Our Historical Background

The Mar Thoma Church is headed by a Metropolitan bishop who lays claim to the Malankara Throne of St. Thomas. The current Metropolitan is His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan, who has his throne at Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India. He is the 22nd Malankara Metropolitan to occupy the Holy Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas after the reestablishment of the episcopacy in the 15th century.

The majority of the membership of the church is in the southern Indian state of Kerala but it has spread with the 20th century Indian Diaspora to North America, Europe, the Middle East, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, this in addition to a sizeable population in the rest of India.

The Mar Thoma Church is an Eastern Reformed Church. It owes its origin to the evangelistic work of the Apostle St. Thomas who came to India in 52 A.D. During the past centuries, the Church has been keeping friendly relations with various ancient churches. It is very much indebted to the Reformation and Revival movements of the 19th century.

The Mar Thoma Church is Eastern in worship, Episcopal in tradition, democratic in administration and ecumenical in vision. It’s Biblical emphasis, evangelical outlook, missionary zeal, theological concerns and social commitments are some other salient features of the Church. It is an active participant in the work of the ecumenical organizations like the WCC, NCCI, CCA, KCC, NMS and the Bible Society. It is in full communion with the Episcopal Churches in the United States and Canada, world wide Anglican Church, the Church of South India and the Church of North India.

The Mar Thoma Church has 14 dioceses with a membership of approximately 1.6 million. The ecclesiastical structure of the Church consists of the Metropolitan, two Suffragan Metropolitans, nine Episcopas and 1,184 clergymen. Strong lay leadership is very much prevalent in all facets of the Church activities. The Church has its headquarters at SCS Campus,Thiruvalla, Kerala, India.

The Diocese of North America and Europe was first formed as a Zonal Council in 1982 and then as a diocese in 1988. The diocese holds in its fold approximately 3500 families, consisting of about 13,000 members organized in 68 parishes and 12 Congregations. The diocese is now being served by a resident bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa and 80 clergymen.

The different organizations of the Diocese and the regional and national conferences provide leadership and assistance to children, youth, men and women in their spiritual growth and development. The Diocese is very keen to maintain ecumenical relationship with other American churches and also in establishing friendly contacts with people of different religious backgrounds and cultures of this country.