Mar Thoma I – April 25

Mar Thoma I, also known as “Valiya Mar Thoma” (Mar Thoma the Great), is the first native, democratically elected, indigenously selected Metropolitan bishop of the Malankara Church, after the Coonen Cross Oath in Jan 1653 AD.  Prior to this the Malankara Church was ruled by Malankara Moopens (elders). He had led the revolution against the RC rule over the Malankara Nazaranis. He led the Church to the Coonan Cross Oath on 3 January 1653 and to the subsequent schism in Saint Thomas Christians Church. They swore the Coonan Cross Oath, declaring an independent Church, stating “we and our children shall never be under Rome”.  

Archdeacon Thomas who later became the first Mar Thoma, was born at Parambil house of Pakalomattom family, of Kuravilangad. He was the last Archdeacon of the undivided St. Thomas Christians of Malabar. Parambil Thoma Kathanar was chosen as the successor of St. Thomas, the dispel of Christ. They elected and enthroned as new Archdeacon, when he was less than 30 years old. After the Coonen Cross Oath, he was elected as a Bishop by Malankara (Yogam) Association and consecrated as a Bishop at St. Mary’s Church Alangad, by laying hands of 12 priests on 22 May 1653.

His episcopal consecration as a Bishop was regularized in the year 1665 by Mar Gregorios Abdel Jaleel the Patriarchal delegate of the Patriarch of the Malankara Church. He spent most of his time doing pastoral work, outside Kochi, where the Portuguese had no control of influence.  

Till 1662, Mar Thoma I, survived a number of assassination attempts. The last days of Mar Thoma 1, was comparatively peaceful period for the Malankara Church. Valiya Mar Thoma, Mar Thoma I, died on 25 April 1670 and was entombed in the southern wall of St Mary’s Orthodox (Cheriapally) Church Angamaly.