Abraham Mar Thoma
Encyclopedia
Abraham Mar Thoma Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XVII) was the Head of the Mar Thoma Church
from 1944-1947. He was called Maret Kochu Thirumeni by his people. Among all the bishops of Malankara Churches Including Mar Thoma Church
, Abraham Mar Thoma was the first one who had a Doctorate degree.
.
, S.P.G. College Trichy and Madras Christian College
. Soon after becoming a deacon of the Mar Thoma church
, he proceeded to join Wycliffe College
at the University of Toronto
, Canada
(1911–1914). From there he had obtained his MA
and BD
degrees.
He was not a bright student. Many times he failed in his school final and degree examinations. That helped him in later years to encourage the students who failed in their examinations and showed them the path to success.
. He used to attend Sunday schools and gospel meetings. At one of the meetings in Tiruvalla
, by an Anglican Priest - Rev. Thomas Walker of Tirunelveli
he had accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour. At that time he was 13. During his school days he used to organize prayer groups and meetings for his classmates and other students. He was the prayer group secretary in all places he studied. While in school his class mates called him upadesi and at college he was called arch bishop.
. Titus II Mar Thoma
ordained both of them on April 30, 1911.
On December 5, 1915, at his native place Eraviperoor, Deacon Abraham and Deacon Pothen were ordained as priests. Rev.Abraham was appointed as Kayamkulam
divisional secretary
. Even today, to select a layman as a bishop is very unusual.
After the great swearing in 1653 it became necessary to appoint a bishop. For this purpose a special chair was made and Mar Thoma I
the first bishop of Malankara church was enthroned. This throne, used for the consecration of Mar Thoma I
, is in the possession of the Mar Thoma Church
and is kept at Tiruvalla
. It has been used in the installation of every Mar Thoma Metropolitan, to this day, so that the continuity of the throne of Mar Thoma is ensured. This was the throne used for the consecration of Mar Thoma XVII, Abraham Mar Thoma metropolitan.
on December 27, 1917. A special ‘’madhubaha’’ (sanctuary
) was built and a big ‘’pandal’’ (canopy) was made to accommodate approximate 20,000 for this purpose. This was the first time a consecration ceremony was held outside a church building. It was conducted by Titus II Mar Thoma
Metropolitan assisted by Geevarghese Mar Coorilos and Poulose Mar Athanasius of the Malabar Independent Syrian Church
. Anglican bishop Dr. Gill gave the message. Rev. Abraham was given the episcopal title, Abraham Mar Thoma Suffragan Metropolitan.
, giving due places to Bishops, clergy and laity; and the bringing into use of a tentative Qurbana Thaksa (Liturgy of the Holy Communion) were peacefully achieved during their administration in the Church.
died on July 6, 1944. Abraham Mar Thoma was enthroned as Metropolitan at the Kozhencherry
church.
He believed that every Marthomite is an evangelist, so evangelism is the responsibility of every member of the Church and not that of the clergy alone. He emphasized that every man and woman was called to be the witness of Jesus Christ, irrespective of his secular occupation. It was this conviction that led him to organize groups of people and give them specialized training in personal evangelism.
The women of the Church also were encouraged to take up their part in fulfilling the mission of the Church. He encouraged the formation of the Mar Thoma Suvisesha Sevika Sanghom, (in 1919) which is the women’s auxiliary of the Evangelistic work in the Church. He was behind the establishment of the Vanitha Mandiram in Tiruvalla
, the training institute of the Sevika Sanghom.
The Voluntary Evangelistic Association was established in 1924, as a voluntary lay movement of the Church.
The call that he gave to young men and women was to go and live in the villages of India
, in different language areas, resulted in the establishment of Ashrams all over India
from the South up to the borders of Tibet
. His help was sought by Christian friends all over India
to lead evangelistic conventions. Such assignments took him from Kanyakumari (Cape Comerin) in the South, to Kashmir
in the North. He was a friend of every missionary in India
and all of them looked up to him for inspiration and guidance.
as an independent state following the lapse of British Paramountey.
. A huge crowd was present to bid farewell to their beloved Metropolitan, the Kochu Thirumeni. He was interred in the Bishops’ cemetery in the SCS Compound, Tiruvalla
.
