Frequently asked questions

Does Marthoma church believe that the "appam”(Bread) and veenju" will become Jesus "Shariram(Body) and Raktham(Blood)" in Holy Qurbano.

(in collaboration with the Professors of Dharmajyoti VidyaPeeth, Faridabad)
No,  we dont believe that the Appam and Veenju become Jesus' real body and blood.

Qurbana is a sacrament. All sacraments are means of grace and the materials used in are 'symbolic' of some other things or stands in the place of something else about which we want to communicate in faith.
 By taking the popular and most common materials from the dining dish - the bread and the wine - Jesus said 'this is my body and blood, eat this and drink this as a refreshing memorial for my death till I come'. That means Jesus used bread and wine as a symbolic example to explain what he wanted to convey to the disciples.
 Still, your question has got a point, that is, there are some Christian denominations, especially the Roman Catholic Church, who believe that when the priest blesses the bread and wine on the alter during the celebration of the Holy Mass, these materials become the real body and blood. This theory is called 'transubstantiation'. This is a theory formulated by the famous Roman Catholic Theologian and a great teacher, Thomas Aquinas. He made this theory based on a concept by the famous Greek Philosopher - Aristotle. Aristotle said a matter has two types of existence: 
  1.  Substance - that which you cannot see, touch and taste. e.g., you try to see your bible, when you are away from home. You know that it is kept on your table, its colour, and all other features. But you can not touch it and open and read it now as you are away. Still you can see it in your mind. 
  2.  Accidence - that which you can see, touch and taste really in real terms. Yes, you come back home and take the bible and read it. For anything or for anybody there are these two elements - the invisible and the visible. Thomas Aquinas said, when the priest says  the 'substance' of the bread and the wine become the real body and blood of Jesus Christ, even though the visible element - accidence - remains the same.

However, During the period of Reformation Martin Luther and other Reformation leaders questioned the theory of 'transubstantiation' and brought forward other theories. (You may read the Reformation history and theology.)

We, who belong to the Eastern Tradition do not try to define and explain everything black and white, instead try to believe. Certain things which are beyond our ability to comprehend, we say them as 'mystery.' The Mar Thoma Church believes that in Holy Qurbana, in faith, we receive the body and blood of Christ, even though it is still bread and wine only. There is no magic that happens nor any material change happens. The change is in the person and personality of the believer. We should be able to surrender ourselves to Christ and for the community of believers and continue a faithful faith life in the world, we live in and through the Church. For such people Qurbana is not receiving but surrendering and giving out. It becomes a meaningful faith experience when we live in obedience to Christ. So it is not the theory that matters but real experience of it all.
For further reading: K V Mathew. The Faith and Practices of the Mar Thoma Church, Tiruvalla: CSS, pp.28-43.
What, in a nutshell, were the prominent elements of the Reformation movement?

The most prominent elements of the reformation were:

  • Return to the gospel message of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ
  • Cleansing of wrong ways of living life;
  • Taking up responsibility to be witnesses of Jesus Christ to others and
  • Focusing on the study of the word of God.
Who really led to the Reformation?

Palakunnathu Abraham Malpan Achen from Maramon and Kaithayil Geevarghese Malpan from Kottayam, were very much concerned about the need for reformation in the church based on their study of the word of God.
Why are we called ‘Syrian Christians’?

For a long time there was some kind of connection with churches in the Middle East. Therefore it was only natural that we adopted their liturgy which was in Syriac. The ‘Syrian’ was only because of the language adopted and not due to any blood relations. It was only with the beginning of the reformation movement that the liturgy was translated to Malayalam.
What are the Seven Churches established by St.Thomas.?

It is now commonly believed that St.Thomas did come to India in AD 52 and that he established the seven churches in Indian on the Malabar Coast and they are:

  • Maliankara( Cranganore/Kodangallur)
  • Chavakad(Palayur)
  • Parur
  • Gokamangalam
  • Niranam
  • Nilakkal(Chayal)
  • Quilon(Kalliana)
When was the church established in India?

It is traditionally believed that St.Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ, came to India in AD 52 and established the Church on the Malabar Coast.
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