Mar Thoma Syrian Church Reforms

A Brief Historical Introduction

• All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus.
• He commissioned his disciples to make disciples of all nations.
• Thomas was one of the disciples who was with Jesus when the commission was given.
• Thomas travelled to India.
• Indian tradition places his arrival in 52 AD at Cranganor (Kodungalloor).
• Some believe Thomas was searching for lost Jewish people in the diaspora.
• Some believe Thomas encountered people in Cochin, and travelled to the interior to the Namboodiri Brahmins to reach the Gentiles.
• Namboodiri Brahmins were attracted to the new teaching.
• Several families among them chose to be responsible for the new Christian community.
• Thomas proceeded to the East Coast.

The Nazarenes

• Seven congregations were founded by St. Thomas in the Chera Kingdom.
• They slowly grew.
• Neighbours called them Nazarenes.

Syrians/Persian Contact

• In 345 AD a significant group of families, about 400 from East Syria, migrated to Kerala under Canai Thoma.
• There is little information about the following centuries.
• Several priests and prelates from Persia visited Kerala.
• A large missionary movement from the Nestorian Church in the 6th century drew people towards the new movement.

Roman Catholics

• Vasco de Gama discovered a sea route to India in 1498.
• He landed at Kappad (near Kozhikode) on the Malabar coast.

Declaration of Independence

• Arch Deacon Thomas and his people were offended and agonized by the Portuguese led Catholicism.
• 25000 Christians and 633 clergy marched to Cochin Fort in 1653.
• They withdrew to Mattancherry Church.
• They pledged not to be under Rome.
• Arch Deacon Thomas was made Mar Thoma I by supporters.
• He sought the support of sister churches from Antioch, Babylon, Jerusalem, Alexandria and Ethiopia.

The Jacobites

• Mar Gregorios arrived from Jerusalem in 1665.
• He reconsecrated Mar Thoma I and the independent church came under the influence of the Antiochian Jacobite church.

The Anglicans

• In the 19th century, Claudius Buchanan visited the Church in Calcutta.
• He met the Metropolitan, Mar Dionysius the Great.
• He had the Gospels translated into Malayalam.
• A seminary for the education of the Syrian Christian clergy was founded in 1811
• In 1813 a seminary for the education of the Syrian Christian clergy was founded at Kottayam.
• In 1816, the Anglican trio (Bailey, Norton, and Fenn) arrived to help rebuild the church

The Awakened Mar Thoma Syrian Church/Reformation

• Abraham Malpan was a professor.
• He questioned church practices, due to the study of scripture.
• He submitted a memorandum consisting of 24 theses to Col. Fraser, British resident about the ecclesial irregularities.
• Abraham Malpan encouraged reform in the Malankara Church.
• Mathews was consecrated as a bishop by the Patriarch of Antioch.
• He returned to Kerala in 1842.

Faith and Practice

• Faith and practice are always intertwined.
• Worship (orthodox) retains the spiritual vitality and gives expression to service and witness.
• Liturgy literally translates as service, and worship connects people to their identity and unity.
• Worship should not remain a ritual but lead to witness.
• Abraham Malpan made meaningful worship and provided spiritual energy.
• Worship was done facing East.
• Worship uses incense, candles, and the church uses the Qurbana.
• The Holy Vestments (Ex. 28:10, 40:13-15) and liturgical prayers help people to approach God in reverence.
• People involved in worship should understand its meaning and significance, rather than just repeating prayers.
• Worship involves the sharing of aspirations with those who came before. (militants and triumphant)
• Worship is a continuation of celestial worship.
• Corporate worship is integral to the church.

Feasts and Fasts

• Various feasts and fast seasons are important for the inner renewal of the Church.
• They have to be observed sincerely.
• Sunday is significant because of Jesus' resurrection.
• Feasts and fasts are significant periods in a Christian's life.
• A set order of worship for public worship and sacraments termed Taksa.

Sacraments

• A sacrament is a means of grace, a visible sign used to signify and point to a spiritual truth.
• Baptism and Qurbana are the two dominical sacraments in the Church.
• Anointing with Mooron or Confirmation is administered with baptism.
• Sacrament of Confession is administered with Qurbana.
• Other sacraments are Marriage, Ordination, and Unction.

General Administration of the Church

• Abraham Malpan wanted to preserve the historical traditions.
• He wanted the Church to adhere to scriptures.
• Sabha Prathinidhi Mandalam, consisting 65% selected lay members and 35% clergy (including Bishops) are involved in making Church decisions pertaining to faith and administration.
• The Episcopal Synod approves Mandalam decisions.
• There is an Executive Committee called the Sabha Council, elected by the Mandalam to assist the Metropolitan.
• Diocesan Assemblies and Councils administer matters on the Diocesan level.
• Representatives are selected from all parishes including women.
• Voluntary contributions support the parishes and Church.

This quiz covers the key reforms within the Mar Thoma Syrian Church, including Abraham Malpan's reasons for leaving the seminary, liturgical language decisions, and declarations of independence. It explores worship practices, the significance of reverence, and the concept of worship as an earthly echo of heavenly adoration.