History of the Church

part 5

history of the church

1. Syrian church

lesson-33

3.After the Chalcedon Synod.

Purpose: To prove that the blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

As we have already seen, due to the support of the emperor, Pope Leo and the dyophysites (two nature theory holders) gained absolute victory. Without ascertaining the details of the faith of the churches of Antioch and Alexandria they were declared as heretics. The definition of their faith about the true nature of Jesus was not considered at all. Chalcedon Synod was only one of the several attempts made by the Pope to get himself declared as the supreme head of the universal christian church. The churches at Antioch, Alexandria and Armenia did not accept the decision taken by the Chalcedon Synod and they firmly stood by their old faith. The throne of Constantinople was some times occupied by those holding true faith. The Syrian church under the Holy See of Antioch and the Coptic church under the Holy See of Alexandria were subjected to severe persecuting. The Pope gave leadership for such persecutions. Most of the emperors from time to time supported Pope. The severity of the persecution was less only during the reign of very few of them.

After the passing away of Patriarch St. Maximos, some of the dyophysites could ascend the throne of Antioch with the backing of the emperor. Such instruction took place from time to time. Those who occupied the throne with the support of the emperor were called ‘Malkoye’ meaning the king’s partisans. They are not accepted as the Patriarchs of the holy church. In AD. 470 a pious holy father named Mar Peter Kasore was elected as the true Patriarch of Antioch. Next year the emperor banished this holy father and appointed a Malkoyo as Patriarch in his place. In AD 475, emperor Baslicos brought back St. Peter Kasore. The holy remains of Mar Dioscorus were brought to Alexandira by emperor Baslicos and devotionally interred. The next emperor exiled St. Peter Kasore and appointed a Malkoyo instead. Later, true believers Palladios and Flabianos were enthroned as Patriacrchs of Antioch. But when Flabianos showed inclination to the side of dyophysites, he was dismissed and Mar Severeos was ordained in his place.

Mar Severeos

We remember him in the 5th Toobden (diptychus-commommoration) as “Mar Severeos our Patriarch”. He was born in a wealthy and noble family in Sozopolis - a city in Asia Minor, In A.D. 460. He was highly intelligent. He completed his education in Alexandria and Beirut. He became a great scholar and a distinguished lawyer. When he was working as professor in the law school of Beirut, he went to Jerusalem. There he had a call from God and he commenced monastic life. He took up strict asceticism. At that time the local synod of Sidon dethroned Flabianos and Severeos was elected as Patriarch. In A.D. 572, he ascended the Patriarchal throne of Antioch. At the time all the three Patriarchates, other than Rome were adorned by true believers. In 515 Emperor Justinian, a pro chalcedonian began to persecute true believers. He tried to entice Mar Severeos to his side. Failing in his attempt, he exiled him in A.D. 518. The saint left Antioch only after installing Mar Yuhanon of Thella as the guardian of the Holy See. The holy father used to send several letters from abroad emboldening true believers.

Mar Yuhanon of Thella had to withstand persecution for the sake of protecting true faith. Hiding in caves and secret places he fulfilled the responsibility entrusted to him by Mar Severeos. At last he also was imprisoned.

MarSevereoswasinexilefor20years. TheemperorinvitedhimtoConstantinopleandtriedforacompromise. Buthewasnotpreparedtoabandontruefaithforanycompromise. Thereforehewasbanishedagain. MarSevereospassedawayon8thFebruary538attheageof78atAlexandria. MarYuhanonofThellaalsopassedawayinprison duringthesameyear.

MarSevereoswroteseveralbooksincludingtheprayerfollowingthe91stPsalminthecompline(lastserviceoftheday-Soothara)beginning“Lorddwellinginthesecretplaceofthemosthigh...... ” andalsotheresponse-hymn(Maanisa) atthebeginningoftheholymassinPublicbeginning“BytheprayersofMarywhogavebirthtoyouandallthesaints...... ” InthisconnectionithastobenotedthattheabovesaidresponsehymnisusedbyGreeksandNestoriansalso.

AftertheexileofMarSevereos,severepersecutionwasletlooseamongtruebelieversbytheChalcedonianswiththebackingoftheemperor.

WhileMarSevereoswascontinuingasthetruePatriarchofAntiochseveralMalkoyePatriarchswereillegallyenthronedinAntioch. MarYuhanonofThella,thecaretakeroftheHolySee,wascruellypersecuted. InthispersecutionMarTheodosiusofAlexandria,St.AnthimosofConstationpleandseveralotherbishopswereimprisoned. ItisthisAnthimoswhoisrememberedinthe5thdiptychus.

SeveralChurchesandmonasteriesweredestroyedandmonksmurderedemperorissuedordersprohibitingordinationofbishopsfromhefaithfuls. Thebishopswhowerenotimprisonedhadtoseekhidingplaces. Thereforetruebelieversapprehendedabreakinthecontinuityoftruepriest-hood. Preaching,copyingoftheholybooksandthecelebrationofthemasswereprohibited.

Inthecircumstancestruebelieveswereinutterconfusionandtheybegantobescattered. Chalcedonianswereabouttobetrumphant,whenGodAlmightyraisedMarJacobBaradaeus(YacobBourdana).