Mar Thoma Church
The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It has an entirely different identity when compared with other Churches in India. Most Christian churches around the world are divided into...
from 1944-1947. He was called Maret Kochu Thirumeni by his people. Among all the bishops of Malankara Churches Including Mar Thoma Church
Mar Thoma Church
The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It has an entirely different identity when compared with other Churches in India. Most Christian churches around the world are divided into...
, Abraham Mar Thoma was the first one who had a Doctorate degree.
His family
The daughter of Panicker, a member of the Adangapurathu family at Kalloopara, in Kerala was married to a member of Vadakkethalackal Family at Mavelikara. Her husband died after her two sons were born. So her brother brought her back to Kalloopara. Her eldest son became the financial Officer of the ruler, Edapally king. The youngest grand son of this officer Abraham lived at Maret House, Kalloopara. Nina was the son of this officer Abraham. Nina married Mariamma, eldest daughter of Oommachen, Karikattu, Eraviperoor. Mariamma's mother was from Chemmarapallil, Puthupally, KottayamKottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
.
Early years
Bishop Abraham born on October 30, 1880, was the only son of Nina and Mariamma and had two elder sisters. His parents called him Kochavarachen and in the school records his name was M. N. Abraham (Maret Ninan Abraham).Education
After completing his primary schooling at Eraviperoor he joined the Government School, Tiruvalla. For higher studies he was at CMS College KottayamKottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
, S.P.G. College Trichy and Madras Christian College
Madras Christian College
The Madras Christian College, commonly known as MCC, is a liberal arts and sciences college in Madras , India. Founded in 1837, MCC is one of Asia's oldest extant colleges. Currently, the college is affiliated to the University of Madras, but functions as an autonomous institution from its campus...
. Soon after becoming a deacon of the Mar Thoma church
Mar Thoma Church
The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It has an entirely different identity when compared with other Churches in India. Most Christian churches around the world are divided into...
, he proceeded to join Wycliffe College
Wycliffe College
Wycliffe College is an Anglican Church of Canada seminary federated with the University of Toronto. It is evangelical and Low church in orientation. On the other hand, the University of Toronto's other Anglican college, the University of Trinity College is Anglo-Catholic in outlook. While being an...
at the University of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
(1911–1914). From there he had obtained his MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
and BD
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
degrees.
He was not a bright student. Many times he failed in his school final and degree examinations. That helped him in later years to encourage the students who failed in their examinations and showed them the path to success.
His ambition
From very early days, his ambition was to become an upadesi. (missionary) of the Mar Thoma churchMar Thoma Church
The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It has an entirely different identity when compared with other Churches in India. Most Christian churches around the world are divided into...
. He used to attend Sunday schools and gospel meetings. At one of the meetings in Tiruvalla
Tiruvalla
Tiruvalla , is a city and a Taluk headquarters located in Pathanamthitta district in the State of Kerala in South India, spread over an area of 27.94 km2...
, by an Anglican Priest - Rev. Thomas Walker of Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli , also known as Nellai , and historically as Tinnevelly, is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Tirunelveli District and the sixth biggest city in Tamil Nadu...
he had accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour. At that time he was 13. During his school days he used to organize prayer groups and meetings for his classmates and other students. He was the prayer group secretary in all places he studied. While in school his class mates called him upadesi and at college he was called arch bishop.
Ordination
M. N. Abraham and M.P.Pothen(Philipose), Velliyampallil, Mallappally, were the first two persons with university degrees, to be ordained as deacons in the Mar Thoma ChurchMar Thoma Church
The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It has an entirely different identity when compared with other Churches in India. Most Christian churches around the world are divided into...
. Titus II Mar Thoma
Titus II Mar Thoma
-See also:* Mar Thoma Church* Syrian Malabar Nasrani* Saint Thomas Christians* Christianity in India* List of Catholicoi of the East and Malankara Metropolitans* List of Syrian Malabar Nasranis* Titus I Mar Thoma* Abraham Mar Thoma-For further reading:...
ordained both of them on April 30, 1911.
