The Syro Malabar Church
is the third largest Church in Catholic Communion, behind the Latin church and the
Ukranian church, with more than 40 lakh of faithful, spread across the globe. Sadly,
both the Ukranian Church and the Syro Malabar church are not given patriarchal
status.
Regarding the union with
the Catholic Community and allegiance to the Pope, the Syro Malabar church was
tightly bound to the Catholic Communion, ever since her birth. She is one among
the three churches who hadn’t ever break up the links with the Catholic
Communion. The other two Churches are the Maronite Church and the
Italo-Albanian Church. Among these, the Syro Malabar church is the prominent
one with about 10 lakh more faithful than the Maronite church. But Maronite
church is Patriarchal, whereas the Syro Malabar remains as the Major Archi
Episcopal church!
Out of the 23 Oriental Churches,
6 are Patriarchate Churches. These are the Coptic, Maronite, Syrian, Armanian,
Chaldean and the Melkite churches. Except the Maronite church, all others had
broken the catholic faith and had moved away from the Bishop of Rome. They
moved out of the Catholic Communion, installed their own Patriarchates and when
they returned to the Catholic Church, Rome allowed them to continue their Patriarchates!
Regarding the number of
faithful, none of these stands with the Syro Malabar Church. The Armanian
church has about 6 lakh faithful, Chaldean Church has about 5 lakh faithful,
Coptic Church has about 1.75 lakh faithful, Syrian Church has about 1.6 lakh
faithful, Melkite Church has about 16 lakh faithful and the Maronite church has
about 32.5 lakh faithful. All these Churches have the Patriarchal status. Yet
our Syro Malabar church with over 40 lakh faithful, and which is in full
communion with the successor of St. Peter ever since her birth has no
patriarchal status!
Where did she fail? Did
the pain she took to protect the lamp of faith that Mar Thoma sleeha handed
over to her cause this? Why did she stand with the lamp, even when her children
were scattered into different groups, to protect their faith, believes and
traditions? What would
have happened if the Marthoma Nazranis stood in union against the missionaries,
proclaimed their identity and jurisdiction over the Church of India, installed
a Patriarchate and later came back into the Catholic Communion? Of course, we
might have got a patriarchate in Angamaly! Our Patriarch would have been the “Father
and Gate of whole India and it's premises”. Our church would have been the
second largest Church in the Catholic Communion after Latin church. We would
not have been waiting for the mercy of Vatican and the local Latin bishops to
establish new Diocese or even to give the necessary pastoral care to the
migrants!
But we considered the
obligation as our priority and stood with the Pope, even in the midst of all
crises. We had to give much for that. That is our history! We had been split up
into different groups. Our Patriarch or the Archbishop of Angamaly who had the
jurisdiction over the whole India and it's premises was devalued as a suffragan
of the newly erected Latin Archdiocese of Goa. From the whole India and it's
premises, we shrinked into the area bounded by the 'Pampa' and 'Bharathapuzha'
rivers. We lost all our identity and Sacred Liturgy partially or completely.
But the biggest lose was
due to their brain washing. Because of which, our own leaders asked the Pope to
translate the Latin Liturgy into Syriac for their use. They struggled hard to
continue the Latin practices, even after obtaining the freedom! They also
opposed the minority of leaders who were firm on returning to our ancient
traditions! In a sense we were again captured in a prison of our own minds- because
of the severe brain washing! We had our great fighters, but they were the
minority and even though the Popes and the Vatican Congregations were with
them, they were unable to do much more owing to the threat of another split.
This might had prompted the Vatican for not giving the Patriarchal status in
the course of time. Again we failed here for another time. We cannot blame the
missionaries completely for this, we had the time to learn and correct, we had
our leaders. Yet for some one's selfishness we had to suppress our identity. As
a result, our 1970 years old Church, which is the third largest Particular Church
in Catholic Communion, has to continue as a Major Archi Episcopal church.
This should be changed.
We should realise the present and think for the future. All must realise the
need of restoring our identity and our holy traditions. Then surely the Rome
can not neglect us. Now we have a very energetic and efficient Major
archbishop, who knows and loves our great traditions. He is very keen on
restoring the identity of the church and uses each and every chance to proclaim
our great traditions to the global audience. Let us stand with him in union and
strengthen his hands. Let us pray for the good days when the Patriarch of Angamaly
rule over a united and energetic Chaldean Catholic church of St. Thomas
Christians in India.
Let the grace of our lord
Ieso Mishiha, Love of our heavenly father and the blessings of Ruha d’ kudisha
be with us for ever and ever..
Remembering our Mar Thoma
Sleeha, on this Dukrana of 2011.
