Juhanon Mar Thoma
Encyclopedia
Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XVIII) was the Head of the Mar Thoma church
from 1947–1976, who gave leadership to the church and at the same time actively participated in social and political arenas. He was respected by people from all walks of life, from all religions and from all age groups. He is remembered for providing the church with the motto Lighted to Lighten. “The Church must be interested where human life is interested,” was his motto.
The first half of the twentieth century was a period of great turmoil all over the world. Two great world wars, poverty, famine and all kinds of natural calamities made the people all over the world to suffer. In India people rallied behind Mahatma Gandhi
to attain freedom from the British and other foreign dominations. Religious and cultural organizations turned its back to the needs of the society, changes in social structure was unthinkable, obedience without questioning to the kings and autocrats was the law of the land, That was the world in the first half of the twentieth century.
The second half of the twentieth century was more peaceful. Formation of the United Nations
and World Council of Churches
helped to make peace permanent. India
became independent and began struggling to establish stability in political, social and cultural arena.
, in Kerala
. His mother was Annamma Kollenkeril, Aymanam
, Kottayam
. His parents called him Yohannachen. C. P. Mathew Munsiff was the grandson of the sister of Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan.
M.T. Seminary High School, Thiruvananthapuram
(Trivandrum) Maharaja’s college, Madras Wesley College and Madras Christian College
. The stay at Madras, made changes in his attitude, outlook and lifestyle. He was attracted to Indian Nationalism
, and started to wear Khadi
, following the principles of Mahatma Gandhi
. He was able to meet a number of foreign missionaries that made him decide to select gospel work as his ambition.
After completing his education at Madras, he joined the United Theological College, Bangalore
, and obtained BD
Degree in 1922.
he was teaching at Mar Thoma Seminary High school, Kottayam
. There, in addition to his teaching he was the boarding master and Scout Master also. In 1927, John was ordained as a deacon by Titus II Mar Thoma. In 1928 he left for higher studies at Union Theological Seminary in the city of New York
. After obtaining STM. degree from there, he joined Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
, England
. He returned to Kerala
and continued to teach at Mar Thoma Seminary High school and at the Theological seminary, Kottayam
.
he was a Scoutmaster and later became the Scout commissioner
. He was able to obtain Wood Badge
, in Scouting. Third World Scout Jamboree
was held Birkenhead
, England
in 1929 from July 31 to August 6. From 70 countries about 50,000 scouts attended. John attended this jamboree as a member of the Indian contingent. While in Canada
he was also able to attend the YMCA Boys’ camp held in Canada.
church on October 7, 1933. He was appointed as vicar of Jerusalem church, Kottayam
. There he was very active and motivated the youth for the church and social work, took part in youth camps, sports and boat races and was able to instill in them religious and social ideals. His tireless work affected his health and he had to retreat to a sanatorium for rest and treatment.
After the Koonen Cross Oath 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 XVIII, Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan.
.
, Singapore
and the Gulf region in addition to various parts of India
. As the church was growing and the work load was increasing the Prathinidhi Mandalam (Parliament of elected members from each parish and the clergy) of the church decided to consecrate M.G. Chandy, P. Thomas and Philip Oommen as bishops. Their consecration was held on May 23, 1953 at Tiruvalla. They were given the episcopal titles Alexander Mar Theophilus (later Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan
), Thomas Mar Athanasius (later Suffragan Metropolitan) and Philipose Mar Chrysostem (later Philipose Mar Chrysostem Mar Thoma Metropolitan
).
gave the judgment in favour of the Metropolitan. In June 1960, 14 clergymen resigned and decided to leave the church. On January 26, 1961, they with their followers formed St.Thomas Evangelical Church of India.
was a reality for him; he restored peace with the Indian Orthodox Church. He actively participated in ecumenical councils such as the World Council of Churches
. In 1948, he led the delegation to the first Assembly of the World Council of Churches
in Amsterdam
. At its second meeting at Evanston, Illinois
in 1954 he was elected as one of the Presidents of WCC. During the third Assembly in New Delhi
in 1961 he was the chairman and guided the deliberations with distinction.
