American Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
The American Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is an ancient church of India. It is claimed that the church can be traced back to St. Thomas, who was one of the Disciples of Jesus Christ, who established Christianity in the south western part of India. It is also known as the Indian Orthodox church. It was established as a diocese in 1978 and honors the mother church, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
The Church claims to be modern in its vision and keeps the traditional orthodox faith and liturgy. The Church is active in the ecumenical community. It is a member of the World Council of Churches.
Their diocese headquarters is in New York. It is a national or a missionary body of the Indian Orthodox Church. The diocesan metropolitan is His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas.
History
The American Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church claim the Apostle Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ founded the St. Thomas Christians. They claim St. Thomas went to India and preached the Gospel and baptized many. It is said by them that the Apostle Thomas also established seven Churches in Kerala and even ordained bishops and priests to continue his work. The Churches in Kerala was the center of Christianity in Kerala. These Christians were known as Syrian Christians. Thomas then died as a Martyr inspiring the Christian community in Kerala to convert the Brahmin families to Christianity, which brought in a new era of enlightenment. The Malabarian coast became a trade route and allowed more Christianity to reach Kerala.
The Malankara Church had some connection with the leadership of the Persian Church and the Archdeacon was the supreme regional spiritual leader. The Archdeacon guided all believers in the things connected with religious, social and political difficulties.
The Malankara Church was also connected to the Church of the East in the early centuries. The head of the Eastern Church was the Catholicos of the East which derives from the lineage of the Apostle Thomas. When the Council of Ephesus condemned the Nestorian teachings, which were the teachings of the Patriarch of Constantinople, there was a section of the Church of the East who rejected the decisions of the Council of Ephesus and accepted the Nestorian teachings. The Nestorian teaching believes that there are two distinct persons in Jesus Christ, one divine and the other human. This doctrine was declared heresy in AD 431.
The Portuguese colonized India in 1498 they tried to convert the Christians to Catholicism. There were a few who did convert to the Roman Catholic Church in 1599. Some of the St. Thomas Christians revolted and restored its Episcopal succession. The Catholicate of the East was revitalized in India in 1912.
The Malankara Orthodox Church adopted a constitution in 1934 and it was passed by the Malankara Syrian Christian Association. This Association is a representative body of the church. They are comprised of elected member’s priests, laymen all that are from the Parish Church. The Association elects the Catholicos and the Malankara Metropolitan as well as the Bishops.
Belief
The American Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church believes in one true God. The Father Almighty is the maker of heaven and earth all things visible and invisible.
The American Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church believe in the one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. They believe He is begotten of the Father before all worlds and that Jesus is the Light of Light, the very God of very God. They believe He was begotten not made. They believe Jesus is of the same substance with the Father. They believe Jesus Christ came down from heaven and was incarnated of the holy Virgin Mary for the salvation of human beings. They believe the holy Virgin Mary is the mother of God, and by the Holy Ghost Jesus became man.
The American Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church believe that Jesus Christ was crucified for mankind in the days of Pontius Pilate, suffered, died and was buried. They believe Jesus rose on the third day according to His will. They also believe Jesus ascended into heaven, and is sitting on the right hand of His Father. They believe Jesus shall come again in His great glory to judge both the living and the departed, and His kingdom shall have no end.
The American Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church believe in the living Holy Spirit, and that he proceeds from the Father, and with the Father and the Son, is worshipped and glorified. They believe the Holy Spirit was spoken of by the prophets and the apostles.
The American Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church believe the holy Virgin Mary, is the mother of God. They believe Mary is the Theotokos and belonged to the tribe of Levi rather than the tribe of Judah. They believe the Virgin Mary is the example of what Christians should become in Christ. They believe Mary was pure and unconditionally obedient to God and because Mary was able to physically bear Christ in her womb all Christians also have the ability to bear God within themselves spiritually. They believe Mary was the human source of the nature of Jesus and Jesus is also the eternal God. Mary is believed to be first among the Saints. They believe Mary is the one who intercedes for mankind with her Son Jesus, and as a result, they ask for guidance and protection but do not worship her.
The American Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church believe in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church., in one Baptism for the remission of sins, in the resurrection of the dead and the new life in the world to come. The American Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church keeps the traditional Orthodox faith and liturgy.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “American Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2006.<https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2739,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006, January) “American Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2739,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006) “American Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2739, (accessed).
