Faith & Practice of the Church
The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, one of the most ancient churches in the world, traces its origin to St. Thomas the Apostle, who is believed to have established the Church in AD 52. It is an Eastern Reformed Church, uniquely described by the late Metropolitan, Most Rev. Dr. Juhanon Mar Thoma, as a “bridge between the East and the West.” Holding firmly to the liturgical heritage of the East, while embracing the reforming spirit and mission focus of the West, the Church reflects a balanced and distinctive identity.
The Church defines itself as:
- Apostolic in origin
- Universal in nature
- Biblical in faith
- Evangelical in principle
- Ecumenical in outlook
- Oriental in worship
- Democratic in function
- Episcopal in character
This combination of identities gives the Mar Thoma Church its distinct witness, blending ancient traditions with contemporary relevance.
The Logo and Motto
The official logo of the Mar Thoma Church bears its mission statement: “Lighted to Lighten.” At the center of the shield is the cross, reminding us that Christ is central to our lives, faith, and mission. The wheel within the cross reflects life, echoing the emblem of the Indian flag, symbolizing that life finds true meaning only in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. On the right side, the lotus symbolizes holy living—rising above the world of sin, radiating God’s glory. To the left, the lamp illustrates the Church’s motto, reflecting Jesus’ teaching:
“You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
(Matthew 5:14–16)
Worship in the Mar Thoma Church
At Bethel Mar Thoma Church, Bedford, worship is central to parish life. Our worship combines the Eastern liturgical heritage with the reformed emphasis on the Word of God. Rooted in scripture, enriched with prayer, idioms, metaphors, and ancient signs and symbols, our liturgy provides both depth and meaning.
Worship, whether corporate or personal, is ultimately about surrendering ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. Through songs, prayers, confession, and thanksgiving, we glorify the Almighty while also seeking His mercy and transformation. Our liturgy allows worshippers to cherish the past, remain faithful in the present, and embrace the future mission of the Church.
The Lectionary
The Mar Thoma Church continues to use an ordered lectionary system, a practice that dates back to the 6th century AD. Since 2001, our lectionary has been arranged according to the Common Lectionary of the Communion of Churches in India, making worship relevant to both biblical truths and contemporary issues.
Liturgy
The term liturgy, derived from the Greek word leitourgia (“service”), signifies the structured order of worship. It is the response of believers to a holy God—through praise, thanksgiving, repentance, and supplication. The liturgy of the Mar Thoma Church has its roots in the ancient worship traditions of Antioch and Jerusalem, originally expressed in Hebrew, Aramaic, and later Syriac. Over the centuries, it has been reformed and translated into Malayalam, while retaining elements of Greek and Syriac expressions.
The Liturgy of St. James
Among the various liturgies, the Liturgy of St. James holds special significance. Traditionally attributed to James, the brother of Jesus and first Bishop of Jerusalem, it dates back to at least the 3rd or 4th century. This liturgy was introduced to India in 1665 and has since been reformed and adapted for use in the Mar Thoma Church.
The structure of the Liturgy of St. James includes:
Liturgy of Preparation (Thooyaba): Prayers for the preparation of bread and wine, alongside confessional and dedication prayers of the celebrant.
Liturgy of the Word (Ante-Communion): Reading of scripture, singing of hymns, incense, the Nicene Creed, sermon, offering, and confession, preparing worshippers for communion.
Liturgy of the Sacrament (Anaphora): The consecration of bread and wine, prayers of thanksgiving, intercession, and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, culminating in the blessing and dismissal of the faithful.