Jacobite Syrian Christian Church

The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church (JSCC) also known as the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, or the Jacobite Syrian Church, or the Syriac Orthodox Church in India, is an autonomous Oriental Orthodox church based in the Indian state of Kerala, and is an integral branch of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch. It recognizes the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East as Supreme Head of the church. It functions as a largely autonomous unit within the church, under the authority of the Catholicos of India, Thomas I. Currently, this is the only church in Malankara that has a direct relationship with the Syriac Christians of Antioch, which has continued from after the schism and it continues to employ the West Syriac Rite Liturgy of Saint James.
Name.
The Emperor Justin I supported the Chalcedonians, The non-Chalcedonian Severus Patriarch of Antioch exiled in Egypt and died in 538. At the situation of the church remaining only three bishops, At that time Jacob Baradeus restoring the church by the help of Queen Theodra. The non-Chalcedonian church, which would later become the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch also known as Jacobite Syrian Christians. The Syrian Orthodox church of India adopted the Title as the respect of Jacob Baradeus.
Headquarters.
Puthencruz is the headquarters of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church in India Registered as a Society under Societies act of the Government of India. Its headquarters is named after the illustrious Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas. The property was bought and built under the leadership of the Catholicos of India Baselios Thomas I, after the church faced difficulties in continuing its functioning from its base at Muvattupuzha with the demise of Catholicos Baselios Paulose II.
History.
It is believed that Saint Thomas Christians of Malabar were in communion with the Church of the East from 295 to 1599. They received episcopal support from Syriac bishops, who traveled to Kerala in merchant ships along the spice route, while the local leader of the Saint Thomas Christians held the rank of Archdeacon; it was a hereditary office held by the Pakalomattam family. In the 16th century, the overtures of the Portuguese "padroado" to bring the Saint Thomas Christians into Latin Rite Catholicism led to the first of several rifts in the community due to Portuguese colonialists, and the establishment of the Syro-Malabar Church and the Malankara Church factions. Since then, further splits have occurred, and the Saint Thomas Christians are now divided into several factions.
Saint Thomas Christians were administratively under the single native dynastic leadership of an Archdeacon (a native ecclesiastical head with spiritual and temporal powers, deriving from Greek term arkhidiākonos) and were in communion with the Church of the East, centered in Persia, from at least 496. The indigenous Church of Malabar/Malankara followed the faith and traditions handed over by the Apostle St. Thomas. During the 16th century, the Portuguese Jesuits began deliberate attempts to annex the native Christians to the Catholic Church, and in 1599 they succeeded through the Synod of Diamper. Resentment against these forceful measures led the majority of the community under the Archdeacon Thomas to swear an oath never to submit to the Portuguese, known as the Coonan Cross Oath, in 1653. The Malankara Church consolidated under Thoma I welcomed Gregorios Abdal Jaleel, who regularized the canonical ordination of Thoma as a bishop.
Meanwhile, the Dutch East India Company defeated the Portuguese and gained supremacy over the spice trade in Malabar in 1663. The Malankara church used this opportunity to escape from Catholic persecution with the Dutch East India Company's help. At the request of the Malankara Church, the Dutch brought Gregorios Abdal Jaleel of Jerusalem, a bishop of the Syriac Orthodox Church, in their trading vessel in 1665. Thoma I forged a relationship with the Syriac Orthodox Church and gradually adopted West Syriac liturgy and practices.
As part of the Syriac Orthodox communion, the church uses the West Syriac liturgy and is part of the Oriental Orthodox group of churches. It has dioceses in most parts of India as well as in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Western Europe, the Persian Gulf, Australia, and New Zealand nations. In 2003 it was estimated that the church has 1,000,000 (including Knanaya) members globally.
Hierarchy.
The highest rank in the ecclesiastical hierarchy is the Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II. The second-highest rank is the Maphrian Baselios Thomas I, also known as Catholicos of India of is the head of the Jacobite Syrian Church in India. Then there are Metropolitan bishops or Archbishops, and under them, there are auxiliary bishops.
Three ranks of hierarchy.
There are three ranks of priesthood in the Syriac Orthodox Church:
The Church.
The Syriac Orthodox Church of India established by Thomas the Apostle, believed in Apostolic succession by Syriac Orthodox Church and tradition occurred by early Church of the East. The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church believes in the part of Church of Antioch regarding three councils of the Christendom Church and the promises of the Holy Fathers of holy Church of Antioch and the Church of Alexandria .
