The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church often shortened to Mar Thoma Church, is a Syrian Christian Church based in the Indian state of Kerala. Its members are part of the Saint Thomas Christian community, which originated from the missionary activity of Thomas the Apostle in Malankara (historical name of modern Kerala). The Church in Malankara flourished under various ecclesiastical faith streams from time to time.
The Mar Thoma Church is an autonomous oriental church with Syriac-high church traditions and eclectic characteristics from the era of the Reformation. The 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”
