Syro-Malabar Catholic Church

Restoration of the Syro-Malabar hierarchy

After the split in the church community, the Catholics of the Malabar coast faced an identity crisis and thus some priests and laymen attempted to persuade the hierarchy to improve the identity of the local church and for the appointment of bishops from local priests. To represent their position, Kerala's Syrian Catholics Joseph Kariattil and Paremmakkal Thomma Kathanar went to Rome in 1778. While they were in Europe, Kariatty Joseph Kathanar was installed in Portugal as the Archbishop of Kodungalloor Archdiocese. While journeying home, they stayed in Goa where Kariattil died before he could formally take charge. Before he died, Kariattil appointed Kathanar as the Administrator of Kodungalloor Archdiocese after him. The new administrator ran the affairs of the church establishing his headquarters at Angamaly. In 1790, the headquarters of the Archdiocese was shifted to Vadayar dodging the invasion of Tippu Sultan. In the last four years of his life, Thomma Kathanar managed church administration from his own parish, Ramapuram.

After being under Babylonian Assyrian Church of the East (Catholic faction of this church is known as Chaldean Catholic Church from 1681) bishops earlier and under Latin Church Roman Catholic bishops from 1599, Catholics of St. Thomas Christians obtained their own bishops from 1896. They were known as Catholic Chaldean Syrians during the period from around 1787(Angamaly Padiyola) to around 1911. They were known as the Catholic Syrians or Romo-Syrians to differentiate them from the Orthodox Syrians and Latin Church Catholics in Kerala. They came to be known as the Syro Malabar Catholics from 1932 onwards to differentiate them from the Syro-Malankara Catholics in Kerala. The Indian East Syriac Catholic Hierarchy was restored on 21 December 1923 with Mar Augustine Kandathil as the first Metropolitan and Head of the Church with the name Syro-Malabar.^[13]

Time line of events

Time line of events

• 1 Ancient Era
• 2 Portuguese Era
• 3 Era of Divisions
• 4 The Dark Era of Invasions
• 5 Era of Self-governance
• 6 A Sui iuris Church.
• 7 Title restoration

Syro-Malabar identity

Syro-Malabar Historian and theologian Fr. Placid Podipara describes it as "Catholic by faith, Indian by culture & East Syrian/Syriac/Oriental in liturgy." Today, the Syro-Malabar Church finds herself as the second-largest Eastern Catholic Church in the world with over 4.6 million members worldwide.

Faith and communion of Syro-Malabarians

The St. Thomas Christians got their bishops from the Assyrian Church of the East/Chaldean Church from ca. 300 AD till the end of the sixteenth century, until it was stopped by the Portuguese Roman Catholics (Catholics) in 1597, after the death of Mar Abraham.

Restoration of East Syriac liturgy

Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, the largest Church among St. Thomas Christians.

Crowning during a Syro-Malabar wedding by bishop Mar Gregory Karotemprel

East Syriac liturgy has three anaphorae: those of the Holy Apostles (Saints Addai and Mari), Mar Nestorius, and Mar Theodore the Interpreter. The first is the most popularly and extensively used. The second was traditionally used on the Epiphany and the feasts of St. John the Baptist and of the Greek Doctors, both of which occur in Epiphany-tide on the Wednesday of the Rogation of the Ninevites, and on Maundy Thursday. The third is used (except when the second is ordered) from Advent to Palm Sunday. The same pro-anaphoral part serves for all three.

In the second half of 20th century, there was a movement for better understanding of the liturgical rites. A restored Eucharistic liturgy, drawing on the original East Syriac sources, was approved by Pope Pius XII in 1957 and for the first time on the feast of St. Thomas on July 3, 1962, the vernacular, Malayalam, was introduced for the celebration of the Syro-Malabar Qurbana.^[15] Currently they celebrate the Divine Liturgy of Addai and Mari and the Anaphora of Mar Theodre in mostly Malayalam, with Syriac and English influences.