The Holy Church believed in the Holy Trinity, the Apostolic succession, the Miaphysitism Christological doctrines and saints Communion of the inner and outer world of Heaven. The Holy Church believed in the Throne of Antioch established by Saint Peter and Saint Paul and accepted by Petrine Primacy and Supremacy of Patriarch as like Church of Rome, the revival against the Oriental Orthodox Church. The Church believed accepted by early theological doctrines who visit India is known as Saint Thomas Christians. The Syrian Orthodox Church of India accepts the traditions and rituals of Buddhism and Jewish tradition as the level of Christianity culture. The church believed in intercession prayers, the Venerated Icons venerations. The church has written prayers of the holy fathers of Geevarghese Gregorios of Perumpally, the Arch Corepiscopa Curien Kaniyamparambil and other honourable persons who controlled higher position of the church. The church has myths in India that are related to the Hindu religion regarding churches of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The church has major and minor pilgrim sites in Kerala when the major centres are the Manarcad Church, the Kothamangalam Cheriya Pally also believes in miracles held in the Kattachira Church and other churches. The church architecture is different and the mixture of the architecture of different cultures is known as Architecture of Kerala.
Tradition.
The Syrian Christians accepted the traditions of the Indian Church known as the Syriac traditional Indian Church. The culture of rituals accepted by other religions is Manthrakodi, Minnukettu, and either procession. The Syrian Christians have a prominent position given by Maharajas who received honourable respect.
Relics.
According to the Holy Bible
The clothes or any either relics of saints to be held miracles and done spiritual power to go around the world and another world is called Heaven. The Syriac Orthodox Church respects the relics of Saint Mary, forefathers, and saints. The most venerated relics of the Syrian Orthodox Church are the Holy Girdle found from the olden manuscripts by Ignatius Aphrem I Patriarch of Antioch and the relics of the Thomas the Apostle founded by Ignatius Zakka I Patriarch of Antioch and Syrian Church has other relics also. The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church kept part of these relics and celebrated on occasions.
Liturgy.
The liturgical service is called Holy Qurobo in the Syriac language meaning "Eucharist". Liturgy of Saint James is celebrated on Sundays and special occasions. The Holy Eucharist consists of Gospel reading, Bible readings, prayers, and songs. The recitation of the Liturgy is performed according to specific parts chanted by the presider, the lectors, the choir, and the congregated faithful, at certain times in unison. Apart from certain readings, prayers are sung in the form of chants and melodies. Hundreds of melodies remain preserved in the book known as "Beth Gazo", the key reference to Syriac Orthodox church music.
Holy Bible.
The Syriac Orthodox Church respect the Holy Bible in the Church of tradition and liturgy. The Holy Church preserves the Syriac Manuscripts of the Holy Bible and others. The Syriac name of Peshitta is known as "Vishudhagrandham(വിശുദ്ധ ഗ്രന്ഥം)" in native language Malayalam, translated by Arch-corepiscopos Curien Kaniamparambil, as its scripture.
Prayers.
The Jacobite Syrian Christians pray the canonical hours of the Shehimo at fixed prayer times, in accordance with Psalm 119. In 1910 V. Rev. Konattu Mathen Malpan translate the prayer book of the Syrian orthodox church into Malayalam is known as Pampakuda Namaskaram with permission of the Patriarch Ignatius Abded Aloho II. This is the common prayer book of Syrian Orthodox Christians in India. The Prayer Order of Liturgy Book that is;
Theology.
The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church officially accepted Miaphysitism of Syriac Orthodox Church as per evidence of art pictorial of St. Mary's Knanaya Church of Kottayam, Piravom Church and Mulanthuruthy Church of Holy Altar. According to inscriptions of Kottayam Valiyapally believed as the theopaschite theology of the earlier Malankara Church against the alleged Nestorianism and claimed virgin mary as Mother of God"(Theotokos)".
But this does not refute the Church of the East relationship of the earlier Church as the Church of the East never professed the alleged Nestorianism and it is held as a misnomer and false accusation as per the view of most historians.
Nasrani Cross.
The Nasrani Cross(Persian cross) used by Syrian Christians of India known as "Marthoma Sleeha Cross" or "Menorah of Syrian Christians". The Persian cross spread in the early 4th century and similar to the "Armenian Cross" of Armenian Apostolic Church and design based on "Jewish Menorah".
Associated Churches.
The Associated Church is church-related to Syriac Orthodox Church and Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church.
Knanaya Syrian Church.
