• What do we believe?

Our Church, in conformity with the faith of the Christian Church in all ages, believes in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, God incarnate for the redemption of humankind and in the Triune (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) God revealed by Him, who is Himself one in that Trinity.

The Holy Bible consisting of sixty-six book comprised in the Old and New Testaments, is accepted as the basis of all matters of doctrine and faith, and the Nicene Creed, formulated in accordance with the Holy Scriptures.

The Church is the Body of Christ and the believers are the members thereof.

The Church affirms that salvation is the gift of God, appropriated by faith in Jesus Christ. This message of salvation by the grace of God, brings assurance and joy to all believers.

• What about the ministry of the Mar Thoma Church?

The Church accepts as its ministry to maintain the divine doctrines in their purity revealed by Jesus Christ; to promote the spiritual life of its members through the administration of the holy sacraments and by ministry of the Holy 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 the Triune God.

Also, our Church affirms that the people of God are sent all over the world and that they partake in the salvation work of God, to unite in Jesus Christ, through the ministry of reconciliation, begun in Jesus Christ.

In receiving the power of the Holy Spirit, the Church is enabled to fulfill the redemptive work of God. The Holy Spirit guides the offices of the ministry, originated through divine plan and ordains the people of God to build the Church which is the body of Christ, in order that they may attain maturity, akin to the fullness of Christ, through faith and knowledge in the Son of God and the unity of the Holy Spirit.

• When was the Church established?

It is traditionally believed that St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ, came to India in AD 52 and established seven churches on the Malabar Coast. Although, this may not be proven conclusively Bishop L.W. Brown in The Indian Christians of St. Thomas states, “…the presence of Christians of undoubtedly ancient origin holding firmly to the tradition, the proof of very considerable commercial contact between the western world and the Malabar coast in the first century AD and the presence of Jewish colonies at the same time, may for some incline the balance to belief that the truth of the tradition is a reasonable probability”.

• What does “Mar Thoma” mean?

It simply means “Saint Thomas” in Syriac/Aramaic in reference to St. Thomas the Apostle who established the church in India.

• Why are we called “Syrian Christians”?

For a long time there was a connection with the churches in the Middle East and the Christian community in South India. Therefore, it was only natural that we adopted their liturgy which was in Syriac. Thus, the “Syrian” really refers to our liturgical heritage and not to any ethnic relation.

• What is the nature of the Mar Thoma Church?

The Mar Thoma Church combines evangelical and reformed doctrines with ancient forms of worship and practices.

As a reformed Church with a progressive outlook, it agrees very much with the reformed doctrines of the Western churches. Therefore in these days of ecumenism there is much in common in faith and doctrine between the Mar Thoma Church and the Reformed churches of the West. As the same time, as it continues in the apostolic Episcopal tradition and ancient oriental practices, it has much in common with the Orthodox churches. Thus, it is regarded by many in the ecumenical world as a ‘bridge church’.

• What is the “role of laity” in the Church?

The Reformation emphasized the truth that all people are called to share in the royal priesthood of Jesus Christ. The laity share in this as much as the clergy, though different people are called to exercise different ministries.

• How does the Mar Thoma Church view the concept of the unity of the Church universal?

Our Church believes that it is the divine imperative of our Lord Jesus Christ that all those who believe in Him should be one and that all people of God should be brought into complete unity. Therefore, as continuation of the mission of Christ, the Church gives priority to work for the unity and oneness of all humankind. “Unity” does not imply a structural oneness and single entity of the whole Christendom. The foundation of unity is the life-giving love (agape) expressed on the Cross of Calvary. When humanity truly experiences this agape, the purpose of incarnation will be realized and all will come under one faith. Thus, unity should be expressed by coming together under this umbrella of love. When there is unity in essentials, cooperation in mission will be all the more easy. Unity, therefore, should not be seen as the merger of structures but the oneness in faith activities, mission, ministry and attitude towards the other.

References:

Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar, Constitution