About Us

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church was established by St. Thomas in A.D. 52 and has since grown close with the Persian or East Syrian Church, taking on their language and liturgy. When Roman Catholic missionaries arrived in Kerala in the 16th century, it led to division among the community as some chose Catholicism while others remained true to their faith. Protestant Western missionaries also caused divisions amongst them, but a link with the Antiochene Church allowed them to adopt West Syrian rituals and practises; this connection eventually led to the creation of a Catholicate in 1912 which still stands today. The Church is now connected ecumenically with Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant Churches worldwide and has over 2 million adherents across 30 dioceses

We are guided by the great leadership of His Holiness Basalios Marthoma Mathews III, Malankara Metropolitan & Catholicos of the East, and His Grace Zacharias Mor Nicholovos, Assistant Metropolitan of the Canada Diocese.