It was in 1974, it was decided enter into full communion
with the Churches of South India
, North India
and with various provinces in the Anglican communion
.
declared Emergency. At that time on August 25, 1974, Juhanon Mar Thoma sent a letter to the Prime Minister arguing for the restoration of democracy. He was the only Indian Christian leader to do such a brave thing.
Education was also a major interest for the Metropolitan. He established four institutions of higher education. In 1974 Mar Thoma Theological Seminary was upgraded to a BD grade college of the Serampore University.
Hospitals, and social welfare institutions were opened during his lifetime. Realizing the pain of a family without a house of their own, he introduced the idea of building houses for the poor and providing land by the landless even in 1949. In 1967, before moving to the new residence built for the Metropolitan (known as Poolatheen), he made it a point to present a house to a poor homeless TB patient who was a non Christian
Juhanon Mar Thoma died on September 27, 1976 at Kottayam
. The funeral service was held St. Thomas Church in Tiruvalla
. A huge crowd was present to bid farewell to their beloved Metropolitan. 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 1947–1976, who gave leadership to the church and at the same time actively participated in social and political arenas. He was respected by people from all walks of life, from all religions and from all age groups. He is remembered for providing the church with the motto Lighted to Lighten. “The Church must be interested where human life is interested,” was his motto.
The first half of the twentieth century was a period of great turmoil all over the world. Two great world wars, poverty, famine and all kinds of natural calamities made the people all over the world to suffer. In India people rallied behind Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
to attain freedom from the British and other foreign dominations. Religious and cultural organizations turned its back to the needs of the society, changes in social structure was unthinkable, obedience without questioning to the kings and autocrats was the law of the land, That was the world in the first half of the twentieth century.
The second half of the twentieth century was more peaceful. Formation of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
helped to make peace permanent. 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...
became independent and began struggling to establish stability in political, social and cultural arena.
Early life
Juhanon Mar Thoma was born on August 7, 1893 and was christened as C. M. John. His father was C. P. Mathew Munsiff (judge) Cherukara Paravelithundiyil, AyroorAyroor
Ayroor is a village situated on the western part of Ranni Taluk of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala state, India. Formerly, Ayroor was part of Tiruvalla Taluk in Alleppey District and is considered as part of Edanadu in Kerala. The Pamba River flows by the southern side of this scenic village and...
, in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. His mother was Annamma Kollenkeril, Aymanam
Aymanam
Aymanam is a village in Kottayam District, Kerala, India, the setting of Arundhati Roy's 1997 novel The God of Small Things.-Overview:Ay in the Tamil language means 'five' and Vanam in Sanskrit means 'forests': Ayvanam, or Aymanam, is the land of five forests...
, Kottayam
Kottayam
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...
. His parents called him Yohannachen. C. P. Mathew Munsiff was the grandson of the sister of Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan.
Education
John was educated at 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...
M.T. Seminary High School, Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
(Trivandrum) Maharaja’s college, Madras Wesley College 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...
. The stay at Madras, made changes in his attitude, outlook and lifestyle. He was attracted to Indian Nationalism
Indian nationalism
Indian nationalism refers to the many underlying forces that molded the Indian independence movement, and strongly continue to influence the politics of India, as well as being the heart of many contrasting ideologies that have caused ethnic and religious conflict in Indian society...
, and started to wear Khadi
Khadi
The term khādī or khaddar means cotton. khādī is Indian handspun and hand-woven cloth. The raw materials may be cotton, silk, or wool, which are spun into threads on a spinning wheel called a charkha. It is a versatile fabric, cool in the summer and warm in the winter...
, following the principles of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
. He was able to meet a number of foreign missionaries that made him decide to select gospel work as his ambition.
After completing his education at Madras, he joined the United Theological College, Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, and obtained 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....
Degree in 1922.
As a teacher
For six years after leaving BangaloreBangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
he was teaching at Mar Thoma Seminary High school, Kottayam
Kottayam
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...
