Jacobite Syrian Christian Church

Not to be confused with Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

"Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church" and "Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church" redirect here. For other uses, see Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church (disambiguation).

Jacobite Syrian Christian Church
Patriarch Ignatius Zaka I Iwas Centre in Cochin
Abbreviation	JSCC
Classification	Oriental Orthodox Church
Orientation	Early Christanity Eastern Christianity Syriac Christianity
Scripture	Peshitta Vishudhagrandham (Malayalam Translation)
Theology	Miaphysitism
Polity	Episcopal polity
Holy See	Holy Apostolic See of Antioch and All the East
Supreme Patron	Ignatius Aphrem II Patriarch of Antioch
Catholicos of India	Baselios Thomas I Catholicos Maphrian of the Syriac Orthodox Church
Affiliation	Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch
Region	India and Nasarani Malayali Diaspora
Language	Malayalam, English, Hindi, Syriac, Tamil, Kannada
Liturgy	West Syriac Rite Divine Liturgy of Saint James
Headquarters	Patriarch Ignatius Zaka I Iwas Centre (Patriarchal Centre) Puthencruz Kochi India
Origin	Established(A.D 52) - Thomas the Apostle (Apostolic Age) AD 1665 - Gregorios Abdal Jaleel
Separated from	Saint Thomas Christians
Branched from	Syrian Orthodox Church
Members	1.2 million
Other name(s)	Malankara Syrian Church മലങ്കര സുറിയാനി സഭ Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church യാക്കോബായ സുറിയാനി ഓർത്തോഡോക്സ് സഭ Syriac Orthodox Church സുറിയാനി ഓർത്തോഡോക്സ് സഭ
Official News Portal	J.S.C NEWS

The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church (JSCC) also known as the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, or the Jacobite Syrian Church, or the Syriac Orthodox Church in India, is an autonomous Oriental Orthodox church based in the Indian state of Kerala, and is an integral branch of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch. It recognizes the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East as Supreme Head of the church. It functions as a largely autonomous unit within the church, under the authority of the Catholicos of India, Thomas I. Currently, this is the only church in Malankara that has a direct relationship with the Syriac Christians of Antioch, which has continued from after the schism and it continues to employ the West Syriac Rite Liturgy of Saint James.

Name

The Emperor Justin I supported the Chalcedonians, The non-Chalcedonian Severus Patriarch of Antioch exiled in Egypt and died in 538. At the situation of the church remaining only three bishops, At that time Jacob Baradeus restoring the church by the help of Queen Theodra. The non-Chalcedonian church, which would later become the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch also known as Jacobite Syrian Christians. The Syrian Orthodox church of India adopted the Title as the respect of Jacob Baradeus.

Headquarters

Puthencruz is the headquarters of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church in India Registered as a Society under Societies act of the Government of India. Its headquarters is named after the illustrious Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas. The property was bought and built under the leadership of the Catholicos of India Baselios Thomas I, after the church faced difficulties in continuing its functioning from its base at Muvattupuzha with the demise of Catholicos Baselios Paulose II.

• St. Athanasius Catholicate Cathedral, Puthencuriz
• JSC Publications, The official publishing house of the church are also a part of the large complex.
• Malankara Jacobite Syrian Sunday School Association (MJSSA) is also based in Puthencruz.
• St.Thomas College Arts and Science is also run in the premises of the Zakka centre.
• Michael Dionysius(M.D) Book Stall, official book house of Jacobite Syrian Christian Church.
• This is the place where Universal Malankara Convention, the official gospel convention of the community, that is generally conducted from 26 to 31 December of every year.

History

Main articles: Saint Thomas Christians, Saint Thomas Christian Churches, and Malankara Church

History and evolution of the Malankara church in a nutshell

It is believed that Saint Thomas Christians of Malabar were in communion with the Church of the East from 295 to 1599. They received episcopal support from Syriac bishops, who traveled to Kerala in merchant ships along the spice route, while the local leader of the Saint Thomas Christians held the rank of Archdeacon; it was a hereditary office held by the Pakalomattam family. In the 16th century, the overtures of the Portuguese padroado to bring the Saint Thomas Christians into Latin Rite Catholicism led to the first of several rifts in the community due to Portuguese colonialists, and the establishment of the Syro-Malabar Church and the Malankara Church factions. Since then, further splits have occurred, and the Saint Thomas Christians are now divided into several factions.

