Mar Thoma V

Mar Thoma V was born in Pakalomattom family, one of the oldest families in Kerala and he was known as Ousep (Yossef in Hebrew, Ousep-Malayalam ,Joseph in English). He was the Malankara Metropolitan from 1728 to 8 May 1765. During his tenure a number of bishops from Antioch arrived and he had to face a lot of problems from them. Some of these bishops were banished from the country and had to return.

Introduction

On the South Western coast of India lies a small state known as Kerala It was here in the first century, Thomas the Apostle arrived to preach the gospel to the Jewish community. Some of the Jews and locals became followers of Jesus of Nazareth. They were known as Malabar Nasrani people and their church as Malankara Church. They followed a unique Hebrew-Syriac Christian tradition which included several Jewish elements and Indian customs.

In Malankara (Kerala) St. Thomas did not appoint any bishops, but an elder (Mooppen in Malayalam) was selected to lead the people. The parish leader was called Edavaka Mooppen and the church as a whole had a Malankara Mooppen. This was the tradition till 1653.

The Malayalam versions of the Canons of the Synod of Diamper^[1] use these titles throughout the report except in three places where they use the Latin word archidiaconus.^[2][3] There is no chance for the Malankara Church to use this Latin word. Portuguese were not familiar with the Malayalam wording Malankara Mooppen and so they might have used archidiaconus. The Malayalam name Jathikku Karthavian, given by some historians was not used in the Malayalam version of the canons.

After the great swearing in 1653 it became necessary to appoint a bishop. For this purpose a special chair was made and the first bishop of Malankara church was enthroned. This throne used for this consecration of Mar Thoma I, is in the possession of the Mar Thoma Church and is kept at Tiruvalla. It has been used in the installation of every Mar Thoma Metropolitan, to this day, so that the continuity of the throne of Mar Thoma is ensured.This was the throne used for the consecration of Mar Thoma V.

Consecration

By 1727, Mar Thoma IV fell sick. So the leaders of the Malankara Church selected a successor for him. He was consecrated as Mar Thoma V. No bishops were present for his consecration.

On 24 March 1728, Mar Thoma IV died and Mar Thoma V, took charge as the Malankara Metropolitan. He made Kandanad (Pallikara Palli) his headquarters.

Arrival of foreign bishops

Mar Ivanios a bishop from Antioch arrived in 1748. He lived in Mulanthuruthy Church and taught Syriac to the deacons. Abraham and Geevarghese of Kattumangattu family were his students. It was found that his teachings were unacceptable to the Malankara church and so in 1751 he was banished from Kerala.^[4] Before leaving for Antioch in 1751, Mar Ivanios ordained Kattumangattu Abraham and Geevarghese as priests. They later became the founder fathers of Malabar Independent Syrian Church.^[5][6]

The Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or VOC in old-spelling Dutch, literally "United East Indian Company") was established in 1602. They attached Cochin and the king of Cochin surrendered to the Dutch on 20 March 1663. During the time of Mar Thoma V they were in control of Cochin and the surrounding areas. Mar Thoma requested the help of the Dutch company to bring a bishop from outside and agreed to pay the passage.

Mar Ignatious Geevarghese III, patriarch of Antioch heard about this and immediately sent Mar Baselios Shakralla, Mar Gregorios, Ramban Yuhanon, Geevarghese Corepiscopa, Yuhanon Kassessa and four other priests. They arrived at Cochin in 1751. Mar Thoma sent priests to receive them. They were expecting one or two visitors, but there were nine. Their passage came up to Rs. 20,000. Neither the Church nor Mar Thoma could pay that much. Dutch wouldn't allow them to disembark without payment. In the end Mar Thoma was put in jail. Hearing this, parishes began to collect money. After three months, with all the collections they were able to pay part of the amount and the Dutch released Mar Thoma and the bishops. Mar Thoma never tried to meet these visitors. But they insisted that Mar Thoma should receive their Kaiveppu (laying of hands) and change his name from Mar Thoma to Mar Dionysius. Mar Thoma V, refused to comply.

In 1754, they made an agreement with Mar Thoma V, not to ordain priests in Malankara Church.^[7]

Last days

In 1761, Mar Thoma V consecrated Mar Thoma VI as his successor. He did it without any assistance from foreign Bishops thus severing all allegiance to foreign bishops.

Mar Thoma V, died on 8 May 1765 at Niranam and was laid to rest at Niranam Palli. The funeral service was conducted by Mar Thoma VI.

See also

• Indian Orthodox Church
• Jacobite Syrian Church
• Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar
• List of Catholicoi of the East and Malankara Metropolitans

References

Further reading

• 1. Chacko, T. C. (1936). Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charithra Samgraham (Concise History of Marthoma Church), Pub: E.J. Institute, Kompady, Tiruvalla.
  2. Danil, K. N. (1952). Udayamperoor Sunnahadosinte Canonukal (Canons of the Synod of Diamper), CLS. Tiruvalla.
  3. Eapen, Prof. Dr. K. V. (2001). Malankara Marthoma Suryani Sabha Charitram (History of Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church). Pub: Kallettu, Muttambalam, Kottayam.
  4. Ittoop Writer (1906). Malayalathulla Suryani Chistianikauleday Charitram (History of Syrain Christians in the land of Malayalam).
  5. Kochumon, M. P. (1995). Parisuddha Kattumangattu Bavamar (Saintly bishops of Kattumangattu). Pub.Joseph Mar Kurilos.
  6. Mathew, N. M. Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charitram, (History of the Marthoma Church), Volume 1 (2006), Volume II (2007), Volume III (2008). Pub. E.J.Institute, Thiruvalla.
  7. Varghese Kassessa, K. C. (1972). Malabar Swathantra suyani sabha Charitram. (History of Malabar Independent Syrian Church). Pub. Malabar Independent Syrian Church.