Questions:
1.WriteashortnoteonPatriarchMarSevereos.
2.NamethechurcheswhichrefusedtoacceptChalcedonSynoddecisions?
Whatwastheconsequence?
3.WhoareMakoye?
4.WhicharethetwoprayersofMarSevereosincludedinourusualprayers.
Lesson-34
jacobbaradaeus(Yacobbourdana)
Purpose: ToascertainhowGodprotectedHisChurchthroughJacobBaradacus.
JacobwasthesonofpriestTheophilusofThella,bornafterprayersforalongtime. HisparentstookavowtodedicatethechildtoFecilthomonastryfortheserviceofGod. TheboyJacobwasbroughtupinthefearofGodandpiety. HelearnedSyriacandGreekinhisboyhood. Heachievedthoroughknowledgeinthefaithandhistoryofthechurch.
Inobediencetothevow,JacobwasentrustedtoSt.Osthatheos,headofthemonastry. Jacobgrewupinpenance,prayer,mediationandstudyofscriptures. SincehewasawarethathebelongedtoChrist,hedidnotreturnhomethereafter. Afterthedeathofhisparent,hedistributedtheentirewealthamongthepooranddestitutes. Helivedwithonlyonegarmentwhichwastornandsewnrepeatedly,givingittheappearanceofoldleather. HencehewascalledBaradaeusmeaningwearerofleather.
Duetotheasceticlife,hewasknownasasaint. The sesufferingfromillnessandmentalagony,cametohimseekingreliefevenfromdistantplaces. TheodoraempressofConstantinopleheardabouthimanddesiredtomeethim. ThebelieversurgedhimtogotoConstantinopletopleadforthechurch. Onthatoccasion,MarSevereosandMarYuhanonwholeft-meworldthreeyearsback,appearedtohiminavision. Hewasconvincedthathehadbeenassignedtheworkofprotectingtruefaith. HewenttoConstantinoplealongwithsergiswholaterbecamethePatriarchofAntioch.
WhenMarJacob reachedConstantinople,truebelieverswelcomedhimwithgreatenthusiasm. EmpressTheodorareceivedhimwithgreathonour. Thisempresswhowasapious ladyhadalreadyprovidedseveralconveniencestothe imprisonedchurchleaders. Thereforeitwaspossiblein542forTheodosiusPatriarchofAlexandriaassistedbySt.Anthimosandotherstoordainintheprison. MarJacobasbishopforUrahaandmonkTheodoreaasbishopforArabia. Theyweregivenallnecessarypowerstoprotecttruefaith.
Activities ofJacobBaradaeus
TheSeriesforthechurchrenderedbyMarJacobBaradaeusafterhisordinationfarexcelledtheservicerenderedbyanyoneelseforthechurch. Hetravelledtoseveralcountriesdayandnight,withoutrest.Enemieswerehuntingafterhim. Avoidingthem,heceaselessly workedwithoutfoodorsleepfordefendingtruefaith. IntheAsianandAfricancountriesofSyria,Armenia,AsiaMinor(PresentTurkey)Cyprus,Egypt,LibiaandAbsenia(Ethyopia)heordainedpriestsanddeacons. Eatingonlydrybread,hetravelledbarefootcoveringnearlyfortymilesadayevenindesertsandforests,preachingandprayingfor35years. Continuousfastingforthreeweekswashisusualhabit. Duetohisefforts,thetreeofchurchwhichwasleaflessandabouttobedriedup,gotrejuvenatedandbegantobloom.
Accordingtothelawofthechurch,atleastthreebishopswerenecessaryforordaininganotherbishop. ThereforehewentwithtwomonksnamedGeevargheseandGreogritoConstantinople. PatriarchMarTheodosiusordainedbothofthemasbishops. JacobBaradaeusalongwiththistwonewlyordainedbishops,visitedseveralcountries,emboldenedandconfirmedtruebelievers. UndertheleadershipofMarJacob,onelakhtwentythousandpriests,eightyninebishopsandthePatriarchsofAntiochandAlexandriawereordained. InPersiaAhudhemewasordainedastheBishopoftheEast. Thechurchwasmiraculouslysavedbythe LordthroughMarJacobBaradaeus. Theinfluenceoflyophysitesdiminishedintheeastandseveralthousandsrestoredbacktotheoriginaltruefaith.
DisgustedandangrydyophysitesbegantocalltruebelieversasJacobites-meaningfollowersofJacob. ThenamechristiansoriginatedinAntiochasatermofinsultattainedgloryinthecourseoftime. SoalsothenameJacobiteswasacceptedbythefaithfulwithgreathonour. IthastoberememberedthattwoPatriarchsofthefaithfulsandseveralbishopswereimprisonedinConstantinopleatthattime. Threebishops,atleastwerelivinginhideouts. MarJacobBaradaeuswaschosenbyGodandauthorisedbytheseholyfatherstorevivethechurchfromitsinertia. Hemovedlikelightninganddischargedhisdutiesmostcreditably,escapingfromhisenemies. Hedidnotfoundanewchurch. Whathehaddonewastorevivethechurchandmakeitgrowwhenitwasinastateofutterdecline.
WhilehewasstillveryactiveMarJacobBaradaeuspassedawayon30thJuly578A.D. BythistimethechurchofourLordreplenishedprofusely. TheAntiochianchurchconcentratingonmissionaryworkandprotectionoftruefaiththrivedforcenturiestogetherintheMiddleEast. CopticchurchunderthePatriarchofAlexandriaandArminianchurchwerehavingintercommunionwiththeAntiochianchurch.
ThecruelintrusionofIslam,thepersecutionoftheTurksandtheattacksmadebytheRomanCatholicchurchduringandafterthecrusadesweakenedthosethreeorientalchurches. RepeatedeffortshadbeenmadetobelittlethechurchofAntioch. ButitstillremainsastheoldestchurchandtheearliestapostolicHolySee. TheHolySeeandthechurchhadtoendureseveralpersecutions. StillthechurchofAntiochkeptupitsvigourandspirituptothisdayandthethroneofAntiochiskeptupdivinelyprotected.
Questions:
1.WhatisthereasonforcallingJacobtheBaradaeus?
2.HowdidMarJacobgettheauthoritytorevivethechurch?
3.BrieflydescribetheservicesrenderedbyMarJacobtothechurch?
4.WhythechurchwasknowasJacobites? ItisnotachurchfoundbyJacob. Why?
Thechurchofmalankarainindia
lesson-35
afterthecoonencrossoath
Purpose: Torememberthatblessedarethosewhomoan,fortheyshallbecomforted.
WehavealreadyseenthattheyokeoftheRomanchurchwasthrownawayaftertheCoonanCrossOathandArchdeaconThomawaselevatedasbishopatAlengad. AcouncilconsistingofIttithommanKathanarInjalimootil,Kallissery,ChandyKathanar,Kadavil,Kaduthuruthy,GeevargheseKathanarVendoorAngamlyandChandryKathanarPalliveetilKuravilangadwasconstitutedtorenderhelptoMarthomaintheadministrationofthechurch.