Besides the Anaphora of Mar Addai and Mari being used currently in Syro-Malabar liturgy, there are two more anaphorae known as Anaphora of Mar Theodore and Anaphora of Mar Nestorius. That the Anaphora of Mar Theodore which was withdrawn from use after the Synod of Diamper(a large number of churches used it up to 1896) is being used again in Syro-Malabar Church after 415 years is indeed an important historical reality.In a way SyroMalabar church rejected Synod of Diamper Pope Pius XII during the process of restoration of the Syro-Malabar Qurbana in 1957 had requested the restoration of the Anaphorae of Mar Theodore and Mar Nestorius. The draft of the Anaphora of Mar Theodore was restored after meticulous study by the Central Liturgical Committee, Liturgical Research Centre, various sub-committees and the eparchial liturgical commissions. Many changes befitting to the times have been made in the prayers maintaining maximum fidelity to the original text of the Second Anaphora. It was this text so prepared that was sent to Rome for the recognition of the Apostolic See in accordance with the decision of the Syro-Malabar Synod. The Congregation for the Eastern Churches gave its approval for using this anaphora on an experimental basis for three years on 15 December 2012.^[16]

The Latinization of the Syro-Malabar rite churches was brought to a head when in 1896 Ladislaus Zaleski, the Apostolic Delegate to India, requested permission to translate the Roman Pontifical into Syriac. This was the choice of some Malabar prelates, who chose it over the East Syriac Rite and West Syriac Rite pontificals. A large number of Syro-Malabarians were Assyrian schismatics at that time and various problems and concerns delayed the approval of this translation, until in 1934 Pope Pius XI stated that Latinization was no longer to be encouraged among Eastern Rite Catholics.^[17] He initiated a process of liturgical reform that sought to restore the oriental nature of the Latinized Syro-Malabar rite.^[18] A restored Eucharistic liturgy, drawing on the original East Syriac sources, was approved by Pius XII in 1957 and introduced in 1962.

The church uses one of several Bible translations into Malayalam.

Liturgical calendar

Syro-Malabar liturgical calendar

Syro Malabar Church has its own liturgical year. It is ordered according to the flow of salvation history. It focuses on the historical life of Jesus.^[19] There are nine seasons for the liturgical year. They are:

1. Annunciation (Suvara)
2. Nativity of Jesus
3. Epiphany (Denha)
4. Great Fast (Sawma Rabba)
5. Resurrection (Qyamta)
6. Apostles (Slihe)
7. Summer (Qaita)
8. Elijah-Cross-Moses (Elijah-Sliba-Muse)
9. Dedication of the Church (Qudas-Edta)

Major feasts

Major feasts of the Church are,^[20]

• Dukrana of the Father in Faith – Mar Thoma Shliha Commemorated on July 3
• Marth Alphonsa – commemorated 28 July
• Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara – commemorated 3 January
• Mar Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly – commemorated 5 October
• Saint Euphrasia – commemorated 29 August
• Mar Bartholomeo Sleeha – commemorated 24 August
• Marth Shmoni and her 7 Children – commemorated 21 August
• The Assumption of St Mary (Shoonaya) – commemorated on 15 August
• Transfiguration (Geliyana) – commemorated 6 August
• Mar Addai and Mar Mari – commemorated on the Second Friday of Qaita (Summer)
• The 12 Apostles of our Lord, Iso' Misiha – commemorated 19 July
• The 70 Apostles – commemorated 17 July
• Mar Quriaqos and mother Yolethe – commemorated 15 July
• Mar Aprem- Commemorated – commemorated 9 June
• Blessed Mariam Thresia – commemorated 8 June
• Holy Pentecost – commemorated on 31 May
• The Ascension of our Lord, Iso' Misiha (Sulaqa) – commemorated 21 May
• Mar Addai Shliha – commemorated 10 May
• Mar Geevarghese Sahada – commemorated 24 April
• New Sunday – commemorated 19 April
• All Saints' Day – commemorated on the first Friday of the Season of Resurrection
• Entry of our Lord, Iso' Misiha into Jerusalem – Oshana Sunday
• The Annunciation of St Mary (Subara) – commemorated 25 March
• Remembrance of all Departed Faithful (Kol Anidhe) – commemorated on Last Friday of Denha
• The feast of Denha, the Epiphany – commemorated on 6 January
• The Nativity of our Lord, God and Saviour Iso M'siha (Yaldha) – commemorated 25 December
• Mar Thoma Sliva – commemorated 18 December
• Immaculate Conception of St Mary – commemorated 8 December
• Mar Augustinose Kunjachan – commemorated 16 October
• Passover Feast (Pesha)

Syro-Malabar major archiepiscopal curia

Syriac inscription at Syro-Malabar Catholic Major Archbishop's House, Ernakulam.

The curia^[21] of the Syro-Malabar Church began to function in March 1993 at the archbishop’s house of Ernakulam-Angamaly. Later, on 27 May 1995, it was shifted to new premises at Mount St. Thomas near Kakkanad, Kochi. The newly constructed curial building was opened on 3 July 1998.