. There, in addition to his teaching he was the boarding master and Scout Master also. In 1927, John was ordained as a deacon by Titus II Mar Thoma. In 1928 he left for higher studies at Union Theological Seminary in the city of New York
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York is a preeminent independent graduate school of theology, located in Manhattan between Claremont Avenue and Broadway, 120th to 122nd Streets. The seminary was founded in 1836 under the Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with nearby Columbia...
. After obtaining STM. degree from there, he joined Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
Wycliffe Hall is a Church of England theological college and a Permanent Private Hall of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. It is located on the Banbury Road in central North Oxford, between Norham Gardens and Norham Road.-Overview:...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He returned to Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
and continued to teach at Mar Thoma Seminary High school and at the Theological seminary, Kottayam
Kottayam
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...
.
Scout leader
While teaching at M.T. Seminary 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...
he was a Scoutmaster and later became the Scout commissioner
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
. He was able to obtain Wood Badge
Wood Badge
Wood Badge is a Scouting leadership program and the related award for adult leaders in the programs of Scout associations throughout the world. Wood Badge courses aim to make Scouters better leaders by teaching advanced leadership skills, and by creating a bond and commitment to the Scout movement...
, in Scouting. Third World Scout Jamboree
World Scout Jamboree
The World Scout Jamboree is a Scouting jamboree of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, typically attended by several tens of thousands of Scouts from around the world, aged 14 to 17....
was held Birkenhead
Birkenhead
Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1929 from July 31 to August 6. From 70 countries about 50,000 scouts attended. John attended this jamboree as a member of the Indian contingent. While in 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...
he was also able to attend the YMCA Boys’ camp held in Canada.
Ordination
John was ordained as a Kassessa (clergy) at AyroorAyroor
Ayroor is a village situated on the western part of Ranni Taluk of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala state, India. Formerly, Ayroor was part of Tiruvalla Taluk in Alleppey District and is considered as part of Edanadu in Kerala. The Pamba River flows by the southern side of this scenic village and...
church on October 7, 1933. He was appointed as vicar of Jerusalem church, Kottayam
Kottayam
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...
. There he was very active and motivated the youth for the church and social work, took part in youth camps, sports and boat races and was able to instill in them religious and social ideals. His tireless work affected his health and he had to retreat to a sanatorium for rest and treatment.
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 XVIII, Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan.
Installation
To enhance the work of the church it was decided to consecrate two more bishops and the lot fell to John and C. T. Mathew. On December 30, 1937 both of them were consecrated at Tiruvalla. John was given the episcopal title Juhanon Mar Timotheos and Mathew was given the title Mathews Mar Athanasius. Mar Timotheos episcopa took charge of the Southern diocese.Mar Thoma Metropolitan
Abraham Mar Thoma died on September 1, 1947. Juhanon Mar Timotheos was enthroned as Metropolitan Juhanon Mar Thoma at Kozhencherry church. From 1947 to 1953 the administration of the church was reinforced by the appointment of two Diocesan Secretaries. They gave valuable service to the church and that was a great relief for the two bishops, Juhanon Mar Thoma and Mathews Mar Athanasius EpiscopaMathews Mar Athanasius Episcopa
Mathews Mar Athenasius Episcopa was the first missionary bishop of the Mar Thoma Church. As a diocesan Episcopa he did remarkable pioneering work in organizing parishes and new mission fields...
.
Three new bishops
During this period, members of the Mar Thoma church spread to MalayaFederation of Malaya
The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and the Gulf region in addition to various parts 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...
. As the church was growing and the work load was increasing the Prathinidhi Mandalam (Parliament of elected members from each parish and the clergy) of the church decided to consecrate M.G. Chandy, P. Thomas and Philip Oommen as bishops. Their consecration was held on May 23, 1953 at Tiruvalla. They were given the episcopal titles Alexander Mar Theophilus (later Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan
Alexander Mar Thoma
Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan was the head of the Mar Thoma Church with its center in Kerala state in south-western India. About his life he wrote in his autobiography, “My life was a filled with trials and tribulations, joy and sorrow, pain and gain, struggles and rewards...
