Mar Thoma Syrian Church of India

Mar Thoma Syrian Church of India

Sinai Mar Thoma Center
2320 S. Merrick Avenue
Merrick, NY 11566
United States

Attesting Officer
Rev. Vinoy Daniel
Diocesan Secretary


40.660899, -73.55143


According to tradition, the Mar Thoma Church was established as a result of the apostolic mission of St. Thomas, the apostle in 52 AD. Church history attests to the continuity of the community of faithful, throughout the long centuries in India. The liturgy and faith practices of the Church were based on the relationship between the Church in Kerala, India, which St. Thomas founded, with the East-Syrian and Persian Churches. This started in the 3rd century and continued up to the 16th century. In the 17th century, the Malabar Church of St. Thomas (as the Church in Kerala was known) renewed her relationship with the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch as part of the resistance to forced Latinization by the Portuguese. This process also led to the development of the Kerala Episcopacy, whereby the first Indian Bishop Mar Thoma I was consecrated in Kerala.
The Mar Thoma Church retains her Eastern Orthodoxy. She follows an Orthodox worship form and liturgy, believes in the catholicity of grace, is missionary and evangelistic in approach. She derives Episcopal succession from the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and follows Eastern Reformed Theology. She is independent, autonomous, and indigenous, constitutionally combining democratic values and Episcopal authority. She has been in full communion with the Anglican Church since 1954.
The Mar Thoma Church has been dynamically involved in the socio-cultural settings of North America and Europe for the past 30 years. Fundamentally an immigrant Church, she has contextualized her ministry in her new life situation without compromising the rich ethos and tradition received from her motherland of Kerala, India. Currently, under the rubric of the Diocese, there are 67 parishes and 13 congregations. In order to cater to the ministerial needs of the Diocese, there are 70 clergy as well as functioning organizations for children, youth, women, and evangelistic work. The Diocese is presided over by the Diocesan Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa.
The history of the Mar Thoma Church in the North American and European continent represents the dreams and aspirations of the faithful members of the Church. Commencing as a small prayer group in Queens, New York, in 1972, the first approved parish was recognized in New York in 1976. The churches in North America and United Kingdom have become constituents of the newly formed "Diocese of North America and United Kingdom." The Headquarters has subsequently moved to its current location at 2320 South Merrick Avenue, Merrick, N.Y.


Full Communicants Average Attendance Other Members Total Inclusive Members Total Churches Membership Calculation Method
2010
30,000
0
20,000
50,000
80
2009
27,000
31,000
16,500
43,500
80
2008
26,500
33,000
16,000
42,000
85
2005
25,000
0
15,000
40,000
74
2003
25,000
0
10,000
35,000
72
2002
32,500
32,500
68
2000
32,000
28,800
0
32,000
68
1997
30,000
30,000
65
Serving Churches Retired Other Service to the Church Total Clergy
2010
60
9
1
70
2009
58
8
0
66
2008
53
10
0
63
2005
46
0
0
46
2003
45
3
2
50
2002
42
47
2000
42
3
2
47
1997
33
38
Total Schools Staff Pupils Total Individuals
2010
70
800
6,000
6,800
2009
68
725
5,800
6,525
2008
65
675
4,000
4,675
2005
60
650
0
4,500
2003
58
650
0
4,300
2002
55
4,000
2000
55
0
0
4,000
1997
50
3,950
Total Benevolences Total Financials Total Giving Local Expenses Method
2010
$507,037
$2,353,524
$1,846,487
2009
$5,900,044
$8,572,908
$2,672,864
2008
$4,788,020
$7,639,318
$2,851,298
2004
$475,000
$2,880,000
$2,405,000
2003
$475,000
$2,875,000
$2,405,000
2002
$470,000
$2,873,000
$2,403,000
2000
$470,000
$2,873,000
$2,403,000