Saint Thomas Christians were administratively under the single native dynastic leadership of an Archdeacon (a native ecclesiastical head with spiritual and temporal powers, deriving from Greek term arkhidiākonos) and were in communion with the Church of the East, centered in Persia, from at least 496. The indigenous Church of Malabar/Malankara followed the faith and traditions handed over by the Apostle St. Thomas. During the 16th century, the Portuguese Jesuits began deliberate attempts to annex the native Christians to the Catholic Church, and in 1599 they succeeded through the Synod of Diamper. Resentment against these forceful measures led the majority of the community under the Archdeacon Thomas to swear an oath never to submit to the Portuguese, known as the Coonan Cross Oath, in 1653. The Malankara Church consolidated under Thoma I welcomed Gregorios Abdal Jaleel, who regularized the canonical ordination of Thoma as a bishop.

Meanwhile, the Dutch East India Company defeated the Portuguese and gained supremacy over the spice trade in Malabar in 1663. The Malankara church used this opportunity to escape from Catholic persecution with the Dutch East India Company's help. At the request of the Malankara Church, the Dutch brought Gregorios Abdal Jaleel of Jerusalem, a bishop of the Syriac Orthodox Church, in their trading vessel in 1665. Thoma I forged a relationship with the Syriac Orthodox Church and gradually adopted West Syriac liturgy and practices.

As part of the Syriac Orthodox communion, the church uses the West Syriac liturgy and is part of the Oriental Orthodox group of churches. It has dioceses in most parts of India as well as in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Western Europe, the Persian Gulf, Australia, and New Zealand nations. In 2003 it was estimated that the church has 1,000,000 (including Knanaya) members globally.

Hierarchy

The highest rank in the ecclesiastical hierarchy is the Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II. The second-highest rank is the Maphrian Baselios Thomas I, also known as Catholicos of India of is the head of the Jacobite Syrian Church in India. Then there are Metropolitan bishops or Archbishops, and under them, there are auxiliary bishops.

Three ranks of hierarchy

There are three ranks of priesthood in the Syriac Orthodox Church:

• Episcopate: There are the ranks of Patriarch, Catholicos, archbishop, and bishop.
• Vicariate: There are the ranks of chor-episcopos and priest or qasheesho.
• Deaconate: There are the ranks of archdeacon, evangelical-deacon, subdeacon, lector or qoruyo and singer or mzamrono.

The Church

Thomas of Cana and the Knanaya depart for India

File:Bava Kattachira.jpg

His Beatitude Baselios Thomas I conducting prayer to the Venerated Icon of saint mary

The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church of India established by Thomas the Apostle believed in Apostolic succession by the Syriac Orthodox Church and traditions carried out by the early Church of the East. The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church believes in the rulings of the Church of Antioch regarding the councils of the Christendom and promises made by the Holy Fathers of the Church of Antioch and the Church of Alexandria .

The Church believed in the Holy Trinity, Apostolic succession, the Miaphysitism Christological doctrines and, Saints' Communion with Heaven. It also believed in the Throne of Antioch established by Saint Peter and Saint Paul and accepted Petrine Primacy and supremacy of Patriarchs akin to the Church of Rome. Those who follow the early theological doctrines from India are known as the Saint Thomas Christians. The Syrian Orthodox Church of India accepts the traditions and rituals of Buddhism and Jewish tradition as a part of Christian culture. The church venerated icons. It has prayers to Geevarghese Gregorios of Perumpally, the Arch Corepiscopa Curien Kaniyamparambil and other honorable persons who controlled higher positions in the church. The Church has myths in India related to the Hindu religion regarding churches of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It has major and minor pilgrim sites in the Manarcad Church The Kothamangalam Cheriya Pally also believes in miracles held in the Kattachira Church and other churches. The church architecture is different and the mixture of the architecture of different cultures is known as Architecture of Kerala.

