:: HISTORY ::

HISTORY OF THE SYRO-MALABAR CHURCH

The Syro-Malabar Church was known as the Church of the St.Thomas Christians until the 18th century because it was founded by St Thomas, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. St.Thomas came to India in 52 A.D. He died as a Martyr in a place called Mylapore near the present town of Chennai (Madras).His tomb is still venerated there.

As a Church that existed outside the Roman Empire, the Church of the St. Thomas Christians had little contact with the Roman or the other Churches within the Empire.At the same time it maintained communion with the Church of Rome through the Church in the Persian Empire,which later came to be known as the East Syrian or Chaldean or Babylonian Church. It is believed that Christianity in Persian Empire was introduced by the disciples of St. Thomas. It seems that the Christians in India had contact with these Christians of the Persian Empire from very early times. Given the commercial relations of India of those days such a contact was possible.

In the middle of the 4th century or later a group of Christians from these communities under the leadership of a merchant called Thomas of Kinayi migrated to the southern parts of India Known as Kerala now. The descendants of this latter group are called Knananites or Southists and the former Northists. Both of them belong the Syro-Malabar Church. Even now they live as two separate communities with their own diocese and parishes.

For some unknown reasons at least from the 8th century until the end of the 16th century the Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church were sent from the East Syrian Church, appointed by the Patriarch of the East Syrian Church. There is a tradition which says that there were Indian Bishops in the beginning. But written proofs are very few to say anything concrete about them.

Because of the Portuguese colonisation of parts of India in the early 16th century and of the consequent ecclesiastical arrangements, from 1600 onwards European Bishops from the Latin Church were appointed by the Pope to govern the St.Thomas Christians. Their rule ended in 1896 in which year indigenous Bishops from among the St.Thomas Christians were appointed to the Church of St.Thomas Christians. By that time the ancient name "Church of St.Thomas Christians" had given way to the present name "Syro-Malabar Church".

During the period from 1653 to 1887 many divisions took place in the Syro-Malabar Church mainly in the attempt of the Syro-Malabarians to get rid of the rule of the Latin Bishops who often gave little value to the ancient system of administration of the St.Thomas Christians and their Christian heritage. The missionaries seems to have had the impression that the St.Thomas Christians were not Catholics but Nestorians since they accepted Bishops from the East Syrian Church which officially had adopted Nestorianism. As they were living at a time soon after the council of Trent in which decision was taken to deal toughly with heretics, they were all out to "reduce the Syro-Malabarians to the Roman obedience." There were also the commercial interests of the Portuguese behind the appointment of Latin Bishops to rule the Syro-Malabarians. As the last Bishop appointed by the East Syrian Patriarch died in 1597 the Portuguese tightened their hold on the Syro-Malabarians and never permitted any more East Syrian Bishops to enter Malabar. In 1599 the Latin archbishop of Goa convened a synod at Udayamperoor in the present Kerala and made the people accept many customs with which they were not familiar. He also spread the news in Europe that Syro-Malabarians were "reduced to the Roman obedience" and accepted Catholicism as well the authority of the Pope in this Synod. The fact,however,was not so.The Syro-Malabarians had never accepted Nestorianism even though they had contact with the East Syrians and they were not at all involved in any of the Christological controversies. On the contray whenever they got a chance they reiterated their allegiance to the Pope and their communion with the Church of Rome. In any case the rule of the Latin Bishops was never accepted by the Syro-Malabarians and the climax of their protest was what is known in the history as Coonan Cross Oath. The leadership of the St.Thomas Christian community pledged in this oath not to accept any more the rule of the Jesuit missionaries from among whom the Bishops were appointed. It was in 1653. History tells us that the St.Thomas Christians who gathered at Mattancherry near Fort Kochi under the leadership of the archdeacon to receive a Bishop from Persia took the oath touching the cross there that they would not obey any more the Jesuits who were the main European Missionaries in India at that time; Coonan Cross Oath was a revolt against the oppressive rule of the Europeans and not against the Pope or the Holy See. After the Oath 12 priests at the instigation of one of them laid hands on the head of the archdeacon and "ordained him Bishop". There began the division in the Church of the St.Thomas Christians.

