Thoma IX explained

Mar Thoma IX was the ninth Metropolitan of the Malankara Church in Kerala, India for a brief period in 1816. That year, he was consecrated Metropolitan by Mar Thoma VIII, but soon after his ordination he was dethroned by Pulikkottil Joseph who was appointed by the then British resident Colonel John Munroe.^[1]

Consecration

Iype, an uncle of Mar Thoma VIII, was born at Kadamattom. He was ordained as a Kathanar and was called "Iype Kathanar". While Mar Thoma VIII was on his death bed, he called Iype Kathanar, laid his hands on him, and consecrated him as his successor Mar Thoma IX.

As Metropolitan

Mar Thoma VIII consecrated Mar Thoma IX, as his successor. Soon after the death of his predecessor, while Mar Thoma IX was at Puthencavu, he had received a letter from the British Resident in Travancore Coln. Munroe that he was not the approved Metropolitan and should handover all the charges to Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious I (Mar Thoma X) who was consecrated by Mar Philexinos of Thozhiyoor.

Mar Thoma IX was taken to Kottayam, by Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious and took possession of all insignia from Mar Thoma IX. With tears in his eyes Mar Thoma left the Seminary premises at Kottayam and retired to his home parish Kadamattom palli, spending the rest of his days in prayer and fasting, as a great Monk.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Last days

He continued as a bishop till the end of his life. He died in 1817 and was laid to rest at St. George's Church, Kadamattom near Kolenchery, Muvattupuzha.

See also

• Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church
• Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
• Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar
• Syrian Malabar Nasrani
• Saint Thomas Christians
• Christianity in India
• List of Catholicoi of the East and Malankara Metropolitans
• List of Syrian Malabar Nasranis

Further reading

• 1. Chacko, T. C. (1936) Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charithra Samgraham. (Concise History of Marthoma Church), Pub: E.J. Institute, Kompady, Tiruvalla.
  2. Eapen, Prof. Dr. K. V. (2001). Malankara Marthoma Suryani Sabha Charitram. (History of Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church). Pub: Kallettu, Muttambalam, Kottayam.
  3. Ittoop Writer (1906). Malayalathulla Suryani Chistianikauleday Charitram. (History of Syrian Christians in the land of Malayalam).
  4. Mathew, N. M. Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charitram (History of the Marthoma Church), Volume 1 (2006), Volume II (2007), Volume III (2008). Pub. E.J.Institute, Thiruvalla.
  5. Sankunny Kottarathil. (1909). Aythihamala. (1909). Aythihamala. (Legends). Current books.
  6. Cheriyan, Dr. C. V. Orthodox Christianity in India. Kottayam, 2003.
  7. P. V. Mathew. Nazrani Christians of Kerala (Malayalam) Vol. 2 Kochi, 1993.
  8. Joseph Cheeran, Rev. Dr. Adv. P. C. Mathew (Pulikottil) and K. V. Mammen (Kottackal). Indian Orthodox Church History and Culture. (Malayalam) Kottackal Publishers, Kottayam.

External links

• http://marthomasyrianchurch.org
• http://kadamattomchurch.org
• http://kadamattom.tripod.com - The old Syrian church at Kadamattom

Notes and References

1. Joseph Cheeran, Rev. Dr. Adv. P. C. Mathew (Pulikottil) and K. V. Mammen (Kottackal). "Indian Orthodox Church History and Culture". (Malayalam).
2. Cheriyan, Dr. C. V. "Orthodox Christianity in India", p. 227.
3. P. V. Mathew. Nazrani Christians of Kerala (Malayalam) Vol. 2, pp. 185, 166.