• Manarcad Church is a famous pilgrimage site of Kerala, and is known as the Global Marian Pilgrim Center. The Holy Girdle of Virgin Mary was installed in 1953 by Ignatius Zakka I Patriarch of Antioch, and church construction was completed in 1954.
• Kothamangalam Cheriya Pally is known as the name of the saint Baselios Yeldo which is a major pilgrimage site of the gathering church of whole religions(സർവ്വ മത തീർത്വടന കേന്ദ്രം).
• Karingachira Church is the ancient cathedral in the name of patron Saint George established in 722 AD.
• Kattachira Church is the pilgrimage site where the Icon of Saint Mary, the Holy Litugury Book, and hundreds of holy icons of the Virgin Mary are kept.
• Vadakkan Paravoor Church is the church that entombed Gregorios Abdal Jaleel, who protected the original faith of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church.
• St. Mary's Church, Kundara, located in the Kollam District of Kerala, is the traditional church of the Pakalomattam Family. They are descendants of the Pakalomattom family baptized by Thomas the Apostle like the Levite family of Jews. The saints of the Pakalomattam family are Saint Alphonsa, Kuriakose Elias Chavara, Kuriakose Mar Gregorios(Pampady Thirumeni) and Marthoma Metropolitians lineage of Malankara Church.

Tradition

The Syrian Christians accepted the traditions of the Syriac traditional Indian Church. The rituals incorporated into Syrian Christianity from other religions include many different blessings and processions. The Syrian Christians have a prominent position given by Maharajas.

• Minnukettu and Manthrakodi - The Minnukettu and Manthrakodi is a ritual of Syrian Orthodox tradition in India adhered to by the Malankara Church. It was approved by Ignatius Peter IV, the Patriarch of Antioch. It is known as the Blessing of the Crown. The Manthrakodi is known as Sari for a bridegroom, which is a blessed cloth representing the Holy Spirit. The Minnu is the ritual layout of a wedding ceremony in a shape resembling Wheat. It represents rebirth and resurrection.
• Procession - The Procession is the ritual of the holy bible being shown to everyone at Mass, an existing tradition in Hinduism and Syriac Christianity.
• Chattayum Mundum - Chattayum Mundum is the traditional dress of Syriac Christians; it was inspired by Jewish and Mohammedan culture.
• Onam - The Onam is the festival of Kerala and a is known as a communion celebration where Malayalis live.

Relics

File:Relics saint thomas.jpg

Holy Relics of Thomas the Apostle in Mar Mattai Monastery

File:Holy girdle syrian.jpg

Holy Girdle of Virgin Mary

According to the Holy Bible

..And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed

— Mathew 14:35-36

The clothes or any either relics of saints to be held miracles and done spiritual power to go around the world and another world is called Heaven. The Syriac Orthodox Church respects the relics of Saint Mary, forefathers, and saints. The most venerated relics of the Syrian Orthodox Church are the Holy Girdle found from the olden manuscripts by Ignatius Aphrem I Patriarch of Antioch and the relics of the Thomas the Apostle founded by Ignatius Zakka I Patriarch of Antioch and Syrian Church has other relics also. The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church kept part of these relics and celebrated on occasions.

Liturgy

See also: Liturgy of Saint James, Malankara Rite, and West Syriac Rite

Celebration of Holy Qurobo at St. Mary's Cathedral, Kundara

File:Jacobite Syrian Prayer Book of 1932.jpg

Jacobite Syrian Prayer Book of 1932

Armenian Cross

Nasrani Cross with the traditional food of Malankara Church

Icon of Last Judgement of Christian Church

The liturgical service is called Holy Qurobo in the Syriac language meaning "Eucharist". Liturgy of Saint James is celebrated on Sundays and special occasions. The Holy Eucharist consists of Gospel reading, Bible readings, prayers, and songs. The recitation of the Liturgy is performed according to specific parts chanted by the presider, the lectors, the choir, and the congregated faithful, at certain times in unison. Apart from certain readings, prayers are sung in the form of chants and melodies. Hundreds of melodies remain preserved in the book known as Beth Gazo, the key reference to Syriac Orthodox church music.

Holy Bible

The Syriac Orthodox Church respect the Holy Bible in the Church of tradition and liturgy. The Holy Church preserves the Syriac Manuscripts of the Holy Bible and others. The Syriac name of Peshitta is known as Vishudhagrandham(വിശുദ്ധ ഗ്രന്ഥം) in native language Malayalam, translated by Arch-corepiscopos Curien Kaniamparambil, as its scripture.