SinceMarthomalackedthelayingofhandsathisordination,hedidnotexercisethepowerofordinationofpriestsetc.performableonlybyproperlyordainedbishops. Butinthematterofadministrationandinallotherissueshewasgettingtherespectandpositionofabishop. HerepeatedlyrequestedtheHolySeeofAntiochtosenddelegatesforproperordinationofMarthomaandtokeepthebelieversintruefaith. SincethePortuguesewashavingsupremacyovertheseaandlandthejourneyfromAntiochtoMalankarawastoohazardous.
EnemiesinsultedMarthomacallinghimanimposterbishop. TheirpropagandacreatedconfusioninthemindsofthefollowersofMarthoma. SubsequentlysomeofthemjoinedtheRomanCatholicchurch. Theybegantocallthemselves“theoldrites”andthefollowersofMarthomabegantobetermedas‘newrites’. ItisratheranomalousinthatthosewhogaveuptheoldtruefaithandbecamenewfollowersofthePopecalledthemselves‘oldrites’whereasactuallytheyarethenewrites.
PopeAlexanderVIIsenttoKeralateamofCarmelitemissionariestobringbacktheSyrianchurchofMalankarawhichwasunderthehegemonyofthePopebetween1599and1653,butseveredtheirconnectionaftertheOathofCoonenCross. TheCarmelitemissionariesconvenedmeetingsinseveralplacesandraisedargumentsquestioningthevalidityofthebishopricofMarthoma. TheytriedmanywaystowinoverMarthomaandhiscouncillorstotheirside. TheyenticedsomepersonstotheirsideofferinghighpositionandmoneyMarthomabelongtoPakalomattomfamily. ThatfamilyenjoyedgreatrespectedfromtheSyrianChurch. ItwasthetraditionalbeliefoftheSyrianChristiansthatSt.ThomasappointedpriestsfromfourfamiliesandPakalomattomfamilywasoneamongthem. ChandyKathanarPalliveedanalsobelongedtothisfamily. HewasenviousabouttherespectfulpositionheldbyhisrelativeMarthoma. ThissituationwasfacultyexploitedbytheCarmelitemissionaries. Whenhewasofferedbishopric,ChandyKathanarPalliveedanjoinedtheRomanCatholicchurch. TheyalsoenticedChandyKathanarKadavilwhowasascholarinSyriacofferinghimfatreward. SincetheCarmelitemissionariesbelievedthatSyrianChristianscouldeasilybewonoveriftheliturgyismadeinSyriac,theyentrustedthisworktoChandyKathanarKadavil.
ThechangeoffaithofthesetwoChandyKathanarswasaveryseriousblowtoBishopMarthoma. ButIttithommanKathanarstoodbehindhimlikearockandemboldenedhim. FromamongthecarmelitesJosephSebastianwasordianedasbishop. HetriedtobringtheSyrianChristiansunderyokeoftheRomaschurchusingweaponssuchasenticment,offeringmoney,threat,forceetc. farexceedingtheeffortsmadebyArchBishopMenzis.
WhenhefoundthatbothbishopMarthomaandIttithommanKathanarwillnotyieldtoenticementorthreat,hedecidedtouseforce. WiththehelpofthekingofCochinhetriedtoarrestthesestrongbelievers. Atthisstage,thepeopleoftheChurchesinMulanthuruthyandKandandhadtoendureseveralsacrificestoprotectthem. OnceBishopJoseph surroundedBishopMarthomaatMulanthuruthychurch. ButbishopMarthomaandIttithommanKathanarescapedcunningly. Engagedoverthis,BishopJosephtookbyforceallthepossessionsofMarthoma. HisornamentsweregiftedtothekingofCochinandthebooks,holyoil,palanquinetc.eresetonfire.
Inthemeantime,theDutchgainedsupremacyandCochinwassurrenderedtothem. ConsequentlythePortuguesemissionarieshadtoleaveCochin. BeforeleavingCochinBishopJosephordainedChandyKathanarPalliveedanasbishopinthenameAlexanderDeCambo. HecouldattractmanypersonsutilisingthevenerationenjoyedbythePakalomattomfamily. BishopMarthomacouldnotwithstandtheaccusationregardingtheproprietyofhisbishopric. HecouldnotwinbackthosewholeftfortheRomanChurch. IttithommanKathanarPassedawayon27thMedom(April-May)1659. HewasburiedattheKallisserychurch. HisdeparturefurtherweakenedBishopMarthoma. BishopAlexanderinhislettertoBishopJosephwhowasstayinginGoaatthattime,statedthatnothingmorethanmoneyisrequiredtoexterminatethepartyoftheArchdeacon. ThisclearlydisclosesthatthemajorweaponusedbytheRomanCatholicchurchforthedownfalloftheSyrianchurchwasnoneotherthantheenticementbymoney. Eventodaymoneypersuadesseveralpeopletoabdicaterejectingtruefaith. BishopJosephwhowassentGoabytheDutchduring1663,wasaccusedofbecomingabishopwithoutthepermissionofthekingofPortugal. ThereforehewasarrestedandsentbacktoPortugal.
ButGoddidnotallowMarthomatobecomeextinct. Intheyear1665ArchBishopMarGregoriosAbdalJaleel,whoheldthepositionofthePatriarchofJerusalemreachedKerala. HewaswelcomedwithgreatjubilationastherealsaviourbyMarthomaandtheMalankaraSyrianchurch. HistorianMachansihasplacedonrecordintheTravancoreStateManualthatMarGregorioswassentbyMarIgnatiusXXIII,thePatriarchofAntiochin1665fromtheverysameplacefromwhereMarAhatallahcame13yearsback.
Questions:
1.WhatwasthemajoraccusationagainstMarthomaArchedeaconbytheRomanpartisans.
2.WhatwasthespecialityofChandyKathanarPalliveedan? Whydidhechangehisfaith?
3.Marthomawasweakened. Whatwerethecircumstances? HowdidGodprotecthim?
lesson-36
archbishopmargregoriosabduljaleel
Purpose: TolearnthatArchBishopMarGregoriosAbdulJaleelisconsideredastheprotectorofMalankaraSyrianChurch.
ThisholyfatherwasborninMosul. In1654hewasordainedthenameofMarThemotheosasbishopofOmidbyMarIgnatiousSimonPatriarchofAntioch. AftertenyearshewaselevatedtothepositionofArchbishopofJerusalemisassignedfirstrankamongthebishopsofthechurchandhetreatedasthe5thPatriarch. Afteroneyear,hewassenttoMalankarabyMarIgnatiusAbdulMessiahIthePatriarchofAntioch. HewasgivenallthepowerstorevivetheMalankarachurch. ThejourneyfromthePatriarchalheadquarterstoMalankaraatthattimewasreallyhazardous. TheconditionoftheMalankarachurchwasquitepitiable. ThechurchwaspersecutedbythePortuguese,whocruellykilledMarAhatallahsenttoMalankaraearlier. Inspiteofthesehazards,thePatriarchofAntiochdecidedtosendhisdelegatetoprotecttheinterestsoftheSyrianchurchinMalankaraThismissionwasboldlyundertakenbyArchBishopMarGregoriosAbdalJaleel. HereachedMalankaraafterapainfuljourneyformonthstogether.
