THE ROLE OF THE LAITY IN THE HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE OF THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH

A UNIQUE FEATURE OF THE ASIAN CHRISTIAN HERITAGE

Authors

  • Dhanyananda Oozhikattu Leutesdorf am Rhein, Germany

Keywords:

Catholicos cum Malankara Metropolitan, Coonan-Cross Oath, Laity, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Mar Thoma Margam, Palliyogam, St Thomas Christians

Abstract

This article deals with the role of the laity in the hierarchical structure and the whole functioning of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The origin and development of the Church of St Thomas Christians in the rich religious and cultural milieu of India is depicted as an introduction to the central theme of the evolution of the present fullfledged system of lay participation in the key areas of ecclesial life. No Christian Church other than the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has such a history of growth in the midst of world religions as well as in communion and confrontation with other Christian Churches. Her ecclesial heritage is derived from the Mar Thoma Margam. The revolt against the bishops of the Pakalomattam lineage, the demands for the re-introduction of the rights of the laity, the collective deliberation as well as the consequent decisions in furtherance of the democratic ideals and in pursuance of the promotion of the values of the Mar Thoma Margam unfold important episodes of Indian Church history. The extent of the lay participation in the ecclesial life of the Malankara
Orthodox Syrian Church is astonishing. The lay people play a decisive role not only in the election of the Catholicos and the Metropolitans, but also in the whole administration of the Church.

Author Biography

Dhanyananda Oozhikattu, Leutesdorf am Rhein, Germany

Dhanyananda Oozhikattu, MSJ (Biju Mathew) is a religious priest belonging to the Missionaries of St John the Baptist. He holds a PhD in Dogmatic theology with a specialization in Ecclesiology from Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy & Theology, Frankfurt, Germany. He has also studied English Literature and Philosophy, and his research interests include Ecclesiology, Eastern Churches and Fathers of the Church. He teaches Oriental Theology at Sanathana Seminary in Thamarassery, Kerala/India. He is currently serving his religious congregation as the Superior General in Leutesdorf am Rhein, Germany. Email: bijumathewmsj@googlemail.com

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Published

2016-09-30

How to Cite

Oozhikattu, D. (2016). THE ROLE OF THE LAITY IN THE HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE OF THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH: A UNIQUE FEATURE OF THE ASIAN CHRISTIAN HERITAGE. Asian Horizons, 10(03), 528–544. Retrieved from https://dvkjournals.in/index.php/ah/article/view/2113