Prayers

The Jacobite Syrian Christians pray the canonical hours of the Shehimo at fixed prayer times, in accordance with Psalm 119. In 1910 V. Rev. Konattu Mathen Malpan translate the prayer book of the Syrian orthodox church into Malayalam is known as Pampakuda Namaskaram with permission of the Patriarch Ignatius Abded Aloho II. This is the common prayer book of Syrian Orthodox Christians in India. The Prayer Order of Liturgy Book that is;

• Qawmo(Trisagion Prayer)
• Prayer of the Ninth Hour
• Prayer of the Evening
• Prayer of the Bedtime (Compline)
• Prayer of the Midnight
• Prayer of the Morning
• Prayer of the Third Hour
• Prayer of the Sixth Hour
• Praise of the Cherubim

Theology

The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church officially accepted Miaphysitism of Syriac Orthodox Church as per evidence of art pictorial of St. Mary's Knanaya Church of Kottayam, Piravom Church and Mulanthuruthy Church of Holy Altar. According to inscriptions of Kottayam Valiyapally believed as the theopaschite theology of the earlier Malankara Church against the alleged Nestorianism and claimed virgin mary as Mother of God(Theotokos).

In punishment by the cross (was) the suffering on this one; He who is true God and God above, and Guide ever Pure

— Inscription(AD 464) of St. Mary's Knanaya Church, Kottayam

But this does not refute the Church of the East relationship of the earlier Church as the Church of the East never professed the alleged Nestorianism and it is held as a misnomer and false accusation as per the view of most historians.

Nasrani Cross

The Nasrani Cross(Persian cross) used by Syrian Christians of India known as Marthoma Sleeha Cross or Menorah of Syrian Christians. The Persian cross spread in the early 4th century and similar to the Armenian Cross of Armenian Apostolic Church and design based on Jewish Menorah.

Associated Churches

St. George's Monastery, Malekurish

St George Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church Melbourne

The Associated Church is church-related to Syriac Orthodox Church and Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church.

Knanaya Syrian Church

See also: Malankara Syriac Knanaya Archdiocese

The Knanaya Syrian Community(ക്നാനായ സുറിയാനി സഭ) are claimed to be the descendants of a migrant group of Jewish Christians from Antioch. In AD 345, the Malayalam calendar (kollavarsham), under the leadership of Knai Thoma and 72 families from Edessa (or modern Urfa) immigrated to Malabar (presently Kerala). This migration considered a good turning point for Saint Thomas Christians. The community belongs to priests, deacons, and their bishop named Uraha Ouseph (Bishop Joseph of Uraha/Urfa). These colonists were welcomed by Cheraman Perumal of The Emperor of Kerala given special permission as 72 Royal Privileges Known as Thomas of Cana copper plates

Today, the majority of Knanaya are members of the Syro-Malabar Church (Kottayam Archeparchy) and the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church (Knanaya Archdiocese) under the guidance and directorate of Sevarios Kuriakose and they have a special constitution under Syriac Orthodox Church.

Simhasana Church

The Simhasana Church(സിംഹാസന പള്ളി) is under the direct control of the Syrian Orthodox Church Patriarch in Malayalam diaspora. The Simhasana Church was established by Mor Yulios Elias Qoro under the leadership of the Patriarch of Antioch. The Church constituted under the direct administration of the Syrian Orthodox Church. The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church instituted the Simhasana Churches who are the prominent persons are the Geevarghese Gregorios of Perumpally and Malankara Malpan Arch Corepiscopa Curien (Kurian) Kaniyamparambil.

Malankara Arch-Diocese of Syrian Orthodox Church in North America

The Malankara Arch-diocese of North America is the abroad Church of Jacobite Syrian Christian Church under Syriac Orthodox Church Patriarchate. The Arch Diocese of America was formed in 1975 as the name of Saint Gregorios in Staten Island of the United State of America. Today, the Church ongoing under the leadership of His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho representative of the United States and Canada.

Middle East Diocese

The Middle East Diocese under Jacobite Syrian Church under the guidance of Syriac Orthodox Church Patriarchate. In the Gulf region, The Jacobite Syrian Church has a special constitution for churches under the guidance of Kingdoms of Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen Government officials. The church of Jacobite Syrian Church respects Gulf rules and does empower gulf regions and under the guidance of rulers. The Jacobite Syrian Church respects leaders and has a prominent role for Commander M. A. Yusuff Ali of LuLu Group International for the establishment of churches in Gulf regions and the ongoing holy church.

