Mar Thoma III – 22 April

Mar Thoma III was the third metropolitan bishop who was the Malankara Metropolitan of Malankara Church, from 1686 to 1688. He was a historical and spiritual leader, of the Malankara Church. He was born in Pakalomattom family, one of the oldest families at Kadamattom.

The leaders of the Malankara Church selected Mar Thoma III as his predecessor Mar Thoma II had died suddenly on 14^th April 1686. Mar Ivanios Hidayatullah consecrated Mar Thoma III in 1686, as he was the only bishop in Malankara, who had arrived in Kerala in 1685. Thus, he was the third of Mar Thoma from Pakalomattom family, to be seated on the Malankara Throne and the Metropolitan of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

His leadership was only for a short span, of two years. Malankara Church had comparatively a peaceful time during his tenure. It was during this time some members of Karingachira parish joined the Catholics. But majority of them supported Mar Thoma III and rejected the authority of Roman bishop Joseph Sebastiano.

In those days traveling from one place to another was very tedious and it was mainly by river. Yet Mar Thoma III tried to visit as many parishes as possible. He visited the Kadampanad Church in 1688 and while he was there, he died suddenly on April 21^st, 1688 and was laid to rest on 22 April 1688 at the sanctum sanctorum of the St. Thomas Valiapally, now St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral. Kadampanad, that was declared as the “Marthoman Pilgrim Center” on 7 March 2010 by The Malankara Metropolitan and the Catholicos of the Malankara Church His Holiness Baselios Thoma Didymos I. People had great respect and regards for him and he was hence also known as ‘Kadampanad Vallyappuppan’. Every year, people irrespective cast and creed Kadampanad Vallyappuppan to pay their tribute and to have his blessings.