View source for Malabar Independent Syrian Church

{{Short description|Oriental Orthodox church in India}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox Christian denomination
| name               = Malabar Independent Syrian church
| image              = Western Syriac Cross.svg
| imagewidth         = 50px
| caption            = 
| type               = 
| main_classification = [[Syriac Christianity]]
| theology           = [[Miaphysite]]
| polity             = [[Episcopal polity|Episcopal]]
| founder            = [[Abraham Koorilos I]]
| leader_title       = Metropolitan
| leader_name        = [[Cyril Baselios I]]
| founded_date       = 1772
| separated_from     = [[Malankara Church]]
| merger             = 
| separations        = 
| fellowships        = 
| associations       = 
| area               = Kerala
| hospitals          = 1
| aid                = 
| congregations      = 13 Parishes and 6 Chapels
| members            = 5,000
| ministers          = 10–15
| primary_schools    = 3
| secondary_schools  = 1
| tertiary           = 
| other_names        = Thozhyur Sabha <br />Anjoor Church
| website            = {{URL|https://misc.co.in/}}
}}

The '''Malabar Independent Syrian Church''' ('''MISC'''), also known as the '''Thozhiyur Church''', is a Christian church centred in [[Kerala]], [[India]]. It is one of the churches of the [[Saint Thomas Christian]] community, which traces its origins to the evangelical activity of [[Thomas the Apostle]] in the 1st century.

This group split off from the main body of India's [[Malankara Church]] in 1772 and was confirmed as an independent church with its current name after a high court verdict in 1862.<ref>{{cite book |title=The forgotten bishops : the Malabar Independent Syrian Church and its place in the story of the St. Thomas Christians of South India |year=2009 |publisher=Gorgias Press |isbn=978-1-60724-619-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Misc – Malabar Independent Syrian Church |url=http://misc.co.in/about-the-congregation/#history}}</ref> Although the church is independent, the church's doctrines and traditions are similar to the [[Oriental Orthodox]], adhering to the [[West Syriac Rite]] and consistently using western [[Syriac language|Syriac]] and [[Malayalam]] during the [[Holy Qurobo|Holy Qurbono]] (Qurbono Qadisho). The Eucharistic Celebration is popularly known as Holy Qurbana due to the historical influence of the [[Church of the East]].

The church has about 5,000 members.{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}} 
{{Christianity in India sidebar|state=collapsed}}
{{Nasrani people}}
[[File:Branches & Denominations of Saint Thomas Christians.svg|alt=|thumb|300x300px|A diagram showing the history of the divisions among the Saint Thomas Christians (click to enlarge)]]

==History==
{{Main article|Saint Thomas Christians}}

The Saint Thomas Christians trace their origins to [[Thomas the Apostle]], who according to tradition [[Proselytism|proselytized]] in India in the 1st century. By the 7th century they were part of the [[Church of the East]], centred in Persia.<ref>Baum, p. 53.</ref> The entire community remained united until the 17th century, when disputes with the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] ''[[padroado]]'' in India led to the [[Coonan Cross Oath]] of 1653 and the division of the Saint Thomas Christians into [[Syro-Malabar Church]] and independent branches.<ref>Neill, p. 214.</ref><ref name="Neill319">Neill, p. 319.</ref> The independent branch, known as the [[Malankara Church]], forged a relationship with the [[Syriac Orthodox Church]] of Antioch.<ref name="BritannicaIndia">[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/115623/Christians-of-Saint-Thomas "Christians of Saint Thomas"]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved February 9, 2010.</ref>

However, relations between the Syriac Orthodox hierarchy and the native clergy were sometimes strained. In 1772 Bishop Gregorios, a representative of the Syriac Orthodox hierarchy from the Middle East, had grown dissatisfied with how the Metropolitan [[Mar Dionysius I|Dionysius I]] had treated him. Against Dionysius' wishes, Gregorios consecrated as bishop a leading dissenter, the monk Kattumangatt Kurien, in a secret but canonically legitimate ceremony. The new bishop took the name Cyril (Koorilos), and he was designated Gregorios' sole heir.<ref name="Neill70">Neill, p. 70.</ref>

