Our Church History: A Journey Through Time

St. Thomas the Apostle came all the way to India to share the Good News of Jesus!

A long, long time ago - almost 2,000 years ago! - one of Jesus' twelve apostles, St. Thomas, made a brave and exciting journey all the way to India. He didn't come by plane or train - he sailed across the big blue ocean in a wooden boat!

When he reached the shores of Kerala at a port city called Cranganore (Kodungallur) around AD 52, he stepped onto the sandy beaches with a big smile and a loving heart, ready to tell people the Good News about Jesus. The people in India were curious and kind. They listened to St. Thomas as he taught them about God's love, peace, and forgiveness.

Many believed his message and were baptized. St. Thomas built seven churches in different places, and that's how the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church began. Thanks to St. Thomas' courage and faith, we still follow the teachings of Jesus today!

St. Thomas built 7 beautiful churches in Kerala and helped people learn about Jesus.

After St. Thomas arrived in Kerala, he didn't waste any time - he started traveling from village to village, sharing stories about Jesus and His amazing love. People were amazed by what they heard! They wanted to learn more and become followers of Jesus too. St. Thomas baptized many of them and began to build places where they could all come together to pray and worship. These places became the very first churches in India!

St. Thomas built seven churches in different towns, like Niranam, Palayur, Kokkamangalam, and others. Even today, some of these churches still stand as a reminder of St. Thomas' mission.

The Persian church - also founded by St. Thomas - helped our church in the early years.

A long time after St. Thomas came to India in AD 52, Christians from a faraway land called Persia (modern-day Iran) heard about the faithful believers in Malabar (Kerala). They were excited to help! Around the year AD 345, a man named Thomas of Cana (also called Knai Thoma) led a group of Syrian Christian families to Kerala. They were welcomed by the local king and settled peacefully in the land. They brought their faith, customs, and books in the Syriac language, which became part of the Church’s worship.

Later, in AD 825, two bishops from Persia named Mar Sabor and Mar Prodh came to Malabar. The Christians in Kerala and the Persian bishops became like one big family, sharing the same ancient faith of St. Thomas.

The faithful took a strong stand to keep their ancient faith and not follow foreign rules.

The Coonan Cross Oath was a big moment in our Church's history! A long time ago, some foreign church leaders tried to take control of the Malankara Church and change its old traditions. The people didn't like that, so they gathered around a big stone cross in a place called Mattancherry. Together, they held onto ropes tied to the cross and made a strong vow to God: "We will follow our own faith and not let anyone change it!"

That vow is called the Coonan Cross Oath, and it helped protect the ancient faith we still follow today.

The first Catholicos of the Malankara Church enthroned.

In the year 1912, something very special happened in the Malankara Church. Until then, the highest leader of the Church had always come from far away. But the people of the Malankara Church wanted to have their own spiritual leader right here in India - just like the early churches did. So, with prayers and blessings, Patriarch Abdul Messiah from Antioch came to Kerala and helped the Church start something new. He enthroned Murimattathil Paulose Mar Ivanios as the first Catholicos of the East in India, giving him the special job of leading the Indian Church.

It meant that the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church could now guide itself with its own chief shepherd, just like in the days of St. Thomas!

Our Church continues today all over the world. We proudly follow the teachings of St. Thomas!

Today, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is a big and beautiful family of believers that began with St. Thomas almost 2,000 years ago! Even though it started in Kerala, India, the Church has now grown all over the world - you can find churches in America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and more!

The head of our church is the Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan - currently His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III. He is like a shepherd who looks after all the people in the Church. Our Church's headquarters is in a peaceful place called Devalokam, in Kottayam, Kerala.

The Church keeps and teaches the same faith that St. Thomas shared. We worship with beautiful prayers, songs, incense. Our Church also has seven holy sacraments, like baptism and marriage, that help us grow closer to God.

The Malankara Orthodox Church is like a great tree - its roots go deep into history, its trunk is strong with faith, and its branches stretch out across the world to give shade and love to everyone!