About Us
Who We Are
The Mar Thoma Church
Our parent church is the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church (the Mar Thoma Church, in short) is one of the ancient Churches in the world. The Mar Thoma Church is believed to be established by St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ, in A. D. 52. Mar Thoma Church.
The Mar Thoma Church defines itself as “apostolic in origin, universal in nature, Biblical in faith, evangelical in principle, ecumenical in outlook, oriental in worship, democratic in function, and episcopal in character.”
The Mar Thoma Church is unique in being an eastern reformed church. It is neither a Protestant Church of the Western type nor an Orthodox Church of the Eastern type. While retaining many of the traditional characteristics of the ancient Eastern church in liturgy, it has adopted a reformed doctrine. For this reasons, it is regarded as a ’bridge’ church in the Ecumenical world.
The Marthoma Church is a global church, with over one million members around the world. The membership of the Church is centred in the southern Indian state of Kerala but with the world wide dispersion of the Indian diaspora in the 20th-century, it has spread to North America, Europe, the Middle East, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, in addition to a sizeable population in other parts of India. The church is independent and indigenous. Its work is financed by contributions from its members at home and abroad.
Aware of its missionary responsibility, the Mar Thoma Church is engaged in evangelism, education, development and humanitarian activities. Issues like poverty, unemployment, injustice and violence have been taken up seriously for study and action. The church has a particular concern for marginalized groups and is actively working for their empowerment.
The Church is enriched by the leadership of the Metropolitan, other Bishops (Episcopas), ordained clergy and deacons. Metropolitan is the Supreme head of the Church. The current Metropolitan is the Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma who is the 22nd Malankara Metropolitan. The Church is served by over 1000 clergy, and has a global membership of over 1 million, and is headquartered in Tiruvalla, Kerala, India.
About CMRC
The Canadian Mar Thoma Regional Committee (CMRC) is a national organization of the Mar Thoma parishes and congregations in Canada. Currently, there are 8 parishes and 1 congregation in Canada, with a membership of over 1000 families. Our parishes are in Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON; Milton, ON; Kingston, ON; Ottawa, ON; Montreal, QC; Edmonton, AB; Calgary, AB; and Vancouver, BC. Fort McMurray, AB has a congregation.
The purpose of the CMRC is to animate the Mar Thoma faith in Canada by facilitating faith education and communication, by undertaking missionary, humanitarian and charity work in and outside Canada, as outlined in the articles of incorporation. Our main activities would include developing and undertaking charitable projects in partnership with the Canadian parishes and the Mar Thoma Mission Board of the Diocese of North America and Europe. We intend to provide humanitarian and charitable assistance to those in need locally, nationally, and internationally, develop and carry out projects to provide relief from poverty by assisting in health, literacy, education and other similar areas; undertake pastoral activities that advance the Mar Thoma faith through conferences, leadership training programs, retreats, camps; and publish newsletters, magazines, and social media forums that enhance communication and coordination among adherents of the Mar Thoma faith in Canada.
The CMRC was formed in 2018. It is a federally incorporated non-profit organization in Canada. It is governed by the applicable federal and provincial laws in Canada, articles of incorporation and by-laws as well as by the Mar Thoma Sabha Constitution. It is subject to the jurisdiction of the Diocese of North America and Europe.
Affiliation
The Mar Thoma Church keeps very close relations with Christian churches in all parts of the world. It is fully involved in the ecumenical movement and stands for active cooperation with other churches.
The Mar Thoma Church is a founding member of the World Council of Churches. It is a member of the Christian Conference of Asia and the National Council of Churches in the USA. In Canada, it is a member of the Canadian Council of Churches (CCC). The Mar Thoma Bishop for the Diocese of North America and Europe is a member of the Governing Board of the CCC. The church is also represented in the Commission for Justice and Peace of the CCC.
The Mar Thoma Church is in full communion with the churches of the Anglican Communion and maintains special relations with the Episcopal Church in the USA and the Anglican churches in Australia and Canada, as well as with the Uniting Church in Australia.
In India, it is a member of the National Council of Churches and a member of the Communion of Churches in India.