Cyril claimed authority over the parishes of [[Cochin]], and initially received the support of the [[Raja]] of Cochin. However, Dionysus saw him as a threat to his power, and in 1774 he appealed to the Raja and to the [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] authorities in India to suppress the rival bishop.<ref name=Neill70/><ref name="Vadakkekara92">Vadakkekara, p. 92.</ref> Cyril left for [[Thozhiyoor]], Kerala outside their jurisdiction, and established what would become an independent church.<ref name="Burgess">Burgess, p. 175.</ref> This was the first of several groups to split from the [[Malankara Church]].<ref name=Vadakkekara92/>

Cyril's church was always small, but maintained stability by attracting devoted priests and emphasizing regularity in the ecclesiastical order. In 1794 Cyril consecrated his brother Geevarghese as bishop; Geevarghese succeeded Cyril as Cyril&nbsp;II in 1802, and the succession has proceeded unbroken since.<ref name=Neill70/>

As a result of an 1862 court case, the [[Madras High Court]] confirmed the Thozhiyur church was an independent Malankara church, and it has subsequently been known as the Malabar Independent Syrian Church.<ref name=Burgess/>

==Ecumenical relations==
[[File:THOZHIYOOR AND MARTHOMA.jpg|thumb|250 px|Group photo taken during the ordinations of Juhanon Thimothious (later Juhanon Thoma) and Mathews Athanasius, by [[Titus II Mar Thoma]], [[Abraham Mar Thoma]] and Metropolitan of Thozhiyoor Kuriakose Koorilos]]
The Malabar Independent Syrian Church is a member of the [[Christian Conference of Asia]], the [[National Council of Churches in India]], and the [[Kerala Council of Churches]]. The Malabar Independent Syrian Church maintains good relations with the other Malankara churches. Despite its small size, it has had a significant impact on the history of the Saint Thomas Christian community. On several occasions Thoziyur bishops have stepped in to consecrate bishops for the other churches when the episcopal succession, and therefore the churches themselves, were in danger.<ref name=Neill70/> Philoxenos II Kidangan (1811–1829) of the Thozhiyur Church consecrated three successive bishops in the unified Malankara Church: [[Mar Dionysius II|Dionysius II]] on 22 March 1816, [[Mar Dionysius III|Dionysius III]] on 19 October 1817, and [[Mar Dionysius IV|Dionysius IV]] on 27 August 1825.<ref>Rev. K. C. Varghese Kassessa. (1972). ''History of Malabar Independent Syrian Church''. (Malayalam). Page 62.</ref>

===Mar Thoma Syrian Church===
In 1894 Athanasius and Koorilose V consecrated Titus I Mar Thoma for the Reformed Syrians, later known as the [[Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church]]. On subsequent occasions when the Thozhiyur Metropolitan has died without consecrating a successor, the Metropolitan and bishops of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church had performed the consecration. Thozhiyur bishops have taken part in all Mar Thoma episcopal ordinations up to the present.

===Anglican churches===
Ecumenical links have also developed with the [[Anglican]] churches. [[Joseph Mar Koorilose IX]] was the first metropolitan of the church to travel abroad. In 1989, he met the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], [[Robert Runcie]] in England. During this visit, Koorilose IX expressed willingness to celebrate the [[Eucharist]] with [[Church of England]] congregations. In 1991, he visited England again as an official guest for the installation of [[George Carey]] as the Archbishop of Canterbury. During both visits Koorilose IX celebrated the Eucharist during Anglican services, sometimes alongside Church of England bishops.<ref name="John Fenwick">{{cite book |last1=Fenwick |first1=John R. K. |title=The Forgotten Bishops: The Malabar Independent Syrian Church and Its Place in the Story of the St. Thomas Christians of South India |date=2009 |publisher=Gorgias Press |isbn=978-1-60724-619-0 |pages=576–582 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8zl9tQAACAAJ |language=en}}</ref><ref name="MISC">{{cite web |title=ABOUT THE CONGREGATION – Misc – Malabar Independent Syrian Church |url=https://misc.co.in/about-the-congregation/ |website=Malabar Independent Syrian Church}}</ref>

