his death, on January 29, 1953, he had consecrated Rt. Rev. Benedict Mar Gregorios as his Auxiliary Bishop and as the Titular Bishop of Anterdos. Upon the demise of His Grace Mar Ivanios, His Excellency Mar Gregorios was made the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese and on January 27, 1955 His Holiness Pope Pius XII appointed him Archbishop of Trivandrum.

Under God's providence, as a result of untiring labours of devoted priests, religious and lay people, the Reunion Movement struck roots and made rapid strides.

The Silver Jubilee of the establishment of the Hierarchy was celebrated on the 1lth February 1958 at St. Mary's Church, Vakayar. In 1959 the new Archbishop received the Sacred Pallium from His Holiness Pope John XXIII. His Grace took part in II Vatican Council, which opened in 1961.

The newly built permanent Cathedral was consecrated by His Grace Benedict Mar Gregorios on the 22nd of February 1965.

His Excellency Most Rev. Paulos Mar Philoxinos, the Metropolitan of the Malabar Independent Syrian Church, was received into the Catholic Church on 28 August 1977. He was appointed Titular Bishop of Chayal.

His Excellency Lawrence Mar Ephraem, who was nominated Auxiliary to the Archbishop and Titular Bishop of Barkuso on 6th November 1980 was consecrated Bishop on 27th December 1980, at Kottayam during the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Re-union Movement.

The Golden Jubilee of the Re-union Movement of the Malankara Church was celebrated at Kottayam on 26th, 27th, and 28th of December 1980. His Eminence Wladyslaw Cardinal Rubin, the Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Oriental Churches was the Papal Legate for the Jubilee. Other eminent participants included His Beatitude Maximos V Hakim, the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East of Alexandria and Jerusalem, His Excellency Most Rev. Luciano Storero, the Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to India and Mother Teresa.

A significant development in the recent past has been the establishment of parishes for members of the Syro-Malankara Church in different parts of India and in the United States of America.

Pope John Paul II blessed us with his historic visit to St. Mary's Cathedral, Pattom, on 8th February 1986. The Holy Father in his major speech in Trivandrum, praised the founder of the Reunion Movement and ex-pressed his high appreciation of the work and witness of the Syro-Malankara Church.

After   41   years    of   devoted service   archbishop  Beneduict  Mar Gregorios  passed away on 10th oct 1994.

His Excellency  Most  Rev.  Cyril   Mar  Baselios,  the  bishop  of Bathery  become  the   apostolic  administrator of the Malankara  catholic church. His Grace Most Rev, Cyril Mar Baselios was appointed  metropolitan archbishop of Trivandrum  on 29th Nov 1995.

 

 

 

 

Archbishop
Most Rev. Cyril Mar Baselios, O.I.C., M.A.D.D.,D.C.L.
Archbishop of Trivandrum

Born	16th August 1935
Priestly Ordination	4th October 1960
Episcopal Nomination	28th October 1978
Episcopal Announcement	18th November 1978
Episcopal Ordination	28th December 1978
Residence	Archbishop's House Pattom P.O. Trivandrum-695004 Kerala State, INDIA

Most Rev.Jushuah Mar Ignathios
Ordained on 29th June 1998 as Auxiliary Bishop of Trivandrum 

 

DIOCESE OF BATHERY

HISTORY

 

The Syrian Church of Kerala is founded by St. Thomas Apostle who came to India in 52 A.D. He preached the Gospel, converted many Hindus including Rajas and established Churches at different places in Kerala. Ever Since the Kerala Church flourished and grew. It was an autonomous Church, under the Pope of Rome, having its own Syrian Liturgy, customs, traditions, and structures. It was harmoniously one till the 17th century. In 1653 a schism occurred in the high handed interference of the Portuguese missionaries in its liturgy, customs and autonomous character. Then a good portion of the people of God fell away and eventually become Jacobites.

However attempts at reunion of the separated brethern was going on all along since the schism and with odd successes. The Reunion movement took shape in 1930, with the reunion of the eminent Jacobite Archbishop Mar Ivanios and Bishop Mar Theophilos. This movement gained unprecedented momentum and hence Pope Plus XI of happy memory created the "Syro-Malankara" Hierarchy in 1932, by the Apostolic Constitution "Christo Pastorum Principi" and created the Archdiocese of Trivandrum and the Suffragan diocese of Tiruvalla. This Syro-Malankara Province extended to the South from river Ponnani in Kerala. In 1958 it was further extended to the north and brought in the rest of Kerala and a few civil districts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states and added to the diocese of Tiruvalla. Thereafter the reunion apostolate gained momentum in the added regions also.

In 1977 late Bishop Zacharias Mar Athanasios of Tiruvalla petitioned the Holy See for a division of his diocese with head quarters at Sultan's Battery. The request was granted and His Holiness Pope John Paul II was pleased to bifurcate the diocese of Tiruvalla and created the Diocese of Bathery by the Bull dated October 28, 1978. Accordingly the diocese was formally erected on 2nd Feb. 1979, in the St. Thomas Pro-cathedral, Sultan's Battery.

