The 22nd Malankara Metropolitan to occupy the Holy Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas. He resides at Poolatheen Aramana, the Church Headquarters in Tiruvalla, Kerala. The Metropolitan is the supreme head of the Church, assisted by the Episcopal Synod.
The present Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan (Metropolitan Emeritus) is Philipose Chrysostom Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan.
All bishops of the Mar Thoma Church
Metropolitan — Head of the Church
Suffragan Metropolitan
Suffragan Metropolitan
Episcopa
Episcopa
Episcopa
Episcopa
Episcopa
Episcopa
Episcopa
Episcopa
Episcopa
For administrative purposes the church is divided into dioceses — Bhadhrasanam (Malayalam: ഭദ്രാസനം) — headed by a Metropolitan or Episcopa
| # | Diocese | Bishop's House / Diocesan Centre | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Niranam–Maramon | Poolatheen Aramana | Tiruvalla |
| 2 | Chengannur–Mavelikara | Olivet Aramana | Chengannur |
| 3 | Adoor | Hermon Aramana | Adoor |
| 4 | Kottarakkara–Punalur | Oorshalem Aramana | Kottarakara |
| 5 | Thiruvananthapuram–Kollam | Mar Thoma Kendram | Mannanthala, Trivandrum |
| 6 | Kottayam–Kochi | Bethel Aramana | Manganam, Kottayam |
| 7 | Ranny–Nilackel | Mar Thoma Centre | Ranni |
| 8 | Kunnamkulam–Malabar | Mar Thoma Centre | Kozhikode |
| 9 | Chennai–Bangalore | Mar Thoma Bhavan | Chennai |
| 10 | Mumbai | Mar Thoma Centre | Mumbai |
| 11 | Delhi | Mar Thoma Centre | New Delhi |
| 12 | North America–Europe | Sinai Mar Thoma Center | New York |
| 13 | Malaysia–Singapore–Australia–New Zealand | — | — |
Until the early 20th century, the church was confined to a few districts of Kerala. The 20th-century Indian diaspora carried the church to every continent.
The heartland. Headquarters at SCS Campus, Tiruvalla, Kerala. Over 1,200 parishes concentrated in Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, and Thrissur districts.
Active parishes in Auckland and other cities, under the Malaysia–Singapore–Australia–NZ Diocese. A growing community of Keralite professionals and their families.
Parishes in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, and other cities. One of the largest Mar Thoma diaspora concentrations outside India.
Numerous parishes in New York, New Jersey, Texas, California, Illinois, and many other states, under the North America–Europe Diocese.
Parishes in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, and other cities, under the North America–Europe Diocese.
Parishes in London and other British cities, under the North America–Europe Diocese.
Communities in Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, and other European countries.
Significant communities in UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and other Gulf states — many are professionals maintaining faith far from home.
Active congregations in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and surrounding areas under the regional diocese.
Emerging communities in South Africa and Nigeria, reflecting the continued spread of the Mar Thoma Church across Africa.
| Body / Role | Function |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan | Supreme head of the church; resides at Poolatheen Aramana, Tiruvalla |
| Episcopal Synod | All bishops of the church; collectively governs with the Metropolitan |
| Prathinidhi Mandalam | House of Representatives / Church Parliament; elected by parishes |
| Sabha Council | Executive body of the Mandalam |
| Vaideeka Selection Committee | Selects candidates for ordained ministry through exams and interviews |
| Diocesan Assembly | Each diocese has its own assembly, elected by parishes |
| Edavaka Sangham | The general body of every parish — all members have the right to vote |
| Vicars General | Senior clergy (25+ years' service, 60+ years old); may act as deputy diocesan head |
| Yuvajana Sakhyam | Mar Thoma Youth Movement — evangelism, camps, social service |
| Sevika Sangham | Women's fellowship — prayer, service, and community life |
| MTVE | Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelistic Association — mission and outreach arm |
The Mar Thoma Church carries out its mission through a network of specialised organisations
Primary evangelism and mission body of the church, carrying the Gospel across India and beyond.
Youth movement of the Mar Thoma Church — active in evangelism, summer camps, and social service.
Women's evangelistic fellowship — prayer, service, and community life across all congregations.
Volunteers dedicated to outreach and proclamation of the Gospel, serving marginalised communities.
Nurturing the faith of children and young people through Christian education in every parish.
Engaging Mar Thoma students in faith, fellowship, and service across colleges and universities.
Development, infrastructure, and community welfare programmes across Kerala and India.
Preserving and promoting Syriac and Malayalam sacred music; managing church media and communications.
Training and equipping church leaders, clergy, and laity for effective ministry and mission.
The church's environmental stewardship arm, addressing ecological concerns as part of Christian mission.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Mar Thoma Medical Mission | 12 hospitals and 13 nursing homes serving communities across Kerala and India |
| Educational Institutions | Schools, colleges (including Mar Thoma College, Tiruvalla), and technical institutions |
| Theological Institutions | Mar Thoma Theological Seminary (Kottayam) and other centres for clergy formation |
| CARD | Christian Agency for Rural Development — rural upliftment and community development |
| Destitute Homes (Mandirams) | Care homes for the elderly and destitute across Kerala |
| Ashrams | Centres of prayer, retreat, and spiritual formation |
| Camp Centres | Facilities for youth camps, retreats, and training programmes |
| Social Welfare Institutions | Broad social service including rehabilitation, livelihood, and community health |
The Mar Thoma Church is a member of the World Council of Churches and maintains full communion with the Church of South India (CSI), the Church of North India (CNI), and the Anglican Communion. It also has fraternal relations with the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Malabar Independent Syrian Church, which participates in episcopal consecrations alongside the Mar Thoma Metropolitan. The church is regarded as a 'bridge' church in the ecumenical world — Eastern in heritage, Protestant in theology, and open to relationships across the full breadth of global Christianity.
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