Thoma II

Mar Thoma II was the second Malankara Metropolitan of the Malankara Syrian Church from 1670 to 1686.

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.

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]

After the great swearing in 1653 it became necessary to appoint a bishop

Early life[]

Kadamattom is a town located in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, South India. The town is situated in the Kunnathunad Taluk, about 22 km (14 mi) east of Ernakulam. Pakalomattom family was one of the oldest families at Kadamattom. The second Mar Thoma was born at this family.

Consecration[]

The leaders of the Puthenkoor Malankara Syrian Church selected a nephew (brother's son) of Thoma I as his successor. He was consecrated by Thoma I and the Antiochean patriarchal delegate Gregorios Abdul Jaleel who was the archbishop of Jerusalem. He was the second Thoma who ascended the throne of Malankara Syrian church. When Thoma I died on 25 April 1670 Mar Thoma II, took charge of the Church.

Visits by foreign bishops[]

Four foreign bishops from Syria arrived in Kerala during his lifetime. Travel from one country to another was considerably difficult at the time, and this none of them were able to return to their home land. While they were there in Kerala, they were able to do little else besides teaching Syriac and consecrating bishops, if they were invited. People called them Muthappen (elder father).

Gregorios Abdul Jaleel, of Antioch who arrived in Kerala in 1665, was the Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan of Jerusalem. He was the one who consecrated Thoma I. After the consecration of Thoma II, he spent a retired life. He died on 27 April 1671 or 1681 and was laid to rest at St. Thomas Church, North Paravur.

Mar Anthraos and three of his brothers from the Middle East arrived at the Mulanthuruthy church in 1678. Later on they moved to various churches and arrived at St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, Puthencavu (near Chengannur). On 29 February 1692 while visiting Kallada, he went to the nearby river and was drowned. Two of his brothers went back to Mulanthuruthy and raised families there. Descendants of one of them later established the Malabar Independent Syrian Church.^[4]

Eldho Mor Baselios and Ivanios Episcopa arrived at Kothamangalam on 14 September 1685. Soon after the arrival Baselious raised Ivanios as Metropolitan (archbishop) with the title Ivanios Hidayatulla. Two weeks later, on 29 September 1685, Baselious died and was buried at Marthoma Cheriapally Kothamangalam. He is venerated as a great saint and celebrations are held annually in many churches in Malankara.

Ivanios Hidayuttulla who came with Baselios Yeldo Maphriyano, was consecrated as metropolitan in September 1685. He consecrated Mar Thoma III and Thoma IV. He died on 13 August 1693 and was buried at Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Church.

Church administration[]

Synod of Diamper was held in 1599. By the time of Mar Thoma II, became the Metropolitan of malankara in 1670, many West Syriac practices were introduced into Malankara Syrian Church. The use of western calendar, baptismal fonts and having pulpits are some of them. During his time priests were encouraged to marry.

Last days[]

The Metropolitans visiting a parish stayed in the balcony room of the church. On 14 April 1686, while Mar Thoma II was at Niranam church, there was a thunderstorm in the vicinity, whereupon Mar Thoma was struck by lightning and killed. He was laid to rest inside Niranam Church (Niranam St. Mary's Orthodox Church).

See also[]

• Malankara Church
• Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
• Malabar Independent Syrian Church
• Marthoma Syrian Church

References[]

Further reading[]

• 1. 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.