*Chaldean: This simply means East Syriac, the developed form of Aramaic, the language spoken by our lord Ieso Mishiha. Catholic faith was given to the Marthoma Nazranis (St. Thomas Christians in India) by the Apostle St Thomas, in the very same language spoken by Ieso Mishiha. It served as the liturgical language for many centuries, until the celebration of liturgy was made in the local languages, after the Vatican II council.
I noted your points. Aware of the situation of our Church. Knowing is not enough, DOING something positively is the need. Not you and me, but at least 1/4th, a Lakh of us are aware. But all are helpless, in front of the question: WHAT TO DO, to achieve Patriarchal status, how can we organise and raise the issue boldly?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think?
Are you in Ernakulam or near?
We a group of like-minded are visiting MAB today evening 5pm. If you can come, call me at 9447036355.
EVERYBODY KNOW, BUT NONE ACTING is the current problem of SMC, pls note.
Am Jerin Jacob Koshy, belonging to Malankara Orthodox Church
ReplyDeleteIf the Syro Malabar Church has identified that their legacy is from St. Thomas, then what is the need of the church to exist in a communion with a western church?.A few years back even Pope Benedict XVIth questioned the coming of St. Thomas to India which raised a large disrest and protest among Syrian Catholic community in Kerala.
The western colonial powers who came here for trade conquered our land and even caused division in religious belief also.The historical Coonan Cross Oath, even twohundred and four years before first war of Indian independence shows that the Malankara nasranis had known the value of freedom and identity a long centuries back. The westernisation of church has caused disintegration of the single Malankara Church which was an autonomous unit of Universal Christian church and also resulted in moral degradation. That is a big fact.
half knowledge - go and study history young lad and grow up in life.
DeleteJerin, if we break from the Roman Catholic Church, from where will they get the huge amount of money? what will those priests and nuns do who are working in Roman Catholic dioceses in Europe and America,making money for their families and communities?.Our bishops are always talking about our tradition and liturgy, but they stick on the the title Roman catholic and they proudly claim it, while no other eastern church (who are in communion with Rome) claim that they are Roman Catholics. To break communion with Rome needs a strong backbone which our bishops unfortunately do not have.
DeleteDear Mr. Jerin,
DeletePlease try to learn the history and find out why the Jacobites and your church are following West Syriac liturgy while Syro-Malabar church follows East Syriac liturgy that was existed here from the beginning.
Dear Brothers, why can't you, take a leadership to unite all st.thomas Christians in India, why can't we come under the Throne of St.Thomas in India and you mentioned that our Church is having 1960 years old in India, and can you mentioned when the Church of Rome established?no doubt Church of Rome is established after AD 67 after only. but we got gospel in AD 52.So our is the mother Church,why are still bowing our head to Bishop of Rome?Try to unite with Orthodox Church and Convince the Malankara Catholic Church about the unity of St.Thomas Christians in India.: Fr.Thomas Philipose, Aurangabad
ReplyDeleteThe Malankara Nazranis now hopelessly split into countless factions should collectively rediscover their roots-"Marthomayude Margavum Vazhipadum"which has been systamatically distroyed by the colonial forces-be it Rome,Europian Protestants or the Western Syrians.An attempt to go back to our roots is always welcome
ReplyDeleteCan we hope a unification St.Thomas Christians and comes under the Throne of St.Thomas? And please note that our is a Eastern Church and Church of Rome is Western Church.Our Church was Established in AD 52 AND Church of Rome in after AD 66 or in AD 67.So ours is the oldest Church and what is the need of acceptation of Roman Heir-achy.Come, Let us unite under the Throne of St.Thomas will have keep a cordial relationship with Rome, but not under them, keeping mutual respect._Fr.Thomas Philipose,Aurangabad.>
ReplyDeleteIt’s great that we are debating about the establishment of Patriarchate in Angamaly. It is very important that we should equip ourselves with the authentic history and tradition of our Church.
DeleteThere is a deliberate move by certain section of Christians to concoct and invent some stories regarding our faith and tradition. Please don't get carried away by the stories which is not par with authentic history. Apostle St. Thomas arrived in Muziris on 21st Nov 52 AD, he preached the Gospel of Our Lord to entire Southern Coast of India, he established Churches in Malabar coast and preached the gospel in Madras Coast and established churches in that region too and finally martyred in Mylapore, Madras and was buried in the Church where he established on the shores of Mylapore.
