Mar Thoma IV +1728

Mar Thoma IV +1728

March 24th is the anniversary of the demise of Mar Thoma IV +1728. Mar Thoma IV was the fourth native-born Metropolitan of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church after the Koonan Kurishu Sathyam of 1653. Like his predecessor, he was from Pakalomattom family & was consecrated by Mor Ivanios Hidayathulla the delegate of the Holy Apostolic See of Antioch to Malankara. Mar Thoma IV was consecrated in 1688, and would govern the Malankara Church for around 40 years. A major portion of his reign was spent in dealing with the conniving "Mar Gabriel" from the "Nestorian" "Church of the East" who tried to take advantage of the spiritual rebuilding process occurring in Malankara as a fallout from the events of the previous centuries. Mar Gabriel, a staunch Nestorian, came in the early 1700s to Malankara and first began spreading his heresy by pretending to be on the side of the Roman Catholics (even making a Catholic profession of faith), but was soon exposed by them. He later made a profession of Orthodox faith to Mar Thoma IV, but rescinded and began preaching heresy again, for which he was rightfully expelled. Unfortunately, individuals with personal rivalries against Mar Thoma IV used this opportunity to undermine his administration. They went to Mar Gabriel and gave him support, but soon learnt of his unsavory character. In 1720, Mar Thoma IV sent communication to the mother see of Antioch for assistance. The wording and phrases used by Mar Thoma IV clearly indicate that the Malankara Church was under the authority of the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, and this was a firmly held belief. After heroically protecting the Syriac Orthodox faith in Malankara for decades, Mar Thoma IV departed for the heavenly abode on March 24th 1728 due to a prolonged illness. His mortal remains were interred in St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church, Kandanad. Oh Mar Thoma IV! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. http://www.syriacchristianity.info/bio/MorThomaIV.htm