There was tension in the Church because the faithful wanted to keep the true faith but not under the Bishop who was appointed by the Portuguese crown. Some remained in schism while others came back to the obedience of the Latin Bishop. Those who remained under the "pseudo Bishop" later accepted the tradition of the Antiochean non-Catholic tradition and were known as the Orthodox Church. Later because of the missionary work of the Protestants there arose other non-Catholic Churches in India, particularly in Kerala.

There were continuous attempts for reestablishing the lost communion. But nothing succeeded mainly because of the opposition from the European missionaries. It was to obtain permission for receiving this group into the Catholic Church that Fr. Joseph Kariattil and Fr. Thomas Paremmakkal, two priests from the Church of St.Thomas Christians, went to Rome in the 18th century. Fr.Kariattil was ordained archbishop of the St.Thomas Christians, and had received a mandate to receive the dissident group with its bishop to the Catholic communion. Unfortunately Bishop Kariattil on his way to Kerala died in Goa in 1786. Finally, in 1930 a group of them under the leadership of their archbishop called Mar Ivanios reestablished their communion with the Catholic Church and the Holy See accepted it as a separate Catholic Church with the name of Syro-Malankara Church.

Those who remained in communion of Pope after the Coonan Cross Oath later came to be known as the Syro-Malabarians. It was a name given by the Roman authorities to refer to the Catholic St.Thomas Christians. The name Syro-Malabar was chosen apparently to avoid confusion with the Malabar rite which existed as a part of the Latin Church in the Coromandel coast of India. Even those who remained in communion were fighting for getting Bishops of their own rite and nation. It became a reality only in 1896 when the Apostolic Vicariates of Trichur, Ernakulam and Changanachery were established and three indigenous priests were appointed as vicars apostolic.

Ever since the Syro-Malabar Church grew phenomenally in all aspects. Because of the increased mobility of people many members of the Syro-Malabar Church emigrated to other parts of India and foreign countries. Though they remain members of the Syro-Malabar Church, they had little chance of following their own traditions in their life of faith because only the Latin Church was present in many of the lands they migrated as U.S.A and Canada. As a result of the teaching of the second Vatican council there was an awakening both in the Bishops of this Church as well as the faithful scattered all over the world about their identity and their duty to preserve and promote their tradition. The Code of Canons of the Oriental Churches or the Oriental Canon Law prescribes that these traditions be preserved and fostered. That means that provision must be made for these faithful to practice and grow in their own tradition everywhere in the world.

Various ways are prescribed for providing pastoral care for these migrant Eastern Christians. The first one is to set apart a priest in the Latin Parish for the care of Eastern Christians. If that does not ensure proper care, then vicar general under the local Bishop is to be appointed. If that too becomes ineffective because of any reason, particularly because the number of the faithful to be taken care of is too big,then a diocese should be established for them.

The Knanaya community had their own parishes and in 1911 a separate vicariate apostolic, Kottayam was erected for them. Bishop Kuriakose Kunnacherry is their present bishop. He has jurisdiction over all the Kananaya faithful within the provinces of Ernakulam , Changanacherry, Trichur and Tellicherry. The auxiliary bishop of Kottayam as Syncellus or representative of the Bishop of Kottayam resides at Kannur in Northern Kerala and looks after the needs of the Kananaya faithful in the Northern Kerala.

At the time of the Coonan Cross Oath many of the Kananaya parishes also had accepted the "pseudo bishop" ordained by the twelve priests. In the course of time they too accepted the Antiochean way of worship and customs. When the reestablishment of communion came about in 1930 some of the Kananaya parishes also followed the same. However instead of joining the Syro-Malankara Church they joined the diocese of Kottayam in the Syro-Malabar Church even though they follow the Antiochean liturgy. They have separate parishes and parish priests within the diocese of Kottayam.