Today San Thome Apostolic Basilica stands on the tomb of Mar Thoma, the Church which was built by the own hands of Blessed Apostle. Please feel proud that Syro Malabar Apostolic Catholic Church is only Church of Mar Thoma Heritage to remain faithful to Universal Catholic Church from 52 AD till today...and it will remain forever... It will uphold the faith of One Lord, One Baptism, One Church and One Shepherd. Beware! There are wolfs in sheep's clothing who wants destroy our faith, history and tradition.
I want to reply to Jerin Jacob Koshy, who question Syro Malabar Church's communion with Universal Catholic Church, I ask him to read and equip himself with authentic history, before commenting on our Church. In 325 AD Mar John, Archbishop of Angamaly attended the First Council of Nicea, it is the First Ecumenical Council of Catholic Church after the Jerusalem Council in 50 AD. Archbishop of Angamaly signed in the decree of the Council. This is a historical proof that establishes our Church's communion with Universal Church. Koshy blames the western Church for division of Malabar Church, for his kind invention the Schism was due to Podarado and not due to Roman Church or His Holiness, the Pope. Since the Portuguese were not aware of Church's Communion with Universal Faith and Our Chaldean Patriarch is in communion with Universal Faith and he appoints the Bishops for our Church.
It is a typical mindset of Orthodox counterparts and especially Orthodox Priest Thomas Philipose to concoct some story and confuse the minds of Syro Malabarese... Please Beware!...
DeleteOn 3 January 1653, Archdeacon and the elders take the oath Coonan Cross Oath at Mattancherry that they will no longer be under the Portuguese Jesuits but the elders never took Oath that they would never obey His Holiness, the Pope. Since the elders knew the history of our Church, even before the oath, His Holiness Mar Pius IV Pope in 1564 appointed Mar Abraham as the Archbishop of Angamaly. Archbishop Abraham was appointed by Pope hundred years before the oath. Then how can His Holiness Pope who appoints Bishops or delegates it to Chaldean Patriarch divide Universal Church.....?
Thomas Philipose speaks about the Church of Rome, you need to update your knowledge in history and tradition before coming to public forum and challenging historical facts. The Church of Rome is established by the Prince of Apostles. Church of Rome is much older than Church of Malabar. Since St. Peter went to Rome in 43 A.D in the second year of reign of Roman Emperor Claudius. Claudius reigned as Emperor from 41 AD till 64 AD. Prior to mission to Rome, St. Peter reigned as the Bishop of Antioch.
According to Acts 28:16 St. Paul arrived in Rome c 60 and spent two years under house arrest Irenaeus of Lyons in the 2nd century says that Blessed Peter and Blessed Paul had been the founders of the Church in Rome and had appointed St. Linus as succeeding bishop. Apostle St. Paul was not a bishop of Rome nor did he bring Christianity to Rome since there were already Christians in Rome when he arrived there (Acts 28:14-15). Also St. Paul wrote his letter to the church at Rome before he had visited Rome (Romans 1:1,7,11-13; 15:23-29). St. Peter died by crucifixion in 67 AD. The Church of Rome was established in c 43 AD, it does not mean that Church of Rome was established only in 67 AD after the death of Blessed Apostle Peter, then Church in Malabar is established only after 72 AD, since St. Thomas was martyred in 72 AD in Mylapore, Madras.
Syro Malabar Church is True to its Catholic Faith, please don’t be deceived by the polished words of Thomas Philipose, he is speaking of unity but the Orthodox Church don’t have the credibility. Since they departed from Chaldean Tradition for the sake of power and seat adopted West Syrian Tradition. Now he wants to unite all St. Thomas Christians under the “Throne of St. Thomas”….Please Beware!... The Orthodox Church is very much jealous of the Growth of Syro-Malabar Church and Syro-Malankara Church. Thomas Philipose’s hidden agenda is that like that of the “Serpent deceiving Eve in the Garden of Eden”, he wants to kill two birds in one arrow, he wants the Syro Malabar Church and Syro Malankara Church to come under Orthodox Catholicose (Throne of St. Thomas) and cut our umbilical cord from the unity of Universal Church.
Orthodox Church knows that we have authentic tradition and legitimate communion with the Universal Catholic Church from 52 AD till today. Today Syro Malabar Church is the largest St. Thomas Christian Church, we have more than 43 Dioceses in India and nearly 25 of our Bishops from Malabar Church are heading Latin Dioceses all over India and abroad. You can see the growth and maturity shown in building our Church, which has seen several splits. His Holiness Pope has restored the hierarchy back to Syro Malabar Church, the Erection of Major Archdiocese of Angamaly is an important milestone in Syro Malabar Church History.