As a result of the efforts of Koorilose IX and Church of England priest Peter Hawkins, a charitable support group to provide financial help to the Malabar Independent Syrian Church was founded in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |title=Malabar Independent Syrian Church Support Charity |url=https://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1059966&subid=0 |website=beta.charitycommission.gov.uk}}</ref> In recognition of his services to the Thozhiyur Church, Koorilose IX consecrated Very Revd Hawkins as [[Chorbishop|Chorepiscopa]].<ref name="John Fenwick" />

In 1998 and 2008, Thozhiyur Church metropolitans were ecumenical observers at the [[Lambeth Conference]] of Anglican bishops.<ref name="JohnRKFenwick">{{cite web |last1=Fenwick |first1=John R. K. |title=Malabar Independent Syrian Church The Thozhiyur Church |url=https://gedsh.bethmardutho.org/Malabar-Independent-Syrian-Church}}</ref> In 2001, bishop [[Sam Mathew]] of the [[Madhya Kerala Diocese]] of the [[Church of South India]] was a [[co-consecrator]] for the bishopric consecration of [[Cyril Baselios I|Cyril Baselios&nbsp;I]].<ref name="John Fenwick" /> In 2003, Baselios&nbsp;I went to the UK as an official guest for the installation of [[Rowan Williams]] as the Archbishop of Canterbury.<ref name="John Fenwick" /> In July 2006 Koorilose IX and Baselios I participated as co-consecrators for the bishopric consecrations of Paul Hunt and John Fenwick as bishops of the [[Free Church of England]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Bishops' Visit to India |url=https://fcofe.org.uk/2018/10/28/bishops-visit-to-india/ |website=The Free Church of England |date=28 October 2018 |access-date=2 June 2020 |archive-date=12 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112094156/https://fcofe.org.uk/2018/10/28/bishops-visit-to-india/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="JohnRKFenwick" />

==Thozhiyur metropolitans==
The metropolitans of the Malabar Independent Syrian Church:

# [[Abraham Koorilos I]] (1772–1802)
# [[Coorilose Ghevarghese I]] (1802–1808)
# [[Ivanios Joseph]] -Suffragon Metropolitan (1807) (6 months only)
# [[Philexinos Zacharias]] (1807–1811)
# [[Philexinos Ghevarghese]] - Malankara Metropolitan (1811–1829)
# [[Coorilose Ghevarghese II]] (1829–1856)
# [[Coorilose Joseph I]] (1856–1888)
# [[Athanasius Joseph]] (1888–1898)
# [[Coorilose Ghevarghese III]] (1898–1935)
# [[Athanasius Paulose - Suffragon Metropolitan]] (1917–1927)
# [[Coorilose Kuriakose]] (1936–1947)
# [[Coorilose Ghevarghese IV]] (1948–1967)
# [[Philexinos Paulose]] (1967–1977) <small>(joined the [[Syro-Malankara Catholic Church]] and replaced)</small>
# [[Coorilose Mathews]] (1978–1986)
# [[Coorilose Joseph II]] (1986–2001)
#[[Cyril Baselios I]] (2001–present)

==List of parishes==
13 parishes and 6 chapels are under Malabar Independent Syrian Church.<ref>[https://www.unionbetweenchristians.com/2020/11/malabar-independent-syrian-church.html 13 Parishes and 6 Chapels]</ref>
===Parishes===
* St. George's Cathedral Church, Thozhiyur, Thrissur Dt., Kerala
* St. George's Church, Perambur, Cooks Rd., Chennai, Tamil Nadu
* St. Thomas' Church, Kunnamkulam, Guravayur Rd., Thrissur Dt
* St. George's Church, Karikkad, Thrissur Dt., Kerala
* Mar Koorilose Church, Korattikara, Thrissur Dt., Kerala
* St. Adhai's Church, Porkulam, Pazhanji, Thrissur Dt., Kerala
* St. Mary's Church, Pazhanji, Thrissur Dt., Kerala
* St. George Church, Kallumpuram, Kadavallur-Post, Thrissur Dt., Kerala
* St. Augin's Church, Chalissery, Palakkad Dt., Kerala
* St. Mary's Church, Perummannoor, Palakkad Dt., Kerala
* St. George's Church, Peringod, Palakkad Dt., Kerala
* Mar Koorilose Bava Church, Ernakulam, Kerala
*St. George's Church, Coimbatore Tamil Nadu