The Knanaya Syrian Community(ക്നാനായ സുറിയാനി സഭ) are claimed to be the descendants of a migrant group of Jewish Christians from Antioch. In AD 345, the Malayalam calendar (kollavarsham), under the leadership of Knai Thoma and 72 families from Edessa (or modern Urfa) immigrated to Malabar (presently Kerala). This migration considered a good turning point for Saint Thomas Christians. The community belongs to priests, deacons, and their bishop named Uraha Ouseph (Bishop Joseph of Uraha/Urfa). These colonists were welcomed by Cheraman Perumal of The Emperor of Kerala given special permission as 72 Royal Privileges Known as Thomas of Cana copper plates
Today, the majority of Knanaya are members of the Syro-Malabar Church (Kottayam Archeparchy) and the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church (Knanaya Archdiocese) under the guidance and directorate of Sevarios Kuriakose and they have a special constitution under Syriac Orthodox Church.
Simhasana Church.
The Simhasana Church(സിംഹാസന പള്ളി) is under the direct control of the Syrian Orthodox Church Patriarch in Malayalam diaspora. The Simhasana Church was established by Mor Yulios Elias Qoro under the leadership of the Patriarch of Antioch. The Church constituted under the direct administration of the Syrian Orthodox Church. The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church instituted the Simhasana Churches who are the prominent persons are the Geevarghese Gregorios of Perumpally and Malankara Malpan Arch Corepiscopa Curien (Kurian) Kaniyamparambil.
Malankara Arch-Diocese of Syrian Orthodox Church in North America.
The Malankara Orthodox Church of North America is the abroad Church of Jacobite Syrian Christian Church under Syriac Orthodox Church Patriarchate. The Arch Diocese of America was formed in 1975 as the name of Saint Gregorios in Staten Island of the United State of America. The legal Issues spread around the church after the church separated, the rival Malankara Orthodox Church from the Syrian Orthodox Church of the United States of America. The church leadership was taken by the Metropolitan Mar Samuel as well then after The Ignatius Zakka I Patriarch of Antioch consecrated Rev. Fr. P.G. Cherian as Mor Nicholovos Zachariah as the Arch Metropolitan of American Arch-Diocese of Holy See of Antioch. He rebelled against the Holy See of Antioch and joined the Malankara Orthodox Church with the majority churches of the Holy Church. Today, the Church ongoing under the leadership of His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho representative of the United States and Canada.
Middle East Diocese.
The Middle East Diocese under Jacobite Syrian Church under the guidance of Syriac Orthodox Church Patriarchate. In the Gulf region, The Jacobite Syrian Church has a special constitution for churches under the guidance of Kingdoms of Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen Government officials. The church of Jacobite Syrian Church respects Gulf rules and does empower gulf regions and under the guidance of rulers. The Jacobite Syrian Church respects leaders and has a prominent role for "Commander" M. A. Yusuff Ali of LuLu Group International for the establishment of churches in Gulf regions and the ongoing holy church.
Seminary.
The Jacobite Syrian Church has Major and Minor Seminaries. At the older time of Holy church started as minor seminaries at home. The minor seminary's motto is to study, meditate, and monasticism at home. The first official major seminary is known as Old Seminary(പഴയ സെമിനാരി) founded by Colonel John Munro with the administration of Pulikkottil Dionysius II. The Second Seminary is known as Thrikkunnathu Seminary(തൃക്കുന്നത്ത് സെമിനാരി) acquired 18 acres (73,000 m2). The Seminary established by Angamaly Metropolitan Athanasius Paulose, Later Malankara Metropolitan of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church included St. Marys Church.
The Third Major Seminary is known as Manjanikkara Dayara(മഞ്ഞനിക്കര ദയറാ) established by Yulios Elias Qoro Patriarchal Delegate of Malankara in 1932. The Manjanikkara Dayara motivate to study teachings of Syriac Orthodox Church faith and established stronger spiritual relationships between churches. The fourth Major Seminary is known as Malekurish Dayara(മലേകുരിശ് ദയറാ) established in 1975 known as Saint James Monastery alone Perumpally Church Pre-Seminary and Manjanikkara Dayara.
MSOT Seminary.
The Malankara Syriac Orthodox Theological Seminary established by modern infrastructure. The Seminary established on 1 January 1990, inaugurated by the Baselios Paulose II Catholicos of the East and the presence of the Honorable Chief Minister of Kerala. The Theological Seminary has so many crises then after the support of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Germany to be completed Seminary of Syriac Orthodox Church in India. The Seminary under the affiliation of Senate of Serampore University alone with Marthoma Syrian Theological Seminary of Marthoma Syrian Church and Old Seminary of Malankara Church under the authority of Malankara Orthodox Church.