On December 5, 1915, at his native place Eraviperoor, Deacon Abraham and Deacon Pothen were ordained as priests. Rev.Abraham was appointed as Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam is a town and a municipality in Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient maritime trading centre. One of the largest power plants in Kerala, run by the NTPC, is located in Kayamkulam. Krishnapuram Palace is located nearby and an old cashew factory.Kayamkulam is...
divisional secretary
Consecration
Even before Abraham was ordained as a deacon in 1911, the church leaders unanimously decided to select him as a bishop of the Mar Thoma ChurchMar Thoma Church
The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It has an entirely different identity when compared with other Churches in India. Most Christian churches around the world are divided into...
. Even today, to select a layman as a bishop is very unusual.
Malankara throne
Mar Thoma I
-See also:*Indian Orthodox Church*Jacobite Syrian Church*Mar Thoma Church*Malankara Church*Dutch East India Company*Syrian Malabar Nasrani-Further reading:...
the first bishop of Malankara church was enthroned. This throne, used for the consecration of Mar Thoma I
Mar Thoma I
-See also:*Indian Orthodox Church*Jacobite Syrian Church*Mar Thoma Church*Malankara Church*Dutch East India Company*Syrian Malabar Nasrani-Further reading:...
, is in the possession of the Mar Thoma Church
Mar Thoma Church
The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It has an entirely different identity when compared with other Churches in India. Most Christian churches around the world are divided into...
and is kept at Tiruvalla
Tiruvalla
Tiruvalla , is a city and a Taluk headquarters located in Pathanamthitta district in the State of Kerala in South India, spread over an area of 27.94 km2...
. It has been used in the installation of every Mar Thoma Metropolitan, to this day, so that the continuity of the throne of Mar Thoma is ensured. This was the throne used for the consecration of Mar Thoma XVII, Abraham Mar Thoma metropolitan.
Installation
The consecration ceremony of Rev. Abraham was held in TiruvallaTiruvalla
Tiruvalla , is a city and a Taluk headquarters located in Pathanamthitta district in the State of Kerala in South India, spread over an area of 27.94 km2...
on December 27, 1917. A special ‘’madhubaha’’ (sanctuary
Sanctuary
A sanctuary is any place of safety. They may be categorized into human and non-human .- Religious sanctuary :A religious sanctuary can be a sacred place , or a consecrated area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar.- Sanctuary as a sacred place :#Sanctuary as a sacred place:#:In...
) was built and a big ‘’pandal’’ (canopy) was made to accommodate approximate 20,000 for this purpose. This was the first time a consecration ceremony was held outside a church building. It was conducted by Titus II Mar Thoma
Titus II Mar Thoma
-See also:* Mar Thoma Church* Syrian Malabar Nasrani* Saint Thomas Christians* Christianity in India* List of Catholicoi of the East and Malankara Metropolitans* List of Syrian Malabar Nasranis* Titus I Mar Thoma* Abraham Mar Thoma-For further reading:...
Metropolitan assisted by Geevarghese Mar Coorilos and Poulose Mar Athanasius of the Malabar Independent Syrian Church
Malabar Independent Syrian Church
The Malabar Independent Syrian Church, also known as the Thozhiyur Sabah , 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.Considered part...
. Anglican bishop Dr. Gill gave the message. Rev. Abraham was given the episcopal title, Abraham Mar Thoma Suffragan Metropolitan.
Suffragan Metropolitan
For 27 years, Metropolitan Titus II and Bishop Abraham worked together. The passing of a constitution for the Mar Thoma ChurchMar Thoma Church
The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It has an entirely different identity when compared with other Churches in India. Most Christian churches around the world are divided into...
, giving due places to Bishops, clergy and laity; and the bringing into use of a tentative Qurbana Thaksa (Liturgy of the Holy Communion) were peacefully achieved during their administration in the Church.
Mar Thoma Metropolitan
Titus II Mar ThomaTitus II Mar Thoma
-See also:* Mar Thoma Church* Syrian Malabar Nasrani* Saint Thomas Christians* Christianity in India* List of Catholicoi of the East and Malankara Metropolitans* List of Syrian Malabar Nasranis* Titus I Mar Thoma* Abraham Mar Thoma-For further reading:...
died on July 6, 1944. Abraham Mar Thoma was enthroned as Metropolitan at the Kozhencherry
Kozhencherry
Kozhencherry is a small town in Pathanamthitta district of Central Travancore region in Kerala state, South India. It is on the banks of river Pampa. It is a commercial centre with many of the Banks and trade companies have their establishments here. It is believed that once the Kovilans of...
church.
