Syro-Malabar Church facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Syro-Malabar Church
Seal of the Syro-Malabar Church
Abbreviation	SMC
Type	Self-governing Church (sui iuris)
Classification	Eastern Catholic
Orientation	Eastern Christianity (Syriac Christianity)
Scripture	Holy Bible Peshitta (Syriac) Malayalam POC Bible (Malayalam)
Theology	East Syriac theology Catholic theology
Polity	Episcopal polity
Governance	Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church
Pope	Francis
Major Archbishop	Raphael Thattil
Administration	Major Archiepiscopal Curia
Region	India and Nasrani Malayali diaspora
Headquarters	Mount Saint Thomas, Kakkanad, Kochi, India
Founder	Saint Thomas the Apostle by tradition
Origin	c. 50 AD (Saint Thomas Christianity, by tradition), 1552 (origin of Eastern Catholicism in the Church of the East), 1887 (modern foundation) Malabar, India
Separated from	Church of the East
Members	4.25 million worldwide, per 2016 Annuario Pontificio 2.35 million in Kerala, per 2011 Kerala state census
Clergy	Bishops: 64 Priests: 9,121
Official website	syromalabarchurch.in
Official News Portal	syromalabarvision.com

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The Syro-Malabar Church is a special part of the worldwide Catholic Church. It is based in Kerala, India. This church is called sui iuris, which means it has its own leaders and rules. But it is still in full agreement with the Pope in Rome.

The church uses the East Syriac Rite for its worship. This style of worship comes from ancient times in the Middle East. The name "Syro-Malabar" shows its connection to this Syriac tradition and its home in Malabar (which is modern-day Kerala).

The Syro-Malabar Church is one of the largest Christian groups in India. It has about 4.25 million members around the world. It is the third largest sui iuris church in the Catholic Church. It is also the second largest Eastern Catholic Church.

The church believes its history goes back to Saint Thomas the Apostle. He is said to have come to India in the 1st century AD. The church is led by a major archbishop. The current leader is Raphael Thattil, who started in January 2024.

History of the Syro-Malabar Church

Early Christian Beginnings in India

It is believed that Saint Thomas Christians in Malabar first met the Church of the East from Persia around the 4th century. These Christians looked to the leader of the Church of the East for spiritual guidance. Even though bishops from the Middle East were spiritual leaders, a local leader called the Archdeacon managed the church in Kerala.

Changes and Divisions in the 1500s

In 1552, there was a big split in the Church of the East. This led to the creation of the Chaldean Catholic Church, which joined with Rome. After this, both groups sent bishops to Malabar.

In 1599, a meeting called the Synod of Diamper took place. During this meeting, the local Malabar Church was placed under the full control of the Latin Catholic Church. This meant that the traditional ways of the Saint Thomas Christians changed a lot.

The Coonan Cross Oath and New Paths

The strict rule by the Portuguese Latin Church caused a revolt in 1653. This event is known as the Coonan Cross Oath. Many Christians gathered and swore an oath. They promised not to accept European leaders anymore.

After this oath, the community split into two main groups:

• The Pazhayakuttukar (Old Allegiance) stayed connected to the Catholic Church. They kept their traditional East Syriac worship style. This group is where the Syro-Malabar Church comes from.
• The Puthenkūttukār (New Allegiance) chose a different path. They later became known as the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church and other churches.

Becoming an Independent Church

For over 200 years, the Pazhayakuttukar group was still influenced by the Latin Church. But in 1887, Pope Leo XIII made a big change. He separated the Syro-Malabars from the Latin Church. He created two special areas for them, called Apostolic Vicariates. These were led by local Syro-Malabar bishops.

In 1923, Pope Pius XI fully organized the Syro-Malabar Church. It became an autonomous sui iuris church within the Catholic Church. This meant it had its own leaders and rules, while still being part of the larger Catholic family.

Recent Developments

In 2021, the Syro-Malabar Church decided to use a uniform way of celebrating its main worship service, the Qurbana. This change caused some disagreements among priests and members in one area, Ernakulam-Angamaly.

In January 2024, Raphael Thattil was chosen as the new Major Archbishop. He now leads the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.

Liturgy and Worship

The Syro-Malabar Church follows the East Syriac Rite for its worship. In this tradition, a new liturgical day starts at sunset. Also, people traditionally face East during worship.

The main worship service is called the Holy Qurbana. This word means "Eucharist" in East Syriac Aramaic. It is celebrated in a special way on Sundays and other important days. Priests wear beautiful robes during the Qurbana.

Rite of Renewal of Holy Leaven (Malka)

Restoring Ancient Traditions

The East Syriac Rite has three main prayers for the Holy Mass, called Anaphorae. The most common one is from the Holy Apostles, Saints Mar Addai and Mar Mari.

In the 20th century, there was a movement to bring back more of the original East Syriac traditions. In 1957, Pope Pius XII approved a restored way of celebrating the Qurbana. In 1962, the local language, Malayalam, was first used for the Qurbana. Today, the Qurbana is mostly celebrated in Malayalam, with some Syriac and English.

