MTC History | St. Stephen's Mar Thoma Church, Delhi

St. Thomas the Apostle · 52 AD

Ancient Origins

Founded by the Apostle Thomas

The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church — known in Malayalam as മലങ്കര മാര്‍ത്തോമ്മ സുറിയാനി സഭ — is one of the most ancient churches in the world and a part of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. It is traditionally believed that St. Thomas (Mar Thoma in Syriac), the disciple of Jesus Christ, came to India in AD 52 and established the Church on the Malabar coast, then known as Malankara.

Being rooted in the Bible, the Church maintains its Episcopal heritage and a value-oriented democratic form of administration. It believes in Jesus Christ — the God incarnate for the redemption of humankind — and in the Triune God revealed by Him, who Himself is one among the Trinity.

The Church cherishes its Oriental heritage and Episcopacy as a gift of God, and accepts the Holy Bible as the basis for all matters of faith and doctrine, along with the Nicene Creed formulated in accordance with Holy Scripture. It is widely regarded as a 'bridge' church in the Ecumenical world.

Through the Centuries

A Journey of Faith

52 AD

St. Thomas Arrives in India

The Apostle Thomas lands on the Malabar Coast and establishes seven churches in Kerala — laying the foundation of Christianity in India, one of the oldest Christian communities in the world.

Church Founded

16th Century

Contact with Western Churches

The ancient St. Thomas Christian community encounters Portuguese missionaries, leading to significant ecclesiastical changes and a long period of struggle to preserve the indigenous liturgical and theological tradition.

1836

The Reform Movement Begins

Under Abraham Malpan and his nephew Mathews Mar Athanasius, a reform movement rooted in Scripture and the evangelical tradition of the Church of England shapes the distinctive identity of the Mar Thoma Church.

Reformation

1888

Formal Separation & Identity

The Mar Thoma Church is formally constituted as a distinct ecclesiastical body — preserving apostolic succession and episcopal governance while embracing Reformed evangelical theology.

Formally Constituted

1895

Maramon Convention Begins

The annual Maramon Convention on the banks of the Pampa River begins — becoming the largest Christian gathering in Asia, a tradition of revival, mission, and prayer that continues to this day.

Ongoing Tradition

Today

A Global Communion

With 1.6 million members, 14 dioceses, and 1,184 clergy, the Mar Thoma Church continues its apostolic mission across Kerala, India, and the world — led by the 22nd Metropolitan, Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma.

Present Day

Our Identity

What Defines the Mar Thoma Church

A unique communion — ancient yet reformed, episcopal yet evangelical, local yet global.

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Rooted in Scripture

The Holy Bible is accepted as the supreme authority for all matters of faith and doctrine. Scripture is the foundation on which every aspect of the Church's life, worship, and mission is built.

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Apostolic Heritage

The Church traces its origins to the mission of St. Thomas in 52 AD — maintaining an unbroken line of apostolic succession and preserving the richness of its ancient Syrian liturgical tradition.

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Reformed & Evangelical

The 19th-century reform movement shaped a church that is both rooted in catholic tradition and alive to the evangelical call — proclaiming salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

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Ecumenical Witness

The Mar Thoma Church is a recognised 'bridge' church in the ecumenical world — maintaining fellowship with Anglican, Reformed, and Orthodox traditions while retaining its distinctive identity.

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Mission & Service

From the Maramon Convention to Edavaka Mission, from schools to hospitals — the Church lives out its conviction that faith without works is dead, in service to neighbour and society.

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Democratic Governance

The Church maintains a value-oriented democratic form of administration — balancing episcopal authority with the voice of the laity, ensuring every member is a participating stakeholder in church life.

The Church Today

A Living, Growing Communion

Today, the Mar Thoma Church is blessed with the able leadership of twelve Bishops, headed by Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan — the 22nd to occupy the Holy Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas.

The Church is served by 1,184 clergy through fourteen dioceses, ministering to approximately 1.6 million people across Kerala, India, and the world. Its headquarters is located at SCS Campus, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India.

The Church identifies its goal as: to be the repository of the divine doctrines revealed by Jesus Christ, to maintain these in purity, and to promote the spiritual life of its members through the sacraments and the ministry of the Word.

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Courtesy: www.marthoma.in

✝ Key Facts · Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church

Founded

52 AD by St. Thomas the Apostle

Members

~1.6 Million worldwide

Dioceses

14 Dioceses globally

Clergy

1,184 ordained clergy

Metropolitan

Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma (22nd)

Headquarters

SCS Campus, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India

Character

Apostolic · Reformed · Evangelical · Ecumenical

Convention

Maramon Convention — Largest Christian gathering in Asia (est. 1895)