ExecutionofthemissionbyMarGregorios
ImmediatelyafterreachingMalankara,heordainedMarthomaasbishopinthenameMarthomasI. Thisreallycreatedanimpetustogetbackmorevigorouslythelifewhichwaswitheringhereto. Boththesebishopsjointlyvisitedthechurchesandinspiredthebelievers. UntiringeffortsofMarGregoriosandMarthomaI,withthesupportoftheoldpriestsinthechurch,resultedintheremovalofthebitsofNestorianfaithandthedoctrineoftheRomanCatholicchurchcreptintotheMalankaraSyrianChurchduringthepast. MarriageofpriestshadbeenprohibitedbytheRomanCatholicbishops. MarGregoriosreinstitutedthis. Hetaughtandpopularisedthattheadministrationoftheparishshouldrestinmarriedpriests. TheservicesandliturgyoftheSyrianchurchwerebroughtback. Hisorder dated5thKumbhom(February-March)1668becameanauthoritativerecordofthetruefaithofourchurch.
LetuscomparetheapproachoftheNestoriansandRomanCatholicswiththatofMarGregorios.
TheadministrationofMalankarachurchwasinthehandsofNestorianBishopsbetween1490and1599. TheycamehereintheguisethattheyweresenteitherbythePatriarchofAntiochorhisdelegatetheMaphrian(Catholicos)oftheEast. Theywereacceptedhereonlyonthatbasis. TheNestorianbishopswerehidingtheirrealidentity. HowevertheydidnotmakeanyseriousattempttochangethefaithandtraditionsexistinginMalankara.
TheRomanCatholicsontheotherhandseriouslyattemptedtochangethefaithandtraditionofthechurch. Forthispurpose,theyliberallydistributedmoneyandenticedpeoplewithhighpositions. Theyforciblyenteredthechurchesanddestroyedthebooksofthechurch. Thustheymanagedthebringthechurchundertheircontrolforabout60years. AfterwardsmajorityofthepeoplereturnedtotheiroriginalfaithattheearliestavailableopportunitytothrowawaytheyokeoftheRomanchurch. OfcoursetheRomanCatholicscouldwinoversomemorepeoplebymoney,enticementandfalsepropaganda. Stillpeopleofseveraloldchurcheskepttheoriginalfaithdespiteseverepersecution.
MarGregorioscametoMalankarachurchtreatingitashisown. Hewasreceivedbythechurchasitsownfather. FearlesslyheproclaimedthetruefaithoftheJacobitechurch. Hedoubtlesslyclaimedthat,fromtimeimmemorialtheMalankarachurchwasunderthesupremacyoftheHolySeeofAntiochanditsfaithwasthesameasproclaimedbyhimnowanditnevermaintainedanyrelationshipwiththePopeoftheRomanCatholicchurch. Thisproclamationwaswholeheartedlyacceptedbythechurch. Hedidneitherhaveanysupportofthecrown,normoneyforpresentationnoranypowerofinfluence. Butthefaithproclaimedbyhimwasintimatelyknowntothechurchhere. ThereforeeffortlesslytheSyrianchurchacceptedthefaithandtradition. EventhoughsomeofthehistorianmadeanattempttoestablishthattheMalankaraChurchwasadoptingNestorianfaithbeforethearrivaloftheRomanCatholics,thereisnottruthinit. Haditbeenotherwise,atleastsomeofthepeoplewouldhaveseparatedthemselvesandremainedintheNestorianfaith. ThereisnoevidencetoshowthattheMalankaraSyrianChurchhadevenhonouredtheNestorianfaith. Ontheotherhand,theSeeofAntiochwasalwaysveneratedbytheMalankaraSyrianChurchandallthosewhogotreleasedfromtheholdofRomanCatholicChurchacceptedwithoutremorseorhesitationtheordersofMarGregorios.
WithinsixyearshecouldrevivetheMalankaraSyrianChurchfromitslethargyforthelastsixcenturies. MarGregoriosalongwithMarthomaIordainedMarthomaII. VerysoonMarthomaIexpiredon12thMedom(April-May)1670andhisbodyinterredinAnkamalychurch. ThereisnoevidencetoshowthatabishopofMalankara. HewasatrueJacobite,whoaccordingtothelawsoftheSyrianChurchdeclaredfaithandobediencetotheHolySeeofAntiochandsignedtheoathofallegiance(Salmoosa=Agreement)andgotordainedasbishop.
MarGregorioswhohastobedescribedinallrespectsastheJacobBaradaeusoftheMalankaraChurch,passedawayon14thMakaram(January-February)1670andentombedatNorthParurchurch. Histombflourishesasaneversproutingspringofblessings.
Questions:
1.ArchBishopMarGregoriosAbdalJaleelinvigoratedtheMalankaraChurch. How?
2.Explainhismodeofapproach?
3.WhendidArchBishopMarGregoriosAbdalJaleelpassaway?
4.WhereisthetombofMarthomaI
lesson-37
marthomaIItomarthoma5th
Purpose: TostudyMalankarachurchgotinvigoratedthrough HisHolinessEldhoMarBaseliosandeverreceiveshisblessings.
BishopMarthomaIIordainedbyMarGregoriosandMarthomaIruledoverMalankarachurchfor16years. HebelongedtoPakalomattomfamily. Duringhisreigntwonoteworthyincidentstookplace. OneisthearrivalofpiousmannamedAlexandrayos. Someofthehistoriansareoftheviewthathewasabishop,whilesomeothersdenythiscontention. Thereisnoevidencetoshowthathehadeverexercisedanyofthefunctionsofabishop. In1692whilebathinginKalladariverhewasdrowned.