The Diocese of Bathery comprises the civil districts of Wynad, Malapuram, Kozhikode, Canannore and Kasargode of Kerala, Nilgris of Tamil Nadu and Mysore, Mandya, Coorg, Hassan, Chickmangalore, South Kanara and Shimoga of Karnataka State.

 

Bishop	;Most . Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios
Born	;November 1, 1950
Priestly Ordination	;20th April 1978
Residence	;Catholic Bishop's House
	;Sulthan's Bathery - 673592 .
	;Wynad Dt. Kerala .India
Telephone	;0493-620207
Fax	;0493-621287

 

DIOCESE OF MARTHANDAM

    The   fourth  diocese  of  the  malankara  catholic  church  came  into existence and his excellency  most  Rev.  Lawrence  Mar  Ephraem  took  chrge as   its first bishop .  The enthronment  of   his  excellency  Most  Rev.  Lawrene Mar  Ehpraem  as the Bishop  of Marthandam   took  place  on  23rd January  1997  at the Christuraja  Cathedral Church, Marthandam

 

Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom
Ordained on 29th June  1998  as  Bishop of Marthandam

 

North America

Bishop Dr. Isaac Mar Cleemis
Apostolic Visitor  for North America & Europe.
Mar Ivanios Malankara Catholic Center.
950 Hillside Ave., New Hyde Park, NY 11040, USA
Phone: 516 358 6905
e-mail: marcleemis@hotmail.com

Address and telephone number of the Malankara Catholic Clergy and Religious  in North America   Rev. Dr. Peter Kochery 4215 Highway 9 North Howell, N. J. 07 Tel:  732 364 6484  Fax: 732 370 3891  Email: kochery@stveronica.com Philadelphia Rev. GeeVarghese Vaidyan Malankara Catholic Mission 5105 North 5th & Lindley Philadelphia, Pa. 19120 Tel: 215- 329 2320 New Rochelle Rev. Koshy George Chirayath Malankara Catholic Mission 59 Park Avenue New York, N.Y. 10016 Tel: 212- 683 9190 Long Island Rev. Saji M. George Holy Name of Mary Church                             55 E. Jamaica Ave. Valley Stream, N.Y. 11580 Tel: 516- 825 1450 Queens, N.Y. Rev. Augustine Mangalath Malankara Catholic Mission ( Queens N.Y.) 41 Alling Street West Haven, CT. 06516 Tel: 203 934 1871 Jersey City Rev. John Karavila Malankara Catholic Mission 3026 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Jersey City, N.J 07306 Tel: 201- 653 8814 Washington D.C. Rev. Geevarghese Charuvila Malankara Catholic Mission 7401 Buchanan Street                                      Landover Hills, Md. 20784 Tel: 301- 306 5557 Chicago Rev. Thomas Vattaparampil Malankara Catholic Mission 1208 Ashland Ave Evanston, IL 60202 Tel: 847-332-1794 Dallas, Tx. Rev. Chacko Abraham St. Mary’s Malankara Church 116  Avenue D                                     Garland, TX. 75040 Tel: 972 272 4641 Houston, TX. Rev. Joseph Kannamkulom 5430 W. Ridgecreek Drive Houston, TX.   77053 Tel: 281 416 3208 Detroit Rev. Mathew George Charthakuzhy St. Joseph’s Malankara Catholic Mission 1505 Ballentine West                                        Port Huron, MI 48060-2076 Tel: 810- 982 7906 Toronto, Canada Rev. Gigi Philip Malankara Catholic Mission 222 Ridley Blvd.                                               Toronto, Ontario M5M 3M6, CANADA Tel: 416- 488 4517 Clergy & Sisters working in Latin Dioceses Rev. George Oonnoonny 130 Springhurst Ave Ottawa, Canada K1S 0E5 Phone: 613-565-2783,  E-mail: Georgeneervila@aol.com Rev. Joy Mankulom 75 Lispenard Ave. New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801 Tel: 914 576 2313 Rev. Bonaventure Thekkeveettil 35 North Service Road                         Dix Hills, N.Y. 11746 Tel: 631- 499 8520 Rev. Dr. Francis Assisi, O. I. C. 80 Hicksville Road                                           Seaford, N.Y. 11783 Tel: 516- 520 9464 Rev. Jose P. Isaac 350 Melarky Street                                          Winnemucca, Nv. 89445 Tel: 775- 623 0196 Rev. Paul Vellakunnath Holy Rosary Parish 21 Queen Street South Thorold, Ontario L2V 3M7 Tel: 905 227 3178 Rev. Thomas Ponmelil 101 Port Washington Blvd. Roslyn, N.Y. 11576 Tel: 516 627 9287 Rev. John Mathew Tel: 412- 539 0414 Rev. Jose Charivupurayidom St. Theresa of Avila Church 3000 N. Lompa Lane Carson City, NV. 89706 Tel: 775 882 5873 Rev. P.T. Thomas Tel: 708- 636 0299                                          Daughters of Mary Bethany Sisters   Sr. Paschal, D. M. Nursing Section St. Clare Hospital                                             415 West 51st Street New York, N.Y. 10019 Tel: 212- 459 8392 Sr. Josepha, S.I.C., 121 South 9th Street New Hyde Park, N.Y. 11040 Tel: 516- 358 4597