The St. Thomas Christians in India were under the rule of the Latin bishops from 1600 to 1896. In 1887 the St. Thomas Christians were given two separate ecclesiastical circumscriptions called Apostolic vicariates. They were Trichur and Kottayam. In 1896 there took place a reorganization as a result three vicariates, namely Trichur, Ernakulam and Changanacherry came into existence. Three Syro - Malabar priests were ordained bishops and put in charge of these units. These indigenous bishops were John Menacherry (Trichur), Louis Pazheparampil (Ernakulam) and Mathew Makeil (Changanacherry). In 1911 a new vicariate at Kottayam was established for the Knananites and Mar Makeil was transferred to this new vicariate. Later in 1923 the Apostolic Vicariates were made dioceses and the diocese of Ernakulam was made Archdiocese and its bishop archbishop. In the same year the Syro-Malabar hierarchy was established. In 1957 the diocese of Changanacherry was made archdiocese. Having two archbishops with no common head is not customary in the Eastern Churches. So this new provision created an anomalous juridical situation in the Syro - Malabar Church. As the new Oriental Canon Law was promulgated in 1990 this situation could not be continued.

Canon Law foresees only four categories of sui iuris Churches and the Syro-Malabar Church did not fall into any of them. The four categories are the following: Patriarchal, Major Archipepiscopal, Metropolitan and other. So on 16 December 1992 Pope John Paul II declared the Syro- Malabar Church as a Major Archiepiscopal Church and appointed Cardinal Antony Padiyara, the then Archbishop of Ernakulam as the first Major Archbishop. Had such a step not been taken the functioning of the Syro-Malabar Church would have been very difficult. Taking into consideration the particular situation of the Syro - Malabar Church and the poor state of health of Cardinal Antony Padiyara the Pope had appointed also a delegate of him to discharge the duties of the Major Archbishop. He was Archbishop Abraham Kattumana, who was a Vatican Ambassador in African countries. Archbishop Kattumana died unexpectedly during his visit to Rome in April 1995. Since the post was a temporary one none else was appointed to take his place.

In November 1996 Cardinal Padiyara resigned from his office as Major Archbishop. In his place instead of allowing the synod to elect a new Major Archbishop the Pope appointed an Administrator in the person of Archbishop Varkey Vithayathil, C.Ss.R. He was a priest belonging to the Redemptorist Congregation. In December 1998 he was appointed Major Archbishop by the Pope. In February 2001 Archbishop Vithayathil was created a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II.

According to the Oriental Canon Law the Major Archbishop is the head of the Syro - Malabar Church immediately under the Pope. However his authority is limited to the dioceses that are the suffragans of the archdioceses of Ernakulam, Changnacherry , Trichur and Tellicherry. The Syro - Malabar dioceses in other parts of India and abroad are directly under the Pope. Even though according to the Oriental Canon Law the Synod of this Church has the right to appoint new bishops, these rights were reserved to the Pope until recently. On 3 January 2004 the Pope restituted this right to the Bishops’ Synod.

The Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church is automatically the archbishop of Ernakulam - Angamaly archdiocese also because it is determined so by the Holy See. So whoever is elected as Major Archbishop or whoever exercises his authority unless otherwise decided by the Holy See will have two offices. As Archbishop of Ernakulam - Angamaly he has his office at Ernakulam. His office as Major Archbishop is at Mount St. Thomas.

History of Syro Malabar Church in London

Syro-Malabar Catholic Church London is the official body of the Syro-Malabar Church in England and Wales . There are more than 55000 Indian Catholics following this rite in the UK and the number is increasing on account of the immigration of professionals.
A great number of Indian immigrants reached the United Kingdom decades back. Many of them who came first were students with the intention of pursuing graduate education in the various Universities in the UK . Then, professionals such as doctors and nurses came. After World War II and Independence , number of emigrants drastically increased.
To save the Syro-Malabar Rite emigrants from their present erosion of faith and decline of spiritual life as well as for the growth and development of the Syro-Malabar church it is very necessary that these Oriental Catholics get pastoral care.
The Syro Malabar Catholic Community is a small community which is fastly growing through out the United Kingdom . Recently the number of immigrants from Kerala have been dramatically increased. The need for professional and skilled people in the field of Nursing, caring, engineering, education increased the potential employment environment in United Kingdom .