ThesecondincidentistheblessedarrivalofHisHolinessEldhoMarBaselios. MarthomaIIhadrequestedtheHolySeeofAntiochtosendonebishopandfourteacherstoperpetuatetruefaithinthechurch. AccordinglyMarIgnatiusAbdulMessiahIPatriarchofAntiochsentateamundertheleadershipofMarBaseliosEldhoMaphrianwithBishopMarIvaniosHindayattullaandtwomonksasmembers. AfterahazardousjourneyfortwomonthstheyreachedTellicherry. InthefearthatPortugeseistillholdingsawyoverMalankara,theydisguisedthemselves,travelledthroughforestsandreachedKothamangalamverymuchexhausted,inthemonthofKanni(Sept-Oct.)1685. ItissaidthatexceptEldhoMarBaseliosMaphrianandBishopIvaniosHidayattulla,othersdiedenrouteeitherduetoillnessordevouredbywildbeasts. HisHolinesswhowasveryoldbecameveryweakandhenceon14thKanni(Sept-Oct.)1685onthefeastoftheHolyCross,BishopMarIvaniosHidayattulawasordainedasArchBishop. On20thKanni(3rdOct.)theholyfatherpassedaway. HismortalremainsareentombedinKothamangalamCheriaPally. HisHolinessEldhoMarBaselioslivedinMalankaraonlyfor13days. ButhistombatKothamangalamremainsasaneternalspringshoweringincessantblessings.
MarIwaviosHidayattullawasagreatscholarofextraordinarycourage. HewasinMalankarafor9years. OnthedeathofMarthomaIIhissuccessorMarthomaIIIfromthesamefamilywasordainedbyMarIvaniosHidayattula. OnhisdeathhissuccessorMarthomaIValsofromthesamefamilywasordainedbyMarIvaniosHidayattula. MarIvanioswaszealousintruefaithandheaffirmedthepeopleintruefaith. Hebuiltnewchurchesandrenovatedoldchurches. Hewhoceaselesslyworkedforthewellbeingofthechurchexpiredon3rdChingom(August-Sept). 1693andinterredatMulanthurutychurch. Hisdeathanniversaryiscelebratedasafestivalthere.
MarthomaIV
MarthomaIVruledtheMalankarachurchfor40yearsfrom1688-1728. DuringhisreignaNestorianbishopbythenameGabrielcame. TheMalankaraSyrianchurchdidnotaccepthimandMarthomaIVtreatedhimasaheretic. TwoletterssentbyMarthomaIVduring1709and1720tothePatriarchofAntiochfailedtoreachthedestination. TheselettersarenowkeptinAmsterdamandRome. InthoselettersheaddressedthePatriarchofAntiochasTheheadoftheuniversal”christianchurchandgavefullthroatedpraisefortheholyfatherslikeMarGregoriosspeciallymentioningtheirnames,alsomakingareferencetotheheresyofGabriel,withaspecialrequesttothePatriarchofAntiochtosavetheMalankarachurchesfromthemiddeedsofGabriel. HowstrongwastherelationshipbetweentheHolySeeofAntiochandtheMalankaraSyrianchurchisprovedbeyondthesetwoletters.
In1728MarthomaIVbecameseriouslyill. CrookedGabrielhadnotyetleftKerala. ThereforethelocalleadersofthechurchbroughtthenephewofMarthomaIVtohisdeathbed,laidhishandsonhisheadandordainedhimasMarthomasV. MarthomaIVexpiredon13thMeenam(March-April_1728andinterredinKandanadchurch.
MarthomaV
MarthomaVwasnotfullysatisfiedabouttheperfectionofhisordination. ThereforehewroteagainandagaintotheHolySeeofAntioch,throughtheDutchCompany,tosenddelegatesforvalidatinghisordination. AtthattimeBishopMarIvaniosreachedMalankarawiththehelpoftheDutch. Hewasamanofbadtemperanduncompromisingnature. SoMarthomaVcouldnotco-operatewithhim. MoreoverhehadnotbroughttheauthorisationfromthePatriarchtoregularisethebishopricofMarthomaV. PointingoutthisaspectajointletterbyMarthomaVandMarIvanioswassenttoAntioch,throughDeaconAnthonioswhocamehereforetradeactivities. MarthomasVmadeanagreementwiththeDutchCompanytobearthetravellingexpensesofthosesentfromAntioch.
WhenthisletterreachedtheHolySee,PatriarchMarIgnatiousGeevergheseIIIsentateamconsistingofMarBaseliosSakrallaMaphrian,BishopMarGregorios,YuhanonRamban(monk)andothers. TheyreachedCochinon23rdMedom(April-May)1751afteraverypainfuljourneyformonthstogether. TheDutchCompanydemandedRs.12,000/-asthejourneyfare. Marthomacouldnotcollectsuchanamountwhichaccordingtothemoneyvalueatthattimewasconsideredasveryhuge. TheDutchCompanyrefusedtoreleasethedelegatesofthePatriarchwithoutgettingthisamount. MarthomafailedtomeetthedelegatesatCochinandexplaintherealsituation. SoMarSakrallaandtheteamhadtostayatCochinattheexpenseofthecompanyfor72days. ThereforetheyfeltverymuchannoyedatthedealingsofMarthoma. InthemeantimeMarIvanioswhohadbeenthePatriarchalorderrecallinghimandsoheleftMalankaraforhisnativeplaceinSeema(MiddleEast).
On3rdKarkitakom(July-August)1751,MarSakrallaandhisteamsomehowmadeDutchpeopleagreeandgotpermissiontomeetthekingofCochin. NextdaytheyreachedKandandchurch. MarthomadidnotreachtheretomeetMarSakralla. Itissaidthathewasafraidoftheirangerandhencehedidnotgo. WhenMarSakrallafoundthatitwasnotpossibletoco-operatewithMarthoma,heordainedYuhanonRambanwhowaswithhimasbishopinthenameIvanios. MarSakrallapassedawayatthechurchhebuiltatMattancherryon9thThulam(Oct.Nov.)1764andwastakentoKandandchurchforentombing. MarthomaValsodiedduringthesameyear. HewasentombedatNiranom. BeforehisdeathhehadordainedapersonfromhisfamilyasMarthomaVI. MarthomaVhadhisowndoubtaboutthevalidityofhisordination. NaturallyMarthomaVialsowasdoubtfulaboutthevalidityofhisownposition.
Questions:
1.NarratetwoimportanteventsduringthedaysofMarthomaII?
2.ThesecondincidentisrememberedasaneternalblessingfortheMalankarachurch-Describetheincident?
3.WhoallwereordainedasbishopsbyMarIvaniosHidayattulla?
4.HowmanyyearsdidMarthomaIVrulethechurch? Whichistheincidentwhichmadehimsorry?
5.WhydidMarthomaVdoubtaboutthevalidityofhisordination?
6.WhatisthereasonfortheannoyanceofH.H.MarBaseliosSakarllatoMarthomaV.?
lesson-38
marthomaviormardionysiosthegreat
Purpose: TorecollectDionysiosprotectedtruefaithbyhisindividualityandsteadfastfaith.
MarthomaVItriedverymuchtogethisordinationconfirmed. Atlastheadoptedtheeasiestandbestmethod. OneSundaywhenMarGregorioswascelebratingmassatNiranomChurch,MarthomawentthereandapologisedMarGregoriosaffectionatelyacceptedhim. On29thEdavom(May-June)1770hewasordainedasbishopinthenameMarDionysiusatNiranamchurchbyMarGregoriosandMarIvaniosYuhanon. ThepastoralstaffandcrosssentbythePartriarchforhispredecessorwerealsobestowedonhim. HeisknowinthehistoryoftheMalankarachurchasDionysiusIorDionysiustheGreat. ThereafterMarDionysiusandMarIvaniosjointlylookedaftertheaffairsofthechurch.
