Indian Christianity

HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA : M. M. NINAN
Col. John Munro impressed by the plan encouraged Joseph Ramban (Professor Joseph) by all possible
means at his disposal. At that time Col. Munroe was both the Resident of the Crown of England and also
the Divan (Prime Minister) of the then ruling Rani Laxmi Bhai, the Regent Ruler of Travancore. Hence
he was able to give to the church 16 acres of land and the timber for construction of the buildings and
also the cost of Rs.2000 for the construction of the Seminary.
Soon the resident came to realize that according to the original stipulation the recipient of the interest -
the Vatti Panam - had to be the Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church and that the Seminary needed
competent teachers to undertake teaching work in it. It appears that there was some conflict of interest
between the Marthoma and Monroe. The only way to channel the money to the seminary was to make
Joseph Ramban a Bishop. The only bishop available outside of Marthoma at that time who could lend
co-operation to perform the consecration of was the Metropolitan of Thozhiyur. Thozhiur was glad to
extend this courtesy to the Resident when he was so requested. Joseph Ramban, thus, was ordained as
bishop with the name Mar Dionysius II in 1816 and later a Royal proclamation from both the states of
Travancore and Cochin were issued to confirm Mar Divanyous as the Metropolitan of the Orthodox
church. But those who insisted on Antiiochian authoriry within the Church and within the Seminary Staff
began to question the validity of Dionysius Episcopal status because he was ordained from Thozhiyoor
Church and not from the Orthodox Church. This party was headed by the Konattu Malpan another
Professor at the newly founded seminary.
At the time of Gee Varghese mar phelexinos (kidangan) of Thozhiyur (1811-1829) Malankara church was
in series of troubles in its administration. Thozhiyur bishop consecrated three consecutive bishops for
Malankara as Malankara Methran viz. Pulikkottil Mar Divannasios, Punnathra Mar Divannasios and
Cheppat Mar Divannasios. Even Gee varghese mar Phelexinos (kidangan) himself was in charge of
Malankara Methran for a short period. Thus the church leaders of Malankara Syrian Christian Church
and C.M.S. worked together from 1816 to 1836. The Metropolitans Pulicottil Mar Dionysius II (Valiya Mar
Dionysius 1815-16) and Punnathara Mar Dionysius III (1817-25) were highly pleased with the services
rendered by the CMS. This is evident from the letter reproduced below from the Metropolitan.
The theological differences came to surface and in January 16, 1836 there was clear rift between the
Missionaries and the Syrian Churches, and CMS and the Church separated. CMS then turned to
evangelization among the Hindus.
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