The church has also brought back two other ancient Anaphorae: the Anaphora of Theodore and the Anaphora of Nestorius. These had not been used for hundreds of years. This shows the church's effort to restore its old traditions.

The Mystery of Crowning during a Syro-Malabar wedding

Liturgical Calendar

The Syro-Malabar Church has its own special calendar for the year. It is divided into eight seasons:

• Suvara (Annunciation)
• Denha (Epiphany)
• Sawma Rabba (Great Lent)
• Qyamta (Resurrection of the Lord)
• Slīhe (Season of Apostles)
• Qaita (Summer)
• Elijah-Cross-Moses (Elijah-Sliva-Muse)
• Dedication of the Church (Qudas-Edta)

Syro-Malabar Leadership

Leaders of the Church

The Syro-Malabar Church has had many important leaders throughout its history. Here are some of them:

Early Leaders

• Joseph Sulaqa (1558)
• Abraham (1565)
• Palliveettil Chandy (1663)
• Kariattil Iousep (1783)

Heads of the Modern Syro-Malabar Church

• Augustine Kandathil (1923), the first Archbishop.

Major Archbishops

• Antony Padiyara (1992–1997)
• Varkey Vithayathil (1997–2011)
• George Alencherry (2011–2023)
• Raphael Thattil (since 2024)

Church Administration (Curia)

Syriac inscription at Syro-Malabar Catholic Major Archbishop's House, Ernakulam.

The main office for the Syro-Malabar Church is called the Major Archiepiscopal Curia. It started in 1993 and is now located at Mount St. Thomas in Kakkanad, Kochi.

This office helps the Major Archbishop manage the church. It has different departments and committees that deal with things like:

• Liturgy (how worship is done)
• Care for members who have moved to new places
• Teaching the Catholic faith
• Rules for priests and religious groups

Church Areas (Eparchies)

Syro-Malabar bishops at the Generalate of Sisters of the Destitute

The Syro-Malabar Church is divided into 35 areas called eparchies (like dioceses). Five of these are larger areas called archeparchies, all in Kerala, India. These are:

• Ernakulam-Angamaly
• Changanacherry
• Trichur
• Tellicherry
• Kottayam (for a specific group called Knanaya Catholics)

There are also many other eparchies both inside and outside India. These help serve Syro-Malabar Catholics living in different parts of the world, including:

• The United States
• Australia
• Canada
• The United Kingdom

Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church from 1999 until his death in 2011

Religious Communities

The Syro-Malabar Church has many religious groups. These groups are made up of priests, brothers, and sisters who dedicate their lives to God and serve the church in different ways. Some well-known groups include:

• Carmelites of Mary Immaculate
• Congregation of the Mother of Carmel
• Franciscan Clarist Congregation
• Sisters of the Destitute (S.D.)
• Vincentian Congregation

Important Churches

Many churches are very important to the Syro-Malabar community. Some of these include:

• St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church Kuravilangad
• St. Mary's Knanaya Forane Church, Kaduthuruthy
• St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church Palayoor

Church Facts and Figures

The Syro-Malabar Church has many institutions and people serving its members. Here are some numbers:

In 2016, there were about 4.18 million members in the Syro-Malabar Church worldwide.

Important Syro-Malabar Catholics

Well-Known Leaders

• Kadavil Chandy: A scholar and church leader.
• Joseph Kariattil: The first Indian native Metropolitan Archbishop.
• Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar: An important church administrator and author of the first travel book in an Indian language.
• Thachil Matthoo Tharakan: A key lay leader.
• Nidhiry Mani Kathanar: Founder of Deepika, the first Malayalam daily newspaper.
• Placid J. Podipara: A famous historian of the Saint Thomas Christians.

Saints and Holy People

St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Monastery Church, Mannanam, where the mortal remains of Kuriakose Elias Chavara are kept.

The Syro-Malabar Church has many holy people who have been recognized by the Catholic Church.

Saints

• Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception: A religious sister.
• Kuriakose Elias Chavara: A priest and one of the founders of the CMI religious order.
• Euphrasia Eluvathingal: A religious sister.
• Mariam Thresia Chiramel: A religious sister and founder of the Holy Family congregation.

Blessed People

• Augustine Thevarparambil (Kunjachan): A priest.
• Rani Maria: A religious sister who was killed for her faith.

Venerables (On the path to sainthood)

• Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly: A priest and founder of the Sisters of the Destitute.
• Mar Thomas Kurialachery: The first bishop of the Archeparchy of Changanassery.
• Joseph Vithayathil: A priest and co-founder of the Holy Family congregation.

Servants of God (Early stage of sainthood process)

• Tommiyachan Poothathil
• Mary Celine Payyappilly
• Joseph C. Panjikaran
• Antony Thachuparambil
• Mathew Kavukattu

See also

In Spanish: Iglesia católica siro-malabar para niños

• Liturgical calendar of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
• Sisters of the Destitute
• Carmelites of Mary Immaculate
• Catholic Church in India