World Council of Churches (W.C.C.)
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The Mar Thoma Church has been a member of the World Council of Churches ever since the founding of the W.C.C. in 1948. Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan was elected as one of the Presidents in the Second Assembly in Evanston. Dr. M. M. Thomas was the Moderator of the Central Committee which was formed at the Fifth Assembly met at Nairobi in 1975. Representatives of the Mar Thoma Church including the Bishops have participated in all the Assemblies and in the Central committee and they have made valuable contributions in the sessions of the Assemblies and the committees. Thomas Mar Athanasius, was a member of the Faith and Order commission. At present Zacharias Mar Theophilus has been representing the Mar Thoma Church in the Central Committee and Executive Committee since the Canberra Assembly. Prof. T. K. Thomas, a member of the Church, was the Publication Editor of the Central Secretariat at Geneva. At present, Dr. Mathews George Chunakara is Asia Secretary of the WCC based in Geneva.
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National Council of Churches in India (NCCI)
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When the National Christian Council of India was formed, the Mar Thoma Church became a member and took active part in it. It continues its membership in it after it was reorganized as the National Council of Churches in India. The previous General Secretary of N.C.C.I., Mr. Mathai Zachariah is a member of Mar Thoma Church. Earlier, Mr. P. O.Philip, a member of Mar Thoma Church has served as. General Secretary of National Christian Council for many years. Mar Chrysostom and Mar Irenaeus were the Presidents of NCCI. The present General Secretary Rev.Dr.Iype Joseph is also a member of our Church.
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Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) |
The Christian Confeence of Asia ( CCA) is the Regional Ecumenical Organisation in Asia founded in 1957 at Prapat, Indonesia. . The Mar Thoma Church is a founding member of CCA and the Church was represented at the founding meeting by the late Metropolitan Alexander Mar Thoma (then Alexander Mar Theophilus Episcopa) and the late Rev. M. A. Thomas. The present Metropolitan Mar Chrisostem represented the Church when the CCA, then known as East Asia Christian Conference (EACC), was inaugurated at the first Assembly in Kuala Lumpur in 1959. Since that time the Mar Thoma Church has taken a very active part in CCA.. Dr. M. M. Thomas was the Secretary of the Church and Society Unit of CCA in 1964-1967. Prof. T. K. Thomas was the Editor of CCA Publications from 1977-1981. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus Episcopa was a member of the General Committee and the Executive Committee of CCA from 1981-1985. Dr. Mathews George Chunakara, a member of the Church was Executive Secretary of CCA for International Affairs, Human Rights and Indo -China Concerns during the period 1993 to 2000. Rt Rev Dr Joseph Mar Irenaeus Suffragan Metropolitan was a member of the CCA General Committee and Executive Committee from 1995 to 2000 and since the Tenth Assembly of CCA held in Tomohon, Indonesia in 2000 June His Grace Mar Iranaues has been serving as the Senior President of CCA.
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The National Missionary Society (NMS) |
The N.M.S. was organized on Christmas day, 1905, by a group of earnest Christians from various denominations, who had the conviction that the Mission of the Church in India is primarily the responsibility of Indians and that for fulfillment of this mission indigenous methods were to be adopted. As a completely Indian Church, the Mar Thoma Church appreciated this stand, and actively participated in the N.M.S. from the beginning. Abraham Mar Thoma Metropolitan was its President and Mr. P. O. Philip was Secretary for sometime. Rev. P. J. Thomas has served as General Secretary for three years in recent time. The first missionary effort undertaken by the Mar Thoma Church outside Kerala was in co-operation with the N.M.S. in North Kanara District, in 1910. The co-operation still continues. Mr.K.Chandy, a member of the Mar Thoma Church was the organizer of N.M.S. in Kerala for many years. The Platinum jubilee of the N.M.S. was celebrated in 1980 at Tiruvalla, the head-quarters of the Mar Thoma Church. The present President of the N.M.S. is Thomas Mar Timotheos Episcopa. |
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Orthodox Church |
Mention has already been made of the special character of the Mar Thoma Church as maintaining oriental traditions while being a reformed Church. Even though the Orthodox Church and the Mar Thoma Church have come from the same Malankara Church, there is no communion relationship between them. At the same time they come together in social and public concerns. Marriages between the members of the two Churches are very common although ecclesiastical authorities like to discourage such alliances, and do not grant proper documents after announcing banns. Conversations have taken place between leaders of the two Churches about the points that are to be cleared for mutual recognition of the ministry. Such conversations are continuing. The Orthodox Church in Kerala at present has two main branches - The Orthodox Syrian Church with the Catholicos at Kottayam, and the Syrian Orthodox Church owing allegiance to the Patriarch at Antioch. |
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Anglican Church |
As a reformed Church with Episcopal traditions, the Mar Thoma Church entered into dialogue with the Anglican Church in India. The Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops considered the question of communion between the two Churches. A commission was appointed by the Anglican Church in India in 1957 to study the possibility of intercommunion. After considering the report of the Commission a concordat was agreed upon in 1961 establishing Communion relationship between the two Churches. It was also agreed that in the consecration of Bishops by either Church the Bishops of the other Church shall participate. Thus ministry of the two Churches was mutually accepted in full. Later the Lambeth Conference declared acceptance of the ministry and full communion relationship. Thus the Mar Thoma Church is now in full communion relationship with the Anglican Communion all over the world.