List of Minor Seminaries.
The ongoing Major Seminary is known as M.S.O.T Seminary, others are known as Minor Seminaries.
Monasticism.
Monasticism has an important role in Holy Church and has a lot of "Dayara" is known as Monastery. The Syrian Church has monks who stay in the church to pray for the church and the world. The "Finahas Rambachan" is the notable "Monk" of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church.
Persecuted Church.
The Syrian Orthodox Church is known to be a heavily persecuted Church because of the alignment to miaphysite faith from the time of Jacob Baradaeus and Mor Severus Patriarch of Antioch. The Syriac Orthodox Church of India, known as Malankara Church is also persecuted by a splinter Church known as the Malankara Orthodox Church since the past decades. The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church has lost many of its prominent churches like Piravom Church, Mulanthuruthy Church, Kandanad Church, Kolenchery Church and more than 60 churches to the splinter Church following the judgement of the Supreme Court of India, despite having absolute majority in those churches. After the long struggle for talks on churches which has always been dismissed by the other faction, the Jacobite Syrian Church decided to end the sacramental relationship between the Malankara Orthodox Church. Meanwhile the Syriac Orthodox Church of India, known currently as Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, has developed a tight bonded relationship between the remaining Christian Churches like the Mar Thoma Syrian Church, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and the Syro-Malabar Church and with other religious leaders.
The Church has undergone a number of splits throughout the centuries since 1665.
Cemetery Ordinance.
As per Supreme Court Order 2017, the Syrian Church disputes their rights to attend holy mass and rituals then after take the proposed ordinance as per Human rights for Cemetery. The Ordinance gives the right for every person to attend rituals and laws passed on by the majority votes with the support of Honourable Chief Minister, Ministers and other Assembly Members.
Sacramental Relationship.
The Syriac Orthodox Church maintains the relationship between either church, they are;
Catholic Church.
According to the Agreement of Pope John Paul II and Ignatius Zakka I, the Church of Holy Catholic Church and Syriac Orthodox Church has the relationship between sacraments of Penance, Eucharist and Anointing of the Sick for a grave spiritual need. They agree the first three councils and Incarnation and they accepts their needs of Holy Church.
Participants of Catholic Church.
His Excellency Msgr Pierre Duprey - Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Vatican City (Co-Chairman), His Excellency Mar Joseph Powathil - Archbishop of Changanacheny (India), His Excellency Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry - Bishop of Kottayam (India), His Excellency Msgr Patrick D'Souza - Bishop of Varanasi (India), His Excellency Cyril Mar Baselios Malancharuvil - Malankara Catholic Bishop of Battery (India), Revd Fr. Dr. Clarence Gallagher - SJ, Rome (Italy), Revd. Fr. Dr. Matthew Vellanickal - Kottayam (India), Revd. Fr. Dr. Xavier Koodapuzha - Kottayam (India), Revd. Fr. Dr. Geevarghese Chediath - Trivandrum (India), Revd. Fr. Bernard Dubasque - Vatican City (Co-Secretary)
Participants of Syriac Orthodox Church.
His Grace His Grace Timotheos Thomas, His Grace Yuhanon Mor Meletius, Thomas Mor Athanasius (Later convert to Malankara Orthodox Church), Very Revd. Prof. Joseph Cor-Episcopa Pulickaparampil, Revd. Fr. Cherian Poothicote, Revd. Fr. Dr. Adai Jacob, Revd. Fr. Kuriakose Moolayil (Co-Secretary), Revd. Fr. R.V. Markose, Dr. D. Babu Paul, Revd. Deacon Shibu Cherian, Revd. Deacon Biji C. Markose, Revd. Deacon Saji K.V.
Marthoma Syrian Church.
The Marthoma Syrian Church and Jacobite Syrian Church maintain a good relationship between them when they attend together prayer meetings and marriage ceremonies. The Jacobite Syrian Church and Marthoma Syrian Church continue their synods for recognition of theological acceptance and Holy Communion from their understanding. The Holy Muron of Marthoma Syrian Church gave by the Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Elias III in 1842 and the church never uses the title of the ecclesiastical title of "Ignatius" and "Baselios" for the honour of Syriac Orthodox Church.
Malankara Orthodox Church.
