Overview
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. Today, the Mar Thoma Syrian Church has over a million adherents spread worldwide.
The goal and functions adopted by the church are:
- To be the repository of the divine doctrines revealed by Jesus Christ and proclaimed by His Apostle.
- To maintain these doctrines in their purity.
- To promote the spiritual life of its members through the administration of sacraments and by the Ministry of the Word.
- To make disciples of all nations by the proclamation of the Gospel to all the world, and through the administration of Holy Baptism in the name of True God.
|
Dioceses |
13 |
|
Parishes & Congregations: |
1237 |
| Priests and Vicar General - Active: | 934 - 4 |
| Vicar General (Retired) | 18 |
| Priests - Retired: | 241 |
| Members: | 1.6 Million (Approximately) |
| Prathinidhi Mandalam Members: (Representative Assembly) |
1459 |