Kollam Orthodox Diocese

Kollam Diocese is one of the 30 dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The diocese was created after the Mulanthuruthy Synod in 1876. Zachariah Mar Anthonios is the Metropoliton of the diocese. The head office is located in Bishop House, Cross Junction, Kadappakkada, Kollam.

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
Catholicate Emblem
Primate	Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II
Language	Malayalam, English, Hindi, Konkani, Kannada, Syriac
Headquarters	Kottayam,  India
Territory	Universal
Possessions	United Arab Emirates  Kuwait  Oman  Qatar  Bahrain  Germany   Switzerland  United States  Canada  United Kingdom  Ireland  South Africa  Malaysia  Singapore  New Zealand  Australia
Founder	St. Thomas the Apostle
Independence	Apostolic Era
Recognition	Oriental Orthodox
Official website

History

Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II

Kollam(Quilon) was a famous trade centre and a sea port in ancient times. On the way of the missionary activities of St. Thomas He Arrived Kollam and founded a church. Now the church is Destroyed due to natural calamities and lie under the sea. Kollam is one of the seven dioceses created after the Mulanthuruthi Syrian Christian association (synod) conducted under the leadership of Moran Mor Ignatios Pathros III, Patriarch of Antioch in 1876. Others are Kottayam, Kandanadu, Angamali, Niranam, Thumpamon, Kochi. In initial time there were more than 30 churches in diocese.[1] Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II(Sabha Thejus) was the first Metropolitan of Kollam Diocese. Parumala Thirumeni led the diocese along with his Niranam diocese after this time.[1] Then Vattasserril Geevarghese Mar Dionysus, a notable proclaimed saint in Malankara Sabha, led the diocese. It as Geevarghese Mar Gregorios, later Baselios Geevarghese II led the diocese with head office at Kundara seminary. In 1938,Alexios Mar Thevodosios Of Bethany become Metropolitan.[1] In 1965, Mathews mar Coorilos, later Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II took the responsibility of diocese.[1]

Mar Coorilos shifted the head office From Kottappuram Seminary Kottarakkara to Cross junction Near Kadappakkada, Kollam. The Bishop's House (aramana) and St.Thomas Orthodox Syrian cathedral Church were constructed here.[1] In 1985 Mathews Mar Ephipanios appointed as the assistant of Metropolitan and become Metropolitan in 1991. At the time of 1992, there were 130 parishes and 13 chapels.[1] After his demise Zachariah Mar Anthonios become the eighth Metropolitan of Kollam Diocese. Later, in different times, Kollam diocese divided and created Thiruvananthapuram, Mavelikkara, Adoor-Kadampanad and Kottarakkara-Punalur.The Malankara Orthodox Syrian church had Remarkable Position in the historical Place Like Kollam.The Kollam Christians or Kollam Marthoma Nazranis are made a pivotal role in the current city.The 'Thareesappally Chepped' is one of them which is given by His Highness Sthanu ravivarma of Travancore to Malankara Nazranis.

Major churches

Mar Sabor and Mar Proth

Kadeesha Syrian church Port Kollam, Thevalakkara Marthamariyam suriyanipally (Tomb of Mar Abo), West Kallada St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian church (Tomb of Mar Anthrayos Bava from Syria), Kundara St.Thomas Orthodox Syrian church are the ancient churches in Kollam Diocese.There are also famous pilgrim churches in Kollam Diocese such as Kundara seminary, Nedumpaikulam St.george Orthodox Syrian church, Nallila Bethel St. George Orthodox Syrian church, St.George Orthodox Valiyaplly Puthoor Mukhathala St George are some of them.

See also

• Saint Thomas
• Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
• Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II
• Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II

References

1. Malankara Orthodox Church Encyclopedia (Malayalam) (1993 ed.). Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam. pp. 268–269.

External links

• Website of Malankara Orthodox Church