), Thomas Mar Athanasius (later Suffragan Metropolitan) and Philipose Mar Chrysostem (later Philipose Mar Chrysostem Mar Thoma Metropolitan
Philipose Mar Chrysostom
-See also:* Mar Thoma Church* Syrian Malabar Nasrani* Saint Thomas Christians* Christianity in India* List of Syrian Malabar Nasranis* Juhanon Mar Thoma* Alexander Mar Thoma* Joseph Mar Thoma-Further reading:...
).
Pathiopodesasamithi
Even before the consecration of the three bishops, Mr. K.N.Daniel, Kurumthottical, a renowned church historian and seminary professor criticized Juhanon Mar Thoma and accused him of going against the reformation ideals. Mr. Daniel and his followers formed an organization called Pathiopodesa Samiti (Organization for the propagation of sound doctrine). Several attempts were made for reconciliations. In 1955, Mr.K.N.Daniel filed a case against the Metropolitan. Rev.C.V.John a true friend and supporter of the Metropolitan was the co-defendant. In 1965 the supreme court of IndiaSupreme Court of India
The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial forum and final court of appeal as established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India...
gave the judgment in favour of the Metropolitan. In June 1960, 14 clergymen resigned and decided to leave the church. On January 26, 1961, they with their followers formed St.Thomas Evangelical Church of India.
Consecration of bishops
P.T. Joseph and V.T. Koshy were consecrated bishops by Juhanon Mar Thoma in February 1975. P.T. Joseph was given the episcopal title Joseph Mar Irenaeus (now Joseph Mar Thoma) and V.T. Koshy, Easow Mar Timotheos.Ecumenical efforts
EcumenismEcumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
was a reality for him; he restored peace with the Indian Orthodox Church. He actively participated in ecumenical councils such as the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
. In 1948, he led the delegation to the first Assembly of the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
. At its second meeting at Evanston, Illinois
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
in 1954 he was elected as one of the Presidents of WCC. During the third Assembly in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
in 1961 he was the chairman and guided the deliberations with distinction.
It was in 1974, it was decided enter into full communion
Full communion
In Christian ecclesiology, full communion is a relationship between church organizations or groups that mutually recognize their sharing the essential doctrines....
with the Churches of South India
Church of South India
The Church of South India is the successor of the Church of England in India. It came into being in 1947 as a union of Anglican and Protestant churches in South India. With a membership of over 3.8 million, it is India's second largest Christian church after the Roman Catholic Church in India...
, North India
Church of North India
The Church of North India , the dominant Protestant denomination in northern India, is a united church established on 29 November 1970 by bringing together the main Protestant churches working in northern India...
and with various provinces in the Anglican communion
Anglican Communion
The Anglican Communion is an international association of national and regional Anglican churches in full communion with the Church of England and specifically with its principal primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury...
.
Social activities
On June 26, 1975 Prime Minister Indira GandhiIndira Gandhi
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhara was an Indian politician who served as the third Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms and a fourth term . She was assassinated by Sikh extremists...
declared Emergency. At that time on August 25, 1974, Juhanon Mar Thoma sent a letter to the Prime Minister arguing for the restoration of democracy. He was the only Indian Christian leader to do such a brave thing.
Education was also a major interest for the Metropolitan. He established four institutions of higher education. In 1974 Mar Thoma Theological Seminary was upgraded to a BD grade college of the Serampore University.
Hospitals, and social welfare institutions were opened during his lifetime. Realizing the pain of a family without a house of their own, he introduced the idea of building houses for the poor and providing land by the landless even in 1949. In 1967, before moving to the new residence built for the Metropolitan (known as Poolatheen), he made it a point to present a house to a poor homeless TB patient who was a non Christian
Juhanon Mar Thoma died on September 27, 1976 at Kottayam
Kottayam
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...
. The funeral service was held St. Thomas Church 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...
. A huge crowd was present to bid farewell to their beloved Metropolitan. 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 Syrian Malabar Nasranis