Titus I Mar Thoma

In the 17th century, a member of the Panamkuzhy family (a branch of the Pakalomattam family), came and settled in Kozhencherry on the banks of river Pampa. Later they moved to Maramon, and lived at Chackkalyil, on the other side of the river. The second son in that family, Mathen moved to a nearby house at Palakunnathu. He had six sons and a daughter. The daughter was married to Mallapally Pavoothikunnel family and the first four sons moved to Themoottil, Neduvelil (Kozhenchery), Periyilel, and Punamadom (Othera). The fifth son was a hermit priest (sanyasi achen). As was the custom, the youngest son Mathew lived at Palakunnathu family house, which still exists. Abraham Malpan, leader of reformation in Malankara church, was the second son of Mathew. Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan and Titus I Mar Thoma Metropolitan (Mar Thoma Metropolitan I) were the sons of Abraham Malpan.

A number of other Marthoma Church leaders were also born in this family. Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan and Titus II Mar Thoma Metropolitan (Mar Thoma Metropolitan XV) were from this family. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan (Mar Thoma Metropolitan XXI), was head of the Marthoma Church as of 2007-2020, is also from this family.[1][2]

Dethos (Aramaic. Titus – English) was born on 20 February 1843, the youngest son of Abraham Malpan and Thumpamon Thondamvelil Mariamma. He was baptized by Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan at the Maramon church.

After primary education at Maramon he joined Kottayam seminary. He joined C.M.S. College, Kottayam and then left for higher studies in Madras.

IN 1867, Dethos was ordained as a priest by Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan at Maramon church and was appointed as the assistant vicar of that church. He was a fiery speaker.[3] During that period a prayer meeting organized at the home of a parishioner later became the Maramon Convention.

Thomas Mar Athanasius, was called to glory in August 1893 without consecrating a successor. Most of the churches were under the control of Bava faction. Being a member of the Palakunnathu family and the next hierarchical person the name of Dethos Kathanar was proposed. He accepted, under the condition that all the parishes agreed to this suggestion. Once it was accepted, parish leaders decided to have the consecration at Kottayam Cheriya palli where Thazhathu Punnathra Chandapilla Kathanar was the vicar. On Thursday 18 January 1894, Dethos Kathanar was consecrated by head of the Malabar Independent Syrian Church, Joseph Mar Athanasius I (Maliyekkal) (1888–1898) and by Geevarghese Mar Koorilose V (Karumamkuzhy) Suffragan Metropolitan.[4] He was given the episcopal title Thithoos Mar Thoma Metropolitan. (English: Titus Mar Thoma Metropolitan).[5]

In early ages, only clergy were included as advisers to the Metropolitan. After that, they were also included in all decision-making committees.

When Titus Mar Thoma took charge of the church, there was only a clergy committee to take the important decisions. Metropolitan wanted democratic principles to be applied in all decision makings. So after consultation with the clergy committee, a Managing Committee (now known as Sabha Council) and a Representative Assembly (now known as Prathinidhi Mandalam) were set up. Both these committees included all the bishops and representatives of clergy and parishes. The first Managing committee included 7 clergy and five laity. The first meeting of these committees was held in 1896.[6]

A constitution for the Church was prepared and approved by the Representative Assembly and by the Managing Committee.

Vaideeka Selection committee for selecting laity for ordination as clergy was instituted.

Qurbana Thaksa (Holy communion liturgy) – improvements were made to the liturgy to fall in line with the reformation ideals. (The Syriac word Qurbana is cognate with the Hebrew word Korban)

Kottayam Marthoma Seminary School (1896), Tiruvalla S.C. Seminary High School (1902), were opened. It paved the way for the opening of a number of primary schools in a number of parishes. This improved the conditions of the villages and towns in Kerala.

Missionary efforts began around Kottayam and then expanded to North Travancore. By 1909 it spread outside Kerala. Sunday School Samajam began on 1905

But Mar Thoma had to face a number of problems. Due to the lack of a firm doctrinal position, many false teachings of other denominations crept into the church. By 1894, A number of small prayer groups were forming in the churches for spiritual reaffirmation inside the community and this was followed into a big revival. These regular meetings later took place in parishes. Because the number of people attending these meetings was growing it was brought to the attention of the Bishop and was decided to have a common meeting for these communions organized at an accessible central place. The duty of leading and organizing this meeting was given to the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association and the first convention was held in 1895 at Maramon. This was the beginning of the Maramon Convention.