Seminary

Celebration of Holy Eucharist at St. Mary's Cathedral, Kundara

St. Antony Monastery, Piramadom, Pampakuda

The Jacobite Syrian Church has Major and Minor Seminaries. At the older time of Holy church started as minor seminaries at home. The minor seminary's motto is to study, meditate, and monasticism at home. The First Major Seminary is known as Manjanikkara Dayara(മഞ്ഞനിക്കര ദയറാ) established by Yulios Elias Qoro Patriarchal Delegate of Malankara in 1932.The Manjanikkara Dayara motivate to study teachings of Syriac Orthodox Church faith and established stronger spiritual relationships between churches. The Second Major Seminary is known as Malekurish Dayara(മലേകുരിശ് ദയറാ) established in 1975 known as Saint James Monastery alone Perumpally Church Pre-Seminary and Manjanikkara Dayara.

MSOT Seminary

The Malankara Syriac Orthodox Theological Seminary established by modern infrastructure. The Seminary established on 1 January 1990, inaugurated by the Baselios Paulose II Catholicos of the East and the presence of the Honorable Chief Minister of Kerala. The Theological Seminary has so many crises then after the support of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Germany to be completed Seminary of Syriac Orthodox Church in India. The Seminary under the affiliation of Senate of Serampore University alone with Marthoma Syrian Theological Seminary of Marthoma Syrian Church and Old Seminary of Malankara Church under the authority of Malankara Orthodox Church.

List of Minor Seminaries

The ongoing Major Seminary is known as M.S.O.T Seminary, others are known as Minor Seminaries.

1. Perumpally Church - under the administration of Syriac Orthodox Church.
2. Manjanikkara Dayara - under the administration of Syriac Orthodox Church.
3. St. George's Monastery, Malekurish - under the authority of Syriac Orthodox Church.
4. Chingavanam St. Johns Dayara - under the authority of Malankara Syriac Knanaya Archdiocese.
5. Piramadom Dayara - reconstructed by Catholicos Baselios Thomas I

Monasticism

Monasticism has an important role in Holy Church and has a lot of Dayara and Convent. The Syrian Church has monks who stay in the church to pray for the church and the world. The Finahas Rambachan is the notable Monk of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church.

Persecuted Church

The Syrian Orthodox Church is known to be a heavily persecuted Church because of the alignment to miaphysite faith from the time of Jacob Baradaeus and Mor Severus Patriarch of Antioch. The Syriac Orthodox Church of India, known as Malankara Church is also persecuted by a splinter Church known as the Malankara Orthodox Church since the past decades. The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church has lost many of its prominent churches like Piravom Church, Mulanthuruthy Church, Kandanad Church, Kolenchery Church and more than 60 churches to the splinter Church following the judgement of the Supreme Court of India, despite having absolute majority in those churches. After the long struggle for talks on churches which has always been dismissed by the other faction, the Jacobite Syrian Church decided to end the sacramental relationship between the Malankara Orthodox Church.

Cemetery Ordinance

As per Supreme Court Order 2017, the Syrian Church disputes their rights to attend holy mass and rituals then after take the proposed ordinance as per Human rights for Cemetery. The Ordinance gives the right for every person to attend rituals and laws passed on by the majority votes with the support of Honourable Chief Minister, Ministers and other Assembly Members.

Sacramental Relationship

The Syriac Orthodox Church maintains the relationship between either church, they are;

Catholicos Baselios Thomas I with Ignatius Aphrem II Patriarch of Antioch of Universal Syriac Orthodox Church and Pope Francis of Holy Catholic Church

Joseph Mar Thoma, Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma with Ignatius Aphrem II Patriarch of Antioch

Catholic Church

According to the Agreement of Pope John Paul II and Ignatius Zakka I, the Church of Holy Catholic Church and Syriac Orthodox Church has the relationship between sacraments of Penance, Eucharist and Anointing of the Sick for a grave spiritual need. They agree the first three councils and Incarnation and they accepts their needs of Holy Church.

Marthoma Syrian Church

The Marthoma Syrian Church and Jacobite Syrian Church maintain a good relationship between them when they attend together prayer meetings and marriage ceremonies. The Jacobite Syrian Church and Marthoma Syrian Church continue their synods for recognition of theological acceptance and Holy Communion from their understanding. The Holy Muron of Marthoma Syrian Church gave by the Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Elias III in 1842 and the church never uses the title of the ecclesiastical title of Ignatius and Baselios for the honour of Syriac Orthodox Church.

