List of Marthoma Syrian Christians

Evangelists and saintly persons among Marthoma Syrians

• Abraham Malpan (1795–1845), leader of reformation in Malankara Church
• Sadhu Kochoonju Upadesi
• Leyamma (1911–1943) - Saint of Mundakappadam Agathimandiram
• P. V. Thommy (1881–1919) - Blessed Hymn writer, Penned "Ennodullha nin Sarva nanmakalhkkayi njaan / Enthu cheyyendu ninakkeshu

para-ippolh",Enthathi-shayame! Daivaththin sneham Ethrra-manoharame!etc.

• Mrs Kandamma Varghese (Kandamma Kochamma)-Founder of Marthoma Sevika Sangam
• Easow Mar Timotheos Episcopa
• Anchal Achan - A saintly Clergy of pre -divided Malankara church,Tomb located at Kottarakara Marthoma Church. Localites Call him as Saint of Anchal
• Kaithayil Geevarghese Malpan of Kottayam - Stalwart of reformation in Malankara Church
• Kaithayil Koshy Kathanar - leader of reformation in Kunnamkulam and kottayam areas
• Yohanan Sanyasi of Kumbanad - A saintly person who established dayara(Ashram) in Kumbanad, Preached the principles of Reformation and Cleansing of church much before Abraham Malpan
• Abraham Mar Thoma - Affectionately called Maret Kochu Thirumeni by people. First of the missionary and evangelist bishops of Malankara
• M T Joseph- Missionary of Hoskote

Kapyar Upadeshi

• Kappiyaar Upadesi/kapyar upadeshi (Maramon Kulanjikompil Yohannan Varghese Upadeshi)(AD 1848-1949) - A Man of Prayer and ardent missionary works of Marthoma church. He dedicated his life for preaching gospel, praying for sick, casting out evil spirits and bringing deliverance, social work, founding Marthoma parishes at many new places bringing heathens to faith etc. God used him to carry out so many miracles in power from Holy Spirit during his course of preaching gospel. He served among so-called, both forward (upper) and backward (lower) castes of Hindus, and brought even many from upper castes to faith (Most of them joined Marthoma church and on this issue he had to face protests and attacks from many Hindu fanatics). Besides Marthoma Church, churches like CSI (CMS), Salvation Army etc also received many believers into their fellowships, through his missionary works. He challenged the evil of caste discrimination of his time. Spiritually, he had enjoyed gifts of personal relation with God, hearing God's word/messages, prophecy and interacting with even God's angels. He was also a live-poet and preached gospel bravely to rulers like King Vishakham Thirunal Maharaja and Queen Sethu Lakshmi Bhai. He got Scripture training during his boyhood period directly from Abraham Malpan, the premier of reformation movement in Malankara Church. He was a contemporary of Sadhu Kochukunj Upadeshi, K. V. Simon, Iype Kovoor Kathanar, C.P. Philipose Kaseesa, Ayroorachan, Karimpil Cheriachan Upadeshi etc. and had good relation/co-working with great International evangelistic personalities like J.H. Bishop, David Wordsworth, Rev. T. Volker, Rev. J. Keyley, Mr Gelson Grigson, Mrs Nicholson etc . Once he went to Sri Lanka (Ceylon) on invitation from Mr Wordsworth for preaching gospel in Sri Lanka. All the expense of his Ceylon journey was borne by Mrs Nicholson (British Missionary woman and the founder of Nicholson girls school, Thiruvalla). In addition to Malayalam, he was proficient in English,Tamil Languages at preaching, and had working knowledge of Syriac language. The great saint of Orthodox church Parumala Thirumeni was even his fan and once appreciated at Thirumeni's palace(Aramana) on supernatural gifts obtained to Upadeshi from God and sought grace through his prayers. He also preached gospel in many Knanaya churches at Kallissery, Ranny etc. This was done on request and assistance from his intimate spiritual friend and a rich businessman named Kochuthomman Muthalali, who was also a member of Kallissery Knanaya Church.