===Chapels===
* St. George's Chapel, Akathiyur, Kerala
* Mar Bahanan Chapel, Anjoor Bazar, Kerala
* Sleeba (Cross Memorial) Chapel, Thozhiyur, Thrissur Dt., Kerala
* Mar Koorilose bava Chapel Ottapilave (Thrissur) Dt., Kerala
* St George Chapel Thiruthikkad (Thrissur) Dt.,
* Mar Koorilose Chapel, Bangalore, Karnataka

==See also==
* [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]]
* [[Jacobite Syrian Christian Church]]
* [[Syriac Orthodox Church]]
* [[Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church]] (Mar Thoma Church)

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* {{Cite book|last1=Baum|first1=Wilhelm|author-link1=Wilhelm Baum (historian)|last2=Winkler|first2=Dietmar W.|title=The Church of the East: A Concise History|year=2003|location=London-New York|publisher=Routledge-Curzon|isbn=9781134430192|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CnSCAgAAQBAJ}}
* {{Cite book |title=The Eastern Orthodox Churches|last= Burgess|first= Michael |year= 2005 |publisher= McFarland|isbn= 0-7864-2145-2}}
* {{Cite book|last=Frykenberg|first=Robert Eric|title=Christianity in India: From Beginnings to the Present|year=2008|location=Oxford|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780198263777|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mXgSDAAAQBAJ}}
* {{Cite book |title= A History of Christianity in India: The Beginnings to AD 1707 |last= Neill|first= Stephen|author-link= Stephen Neill|year= 2004 |publisher= Cambridge University Press|isbn= 0-521-54885-3|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=RH4VPgB__GQC|access-date=31 January 2011}}
* {{Cite book |title= A History of Christianity in India: 1707-1858, Volume 2|last= Neill|first= Stephen|author-link= Stephen Neill|year= 2002 |publisher= Cambridge University Press|isbn= 0-521-89332-1 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Xi-tvrYbYxMC |access-date=31 October 2011}}
* Vadakkekara, Benedict (2007). [https://books.google.com/books?id=pAncGlpGW8wC&dq=Malankara&pg=PA91 ''Origin of Christianity in India: a Historiographical Critique'']. Media House Delhi.

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book|last=Fenwick|first=John R. K.|title=The Forgotten Bishops: The Malabar Independent Syrian Church and Its Place in the Story of the St. Thomas Christians of South India|publisher=[[Gorgias Press]]|year=2009|isbn=9781607246190}}

The following are works in [[Malayalam]]:
*Mathew, N. M. (2007). ''Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charitram'' (History of the Marthoma Church), Volume 1 (2006) and Volume II (2007). Pub. E. J. Institute, Thiruvalla.
*Kochumon, M. P. (1995). ''Parisuddha Kattumangatte Bavamar'' (The saintly bishops of Kattumangattu). Pub. By Most Rev. Joseph Mar Koorilose Metropolitan.
*Porkulam, A. K. C. (2003). ''Parisudha Kattumangatte Bavamar Thiruvachanathiludey'' (St. Kattumangattu bishops through the Bible), Trissur.
*Varughese, Rev. K. C. (1972). ''Malabar Swathantra Suryani Sabhyude Charitram'' (History of the Malabar Independent Syrian Church).

==External links==
* [https://misc.co.in/ Official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20021213025524/http://www.malabar.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.html Malabar Independent Syrian Church]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060515061818/http://indianchristianity.org/thozhiyur.html Thozhiyur at indianchristianity.org]
* [https://njanamcom.wordpress.com/2016/10/10/the-church-of-thozhiyoor-anjoor/ The Church of Thozhiyoor / Anjoor]

{{Churches in India}}
{{Christianity in Kerala}}
{{Anglican Churches}}
{{Syriac Christianity}}
{{Oriental Orthodoxy footer}}

[[Category:Saint Thomas Christians]]
[[Category:Oriental Orthodoxy in India]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1772]]
[[Category:Christian denominations established in the 18th century]]
[[Category:1772 establishments in India]]