“Mar Thoma Church is an autonomous, indigenous, Episcopal and Evangelical Church founded in 52 AD by St. Thomas, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ”*.

Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church otherwise called as Mar Thoma Church in a shorter form, is a part of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. is one of the ancient Churches in the world. It is traditionally believed that St. Thomas (Mar Thoma in Syriac), the disciple of Jesus Christ came to India in AD 52 and established the Church in the Malabar coast. Kerala was known as Malankara in those times. 

The Mar Thoma Church believes in Jesus Christ, the God incarnate for the redemption of humankind, and in the Triune God revealed by him, who himself is one among the Trinity. The Church cherishes its Oriental heritage and Episcopacy as a gift of God. The Church accepts Holy Bible as the basis for all matters of faith and doctrine, and the Nicene Creed formulated in accordance with the Holy Scripture. The Church is regarded as a ’bridge’ church in the Ecumenical world.

The Church identifies its goal and function as: to be the repository of the divine doctrines revealed by Jesus Christ and proclaimed by His Apostles; to maintain these doctrines in their purity; to promote the spiritual life of its members through the administration of the sacraments and by the ministry of the Word. 

The Church affirms that the people of God are sent all over to the world and they partake in the soteriological mission of God, to unite everything in Jesus Christ through the ministry of reconciliation begun in Jesus Christ. The Church is blessed and enriched by the leadership of Metropolitan, Episcopas, ordained Clergy and deacons. Metropolitan is the Supreme head of the Church. The Laity has full participation in the Priestly ministry, given through the Church, by Christ. They are called to profess and practice Christian truths and teachings in their daily life and avocations. The laity takes active part in the life and ministry of the Church and co-operate in the general administration of the Church.

The history of the Mar Thoma Church in the North American continent represents the dreams and aspirations of the immigrant community from Kerala, India.  The initial Mar Thoma Church in North America, started as a small prayer group in Queens, New York in the year 1972, which was later recognized and approved as the first parish in the year 1976. 

For more details, please visit:
Diocese of North America and Europe

Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos took charge as the fourth resident Diocesan Episcopa on 1 April 2016.

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The logo of the Mar Thoma Church consists of a shield emblazoned with a Christian cross with the representation of the Ashoka Chakra at its centre. It is flanked on the right and left by a lotus and a hand lamp respectively. The motto;Lighted To Lighten; is written in English above the cross. The official color of the logo is red.

The Motto
The role of the church is to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every believer and member of the Church here in their position, wherever they are, are given the light so that they can lighten others.

The Cross

The cross placed in the centre represents the centrality of Jesus Christ in the church and its mission. It is a proclamation that God (Purusha) himself came and atoned for all mankind and the redemption is freely available by faith in Jesus Christ without regard to any form of karma.

The Ashoka Chakra
The Ashoka Chakra is the symbol of India and represents the Indian roots of the church. Traditionally the Chakra as presented by the Emperor Ashoka, was a symbol in denoting the Wheel of Life and Cosmic Order (or Dharmachakra). By placing the wheel at the heart of the Cross, it is a declaration that life finds its ultimate salvation in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus once and for all. It symbolises the completion and closing of the wheel of life for all those who follow the Bhakthi Marga (path of righteousness) in Jesu Maseeh (Jesus Christ).

The Hand Lamp
The hand lamp represents the lamp that is carried in all believers. It reminds all believers to be the light of the world and act as a witness to give the light of salvation for others in their daily life. It also seeks to remind to pay diligent attention to the study of the word of God.

The Lotus 
The lotus represents holy living and is traditionally part of the offering of sacrifices of praise and adoration in the Indian tradition to God. It reminds believers to live holy despite the circumstances around them and exude the fragrance of God.