Malankara Orthodox Church

The Malankara Orthodox Church is the excommunicated Independent church of Syriac Orthodox Church. One of the faction was emerged in 1914 because of Dionysius of Vattasseril from Syriac Orthodox Church of India(Jacobite Syrian Church), Later the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church consecrated new Malankara Metropolitan Coorilos Paulose. After the circumstance of the holy church-going under the leadership of Malankara Metropolitan Athanasius Paulose Valiya Thirumeni of Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. After another split of the church lose the whole of the church of the holy church undergoing the leadership of Catholicos His Beatitude Baselios Thomas I Maphrian of the Syriac Orthodox Church known as Jacob Baradaeus of the holy church. The one of the church has no official relationship with Jacobite Syrian Christian Church is known as Malankara Orthodox Church.

Politics

St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Cathedral, Kuruppampady of Ernakulam

Some of the notable Kerala Legislative Assembly members from the church includes Anoop Jacob, Eldo Abraham, Raju Abraham, Eldhose Kunnappilly, Dean Kuriakose, Benny Behanan. The Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam is the communion of the people conservation party and the nonprofit charitable organization started by Sabu M. Jacob with the blessing of Catholicos Baselios Thomas I.

Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Delegates of India

Main article: Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Delegates of India

The Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Delegates of India is the representative of the patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, who is sent to India to guide and administer the church, or on special occasions, as the representative of the Holy See of Antioch. Every year, Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Delegates participate in Manjanikkara Church Feast.

Catholicate

Main articles: Maphrian and List of maphrians

Tomb of Baselios Yeldo Maphrian of the East(Catholicos) in the Marthoma CheriyaPally

"Catholicos" means "the general head", and can be considered equivalent to "universal bishop." The fourth-century ecumenical councils recognized the authority of the metropolitan. By the fifth century, the bishops of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria and Antioch gained control of the churches in surrounding cities. They gradually became the heads of the regional churches, and were known as patriarchs (common father). Outside the Roman Empire, patriarchs were known as catholicos. After Nestorian Schism in the seventh century, the Syriac Orthodox Christians who lived in Persia began using the title for its Catholicos / Maphrian, who was originally the head of the Syriac Orthodox Christian community in Persia. This office ranked right below that Syriac Orthodox church hierarchy after the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, until it was abolished in 1860 and reinstated in the India of the East on 1964.

Catholicos of India

Main article: Catholicos of India

For the current Catholicos of India, see Catholicos Baselios Thomas I.

The Catholicos of India is an ecclesiastical office of the Syriac Orthodox Church and the head of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. He is the Catholicos/Maphrian of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, an autonomous body within the Syriac Orthodox Church. The jurisdiction of Catholicos was in India of the East, Hence Syriac Orthodox Church Catholicos of the East was renamed the Catholicos of India in 2002. The position had remained vacant between 1996 and 2002.

The current Catholicos of India is Baselios Thomas I. He was enthroned as the Catholicos by Ignatius Zakka I Iwas Patriarch of Antioch at St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral in Mor Ephrem Monastery near Damascus on 26 July 2002. He is the third Indian Maphrian and Catholicos of the Syriac Orthodox Church in India and former Metropolitan Trustee of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church.

Covention and Proclmation

The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church organizes spiritual conventions and faith hold conventions for a new path for the church who against faith. The convention's done in different areas as per the demographic of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church.

• Second Coonan Cross Oath - The Jacobite Syrian Church re-enacts the Second Coonan Cross Oath of Coonan Cross Oath of 1653 gathered Syrian Orthodox Church faithful of India on Kothamangalam Cheriya Pally. The faithful tied the rope to the Cross of the church and hold it with a Massive crowd on the demonstrated area across Aluva Munnar road to Nellikkuzhi. The faithful pledged their faith in the intercession of Maphrian Baselios Yeldo against the Supreme Court Verdict Of India.
• Proclamation - The Jacobite Syrian Church held proclamations to hold strong faith is known as Vishwasa Prakhyapanam held on the established date of the holy Church of Antioch.
• Holy Apostolic Visit - On the Holy apostolic visit of Syriac Orthodox Church Patriarch of Antioch, the faithful gathered together to receive Patriarch of Antioch.

Missionary

• St Paul's Mission of India - St Paul's Mission of India (S.P.M.) is the missionary society of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, with mission fields in 21 states in India. Coorilose Geevarghese, metropolitan, is the President of S.P.M.

• St Johns Mission Charitable Trust - St Johns Mission Charitable Trust located on Kothamangalam is a Missionary trust for helping Orphans, Widows and providing financial help for students. It is registered in 2003 vide no.79/IV/2003.
• Mor Gregorios Syriac Orthodox Mission of India - Mor Gregorios Syriac Orthodox Mission of India is a small missionary community of Jacobite Syrian Church under the guidance of Timotheos Thomas.