The Malankara Orthodox Church is the excommunicated Independent church of Syriac Orthodox Church. One of the faction was emerged in 1914 because of Dionysius of Vattasseril from Syriac Orthodox Church of India(Jacobite Syrian Church), Later the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church consecrated new Malankara Metropolitan Coorilos Paulose. After the circumstance of the holy church-going under the leadership of Malankara Metropolitan Athanasius Paulose "Valiya Thirumeni" of Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. After another split of the church lose the whole of the church of the holy church undergoing the leadership of Catholicos His Beatitude Baselios Thomas I Maphrian of the Syriac Orthodox Church known as Jacob Baradaeus of the holy church. The one of the church has no official relationship with Jacobite Syrian Christian Church is known as "Malankara Orthodox Church".
Politics.
The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church believed in politics and has major and minor political leaders in the church also believed in Christian politics known as Christian communism.
Leadership.
The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church have former ministers and Member's in Kerala's Legislative Assembly and have great hold between Honorable Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan and either political leaders of Kerala.
Kerala Legislative Assembly (2016).
The members of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, who support the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church are;
Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam.
The Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam is the communion of the people conservation party and the nonprofit charitable organization started by Sabu M. Jacob with the blessing of Catholicos Baselios Thomas I. This is the dream vision of "Commander" M.C Jacob to conserve people who need help?. The Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam started in 2015 by using the Corporate Social Responsibility(C.S.R) fund to use poorly people, homeless people, or who wanted needy. What is the aim of communion is that to peace for the whole family and alcohol-free village.
Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Delegates of India.
The Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Delegates of India is the representative of the patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, who is sent to India to guide and administer the church, or on special occasions, as the representative of the Holy See of Antioch. Every year, Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Delegates participate in Manjanikkara Church Feast.
Catholicate.
"Catholicos" means "the general head", and can be considered equivalent to "universal bishop." The fourth-century ecumenical councils recognized the authority of the metropolitan. By the fifth century, the bishops of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria and Antioch gained control of the churches in surrounding cities. They gradually became the heads of the regional churches, and were known as patriarchs (common father). Outside the Roman Empire, patriarchs were known as catholicos. After Nestorian Schism in the seventh century, the Syriac Orthodox Christians who lived in Persia began using the title for its Catholicos / Maphrian, who was originally the head of the Syriac Orthodox Christian community in Persia. This office ranked right below that Syriac Orthodox church hierarchy after the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, until it was abolished in 1860 and reinstated in the India of the East on 1964.
Catholicos of India.
The Catholicos of India is an ecclesiastical office of the Syriac Orthodox Church and the head of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. He is the Catholicos/Maphrian of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, an autonomous body within the Syriac Orthodox Church. The jurisdiction of Catholicos was in India of the East, Hence Syriac Orthodox Church Catholicos of the East was renamed the Catholicos of India in 2002. The position had remained vacant between 1996 and 2002.
The current Catholicos of India is Baselios Thomas I. He was enthroned as the Catholicos by Ignatius Zakka I Iwas Patriarch of Antioch at St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral in Mor Ephrem Monastery near Damascus on 26 July 2002. He is the third Indian Maphrian and Catholicos of the Syriac Orthodox Church in India and former Metropolitan Trustee of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church.
Malankara Metropolitan.
The Malankara Metropolitan was a legal title given to the head of the Malankara Church Nasrani Christians, by the Government of Travancore and Cochin in South India. This title was awarded by a proclamation from the King of Travancore and the King of Cochin. The Prime jurisdiction regarding the temporal, ecclesiastical, and spiritual administration of the Malankara Church.
Covention and Proclmation.
The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church organizes spiritual conventions and faith hold conventions for a new path for the church who against faith. The convention's done in different areas as per the demographic of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church.
Proclaimed Saints of the Church.
As per the tradition of Syrian Orthodox Church not officially proclaimed saints but it does for Syrian Orthodox Church in India is known as Jacobite Syrian Christian Church which is done by the long relationship between Antioch Church and Malankara Church by Ignatius Zakka I Patriarch of Antioch.
Other Saints.
The Syrian Orthodox Church and Syrian Orthodox Church of India respect whole saints of the Holy Church either Catholic Church or Orthodox Church.
Maramon Convention and Jacobite Syrian Church.
The Maramon Convention is one of the world's largest convention held on Maramon, India organized by Marthoma Syrian Church. After the reformation movement when it's started in 1984 is known as "Maramon Convention", what is the relationship between the Maramon Convention and the Syrian Church is that "Patriarch of Antioch" and "Current Catholicos Baselios Thomas I" of Jacobite Syrian Christian Church attended together after the enthronement of the patriarch.
Dioceses.
The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church has the following dioceses
Archdioceses (autonomous).
There are Archdioceses under the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Antioch:
Other dioceses (autonomous).
There are dioceses under the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Antioch. 