The European missionary aggression on the Malankara Church was in its heights from the beginning of the 19th century. Mor Diyoscorous who came here in 1806, as the delegate of the Holy See of Antioch, was forced to return by the British Governor 'Carnel Makloin'. British missionaries wants to sever all the ties of the Malankara Church with its parental Syrian Church, thereby discontinuing the Episcopacy received through centuries
Marthoma VI consecrated Mathoma VII. Someone kept his hands while at deathbed and unconscious, upon Marthoma VIII. Such consecration was invalid. Remban Joseph refused to acknowledge his consecration and advised the Resident to withhold interest money. Col Monroe, British Resident, who grew suspicious of the legitimacy of Morthoma VIII, required him to answer 17 questions regarding the Church doctrines and administration.
In his reply dated April 20, 1812 Morthoma VIII wrote, “Malankara Church was always under the jurisdiction of Antioch. The jurisdiction and superiority dates back from the time of Syrian colonization under the leadership of Knai Thoma. Patriarchal Delegates consecrate bishops in Malankara.”
Marthoma VIII consecrated Marthoma IX in 1816. This was unauthorized act. But soon he was compelled to abdicate the position.
In early 19th century, British missionaries started to visit Kottayam, Kerala. They started "Mission of Help" and told the leaders of the Malankara church that they did not have any interest in starting an Anglican church, but were interested in encouraging the missionary works of the Malankara Church. Missionaries belonging to "The Church Mission Society" of the Anglican Church stayed in the Pazhaya Seminary (the 1st Seminary in Kerala) and learned about the history and activities of the ancient church
The church leaders of Malankara Syrian Christian Church and C.M.S. were in good relationship from 1816 to 1836.
The chaplain of British East India Company, Claudius Buchanan (a Protestant missionary), visited south Kerala, and became interested in the Syrian Christians. There wasn't any Malayalam Bible at that time. The church were using The Bible in Syriac. During Buchanan’s visit, Mor Divannaciose I, metropolitan of that time, gave a copy of his Syriac Bible to him. He sent it to England and printed 100 copies and distributed in Travancore (southern part of present Kerala). Later in 1818, Buchanan printed and distributed the New Testament in Syriac. Since these copies were in Syriac language, the common people didn't get any benefit out of it. By this time, Mor Dionysius I had translated the four gospels in Malayalam, and gave to Buchanan. He printed them in Bombay, and gave to Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church. This was very first Bible in Malayalam
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