A brief History of Syro Malabar Church in London
The current Syro Malabar Church in London has started its work since 2002. Couple of students and nurses from Kerala studying and working in London was eagerly looking for a Syro Malabar Priest to celebrate our Holy Mass in Malayalam.
In the beginning of 2002 ,Mr.Joice Pallickamyalil James, one of the first members of our community met Very.Rev.Fr.Biju John Kochuprampil, who was studying in London and requested him to celebrate our Holy Mass in our rite for our small group in London . Fr.Biju has happily agreed but was concerned about getting the permission from the Hierarchy in London . During that time we did not had regular Holy Mass in Syro Malabar Rite in London . We gathered some students and nurses and their families ad started a small community in Arnose Grove. It was very difficult to get a Church during that time. It was Fr.Biju who contacted our Dioceses in London and secured permission from the Hierarchy to celebrate our Holy Mass in our rite. Msgr. Canon Tom Eagen, who is the Parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes, Arnos Grove, was very helpful and gave permission to use the premises for our community to start our activities. There were only 20-30 members in the beginning, but now we have almost 13000 – 14000 faithful attending regular Holy Mass in every month.
It was an inspiration to us when His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil visited us in June 2004. Our church started taking more responsibilities regarding the pastoral care of our people and more Holy Mass centres started in several parts in England . We thankfully remember His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil for his whole hearted support and guidance to our community.
The official website of Syro Malabar Church , www.syromalabarchurchuk.org was inaugurated by His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil, then the Metropolitan Arch Bishop of Archdiocese of Changanachery on the 29th June 2004. A quarterly magazine named Friend’s Voice, (Now the official news letter of our church in London ) was also published on the same day. His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil gave the first copy to Msgr.Canon Tom Eagen and inaugurated the publication. Almost 300 people from different parts of London attended the ceremony. Mar Powathil has visited us 3 times during the past 5 years. His Grace Valiyamattom also visited us on the 17th October 2005, and celebrated Holy Mass in Dulwich. Then Archbishop Mathew Moolekattil blessed us with his visit. The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church London conducted elections after the Palliyogam rules, to organize our day to day activities in the local Churches. At the same we are allowed more and more Holy Mass centres in London .
On the 4th of July 2005, during our Dukhrana Thirunal, Msgr. Canon Tom Egan handed over the key of the First official office for Syro Malabar church to Mr.Jose K Joseph, the representative from the Arch Diocese of Westminster. It was a milestone for our church in London . He also declared that Fr.Biju John is the Chaplain for the Syro Malabar Church in London .
In the beginning of 2005, we found it is time for our Hierarchy in India to visit us and study about the possibilities of having Chaplains and priests in London . Letters from our communities were sent to our Synod and His Grace Mar Gregory Karotemprel agreed to visit us in August 2005.
Fr.Biju John has taken measures to arrange meetings with the Bishops in UK . Bishop Gregory’s visit was very helpful for our Church. He gathered leaders from all over UK and met them at Birmingham where he declared that we will soon have a London Coordinator and a National Coordinator.
On the 22nd of July 2005 the Syro Malabar Church in UK has been officially inaugurated by His Grace Mar Gregory Karotemprel at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Arnose Grove. Canon Vincent Berry lighted “Nilavilakku” as a Symbol of our new beginning.
The Bishops conference in England appointed Rev. Fr. Biju John Kochuparampil as the coordinator for the three diocese of London in November 2005. He was also appointed as the Chaplain for the Arch Dioceses of Westminster and Southwark. Rev.Fr.George Cheeramkuzhi was appointed as the Chaplain for the Diocese of Brentwood.
Our Coordinator, Fr.Biju John was invited for the International Holy Mass at Westminster RC cathedral on the 30th of October 2005. It was for the first time in the history that a prayer from our Holy Qurbana was said in Malayalam at the cathedral. It was a historic moment of recognition to our Church in London . His Excellency Cardinal Murphy O’Connor welcomed Syro Malabar Church to the communion.