MarGregorioswassufferingfromallillnessoftheeye. Hisvisionwasalmostlost. ThenhewastakentoMattancherrybyGeevargheseRambanKattumangattu. HencehewasordainedbishopMarGregoriospassedawayon27thMithunam(June-July)1772. HeisinterredinMulanthuruthychurch.
WhenMarCooriloswasordained,MarDionysiusandMarIvanioswerenotconsulted. Sotheywereagainstthisaction. TheyjointlyconvenedameetingofthechurchesatKandanadchurchandaresolutionwaspassedagainstMarCoorilos. TheyraisedcomplaintbeforetheDutchauthoritiesandobtainedanorderstipulatingthatBishopMarCooriloshasnotjurisdictioninTravancoreandCochin. ThereforeMarCooriloswenttoThozhiyoorinBritishMalabarwhereachurchwasbuilt. Induecourseoftime,itgrewupintoachurchnamedindependentSyrianChurch. MarCoorilosordainedhisbrotherasMarCoorilosII. Inthehistorythesetwobishopsareknownbythename“KattumangattuBavamar(Bishops). MarCoorilosIIordainedCheeranMarPhilaxinosashissuccessorwhoordainedKindanganMarPhilaxinosasbishop. BishopsMarDionysiusII,IIIIVoftheMalankaraSyrianChurchwereordainedbytheThozhiyoorbishop. Hiscompetencytodosowasquestionable. Butweneednotmakeajudgementontheauthenticityofthisactionsinceitwastheonlymeansofsustenanceforthetimebeing.
AdministrationofMarDionysius
DionysiusIwasoneofthemostprominentbishopsoftheMalankarachurch. Theperiodofhisadministrationwaseventful.
ItwasduringhistimethatTippuSultanattackedCochinandTravancore. SeveralSyrianchurchesweredestroyedintheseattacks.
MathooTharakanarichmanwhowasaconfidantofthekingofTravancoreattemptedtobringtheSyrianchurchunderthesuzeranityofthePope,unitlisinghisinfluenceoverthekinghethreatenedandcreatedhurdlesbeforeMarDionysius. ButHisGracestoodfirm. BythegraveofGod,MathooTharakandiedbeforeachievinghisobjectiveandthethreatvanished.
MarIvaniospassedawayin1794. HewasentombedatChengannoorchurch. During1796MarDionysiusordainedhisnephewasMarthomaVII.
ThearrivaloftheAnglicanmissionarieswasthemostconspicouseventduringthedaysofMarDionysis. In1806,isinstructedbytheGovernorofMadras,Dr.KeranAnglicanmissionaryvisitedthebishopanddiscussedaboutunitingtheSyrianchurchwiththeAnglicanchurch. MarDionysiuswasnotagreeableforanyunificationchangingthetenetsoftruefaithofthechurch. AnothermissionarybythenameDr.Buchananalsovisitedthebishopforthesamepurpose. Butehbishopwasnotpreparedtorelentfromhisfirmstand.
MarDionysiusverymuchdesiredtopopularisetheholybibleamongthepeopleaftergettingittranslatedintoMalayalam. PhiliposeRambanofKayamkulamhadtranslatedtheGospelintoMalayalam. MarDionysiussoughtthehelpofDr.Buchanoninthisregard,whoacceptedthetranslationofPhiliposeRamban,gotthegospelsprintedinMalayalamatBombayandhandedovertoMarDionysius.
AmanuscriptSyriacbiblemorethanonethousandyearsold,keptintheAngamalychurchasapricelesstreasurewashandedoverbyMarDionysiustoDr.Buchanon. Thiscopyhadbeenkepthiddensomewhere,whenthePortuguesewerehuntingafterthebooksoftheSyrianchurchanddestroyingthem. Dr.BuchanonhaskeptthisbibleintheCambridgeUniversitylibrary,andcopiesofitgotprintedandhandedovertoMalankaraChurch.
TheinteractionwiththeAnglicanmissionarygreatlyhelpedinpopularisingthebible. ButthemissionarieswhocamelaterwerenotlikedDr.Buchanon. Theydidnothesitatetoadoptanymeasurethoughtfit,toachievetheobjectiveofrenovatingtheMalankarachurch. Asresultthechurchhadtoendureseriousharmandmanyafflictionssproutedinthechurchattheirinstance.
Thefamous‘Vattippanam’haditoriginduringthedaysofMarDionysiusdeposited3000 PoovarhanequivalenttoRs.10,5000/-attheEastIndiaCompanystipulatingthattheinterestshallbepaidtothechurch. AnotherversionisthatthemoneywasactuallylenttoTravancoreGovt.whenitwasexperiencingfinancialdifficultyduringthetimeofMacaulayandtheamountwassubsequentlydepositedbytheTravancoreGovt.inMadrasGovt. forinterestattherateof8%percent,withtheconditionthattheinterestispayabletothebishopholdingthepositionoftheMalankaraMetropolitan.
In1807,MarDiascoroscametoMalankaraastherepresentativeofMarIgnatiousMathai,PatriarchofAntioch. Beingamanofhardandobstinatenature,hecouldnotgetonwellwithMarDionysiusforalongtime. AttheinterventionofCol. Macaulayhewassentbackin1809.
MarDionysius passedawayatNiranomon25thMeenam(Amrch-April)1808andwasentombedatPuthencavuchurch. ThisholyfatheriseverrememberedintheMalankarachurchforhisindividualityandsteadfastfaith.
Questions:
1.HowdidMarthomaVIgetconfirmationforhisposition? Whatisthenewnamegiven?
2.HowdidThozhiyoordiocesesoriginate?
3.WhataretheimportanteventsduringthedaysofDionysiusthegreat?
4.WhatwasthemainpurposeofMarDionysiusco-operatingwiththeAnglicanmissionaries?
5.Whatwasthepurposeoftheco-operationextendedbytheAnglicanmissionariestoMalankarachurch?
6.Whatismeantby“Vattippanam”. Howwasitoriginated?
Lesson-39
Afterthedionysiusthegreat
Purpose:Toreckonthatdespitecrisis,theholychurchmovesforwardandupholdstruefaithrelentlessly.
MarthomaVIIandMarthomaVIII
MarthomaVIIwhosucceededDionysiusthegreatruledonlyforaveryshortduration. Hediedin1809andinterredatKolencherychurch. AthisdeathbedsomeleadersofthechurchwhowerenearbyordainedMarthomaVIIIbyplacingthehandsofMarthomaVIIonhead. VerysoonrequestthroughMaculaywassenttothePatriarchofAntiochtosendadelegatetoregularisetheordination.
