Mar Thoma Heritage
The history of the Mar Thoma Church is a journey through centuries of faith, tradition, and transformation. From its apostolic origins to its reformation and modern-day legacy, this heritage represents a unique blend of Eastern Christian tradition and Protestant reformation principles.
Three Historical Eras
Apostolic Foundations
St. Thomas the Apostle is believed to have landed in AD 52 in Cranganore near Cochin, establishing seven Christian communities along the Malabar Coast. This era covers the early centuries of the church, its connections with the Persian Church, and its struggle for autonomy.
Renewal & Transformation
In the 19th century, leaders like Abraham Malpan and Geevarghese Malpan spearheaded a movement to return to Gospel simplicity and New Testament principles. This led to significant changes in liturgy and practice while maintaining Syrian Christian identity.
Modern Identity & Legacy
The church established its unique identity as both Eastern and Reformed, maintaining apostolic succession while embracing reformation principles. It continues to grow globally while preserving its ancient heritage.
Pre-Reformation Era
St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ is believed to have landed in AD 52 in Cranganore near Cochin, which was at that time an important seaport on the Malabar Coast. In the true Apostolic tradition he preached first to the Jewish settlers in and around Cochin, and then worked among the Hindus.
Through the ministry of the Word, he brought many high caste Hindus to the Christian faith. It is believed that he organized 7 Christian communities for the use of these Christians, and ordained presbyters from four leading families.
The seven churches established by St. Thomas were:
Cranganore
(Malankara)
Believed to be the first Christian community in India
Chavakad
(Palur)
Ancient Christian community on the Malabar coast
Parur
(near Alwaye)
Historic center of early Christianity
Gokamangalam
Ancient site
One of the seven original communities
Niranam
Historic location
Continues to be an important Christian center
Nilakkal
(Chayal)
In the ghat region near Sabarimala
Quilon
(Kalyan)
Site where Persian immigrants landed in AD 825
All these places except Nilakkal are near the sea coast. Nilakkal is in the ghat region near Sabarimala, the Hindu place of pilgrimage. It is believed that Nilakkal was an important trading centre for export of spices and other items like ivory.
The history of this ancient Church during 4th to 15th centuries reveals the fact that it was in friendly relations with the Church in Persia. There is a tradition that a group of 400 immigrants from Persia arrived in Malabar in AD 345 under the leadership of a merchant named Thomas of Cana.
Mention is made also of another immigration from Persia in the year AD 825 under the leadership of a Persian merchant named Marwan Sabriso with two Bishops. They landed in Quilon. King Cheraman Perumal gave them land and extended to them special privileges, inscribed on Copper Plates.
Though there were ecclesiastical connections and ministrations, the Church in Malabar was independent in administration under its own Archdeacons.
"The History of the Christian Church in the first century does not depend entirely on historical documents. Tradition is often more true and more compelling than plain historic proof. In this sense St. Peter's founding of the Roman Church and St. Thomas' founding of the Malabar Church, may be said to stand on the same footing."
Mention is made in the records of the Council of Nicea (AD 325), of the presence of a Bishop John of India. Jawaharlal Nehru in his 'Glimpses of World History' (1934) commented:
"You may be surprised to learn that Christianity came to India long before it went to England or Western Europe, and when even in Rome it was a despised and proscribed sect. Within 100 years or so of the death of Jesus, Christian Missionaries came to South India by sea."
Reformation Movement
Palakkunnathu Abraham Malpan from Maramon and Kaithayil Geevarghese Malpan from Kottayam spearheaded this movement. They never wanted to start a separate Church. They wanted the reformation, staying within the Church.
Key Reforms
Abraham Malpan took decisive action in his parish of Maramon:
- Translated the liturgy of the Holy Qurbana into local language Malayalam from Syriac
- Eliminated prayers for the dead and invocation of saints
- Celebrated Holy Qurbana using the revised liturgy in 1836
- Removed wooden images reputed to have miraculous powers
Principles of the Reformation
Primacy of Scripture
Return to the gospel message of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ; all importance given to the Word of God.
Purification of Life
Cleansing of unscriptural customs and wrong ways of life that had crept into the church over centuries.
Witness Responsibility
Taking up responsibility to be witnesses of Jesus Christ to others, emphasizing the priesthood of all believers.
The emphasis on preaching the word of God led to revival meetings, which were led both by the clergy and laymen. The domination of the clergy as custodians of grace became a thing of the past. Emphasis was given to the sole mediation of Christ, importance of laity and priesthood of all believers.