On the 9th of December 2005 a General Body Meeting of our leaders from each and every community in London were gathered together at Arnose Grove in the presence of Very. Rev. Fr. Austin Garvey. Two members from each Diocese were elected to become members of the Coordination Committee. Mr.Jose K Joseph and Mr.Santimon Jacob were elected as members from Arch Diocese of Westminster. Mr. Antony Mathew and Mr. Siby Thomas were elected as members from the Diocese of Brentwood. Mr. Joice P James and Sr. Editta were elected as members from the Arch Diocese of Southwark.
Committees for different departments were also selected.
Different committees formed and the members of it for the year of 2005- 2006
Finance Committee
Director : Rev.Fr.George Cheeramkuzhi
Treasurer : Mr. Jose K Joseph
Members : Mr.Antony Mathew, Mr.Siby Thomas, Mr.Joice P James, Mr.Santimon Jacob,Sr.Editta.
Liturgy, Faith & Worship
Director: Fr. George Cheeramkuzhi,
Joint Director: Fr. Johnson Pazhukunnel
Secretary: Mr.Joice P James
Members: Mr.Jomon Mathew, Mr.Shamim, Mr.Roy George, Mr.Noby Mathew,
Mrs.Seena Joseph.
Education, Media & Communication
Director: Fr. Biju John
Members: Mr.Antony Mathew, Mr.Josekutty Joseph, Mr. John Issac, Mr. benny Madam,
Mrs. Jiby Jose
Social Service
Director: Fr. Chacko Panathara Cm
Secretary: Mr.Siby Thomas
Members: Mrs. Kochuthresea Turabi, Mrs. Mary, Mr. Manoj Kurian. Mr. Satyan, Mr. Joseph Devasia, Mrs. Biji Noby, Mrs. Binny Manoj, Mrs. Rani, Mr. Shino, Mrs. Jancy
Family Apostolate
Director : Fr. Biju John Kochuparambil
Joint Director : Fr.George Cheeramkuzhi
Secretary : Mrs. Sherin Antony
Members : Mrs.Binny Manoj, Mr.Anoop M.Kurian, Mrs Kochuthresia Thomas, Mr.Sajan Mathew, Mrs.Sonia Luby.
Catechism
Director : Rev.Dr.mathew Thottathimyalil
Secretary : Mr. Antony Mathew
Members : Mr. Tom Jacob, Mr.Prince John, Mrs.Jancy Antony, Mr.Saiju George, Mrs.Swapna Mathew
The Coordination committee members for the year 2007-2008
REV.FR. BIJU JOHN KOCHUPARAMPIL - Coordinator
REV.FR. GEORGE CHEERAMKUZHI - Chaplain for Brentwood Dioces
MR.ANTONY MATHEW- Representative from Diocese of Brentwood
MRS.BINNY MANOJ - Representative from Arch Diocese of Westminster
MR.JOICE PALLICKAMYALIL JAMES - Representative from Arch Diocese of Southwark
MR.JOY IRUMBAN - Representative from Arch Diocese of Westminster
MR.NOBY AUGUSTINE - Representative from Diocese of Brentwood
MRS. ROSAMMA MATTATHIL THOMAS- Representative from Arch Diocese of Southwark
Our Community is growing and flourishing. Our dream is to have a good ongoing Syro Malabar Catholic parish were our children can learn our tradition, heritage and culture. It must be a centre where our community members can express our views and opinion. A place where we can have our own sacramental worship and prayers. More over to provide the pastoral care for our faithful.
At present we have 27 Holy Mass Centres in the three dioceses where we are having regular Holy Mass in our rite. We have started the catechism classes for our children. Each and every community have Kaikkarans and other community leaders to support our Church in London . It is true that we had several problems in the last year from several people but we managed to over come the situations and is now our system is implemented properly according to our Palliyogam rules and regulations.
Our coordinator is also looking after the following communities outside London Eastbourne Papworth, Slough and Nottingham .
Our community in London had only 250 members when we started but now we have almost 13000 – 14000 faithful in London who is regularly attending our Holy Mass.

Advantages we have
We have very dedicated priests working for us in London . Our coordinator and Chaplains are gifted with their organisational skills.
We have a central Bank Account were all our collections and payments are made. This Account is under the Charity of Westminster Arch Diocese.
We have a very strong and good relationship between our communities in London .
Our coordination committee members share the same views and values.
The centres directly under the Chaplains and Coordinator are working very well. All the centres have started catechism for our children.

Statistics
We arranged 7 retreats in last year for our faithful. We had a Christeen Retreat for our children during last Summer.
In Twenty seven communities we have arranged cultural programs during Christmas, Easter and other occasions.
We have prepared 104 children for their First Holy Communion. We had 4 Baptisms and 4 Funerals last year.
Every month around 20-25 people are attending our Pre Marriage Course at Arnos Grove.
We have a full fledged Choir for our Church.
Around 600 children are attending the Catechism classes regularly.