MARTHOMA V
(Part I)
Just before the demise of MarThoma IV, some of those assembled there, fearing intrusion and intervention by Nestorian Bishop Mar Gabriel, felt it necessary that a successor to MarThoma, should at once be consecrated and suggested Thoma Kathanar, a nephew of Mar Thoma for the high office. The bedridden MarThoma was informed of the suggestion and also that he should lay hands on his nephew. The strictly Orthodox MarThoma, conscious of the consecration of his predecessors and of himself, flatly rejected the proposal. Meanwhile a section of priests assembled there declared that Fr. Thoma has been consecrated as MarThoma V with the blessing of his predecessor, but this was actually without the consent of MarThoma IV. It is reported that several of the priests left the scene in protest and there aroused a division in the Church.
A vast majority of faithful also kept aloof from the new MarThoma saying that he is not a validly consecrated Metropolitan. They even submitted their complaints before Dutch authorities. As MarThoma V himself was aware of the invalidity of his said ‘consecration’, he appealed to Antioch for delegating prelates to 're-consecrate' him. In 1739, one Hezekiel, a Jewish merchant through whom Mor Thoma forwarded his correspondence to Antoich. In 1746, there came Mor Ivanious Yuhanon of Amid, send by Patriarch Geevarghese III and he enjoyed a hearty welcome from MarThoma; but unfortunately the friendship didn’t last long. Mor Ivanious sternness in flushing out the remnants of the Latin rite, led to his breaking of images in certain churches. Due to his inflexibility in matters of faith and practices followed by the Church, he became unpopular among some; even MarThoma V could not find favor with him. Besides, he had procured no authority to re-consecrate the native Methran, which so exasperated MarThoma that he renewed his application to Antioch praying for deputation of authorized delegates to re-consecrate him. Even in the midst of such uneasiness between them, both MarThoma and Mor Ivanious jointly applied to the Patriarch for a Primate and Mor Ivanious also personally requested the Patriarch to send Ramban Shakralla of Aleppo, after consecrating him as Maphriyono. These letters were dispatched through one Deacon Antonios who had arrived in Malabar on commercial enterprises. Meanwhile an agreement was also made with the Dutch East India Company, by which MarThoma promised to pay the Company the entire expenses incidental to the voyage of delegates in one of the Company’s ships.
Deacon Antonuis was successful in his mission. He submitted the appeal of MarThoma before the Patriarch and entrusted the letter to Ramban Shakralla. Thus in Chingam 1748, the Patriarch summoned Ramban Shakralla from Aleppo and consecrated him Maphriyono, and also promoted Mor Ivanious of the St.Behanan Monastery, in the title – 'Mor Gregorious' of Jerusalem.
Through his letter of 15 th Chingam 1749 the Patriarch asked MarThoma to receive the Maphrian warmly. The Maphriyono Mor Baselios Shakralla took with him 18 valuable volumes of his own library and holy vessels, worth Rs.3000/- and another set of 40 volumes presented by the Patriarch, besides the Holy Muron and oils and relics of the saints. The Maphrian had with him the Patriarchal authorization for consecrating MarThoma with the title Mor Dionysius and a pastoral staff, bishop’s cross and SUSTATIKON.
In those days the Dutch had entered into an agreement with the Raja of Cochin on 22 Meenam 1663, which says that the Raja had no authority over his Christian subjects and no new taxation might be levied on them without the approval of the Dutch authorities and all Christians should be under the care of the Dutch, who could punish the Christian culprits. Under such a situation the MarThoma had no other alternative other than requesting for help of the Dutch authorities and they in turn agreed to bring the Primates from Antioch on condition that Mar Thoma meets the fare.
Mor Baselios Shakralla, accompanied by Mor Gregorious, Ramban Yuhanon of Mosul diocese (Iraq), Corepiscopa Geevarghese, Kassisso Yuhanon and four deacons started from Aleppo (Syria) and via Baghdad reached Basra and thence arrived at Cochin on 14 Medam (April) 1751
Being informed of the arrival of the Maphrian and party, MarThoma, staying at Pallikara, sent some priests and leaders to receive the dignitaries to Kandanad Church. But contrary to the agreement reached earlier, neither MarThoma nor anyone authorized by him appeared before the Dutch authorities to clear the accounts which came to Rs.12000. It is said that MarThoma never expected so heavy and exorbitant amount as traveling expense. The Dutch, insisted that only after clearing the accounts, would the party be set free. The Maphrian too did not have enough funds with him, as he had been informed earlier that the money would be paid here. Earlier Mor Gregorious (in 1665) and Mor Baselios Yeldho (in 1685) had come to Malankara without any financial help from Malankara Church. Mor Baselious Sakralla too, if he were informed earlier, might have come prepared like his predecessors. The Dutch insisted for payment, but MarThoma continue to abscond. The Dutch in turn detained the ‘hostages’ with them and petitioned in Court for recovery of the amount. MarThoma remained silent. He shifted to Rackad – farther away from Cochin. (End of Part I)
Source: Indian Church of St. Thomas (E.M. Philip)