• Chekottu Asan - Hymn writer (1772 - 1856) He has written many hymns and songs which has figured in Kristheeya Keertanangal of Marthoma church.
• Sister Aleyamma Varghese - Affectionately called as Veetil Amma of Sihora Ashram (Mother of Sihora Ashram ) by inmates and localites.
• Sister Chechamma Varkey - Affectionately called as Florence Nightingale of Sihora, She was the only Trained nurse of the sihora taluq .
• Punchamannil Mammen Upadeshi - A saintly person of Marthoma church
• P. M. Kochukurru – Malayalam Hymn Writer (1891- 1936) Hymn No. 1 in the Mar Thoma Church hymn book, Kristheeya Keerththanangal:

"Athiraavile thiru sannidhi – Anhayunnoru samaye" and Hymn no. 5 "Mname!pakshiganagal unarnitha padunnu geethangal" are written by him. These hymns areused by Malayalam speaking Christians across the world for morning family prayer.He wrote more than 100 songs and published a song book called "Christiya Prathasayin Geethangal"

Politics

• Prof P. J. Kurien - Deputy Chairman RajyaSabha
• Mathew T. Thomas - MLA (Tiruvalla).Minister for Water Resources (Kerala Government)
  

  Mathew t Thomas
• Thomas Chandy - MLA (Kuttanad), Minister for Public Transport (Kerala Government)
  

  Thomas chandy
• PROF C.P Mathew - MP of 1st Lok Sabha From Ernakulam
• K.A Mathew (Former MLA)
• Mammen Mathai (Former MLA)
• Elizabeth Mammen Mathai (Former MLA)
• P T Punnose - Communist Leader, organiser of Punnapra Vayalar Revolt
• Rosamma Punnose - Ist Protem Speaker of Kerala assembly
• Madathilparampil Mammen Thomas - Governor of the Nagaland (from May 1990 to April 1992)
• Dr.P. V. Cherian - as Governor of Maharashtra (14 November 1964 to 14 November 1969)
• T. M. Varghese - (1886–1961) freedom fighter and statesman. Trio of the Travancore State Congress
• Thampan Thomas - MP of 8th Lok Sabha Mavelikara Constituency

Literature

• Kakkanadan - Malayalam Novelist
• Prof. K. M. Tharakan
• Prof. Dr. M. Thomas Mathew
  

  M. Thomas Mathew
• Meena Alexander
• Anna Sujatha Mathai
• Sarah Thomas (writer)
• Kuzhivelil Mathew - Biblical scholar

Arts and media

• John Abraham (director) - Malayalam Director
• Blessy-Film Director
• John Abraham (actor) - Actor (Bollywood)
• Meera Jasmine - National Award Winning Actress
• Joy Mathew - Actor
• Kailash (actor)
• Sandra Thomas

Science, humanities, sports, and public service

• K. T. Thomas (Justice) – Justice of the Supreme Court of India (1996–2002)
• Dipika Pallikal - National squash champion
• Prof T. K. Oommen - Economist, Padma awardee
• Pothan Joseph - Journalist
• Sunnykutty Abraham - Journalist
• Sunny Varkey - Business and Entrepreneur, Padma awardee
• Perakath Verghese Benjamin - Indian physician and medical writer, Padma awardee, Expert in tuberculosis treatment in India
• M. O. Mathai - Private Secretary to India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, popularly called as 'MAC' in political circles of that period
• Benjamin Pulimood - Director/Principal of the Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
• Titusji- the only Christian among the 78 marchers selected by Mahatma Gandhi to take part in the 1930 Dandi March

Marthoma Syrians by birth but stalwarts in other denominations or other religious movements

• P. C. John - Evangelist Kerala Brethren Church
• Poykayil Johannan - known as Poykayil Appachan alias Poykayil Kumara Guru Devan, was a Dalit activist, poet and founder of Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha or PRDS
• Abraham Kovoor - Indian professor and rationalist, Founder of "Yukthi Vadhi Sangam"
• K. V. Simon - Notable Malayalam Christian poet from Kerala and prominent leader of the Kerala Brethren movement.
• K. P. Yohannan - founder and president of Gospel for Asia and Metropolitan Bishop of Believers Church.