DisputeregardingthevalidityoftheordinationofMarthomaVIIIaroseverysoon. AgroupwithIttoopRambanPulikkootiolastheleaderstoodagainstMarthomaVIII. IttoopRambanwaseagertostartatheologicalseminaryforSyrianchristians. HenursedacomplaintthatMarthomaVIIIwasnotshowinganyinterestinthismatter. Whenthedisputeinthechurchincreased,MadrasGovt.sent17questionstoMarthomaVIIIenquiringthewhereaboutsoftheMalankarachurchregardingitsfaith,tradition,administrationetc. InhisreplyMarthomaVIIIunequivocallystatedthatatleastfromA.D.345theMalankarachurchwasunderthePatriarchofAntioch. HealsodescribedthepersecutionenduredfromthePortugueseandpointedouttheinadquacyintheologicaleducation.
BritishResidentCol:MunroeandtheAnglicanmissionariesencouragedIttoopRambaninthematterofopeningatheologicalseminary. Col.MunroeheldthattheordinationofMarthomaVIIwasinvalidandtheinterestoftheVattippanamshouldnotbegiventohim. AtthesametimeinterestofthisVattippanamwasgiventoIttoopRamban. WhentheMadrasGovt.protestedagainstthepaymentofinteresttoapersonwhowasnotabishop,IttoopRambangotordainedbyKindanganMarPhilaxinosoftheThozhiyoordiocesesinthenameJosephMarDionysiusintheyear1815. ThiswasdoneundertheinstigationofCol. Munroe. ThenewbishopknownasDionysaiusIIisthefounderofthetheologicalseminary. RoyalproclamationwasissuedbyTravancoreandCochinGovt. approvingDionysiusIIasthebishopoftheMalankarachurch. Inthemeantimeconstructionwerestartedforthe‘oldseminary’ forwhichfoundationwaslaidon3rdKumbhom(Jan-Feb.)1813. Theologicaleducationcommencedthereduring1815.
MarthomaVIII,ignoredinallrespects,ordainedhisuncleasMarthomaIX. MarthomaVIIIdiedin1816. MarDionysiusIIraisedacomplaintagainstMarthomaIXbeforetheBritishResident. DuetotheoppositionoftheGovt. MarthomaIXwascompelledtoabdicate. HelefttheentirepropertiesofhispredecessorsattheoldseminaryandlivedasamonkthereafterinKadamattomchurch. ThusthesystemofselectingbishopsfromthePakalomattamfamilycametoanend.
InestablishingtheseminaryandinitsworkingMarDionysiusIIacceptedthehelpoftheBritishResidentandthemissionaries. Laterheandhissuccessorshadtofeelsorryovertheassistancethusobtained. Themissionariesbegantointerferemorevigorouslyintheadministrationoftheseminary. Col. MunroerequestedMarDionysiustoallowRev. NortenanAnglicanmissionarytostayintheseminaryandtoworkinthechurchwithoutanyrestrictions. ThebishopwasnotwillingtoallowmissionaryofanotherchurchtoworkunconditionallyintheSyrianchurch. Thisdemandwasrepeatedagain. BishopMiddletonofCalcuttaalsoapproachedBishopMarDionysiusforthispurpose. Thebishopdidnotyield. Thisledtoseriousmentalagony. TheBishopdiedon12thVrichigom(Nov-Dec.)1818. Hewasentombedintheseminarychapel.
OnthedeathofMarDionysius,MarPhilexenosof ThozhiyoorDiocesesassumed,byhimself,thepositionofMalankaraMetropolitanandgotitapprovedbytheGovt. duetotheinfluenceoftheBritishResident. ButverysoonhehadtoreturntoThozhiyoorafterordainingMarDionysiusIIIwhomanagertogetGovernmentapproval. MarDionysiusIIIisknownasPunnathraMarDionysius.
PunnathraMarDionysius.
TheimportanteventsduringhisreignarethefriendshipwithC.M.S.missionariesandtheconsequencesthereof. ItwasduringthistimethattheC.M.S.missionariesBenjaminBaily,JosephFennandHenryBakerreachedKerala. Theywerewarmlywelcomed. Theybecamepartnersintheadministrationoftheseminary. Oneofthemwasengagedinthetranslationofthebiblewhileanotherpersonwasentrustedwithdeliveringsermonsinchurches. AtthattimeCol.MunroewastheDiwanofTravancoreasalsotheBritishresident. TheBishopexertedmuchinfluenceovertheDiwanutilisingthefriendshipofthemissionaries. SeveralSyrianchristiansenteredGovt.Serviceinpositionsbothhighandlow. Thepropertiesoftheseminarywerebroughtunderthejointadministrationofthebishopandthemissionaries.
VerysoonthemissionariesbegantobehaveastheadministratorsoftheSyrianchurchesandtoteachadifferentfaith,findingfaultonthetraditionalfaithoftheMalankarachurch. TheyconvenedameetingatMavelikkarachurchon3rdOctober1818andsuggestedtoeliminatethenameofvirginMaryfromtheprayersandtomodifythetextoftheholymasstotheirsatisfaction. Butthemeetingrejectedalltheseproposals.
MarDionysiusIIIhaddoubtsaboutthevalidityofhisposition. HencehehadsentarequesttothePatriarchofAntiochtosendadelegatetoregulariseit. Worriedabouttheinterferenceofthemissionaries,herepeatedthisrequest. Beforefulfillingthisdesire,thediedon5thEdavom(May-June)1825,andwasentombedinKottayamcheriapally. PunnathraMarDionysiuswashighlydiplomaticandhereallylovedthechurch. HisintimacywiththemissionarieswasjusttohaveinfluenceovertheDiwanandforhisownhighposition. ThisrelationshipledtothesowingoftheseedsoflitigationintheMalankarachurch.
AgeneralbodymeetingwasheldatKottayamcheriapallytoselectasuccessorforPunnathraMarDionysius. Therecandidatesknownasthecandidateofthemissionaries,candidateofthesouthernessandcandidateofthenorthernerswereinthefield. CheppatPhilipposeRambanwasselectedbylot. MarPhiloxenosofThozhiyoordioceseordainedhimasbishopDionysiusIV. HeispopularlyknownasCheppatMarDionysius.
CheppatMarDionysius
CertainveryimportanteventstookplaceduringthedaysofCheppatMarDionysius.
BishopMarAthanasiossentbythePatriarchofAntiochontherequestofMarDionysiusIIreachedMalankara. HewasreceivedbyMarDionysiusandMarPhilaxenosandtheyweresatisfiedonreadingtheletterofauthority(station)broughtbyMarAthanasios. He,doubtingauthenticityofthepositionofMarPhiloxenosrequestedhimtoproducedocumentaryevidence. Hewasunabletodoso. ThereforeundertheinstigationofthemissionariesheraisedacomplaintagainstMarAthanasiosbeforetheBritishResidentwhoimmediatelyissuedordersbanishingMarAthanasios. In1827MarAthanasioswassentback. ItisacknowledgedbyimpartialpersonslikeBishopHeeberofCalcuttathatthestepstakenforrejectingMarAthanaisoswereagainstthebasicprinciplesofnaturaljustice.