The administration of the Syro-Malabar Church has executive and judicial roles. The major archbishop, officials, various commissions, committees, and the permanent synod form the executive part. The permanent synod and other offices are formed in accordance with the CCEO. The officials include the chancellor, vice-chancellor, and other officers. Various commissions are appointed by the major archbishop: Liturgy, Pastoral care of the migrant and Evangelisation, Particular Law, Catechism, Ecumenism, Catholic Doctrine, Clergy and Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. The members of the commissions are ordinarily bishops. But there are also priests in different commissions. For judicial activities there is the major archiepiscopal ordinary tribunal formed in accordance with CCEO and it has a statutes and sufficient personnel with a president, as its head. At present, Rev. Dr. Jose Chiramel is the president. The Major archiepiscopal curia functions in the curial building in Kerala, India. They have prepared the particular law for their Church and promulgated part by part in Synodal News, the official Bulletin of this Church. There are statutes for the permanent synod, for the superior and ordinary tribunals. Regarding economo, CCEO c. 122 § 2 is specific in the particular law, that the term of the office shall be five years and the same person shall not be appointed for more than two terms consecutively.^[22]

Provinces, (Arch)Eparchies and other jurisdictions

Syro-Malabar bishops at the Generalate of S. D.

There are 31 eparchies (dioceses). Five of them are Archeparchies at present, all in southern India: The major Archbishop's see Ernakulam-Angamaly, Changanacherry, Trichur, Tellicherry and Kottayam.

Those have another 13 suffragan eparchies : Bhadravathi, Belthangady, Irinjalakuda, Kanjirapally, Kothamangalam, Idukki, Mananthavady, Mandya, Palai, Palghat, Ramanathapuram, Thamarassery and Thuckalay within the canonical territory of the Major Archiepiscopal Church.

There are 13 further eparchies outside the canonical territory of which Adilabad, Bijnor, Chanda, Gorakhpur, Jagdalpur, Kalyan, Rajkot, Sagar, Satna and Ujjain in India are with exclusive jurisdiction and Kalyan, Faridabad eparchies in India, the St. Thomas Eparchy of Chicago in the United States of America and St. Thomas the Apostle Eparchy of Melbourne in Australia enjoy personal jurisdiction.^[23]

Proper Ecclesiastical provinces

Most believers of this church are organized under 5 Metropolitan Archeparchies (archdioceses), all in Kerala, and their suffragan eparchies.

Late Mar Varkey Vithayathil former Major Archbishop.

• Major Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly
  • Eparchy of Idukki
  • Eparchy of Kothamangalam
• Metropolitan Archeparchy Changanassery
  • Eparchy of Kanjirappally
  • Eparchy of Palai
  • Eparchy of Thuckalay
• Archeparchy of Kottayam (nominally Metropolitan, no suffragan)
• Metropolitan Archeparchy of Tellicherry
  • Eparchy of Belthangady
  • Eparchy of Bhadravathi
  • Eparchy of Mananthavady
  • Eparchy of Mandya
  • Eparchy of Thamarassery
• Metropolitan Archeparchy of Thrissur
  • Eparchy of Irinjalakuda
  • Eparchy of Palghat
  • Eparchy of Ramanathapuram

Within the proper territory

There are sixteen eparchies in the proper territory of the Syro Malabar Church.

Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly has 510,000 members with 347 parishes, 731 religious/secular priests, 632 male religious and 4935 female religious. Archeparchy of Trichur has 471,328 members with 195 parishes, 418 religious/secular priests, 358 male religious and 3315 female religious. Eparchy of Idukki has 270,000 members with 129 parishes, 119 religious/secular priests, 109 male religious and 1320 female religious.

Archeparchy of Changanacherry has 390,000 members with 266 parishes, 615 religious/secular priests, 534 male religious and 2705 female religious. Eparchy of Palai has 348,128 members with 169 parishes, 502 religious/secular priests, 127 male religious and 3312 female religious. Archeparchy of Tellicherry has 317,782 members with 222 parishes, 293 religious/secular priests, 263 male religious and 1664 female religious. Eparchy of Irinjalakuda has 258,200 members with 128 parishes, 233 religious/secular priests, 132 male religious and 2350 female religious.

