An ancient faith for the modern world
Being an institution, it is necessary that certain personalities are supposed to render their valuable services for the peace, harmony and betterment of the society. Being Christian it is their duty to perform rightful cognitive changes in all the ways possible in a society. Thus, the office of the patriarchate performs all such acts to make sure that the church is in safe hands. During the times of disputes and dilemmas, this office takes up the initiative to resolve them all and place the Holy church perfectly into the society. These great full actions are controlled and guided by the Patriarch who resides over the throne of Antioch that was established by St Peter during AD 37.
The office of the patriarchate has all the control to rule over any decisions made against them that directly affects all the individuals present in the church. This office bears all the burden to carry the church and move forward at all times. In fact, this is the reason behind all the success that the church attained till date. As there are certain set of personalities striving hard to lead this church, the Patriarch plays a major role here. Thus, the office is established where ever the Patriarch of Antioch is present.
Catholicate is an established set of office under the direct control and guidance from the office of Patriarchate. Here, in Malankara an office is being controlled by the ordained Catholicos who is loyal and faithful towards the throne of Antioch. It is necessary to know that regardless any changes in the Patriarch, the office is still under the rule and governance from the office of Patriarchate. Therefore, no individual decision can ever be taken by Catholicos. The office is liable to report all their concerns to the higher hierarchy so that there shall be direction provided. Regardless any changes even in the ordained Catholicos, the office still remains valid. Thus, it isn't based on any particular individual, rather a group of associates who strive together, to lead the churches peacefully just by staying loyal to the throne of Antioch. Only the office of Patriarchate has got all the authority to rule over the decisions made here in Catholicate as they are only answerable to Patriarchate.
The faith of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church is based on the Nicene Creed. The Church teaches that it is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church founded by Jesus Christ in his Great Commission, that its metropolitans are the successors of Christ's Apostles, and that the Patriarch is the successor to Saint Peter on whom primacy was conferred by Jesus Christ. The Church conforms to the teachings of the Three Ecumenical Councils of Nicea (A.D. 325), Constantinople (A.D. 381) and Ephesus (A.D. 431). It rejects the Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451).
The church believes in the Trinity, that is one God, subsisting in three separate persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The three being of one Essence, of one Godhead, have one Will, one Work and one Lordship. The special aspect of the First Person is His Fatherhood, that of the Second Person His Sonship, and that of the Third Person His Procession.
The Church believes in the divine and human nature of the Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, which cannot be mixed, separated or transformed. In other words, the two natures are united into one nature with no mixing, no blending, no changing, no transformation, and no confusion. It further believes that His true Godhead and His true Manhood were in Him essentially united, He being one Lord and one Son, and that after the union took place in Him, He had but one Nature Incarnate, was one Person, had one Will and one Work. Based on this definition, divinity was united with humanity, or the body, when Jesus was nailed on the cross, and never departed the body, not even for a moment.
The Church believes that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, the Spirit of Truth, proceeding from the Father. The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son. (The word for 'spirit' in Syriac, ruho (which is also the word for 'wind'), is grammatically feminine. Holy Spirit is referred to with the feminine pronoun in almost all early Syriac writings, though later writings refer to it in the masculine.)
The seven Sacraments of the Holy Church are believed to be tangible signs designated by the Lord Christ to proclaim divine grace, which He gave for our sanctification. The seven Sacraments of the Church are: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Repentance, the Priesthood, Anointing of the Sick, and Marriage. Holy Sacraments are offered by the Bishops and the Priests. Only believers can receive the Sacraments. All but four of the Sacraments are essential for salvation: Baptism, Confirmation, Repentance and Eucharist. Of the sacraments, Baptism, Confirmation and the Priesthood may be received only once.
The Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox church liturgy, reflecting the Christological history of the Church, places emphasis on the divine nature in Christ, its Trinitarian doctrine. In its liturgy, the church employs the Syriac language, an Aramaic dialect similar to that spoken by Jesus Christ and the Apostles.
The queen of sacraments otherwise known as the Holy Qurobo in the Syriac language means "Eucharist", is the central and most important worship experience of the Church. It is the celebration of the Death and Resurrection of Christ and all other Sacraments of the Church lead toward and flow from the Eucharist, which is at the center of the life of the Church. The church employs the Divine Liturgy of Saint James, the 'brother' of our Lord and first bishop of Jerusalem. Syriac is the official and liturgical language of the church. In this language, St. Matthew wrote his Gospel, and in this language evangelical events were proclaimed first in Judea, Syria and neighboring regions. All Church Liturgies can be traced to this Liturgy. The Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox church, therefore, is proud that her Liturgy is in Syriac, the language made holy by the Lord's divine tongue and later translated into Malayalam for use in the Malankara Church.
The five senses help humans during our communication with others. Preaching the word of God and listening to it are one factor of worship but the Holy Church also employs these five senses during our communication with God during the liturgy. We see, hear, smell, taste and experience the divine communion during the liturgy.
The Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church uses an oktoechos (set of eight modes) for its qinto (melodies), designating a specific mode for each Sunday and rising by one scale degree each week. These melodies are taken from the bet-gazo (treasure of melodies), a compilation of non-biblical texts used by the deacons.
The Holy church also encourages us to pray seven times a day in accordance with Psalm 119: verse 164, "Seven times in the day have I praised thee for thy judgments, O Righteous One," 1) the Evening prayer (Vespers), 2) Drawing of the Veil or Sootoro, 3) Midnight or lilyo prayer, 4) Morning or saphro prayer, 5) the Third Hour (9 a.m.), 6) the Sixth Hour (noon) and 7) the Ninth Hour (3 p.m.) The ecclesiastical day begins in the evening at sunset.
The faith and worship of the Jacobite Church are expressed most profoundly in the Holy Qurbono (Divine Liturgy), celebrated in Syriac, the language spoken by our Lord. Rooted in the West Syriac liturgical tradition, the Church's prayers, hymns, incense, and symbols elevate the faithful into a heavenly experience, uniting the Church on earth with the Church in heaven.
Tradition extends beyond worship – it is lived daily. Jacobite families maintain prayer corners, observe fasts, celebrate feasts, and venerate saints and martyrs who inspire a life of holiness and humility. Every custom reflects a deep continuity with the early apostolic faith.
The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church believes faith must be lived through service (Diakonia). Guided by the words of Christ "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34) the Church engages in charitable, educational, and social initiatives that bring light and hope to communities.
For the Jacobite faithful, tradition is not just a memory – it is a living reality of God's presence. Ancient in its roots, Orthodox in its faith, and compassionate in its mission, the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church continues to bear witness to Christ's love in the modern world.
Interested in learning more about our faith and traditions? We welcome your questions.
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