AftertheexileofMarAthanasios,themissionariesintervenedintheadministrationofthechurchandthetheologicalseminarymorevigorously.
MavelikkaraSynod
In1833twonewmissionariesbythenameRev.PittandRev.Udhocreachedtheseminary. Theywerehighlyfanaticprotestants. TheybegantoteachinclassesandtoesermoniseinchurchesagainstthetruefaithoftheSyrianchurch. Theypubliclydenouncedtheintercessionofthesaints,prayersforthedeparted,holysacramentsandholycommunionservice. Theypurposelydesecratedthelentbypublicityservingmeatatthemealsintheseminaryduringlentperiod. Forthesereasons,therearoseseriosdifferenceofopinion andconfrontationbetweenthebishopandthemissionaries. In1835DanielWilsonBishopofCalcuttavisitedthebishopandsuggestedcertainchangesinthefaithofthechurch,itsmodeofworship,writtentextoftheholymissal(Qurbana)andadministration. MarDionysiusrepliedthathewoulddowhateverisneededafterdueconsultation.
AccordinglyameetingoftherepresentativesofthechurcheswasconvenedatMavelikkaraon6thMakarom(Jan-Feb.) 1836byMarDionysius. Thiswasattendedbytwobishopsviz. MarDionysiusandMarCoorilosoftheThozhiyoordioceses,fiftypriestsandnumerouschurchrepresentatives. ThismeetingisknownasthefamousMavelikkaraSynodandthedecisionstakenareknownasMavelikkaraPadiyola.
InthisPadiyola,therelationshipoftheMalankarachurchwiththeHolyseeofAntiochhasbeenrepeatedlyacknowledgedseveraltimes. Itwasunanimouslydecidedthatnochangecanbemadeinthefaith,traditionsandthebooksofholymassandsacramentswithoutthepermissionofthePatriarch.
Forcibleinterventionofthemissionaries
WhenthemissionariesfoundthattheMalankaraSyrianchurchwillnotyieldtothem,theybegantointroducechangesbyforce. TheytaughtheresyinseminaryclassesandbegantoconductservicesontheseminarychapelusingAnglicanformofworship. TheydidnotlistentothematureadviceofRev.Dr.FennthatitwasnotthepropertyofthemissionariesbuttheseminaryoftheSyrianchurch. InthecircumstanceMarDionysiushadtorestrictthedeaconsfromattendingclassesintheseminarybytheAnglicanmissionaries. Themissionariesgotthetextofholymassreformedaccordingtotheirdesire,byfourrebelpriests. Butthreeoutofthesefourandthemajorityofthepriestsrefusedtousetherevisedtext. OnaPalmSundayRev.Pittbrokeopenthebesgaza(Treasuryofvaluables)roomoftheseminaryandtookawaythecontentsthereoftohisresidence. ThebishopwasgotarrestedinalawsuitfraudulentlycreatedatthePiravomchurch. Theytriedthebishopandvehmentallypursuedthesuitagainsthim. Buttheywereunabletogetthebishoppunished.
Consequentofthisclash,disputesandlitigationstartedregardingthepropertiesoftheMalankaraChurchjointlyheldbythebishopandthemissionaries. Thiscasewasreferredtoacourtconsistingofthreewesterners. TheirdecisionisknownastheCochinAwardof1840,accordingtowhich,themissionariesgotthemajorportionofthepropertiesoftheMalankarachurch. HoweverseminaryandVattippanamwereawardedtotheMalankarachurch. However seminaryandVattippanamwereawardedtotheMalankarachurch. Themissionarieshadtobaccatetheseminarybasedonthisaward. TheystartedanewseminaryattheplacewherethepresentC.M.S.collegeisfunctioning. Thus,theseminaryoftheSyrianchurchbegantobeknownas‘oldseminary.’
LastdaysifCheppatMarDionysius
DionysiusIVhadwrittentothePatriarchofAntiochregardingthedeplorableconditionoftheMalankaraChurchagainandagainrequestingforsendingabishopasearlyaspossible. InconsultationwithhiscouncilthePatriarchsuggestedthatitismoreadvisabletosendcompetentcandidatestotheHolySeeforordinationasbishops. Assoonasthisintimationwasreceived,AbrahamMalpanPalakkunnathutilisedthisopportunitytosendhisbrother’ssondeaconMathewstotheholyPatriarchasthecandidateforthepositionoftheMalankaraMetropolitan. ThiswasdoneusingthepoliticalinfluenceoftheAnglicanmissionaries. InfactAbrahamMalpanwasinexcommunicationforusingtherevisedAnglicantextoftheholymass. TheverycleverdeaconMathewspleasedMarEliasIIthePatriarchofAntiochbyshowingextrahumbleness. HewasordainedasbishopinthenameMathewsMarAthanasios. In1843thenewbishopreachedMalankara. MarDionysiusandtheMalankarachurchwereverymuchperturbedoverthisordination. MarDionysiuswrotetothePatriarchfurnishingcompletedetailsaboutMarAthansios. ImmediatelythePatriarchsentBishopYujakimMarCoorilostoMalankara. HewasgivennecessaryauthorityeventoexcommunicateMarAthanasiosifneedbe. MarCoorilosreachedMalankarain1846. MarDionysiusentrustedtheadministrationofthechurchtoMarCoorilos. Thereafter,conflictsprangupinMalankarachurch. AidedbythemissionariesMarAthanasiosreceivedfullsupportoftheBritishrulersandthelocalkings. EarlyjudgementsfullysupportedMarAthanasiosonthebasisoftheletterofauthority(staticon)issuedtohimbythePatriarch. MarDionysiusIVfeltdeeplyanguished. Hepassedawayon27thKanni(Sept.-Oct.)1858. HewasinterredinCheppatchurch.
Questions:
1.WhydidIttoopRambanPulikkoottilopposedMarthomaVIII?
2.WhyIttoopRambanwasforcedtobecomeabishop?
3.Whenwastheoldseminaryfounded? WhatweretheincidentsintheadministrationoftheseminarywhichwerepainfultoMarDionysius?
4.ListouttheproblemscreatedbytheAnglicanmissionariesduringthedaysofPunnathraMarDionysius?
5.WhatwasthereasonfortheexileofMarAthanasios, whocameduringthedaysofCheppatMarDionysius?
6.DescribethecircumstancesleadingtotheconveningoftheMavelikkaraSynod?
7.WhatwasthereasonforthelitigationbetweenMalankarachurchandmissionaries?
8.HowdiddeaconMathewsreachMalankaraasMarAthanasios?
9.WhoisthebishopsentbythePatriarchtohelpCheppadMarDionysius?