Mar Thoma IX

His Beatitude Mar Thoma IX
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
Installed	1816.
Predecessor	Mar Thoma VIII
Successor	Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious I (Mar Thoma X)
Personal details
Birth name	Iype
Born	Kadamattam
Died	1817 Kadamattam
Buried	Kadamattam St.George Orthodox Syrian Church
Nationality	Indian

Mar Thoma IX was the ninth Metropolitan of the Malankara Church in Kerala, India. In 1816, he was consecrated by Mar Thoma VIII. Soon after his ordination he was dethroned by Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious I (Mar Thoma X) who was appointed by the then British resident Col. Munroe.^[1]

Introduction

Kadamattom is about 30 km from Ernakulam on the way Muvattupuzhe. It is believed that the church here was built in AD 864 by Mar Abo, a syriac bishop or priest from Persia. He taught Poulose a boy living nearby and ordained him as a deacon. For the next twelve years whereabouts of deacon Poulose was unknown. It is said that he mastered Magical powers during this period. When he returned, he was ordained as a Kathanar (priest) and is now known as Kadamattathu Kathanar.^[2]

Consecration

Iype an uncle of Mar Thoma VIII was born at Kadamattathu. He was ordained as a Kathanar and was called Iype Kathanar. While Mar Thoma VIII was on his death bed, he called Iype Kathanar, laid his hands on him, and consecrated him as his successor Mar Thoma IX.

As Metropolitan

Mar Thoma VIII consecrated Mar Thoma IX, as his successor. Soon after the death of his predecessor, while Mar Thoma IX was at Puthencavu, he had received a letter from the British Resident in Travancore Coln. Munroe that he was not the approved Metropolitan and should handover all the charges to Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious I (Mar Thoma X) who was consecrated by Mar Philexinos of Thozhiyoor.

Mar Thoma IX was taken to Kottayam, by Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious and took possession of all insignia from Mar Thoma IX. With tears in his eyes Mar Thoma left the Seminary premises at Kottayam and retired to his home parish Kadamattom palli, spending the rest of his days in prayer and fasting.^[1]^[3]^[4]

Last days

He continued as a bishop till the end of his life. Died in 1817 and was laid to rest at Kadamattom.

Preceded by Mar Thoma VIII	Metropolitan of the Malankara Church 1816	Succeeded by Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious I (Mar Thoma X)

References

↑ 1.0 1.1 Joseph Cheeran, Rev.Dr. Adv. P.C. Mathew, (Pulikottil) and K.V. Mammen (Kottackal). ‘’Indian Orthodox Church History and Culture’’. (Malayalam)’’’’.
↑ Sankunny Kottarathil. Aythihamala. (Legends).
↑ Cheriyan, Dr. C.V. ‘’Orthodox Christianity in India.’’ page 227.
↑ P. V. Mathew. Nazrani Christians of Kerala (Malayalam) Vol.2 p.185,166.

For further reading

1. Chacko, T.C. (1936) Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charithra Samgraham’’. (Concise History of Marthoma Church), Pub: E.J. Institute, Kompady, Tiruvalla.
2. Eapen, Prof. Dr. K.V. (2001). ‘’Malankara Marthoma Suryani Sabha Charitram’’. (History of Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church). Pub: Kallettu, Muttambalam, Kottayam.
3. Ittoop Writer, (1906). ‘’Malayalathulla Suryani Chistianikauleday Charitram’’. (History of Syrain Christians in the land of Malayalam)
4. Mathew, N.M. ‘’Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charitram’’, (History of the Marthoma Church), Volume 1.(2006), Volume II (2007). Volume III (2008) Pub. E.J.Institute, Thiruvalla
5. Sankunny Kottarathil. (1909). Aythihamala. (1909). Aythihamala. (Legends). Current books.
6. Cheriyan, Dr. C.V. ‘’Orthodox Christianity in India’’ Kottayam2003.
7. P. V. Mathew. Nazrani Christians of Kerala (Malayalam) Vol.2 Kochi, 1993.
8. Joseph Cheeran, Rev.Dr. Adv. P.C. Mathew (Pulikottil) and K.V. Mammen (Kottackal). ‘’Indian Orthodox Church History and Culture’’. (Malayalam) Kottackal Publishers, Kottayam