Mar Thoma Syrian Theological Seminary

The Mar Thoma Church is one among the churches which was founded by St.Thomas, the Apostle in A.D.52. The ministry of the Church is the continuation of the ministry of the incarnated Son. To continue this ministry Christ calls many in every generat e this ministry Christ calls many in every generation as his disciples. It needs committed training. That makes training people for ministry an integral part of Christianity. The function of the Mar Thoma Syrian Theological Seminary is to train those who are called out by Christ in this generation. Prior to the coming of Western missionaries, theological training were carried out through Malpanate (students training under a renowned theological teacher). The Church also maintained Rambanate teaching (students learning under famous Rambans). Through these training in-depth knowledge of the Scripture, worship orders and theological vision of the Church was imparted. Even though the Church in Malabar has a long heritage and tradition, the establishment of a formal Seminary to train the clergy emerged after the coming of the Portuguese. The first of that kind was established at Kodungalloor in 1541. The intention was to train ministers for the Malankara Church with Latin orientation. However, it failed. Another Seminary was started at Vaipikotta by the Jesuits. Following the Synod of Diamper, this seminary became the cradle for training ministers for the Malankara Church with Latin theology and practice but with Syriac language and dress. Following the Coonen Cross Oath, the Malankara Christians associated with the Mar Thoma moved away completely from this Seminary and reverted back to their Malpanate. Vision to have a formal Seminary for the Mar Thoma section of the Malankara Church became strong following the meeting between Metropolitan Mar Dionysius and the leaders of the Church with Claudius Buchanan in 1806. Kandanad meeting of the representatives of the Malankara Church held in 1809 decided to establish two padithaveedukal to train children and Semsanos in Scripture and languages. However, after some time the intention to start two padithaveedukal shrunk into one. That created tension. One group demanded to have it in the North at Kandanad, while the other group argued for establishing it at Niranam in the South. Finally, Punnathra Kurien Kathanaar (later known as Punnathra Mar Dionysius) suggested Kottayam as a compromise place. This was accepted by all. Pulikkottil Ramban gave leadership and Col. Munro, the British resident supported it. The foundation stone for the Seminary was laid in 1813, on a property given to the church by the Travancore Government. Munro also gave the interest of the endowment deposited by the Malankara Church with the East India Company to Pulikkottil Ramban for the building of the Seminary. This endowment is known as 'Vattipanam'. The Seminary was formally inaugurated in 1815. The first principal of the seminary was Joseph Fenn, one of the first missionaries from the 'Mission of help' sent by the Church Missionary Society of the church of England. The work and inspiration of the CMS missionaries were influential and helpful for a better understanding of the word of God which was at that time translated into Malayalam. A deeper understanding of the Bible, faith and practices of the Church resulted in a remarkable reformation in the Malankara Church. Two Syriac professors of the Seminary Palakkunnathu Abraham Malpan of Maramon and Kaithayil Geevarghese Malpan of Kottayam felt the need for a reformation and became pioneers to give leadership to the revival of the Malankara Church. Following the reformation in the Malankara Church, Mathews Mar Athanasius who was the Metropolitan of the Church druing that time took charge of the Seminary. The training of the clergy of the Malankara Church had been effective and fruitful during the time of Mathews Mar Athanasius. In 1868 Thomas Mar Athansaius was consecrated at the Seminary Chapel. He stayed at the Seminary and gave leadership. However, following the demise of Mathews Mar Athanasius, Pulikkottil Mar Dionysius, the president of the Malankara Yakobaya Suriyani Kristhyani Assoication filed a case against Thomas Mar Athanasius for the custody of the properties of the Church. The Royal Court judgement of 1889, July 12 favored Pulikkottil. Thomas Mar Athanasius was sent out of the Seminary. He came and stayed at the Zion Hills (where the Mar Thoma Syrian Vaidika Seminary was established later) on that night after being ousted out of the Seminary. The church of Malabar was divided into two sections one favouring the reformation and the other not in favour. The reformed section came to be known as the Mar Thoma Syrian Church, affirming the faith and practices of the ancient church founded by St.Thomas, the Apostle. The church lost the old seminary which is now known as the Orthodox Theological Seminary. Cherukara Philipose Malpan left the Old Seminary and stayed at Ayroor. Many deacons who were with the Mar Thoma Syrian Church went to him and continued their learning. Some few were sent to CNI (Cambridge Nicholson Institute) run by the CMS missionaries. Reason for sending them there was on account of the presence of Olaseril Youseph Malpan as the Syriac Teacher there. ...view more