Re-establishment of Catholicate of the East

• In 1912, a group within the Malankara Church, led by Bishop Paulose Mar Ivanios, declared the re-establishment of the Catholicate of the East in India.
• This event is significant as it marked a formal separation from the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch.
• The declaration took place at St. Mary's Church, Niranam.
• This was influenced by long-standing grievances over the authority and interference of the Patriarchate in the affairs of the Malankara Church.
• The main reason for the split was that the local church wanted administrative autonomy.

The Re-establishment of the Catholicate

• The Catholicate of the East was re-established to assert the autonomy and autocephaly of the Malankara Church.
• Autocephaly means that the church is self-governing and not under the direct authority of a foreign patriarch.
• Paulose Mar Ivanios was ordained as the first Catholicos, assuming the title Baselios Paulose I.
• The re-establishment was seen by its supporters as a restoration of an ancient episcopal office in India.

Challenges and Conflicts

• The re-establishment of the Catholicate was not universally accepted within the Malankara Church.
• A faction remained loyal to the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, leading to a prolonged period of internal conflict and litigation.
• This conflict centered on control of church properties and the legitimacy of the two ecclesiastical heads (Catholicos vs. Patriarch).
• The tensions and disputes went on for decades, involving various legal battles and attempts at reconciliation.
• The main legal dispute was over the ownership of churches and assets.

Attempts at Reconciliation

• Throughout the 20th century, various attempts were made to reconcile the two factions within the Malankara Church.
• These efforts involved dialogues between representatives of both sides and mediation by external parties.
• However, these reconciliation attempts faced numerous obstacles, including disagreements over the terms of unification and the authority of the Patriarch.

The Supreme Court Verdict of 1995

• In 1995, the Supreme Court of India delivered a landmark verdict that significantly impacted the Malankara Church.
• The court upheld the validity of the 1934 constitution of the Malankara Church.
• The 1934 constitution provided for a democratic administration of the church with the Catholicos as the head.
• The verdict affirmed the autonomy of the faction that accepted the Catholicos.
• The court's decision was intended to resolve the disputes over church administration and property.

Post-1995 Developments

• Despite the Supreme Court verdict, conflicts between the two factions persisted.
• Implementation of the court's directives faced resistance and further legal challenges.
• Efforts at reconciliation continued, but a complete resolution remained elusive.
• The two factions continued to operate as separate entities, each with its own ecclesiastical hierarchy and institutions.

The Current Status

• As of the current time, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church maintains its autocephalous status with its own Catholicos.
• It is one of the major Christian denominations in India, with a significant number of churches, educational institutions, and charitable organizations.
• The relationship with the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch remains complex, with ongoing dialogues and interactions.
• The Malankara Church is part of the Oriental Orthodox communion of churches.

Key Figures

• Paulose Mar Ivanios (Baselios Paulose I): The first Catholicos after the re-establishment of the Catholicate in 1912.
• Mathews Mar Athanasius: A key figure in the reform movement within the Malankara Church during the 19th century.
• Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius: played a pivotal role in solidifying the autocephaly of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

Key Concepts

• Catholicate: The office and jurisdiction of a Catholicos, a high-ranking ecclesiastical leader.
• Autocephaly: The state of being an autocephalous church, i.e., self-governing and not subject to external authority.
• Malankara Church Constitution of 1934: A foundational document outlining the administrative structure and governance of the Malankara Church.
• Oriental Orthodox Churches: A group of Eastern Christian churches that share a common Christological doctrine and are not in communion with the Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholic churches.
• Patriarchate of Antioch: One of the ancient Patriarchates in Christianity, with historical ties to the Malankara Church.

Contributions and Significance

• The Malankara Orthodox Church has played a significant role in the socio-cultural and educational development of Kerala.
• The church runs numerous schools, colleges, and hospitals, contributing to the welfare of the community.
• It has also been involved in various social initiatives and charitable activities.
• The struggle for autocephaly by the Malankara Church reflects broader themes of ecclesiastical independence and self-determination within Christianity.
• The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has made significant contributions to theological discourse, particularly within the Oriental Orthodox tradition, by producing scholars and theologians.
• The church's engagement in inter-faith dialogue and ecumenical activities promotes understanding and cooperation among different religious communities.
• The church has adapted to the changing socio-political landscape of India while preserving its religious and cultural heritage.
• The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has expanded its presence globally, establishing dioceses and parishes in various countries to serve the spiritual needs of its diaspora communities.
• Liturgical Music: The church has a rich tradition of liturgical music, with unique melodies and chants that have been preserved and passed down through generations.
• Iconography: The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church follows the tradition of using icons in worship, depicting biblical scenes and saints.
• Asceticism: The church has a tradition of monasticism and asceticism, with monks and nuns playing an important role in spiritual formation and service.
• Local Customs: The church integrates local customs and traditions into its religious practices, reflecting the cultural diversity of India.