In recent years when parishes of the Mar Thoma Church were organized in the United States and Canada agreements were made between the Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church and the Prelates of the Anglican Church in Canada and of the Episcopal Church in the United States by which they will provide pastoral care for the members of the Mar Thoma Church in those countries, whenever necessary. The present Metropolitan attended the Lambeth Conference in 1978 by special invitation. He participated in the installation of the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1980. Also he attended the Anglican Consultative Council held in, Nigeria in 1984 with the Moderators of CSI & CNI. The Archbishop of Canterbury visited Kerala in February 1986 and participated in the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Reformation in the Church |
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Independent Syrian Church of Thozhiyoor |
The Mar Thoma Church is in communion relationship with the Independent Syrian Church of Thozhiyoor, although the doctrinal positions are not mutually accepted in full. When the Metropolitan Thomas Mar Athanasius passed away without consecrating a successor in 1893, it was the Metropolitan of the Thozhiyoor Church who consecrated Metropolitan Titus I Mar Thoma, and helped the Mar Thoma Church in a serious crisis. Mar Thoma Metropolitans have since then helped in consecrating the Metropolitans of Thozhiyoor Church. According to the constitution of the Thozhiyoor Church, when difficulties arise the Thozhiyoor Church should seek the advice and guidance of the Mar Thoma Metropolitan despite the fact that either Church has no authority over the other. Thus the relation between the Thozhiyoor Church and Mar Thoma Church is unique. In recent years three Metropolitans of the Thozhiyoor Church were consecrated by the Metropolitans of the Mar Thoma Church. The centenary of the fraternal relationship between the two Churches was celebrated in the Sabha Mandalam on September 14, 1994. |
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Relationship with the Roman Catholic Church |
The Udayamperoor Synod and the pledge taken by our fathers at the Coonan Cross, Mattancherry, have remained fresh in our minds. Therefore, our relationship with the Roman Catholic Church has not been very cordial. However, II Vatican Council called by Pope John XXIII marked a turning point. Representatives from the Mar Thoma Church also were invited to attend the Council. Thomas Mar Athanasius, Philipose Mar Chrysostom and Mr. C. P. Mathew attended the Vatican Council representing the Church as observers. Since then the relationship has steadily improved. When common issues involving educational or social problems affecting the work of the Churches, Bishops of the different Churches meet, discuss and agree upon the action to be taken. Also the week of Prayer and the Unity Octave in the month of January is an occasion when members of the different Churches meet together and join in intercessory prayer using orders of service approved by the W.C.C. and the Vatican.
Quite recently the need for common action arose in connection with the Christian center at Nilakkal, where there was an ancient Church believed to be one of the seven Churches established by St. Thomas. In later centuries the inhabitants of Nilakkal left that area for reasons undetermined, and the place became completely covered by thick forest. Keen desire to reestablish the Church there was felt by all the Christians who have the common heritage from Apostle Thomas. This proposal met with strong opposition from those who did not like the idea of a Christian Church being situated so close to the famous Sabirimala temple, a place of pilgrimage for devout Hindus. The leaders of all the Episcopal Churches in Kerala met together and considered how to bring about a peaceful settlement. They decided to accept another site at some distance from the original center with a view to respect the sentiments of the Hindu friends. The Government offered such a site in the forest and it was accepted by all concerned. For the first time in history a Church was built there by all denominations together. It was dedicated in April 1984. This Church is a token of the sacred heritage which all Christians in Kerala share together from Apostle Thomas and is a symbol of the determination to work together in the future in witnessing to Jesus Christ. |