Evangelization
He infused new spirit and vigor into the evangelistic work of the Church. He traveled throughout India and was a known figure in all the missionary circles as a great evangelist.He believed that every Marthomite is an evangelist, so evangelism is the responsibility of every member of the Church and not that of the clergy alone. He emphasized that every man and woman was called to be the witness of Jesus Christ, irrespective of his secular occupation. It was this conviction that led him to organize groups of people and give them specialized training in personal evangelism.
The women of the Church also were encouraged to take up their part in fulfilling the mission of the Church. He encouraged the formation of the Mar Thoma Suvisesha Sevika Sanghom, (in 1919) which is the women’s auxiliary of the Evangelistic work in the Church. He was behind the establishment of the Vanitha Mandiram in Tiruvalla
Tiruvalla
Tiruvalla , is a city and a Taluk headquarters located in Pathanamthitta district in the State of Kerala in South India, spread over an area of 27.94 km2...
, the training institute of the Sevika Sanghom.
The Voluntary Evangelistic Association was established in 1924, as a voluntary lay movement of the Church.
The call that he gave to young men and women was to go and live in the villages of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, in different language areas, resulted in the establishment of Ashrams all over India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
from the South up to the borders of Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
. His help was sought by Christian friends all over India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
to lead evangelistic conventions. Such assignments took him from Kanyakumari (Cape Comerin) in the South, to Kashmir
Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range...
in the North. He was a friend of every missionary in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and all of them looked up to him for inspiration and guidance.
Political field
The Metropolitan was a staunch nationalist who stood for the democratic rights of the people. He resisted the undemocratic and dictatorial actions of Dewan Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer and was instrumental in getting a resolution passed by the Sabha Council (church council) condemning Sir C. P’s move to proclaim TravancoreTravancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
as an independent state following the lapse of British Paramountey.
Final days
He was a diabetic patient. It was diagnosed at the age of 46; after which he lived for a further 21 years. He used to take insulin injections and was very active till the last day of his life. On Friday, 30 August 1947, he became ill and died on September 1, 1947. The funeral service was held at St. Thomas Church in TiruvallaTiruvalla
Tiruvalla , is a city and a Taluk headquarters located in Pathanamthitta district in the State of Kerala in South India, spread over an area of 27.94 km2...
. A huge crowd was present to bid farewell to their beloved Metropolitan, the Kochu Thirumeni. He was interred in the Bishops’ cemetery in the SCS Compound, Tiruvalla
Tiruvalla
Tiruvalla , is a city and a Taluk headquarters located in Pathanamthitta district in the State of Kerala in South India, spread over an area of 27.94 km2...
.
See also
- Mar Thoma ChurchMar Thoma ChurchThe Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It has an entirely different identity when compared with other Churches in India. Most Christian churches around the world are divided into...
- Syrian Malabar NasraniSyrian Malabar NasraniThe Syrian Malabar Nasrani people, also known as Saint Thomas Christians, "'Nasrani Mappila'" and Nasranis, are an ethnoreligious group from Kerala, India, adhering to the various churches of the Saint Thomas Christian tradition...
- Saint Thomas ChristiansSaint Thomas ChristiansThe Saint Thomas Christians are an ancient body of Christians from Kerala, India, who trace their origins to the evangelical activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. They are also known as "Nasranis" because they are followers of "Jesus of Nazareth". The term "Nasrani" is still used by St...
- Christianity in IndiaChristianity in IndiaChristianity is India's third-largest religion, with approximately 24 million followers, constituting 2.3% of India's population. The works of scholars and Eastern Christian writings and 14th century Portuguese missionaries created an illusion to convert Indians that Christianity was introduced to...
- List of Catholicoi of the East and Malankara Metropolitans
- List of Syrian Malabar Nasranis
External links
- http://marthomasyrianchurch.org
- http://marthoma.in
- Mar Thoma Sunday School, Kuwait at kuwaitmarthoma.com
- Pallipad Mar Thoma