Mar Thoma Orthodox Church: Ancient Traditions, Progressive Faith

Despite these differences in ecclesiology and historical perspective, it can be positively ascertained that the original Christian tradition in India was rooted in both Middle Eastern and native Hindu culture. Certainly, there were St. Thomas communities that very early on formed relationships with Christians from the Middle East. South India was an important trade destination, bringing many travelers from other regions. Some of these travelers remained in India, among them were East Syrian (Persian/Chaldean) Christians. The extent to which these relationships determined the identity and autonomy of the St. Thomas Christians is debatable, but it is clear that the presence of the Syriac tradition was established early in Indian church history.

 

This all began to change when the western colonial powers arrived in India, bringing with them their respective religions, cultures, and political affiliations. Colonialism caused great confusion to the Indian church as the new powers attempted to replace the traditions of St. Thomas with Roman Catholicism (via the Portuguese), and later with Anglican Protestantism (via the British Empire).  Colonialism did manage to divide the Indian Church, but despite many attempts to destroy or alter the St. Thomas tradition, it had managed, by the grace of God, to survive.

 

During the years of colonial occupation of India, various church jurisdictions emerged, but many of them maintained their identity as St. Thomas Christians. In their struggle to preserve their autonomy, some St. Thomas Christians sought the help of the West Syrian Patriarchate of Antioch. However, the self-determination of these Syriac Christians was often threatened by the overwhelming influence of the Roman See, backed by the colonial political powers.  This struggle for identity and autonomy has been longstanding and remains to this day.

 

It was in the midst of this turbulent period that the American Church of St. Thomas was born. For our purposes here, we shall only briefly mention that currently in North America, there are many St. Thomas Christians of Indian and Syrian descent.  Since their arrival in the latter half of the 21st century, these communities have built many churches throughout the United States and Canada.  They have organized themselves according to their respective native jurisdictions and have brought with them their own clergy and Episcopal representatives. 

 

Interactions between these communities and the indigenous American church have been few, but some relationships have developed.  There have even been some non-Indian clergy who have joined with Malankara (Indian) jurisdictions.  However, we will turn now to the story of those St. Thomas Christians that trace their roots to the earlier period beginning in 1892.

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