Traditionally believed to have been founded by Saint Thomas (Mar Thoma), one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, in the year AD 52, the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar is one of the oldest denominations of Christianity.
The Church defines itself as "Apostolic in origin, Universal in nature, Biblical in faith, Evangelical in principle, Ecumenical in outlook, Oriental in worship, Democratic in function, and Episcopal in character."

Headquartered at Thiruvalla in Kerala, in India, the church has followers across the globe.
It is widely believed that the Apostle St. Thomas came to Muziris on the south west coast of India in AD 52 and laid the foundations of Christianity in this part of the world.