Metropolitan of All India
The Prelates of St. Thomas
Christians were called
Archbishop of India. The
titles used for them were
“Metropolitan and Gate of All
India ” or “Gate of India ”.
This indicates the highest
rank of authority in the
Indian Church and the extend
of its jurisdiction. He
enjoyed an All India
Jurisdiction, the Ruler of the
entire Holy Church of
Christians of India.(See Rev.
Dr. Francis Thonipara, “St.
Thomas Christians: The First
Indigenous Church of India ”
p..69).
The Archdeacon and St.
Thomas Christians The role of
the Archdeacon in St. Thomas
community was unique. It is
not clear whether this post
was in existence.17 18 in the
early period. But he was very
much active in the period of
the East Syrians. To the
eminent position of the
Archdeacon contributed the
ignorance of the East Syrian
prelates, of the local
language and customs. The
Archdeacon represented the
community before the civil
authorities and the court. He
was considered “Jathikku
Thalavan ”, the head of the
community. According to some
old writings in Padiyola
preserved by Pothanikad family
of Kothamangalam he was the
superior of every ecclesial
order, the spiritual father
and teacher of the faithful,
director, visitor and governor
of the Church. This was a post
superior to that of a vicar
general in the Latin Church,
but inferior to episcopate.
Like the prelates, he was also
Archdeacon of all India. He
had a lot of influence in the
community. |