Association

• Malankara Jacobite Syrian Sunday School Association
• Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam
• Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Youth Association
• Mor Gregorios Jacobite Students' Movement

Proclaimed Saints of the Church

Ignatius Elias III

Tomb of Baselios Yeldo

Geevarghese Gregorios

Paulose Athanasius

File:Yuyakim Mor Koorilos.jpg

Yuyakim Koorilos

File:Osthathios Mor Sleeba.jpg

Sleeba Osthathios

Abdal Jaleel Gregorios

The Church venerates the saints of the Syriac Orthodox Church along with regional saints of the Church declared by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East.

• Ignatius Elias III - Pathriach of Antioch
  • Entombed in Manjanikkara Dayara at Omallur
• Baselios Yeldo - Maphrian of the East
  • Entombed in Kothamangalam cheria pally
• Parumala Thirumeni (Geevarghese Gregorious)
  • Entombed in Parumala Church
• Paulose Athanasius - Malankara Metropolitan of Jacobite Syrian Church
  • entombed in Aluva Thrikkunnathu Seminary
• Koorilos Paulose Malankara Metropolitan
  • Entombed in Panampady Church
• Koorilos Yuyakkim - Reesh-Episcopa of Malankara
  • Entombed in Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Church
• Osthatheos Sleeba - Apostolic delegate of the Holy See to India
  • Entombed in Arthat St.Mary's Simhasana Church, Kunnamkulam
• Baselios Sakralla III of Aleppo - Maphrian of the East
  • entombed at Morth Mariam Cathedral, Kandanad
• Gregorios Abdal Jaleel - Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan of Jerusalem
  • entombed at St. Thomas Church North Paravur

Dioceses

The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church has the following dioceses

Archdioceses (autonomous)

There are Archdioceses under the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Antioch:

1. Knanaya Archdiocese
   1. Region of Chingavanam
   2. Region of Kallisseri
   3. Region of Ranni
   4. Region of USA, Canada and Europe
2. Malankara Archdiocese of North America
3. Malankara Archdiocese of Europe
   1. Patriarchal Vicarate of Ireland
   2. Patriarchal Vicarate of UK
   3. Patriarchal vicarate of Germany & Central Europe

Dioceses in Kerala

1. Kollam Diocese
2. Thumpamon Diocese
3. Niranam Diocese
4. Kottayam Diocese
5. Idukki Diocese
6. Kandanad Diocese
7. Kochi Diocese
8. Angamaly (Largest Diocese)
   1. Angamaly Region
   2. Perumbavoor Region
   3. Muvattupuzha Region
   4. Kothamangalam Region
   5. Highrange Region
9. Thrissur Diocese
10. Kozhikode Diocese
11. Malabar Diocese

Dioceses outside Kerala

1. Mangalore Diocese (Include Honavar Mission)
2. Bangalore Diocese
3. Mylapore Diocese (formerly Chennai Diocese)
4. Mumbai Diocese
5. Delhi Diocese

Bishops of the church

• Gregorios Joseph
• Severios Abhraham
• Alexandrios Thomas
• Thimotheos Thomas
• Thimotheos Mathews
• Ivaniyos Mathews
• Aprem Mathews
• Theodosius Mathews
• Anthimos Mathews
• Athanasius Elias
• Yulios Elias
• Philoxenos Zacharias
• Polycarpose zakharias
• Athanasios Geevargees
• Divanasios Geevargees
• Coorilos Geevargees
• Barnabas Geevargees
• Meletius yuhanon
• Dioscorus Kuriakose
• Theophilose Kuriakose
• Clemis Kuriakos
• Thithos eldho
• Eusebios Kuriakose
• Chrisostomos Markose
• Anthonios Yakkoob
• Osthatheos Issac
• Osthathiyos pathros

Knanaya Archdiocese

• Severius Kuriakose
• Gregorios Kuriakose
• Ivaniyos Kuriakose
• Silvanios Ayub

See also

• List of Patriarchs of Antioch – to 518
• List of Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs of Antioch – list from 518
  • Maphrian of the East
  • Catholicos of India
  • Maphrian
• Oriental Orthodox Church
• Saint Thomas Christians
• Manarcad church

Sources

• Alexander, George (2018). The Orthodox Dilemma (3rd rev. ed.). OCP Publications. ISBN 9781387922284.

External links

• Official website