Malabar Diocese (Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church)
| Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Syrian Church | |
|---|---|
 CATHOLICATE EMBLEM | |
| Founder | St. Thomas the Apostle |
| Independence | Apostolic Era |
| Recognition | Oriental Orthodox |
| Primate | His Holiness Mar Baselios Mar Thoma Didymos I |
| Headquarters | Kottayam, Kerala |
| Territory | India |
| Language | Malayalam, Syriac, English, Hindi |
| Website | Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church |
Coordinates: 11°19′05″N 75°56′42″E / 11.317972°N 75.945122°E
History of Diocese
The Malabar Diocese, which has extended in the western districts of Kerala, was formed in 1953. Paulose Mar Sevarios and Pathrose Mar Osthathios (1953–68) have executed its administration at different times. Since 11 November 1966, Thomas Mar Timotheos became the diocesan head and is now Catholicose of the East. Mount Hermon Aramana in Kozhikode is the diocesan headquarters. The St. Thomas Home and Estate and the Aravanchal Estate at Erumamunda and Attapadi, and Parumala Mar Gregorios Orthodox Guidance Center are some of the institutions functioning under the aegis of the diocese. The Attapadi St. Thomas Mission Center comes under the Malabar Diocese. The diocesan journal Hermon Sandhesam has been published since 1997. The Aramana is situated 100 meters away from the Kattamgal junction on the Kozhikode- Mukam route near the Regional Engineering College, Kozhikode.
Mount Hermon, R.E.C P.O, Kozhikode 673 60, India REC post,Kozhikode-673601
Malankara Sabha
Metropolitan bishop
Zacharia Mar Theophilos, a member of St George Orthodox Church, Chengaroor, was born on 16 September 1952 to Mr MP Chandapillai and Mrs Achamma Chandapillai, Manjanamkuzhiyil, Puthussery South Post, Kallupara, Thiruvalla.
He had his early education in local schools at Kallupara, and college education at Marthoma College, Thiruvalla. After receiving his Bachelor's degree in Science (BSc Maths) from the University of Kerala, he joined the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam, for theological studies. After his Graduate Degree in Sacred Theology (GST) from Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam, he joined the Bachelor of Divinity (BD) degree at the Senate of Serampore University. After taking his MTh from FFRRC, Serampore, he completed research studies in "Bible and Holy Land Past and Present" at St George College, Jerusalem. The St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in New Jersey conferred to him a Degree of Doctor of Ministry in the faculty of Theology for his dissertation, "Strengthening Prayer Life in Parishes".
He has voiced his opinion on public issues like Endosulfan prohibition.