Eparchy of Kothamangalam has 217,420 members with 115 parishes, 242 religious/secular priests, 163 male religious and 2210 female religious. Eparchy of Kanjirapally has 192,000 members with 136 parishes, 314 religious/secular priests, 210 male religious and 1840 female religious. Archeparchy of Kottayam has 175,300 members with 149 parishes, 161 religious/secular priests, 107 male religious and 1233 female religious. Eparchy of Mananthavady has 170,100 members with 140 parishes, 413 religious/secular priests, 358 male religious and 1546 female religious. Eparchy of Thamarasserry has 129,600 members with 128 parishes, 247 religious/secular priests, 257 male religious and 1321 female religious. Eparchy of Palghat has 68,004 members with 106 parishes, 167 religious/secular priests, 82 male religious and 1360 female religious.^[23]

According to a study conducted, in Kerala about 30 percent of the Syro Malabar Church members lived in the erstwhile Cochin State. The remaining 70 percent lived in Travancore state.[citation needed] In the Travancore state, Meenachil Taluk had the largest proportion, followed by Changanaserry Taluk.

Erstwhile Cochin State, Meenachil and Changanaserry together had 56 percent of the total Syro Malabar population. Kottayam, Muvattupuzha, Kanjirappally, Thodupuzha, Kothamangalam, Cherthala, Mukundapuram (irinjalakkuda-chalakkudy), Wadakkancherry, Thrissur, North Parur, Alwaye, Kunnathunadu, Ambalapuzha, Kuttanad, Peerumedu, Nedumkandam and Devikulam etc. are the prominent taluks.^[23]

Outside the proper territory

There are eleven eparchies outside the proper territory of the Syro Malabar Church.

The Eparchy of Kalyan has 100,000 members with 106 parishes, 146 religious/secular priests, 105 male religious and 270 female religious. St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago, USA has 85,000 members with 11 parishes, 45 religious/secular priests, 13 male religious and 16 female religious. The Eparchy of Canada has 14,079 members with 5 parishes, 51 religious/secular priests, 182 male religious and 352 female religious. The Eparchy of Adilabad, has 13,273 members with 25 parishes, 50 religious/secular priests, 41 male religious and 143 female religious. The Eparchy of Rajkot has 12,850 members with 12 parishes, 140 religious/secular priests, 142 male religious and 421 female religious. There is a significant diaspora of Syro-Malabar Catholics in countries not under the jurisdiction of any of the existing eparchies.^[25]

Saints

• Mar Thoma Sliha – Apostle and founder of the Syro-Malabar Church
• Marth Alphonsa – Religious sister of FCC congregation
• Mar Kuriakose Elias Chavara – Priest and founder of CMI
• Marth Euphrasia Eluvathingal – Religious sister of CMC congregation

Beatified people

• Marth Mariam Thresia Chiramel – Religious sister and founder of Holy Family congregation
• Mar Augustine Thevarparambil (Kunjachan) – Priest
• Marth Rani Maria (1954–1995) – Religious sister of FCC congregation

Venerables

• Mar Payyappilly Varghese Kathanar – Priest and founder of Sisters of the Destitute (1876-1929)
• Mar Thomas Kurialachery – First bishop of Archeparchy of Changanassery (1872-1925)
• Mar Kadalikkattil Mathai Kathanar – Priest (1872-1935)
• Mar Joseph Vithayathil – Priest and co-founder of Holy Family congregation (1865-1964)

Servants of God

• Mar Mathew Makil, (1851-1914)
• Mar Tommiyachan Poothathil, (1871-1943)
• Marth Mary Celine Payyappilly (1906-1993)
• Mar Augustine John Ukken (1880-1956)
• Mar Joseph C. Panjikaran (1888-1949)
• Mar Antony Thachuparambil (1894-1963)
• Mar Mathew Kavukatt (1904-1969)
• Marth Maria Celine Kannanaikal (1931-1957)
• Mar Thommachen Puthenparampil
• Mar Canisius CMI (1914-1998)

Prominent Syro-Malabar Catholics who worked for unity of Nasranis

• Mar Joseph Kariattil
• Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar
• Nidhiry Mani Kathanar
• Placid J. Podipara

Varthamanappusthakam

The Varthamanappusthakam is the first travelogue written in the Malayalam language. It is written by Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar. It describes the history of the Nasrani Church between the years 1773 and 1786 with emphasis on the journey of its author and Malpan Mar Ousep (Joseph) Kariattil from Malabar to Rome via Lisbon and back. Despite attempts by European ecclesiastical authorities to destroy it the major part of this book survived.

Shared history with other Saint Thomas Christians