DeleteWe are an Autonomous Church, you can see the recent election of our Major Archbishop, His Beatitude. Maran Mar George Cardinal Alencherry by the Synod of Bishops. Our Major Archbishop exercises Patriarchal Powers, he appoints Bishops, Archbishops, Abbots and presides over the Synod of Bishops.. He accepts resignation of Bishops and Archbishops. I want to remind you few years ago our late Major Archbishop, His Beatitude Maran Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithyathil C.Ss.R. presided over the Beatification Ceremony of Blessed Euprasia. This itself shows how our loving Pope Mar Benedict XVI delegated his power to Cardinal Varkey, to preside over the ceremony. More over the recent election of Mar George Alencherry to Cardinalate is an important sign of recognition to our Church, since there are many Patriarchs, Major Archbishop of Ukraine and Catholicos Cleemis Baselios who are eligible to become Cardinals but our Church was recognized for the Honour.
His Holiness Moran Mar Benedict XVI’s motto and wish is to unite all Christians, he wants his Pontificate to be unifying Pontificate. Pope knows our problems and he is very much concerned, the reason the Patriarchate is not established in Angamaly is that Pope views that in future St. Thomas Christians would be united with the Chaldean Patriarchate and he wants to unify the both Oriental and Occidental Churches together. If Pope wants to establish Patriarchate in Angamaly he can do it immediately, but he has to sacrifice his dream and wish of unify all Christians. Do you think it is impossible for Pope to Establish Patriarchates for Syro Malabar Church and Syro Malankara Church….?
My request to all Catholic faithful is that be vigilant and be careful that we should not be carried away by these emotional statements. Please verify authenticity of statements and equip your selves with History, Tradition, Liturgy and Scripture, so that we may defend of One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Faith.
All the Chaldeans in the syro malabar church agree that we have Chaldean traditions than Indian/Latin traditions. If already there is Chaldean Patriarch, why do we need another one? We can replace the name of the Pope with the name of the Chaldean Patriarch in Liturgy. Invite him to Kerala, have a great reception with the Chief Minister, Central ministers etc. Take him to all the major churches in Changanassery and surrounding areas. Let him also ex communicate the ernakulam latin slaves from the true and only traditional mother church.
ReplyDeleteWe need to examine the following statements:
ReplyDeleteThe former major archbishopof Syro malabar catholic church, cardin al varkey vithayathil said, "What is the authority of Rome? On what basis, Rome appoints bishops all over the world? From where it has got its powers? I nthe first centuries, there was a dispute between Rome and Antioch, who is head and superior".
The major arch bishop of Syro malankara catholic church said, "According to antiochene tradition, bishop of antioch is the head of the chrisitian church and successor of apostle peter. His name is Ignatius. Archbishop Powathil presided over my election as Major arch bishop. after my election, mar powathil adviced me to be sincere and faithful to antiochene tradition and antiochene liturgy".
The great american archbishop, Cardinal James Gibbons said, "Peter went to antioch, established the church there and served as the bishop there".
Patriarchate should be in Angamali. There should be an Archadeyakon from the Pakalomattom Family and should head the Nasrani Almaya Sabha. Then only the traditions would be restored. There is no Nasrani or Sabha with out the primacy of Angamali & Kuravilangadu. I welcome the idea that COE Patriarch be made our patriarch.
ReplyDeleteLet there be Patriachate, let there be Palliyogams, let there be a JathikkuKarthavyan (not Arch deacon)elected by palliyogams, let Patriach be the spiritual leader and leave the administration to Palliyogams and Jathikkukarthavyan. Then only Mar Thoma tradition be restored. People who talk about restoring traditions ignore the eccletial tradition of Administration by palliyogams.
ReplyDeleteI have read somewhere a quote by some philosopher and it read "The One who loves the church more than Christ will soon love the denomination they belong to more than the Church". Very true. And MahathmaGandhi once said "Religiosity is to do what the religion teaches not to do in the name of religion itself". Are we using our resources for the right purpose; are we in a direction which enable us to fulfill the dreams of our Heavenly Father, which is "not to loose a single one in the world, but that every one should be saved".
ReplyDeleteWhy do you people thirst for more and more power and positions.. if you truly love the catholic church why do you need to rebel and protest against the body of christ. the true spirit of christianity and especially of the catholic church is the spirit obedience. And it is very sad to know that the priests and the clergy are forcing the people to do these. And no one i india will disagree to the fact our church is the most powerful institution in india as a whole country itself. And as pope francis says, christ wants a sufferinf and poor church and not a rich and fighting for powers and positions church.
ReplyDeleteMere Stupidity.Claver cross is manichaen.We do not deserve patriarchal status
ReplyDelete