30 August, 2024

Pat. Abded Mshiho II and the 1903 “Synod of Deposition”

On the controversy surrounding the nature of the deposition of Pat. Abded Mshiho II. Was it an ecclesiastical, or merely political act? Did the Patriarch continue to be a spiritually valid Primate? These questions are answered in light of contemporaneous evidence.

20 September, 2024

Throne of St. Thomas in the East: An Analysis of Medieval and Post-Medieval Sources

Pat. Yakub III contended in 1970 that the notion of a “Throne of St. Thomas” is unhistorical and uncanonical, claiming the title was not used by the early Catholicoi and Maphrians, and that the Apostle even lacked sacred priesthood. Here, both claims are scrutinised in light of clear historical evidence.

21 December, 2024

Arthat Padiyola of 1806: Text + Translation + Commentary

Text and discussion of the Chepped-Padiyola (proceedings written on copper plates) of the Puthenkur Syrian Christians of Arthat addressed to Mar Dionysius I (Mar Thoma VI).

1 October, 2024

Rethinking the Ecclesiology of Mar Dionysius IV of Cheppad: An Appraisal

It has often been hypothesised that Mar Dionysius IV of Cheppad was a pro-Antiochene metropolitan who denounced the independence of the Malankara Church. How historically accurate is this picture?

15 October, 2024

Francis Dionisio S.J. on Knai Thoma and the Edessan Migration

The account of Fr. Dionisio concerning the Thomasine Christians of Malankara, as well as of the two migrations to the region, is quite unique compared to later, local narratives. This tract intends to evaluate its distinctive contribution as a primary source.

24 December, 2024

Maphrianate, Catholicate, and Reestablishment

The prevailing view in the Malankara Church, as attested by early sources (including the 1934 Constitution), which considers the Catholicate of Malankara to be a reestablishment of the earlier Maphrianate, has recently been challenged. This article examines the strength of these arguments and reaffirms the traditional view through a concise historical study.

19 January, 2025

Jurisdictional Claims of Antioch over Cyprus: Ephesus 431 and Autocephaly

In the early fifth century, the See of Antioch claimed ecclesiastical supremacy over the Church of Cyprus, and as a bitter conflict emerged, the matter was eventually presented before the Council of Ephesus. This article outlines and analyses the historical sources and events, with a particular emphasis on their relevance in contemporary Malankara.

16 June, 2025

The Myth of “Parumala Synod 1926”: Examining the Syro-Malankara Catholic Narrative

Syro-Malankara (Uniate) sources claim that the Episcopal Synod of the Malankara Church at Parumala in 1926 decided to "seek reunion" with the Latin See of Rome, and authorised Mar Ivanios for the same. This article critiques this account in light of the context and contemporary evidence.

15 August, 2025

“Who is the Shepherd”: A Forgotten Chapter in Syriac Orthodox History

The catastrophes caused within the Syriac Orthodox Church by the acts of Pat. Abded Aloho II (Abdullah Sattuf) are often skipped or kept aside by Syriac Orthodox sources. This tract overviews contemporaneous Syriac sources concerning these matters, brought to light by recent scholarship.

20 November, 2025

A Patristic Case Against the Use of Drums (Chenda) in Orthodox Churches

Drums (cheṇda) and other instruments of the gentiles are now commonly used for the celebration of feasts in the Orthodox churches of Malankara, and many appear to be under the assumption that these practices are ecclesially allowed according to the Tradition of the Church. This article demonstrates the contrary, based on the Fathers.

5 February, 2026

A Patristic Case Against Fireworks and Cultural Art-Forms in Orthodox Churches

A previous article demonstrated that drums (cheṇda) and other gentile instruments commonly used in Malankara were forbidden by the Fathers. The present one applies the same methodology to other popular festive practices, and presents an array of Fathers from Malankara (including four Catholicoi) who explicitly disallowed them.

10 May, 2026

Fr. Joseph the Indian and his “Catholicos”

The sayings of a sixteenth-century Indian priest concerning his native Church and its Primate, as recorded by contemporaneous Western sources, are quite important pieces of evidence for any inquiry into the history of the Malankara Church. The present article scrutinises a recent claim about the identity of his Primate.

5 July, 2026

The Excommunicated Status of Palakkunnath Mathews Athanasius and the Reformed Faction

In the the latter half of the nineteenth century, three Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs of Antioch condemned and excommunicated Palakkunnath Mathews Mar Athanasius, a Reformed prelate who had assumed the office of the Malankara Metropolitan. In light of recent contentions to the contrary, the present article reproduces several relevant sources.