Brief History of the St. Thomas Christian Church
The St. Thomas Christian Church under the auspices of the Church of the
East, traces its origin and apostolic succession back to St. Thomas, one
of the original apostles of Jesus, the Christ. The church was instituted
by Jesus in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost and was passed on to his
apostles.
St. Thomas, known as Didymus Judas Thomas, traveled through Persia where,
it is said, he ordained many magi. He then proceeded into India and
settled along the Malabar coast where he established the Christian church.
After his death, the St. Thomas Church continued to grow, although
separate from patriarchate domination. The Church accepted only the first
four Ecumenical Councils: Nicea I (325 AD), Constantinople I (381 AD,
Ephesus (431 AD), and Chalecedon (451 AD). The first Council recognized
the Patriarchs of Rome, Antioch and Alexandria and the second added
Constantinople and Jerusalem.
The St. Thomas Christian Church and other Eastern Churches refused to
accept the next Council, Chalcedon (457 AD) because the autonomy of these
churches was threatened by Rome. This group of churches was referred to as
the Ancient Eastern Churches.
Over the centuries and despite invasion and pressure by various groups,
the St. Thomas Christian Church maintained its autonomy, though divisions
within the church itself occurred. During the time when controversy
reigned, in the late 1700's, the Jacobite community within the church
stayed in the background. Contacts with the English consuls and members of
the Anglican Missionary Society brought the ancient church to light and
work was started to assist the historic Christian Community. The Jacobite
Patriarch, Mar Peter, Church of the East, went to India and divided the
church into seven dioceses. He consecrated new bishops, also known as
metropolitans, to govern these dioceses. One of the new metropolitans was
Thomas Mar Athenasius II. When he expired, his place was taken by Paul Mar
Athenasius III, who, in turn, consecrated Francis Xavier Julius Alvares.
In 1892, Bishop Alvares consecrated an American Priest, Joseph Rene
Vilatte, who was titled Mar Timotheus, Archbishop of the Old Catholic
Church in America.
In 1915, Villate consecrated Frederick E. Lloyd, who, in turn, consecrated
Samuel Gregory Lines in 1923. In 1933 Lines consecrated Howard E. Mather,
and on August 26, 1963, Mather and another bishop, Cyrus Starkey,
consecrated Joseph Vredenburgh as Mar Timotheus Josephus Narsai
Vredenburgh, the Patriarch and Presiding Bishop in American today of the
St. Thomas Christian Churches of the Jacobite lineage.
The discovery of the Gospel of Thomas in 1945, a text unaltered and
undistorted, has proven to be one of the most important finds in the
history of Christianity. Acknowledged by theologians to most accurately
quote the sayings of Jesus, this text verifies the fact that the ministry
of Jesus was that of the mystical tradition. Now as mankind prepares to
move into a new world consciousness, the mystical tradition of the St.
Thomas Christian Church, evolving from the most ancient of historical
times and lineage, moves into that world, expressing understanding
applicable to it, yet retaining its spiritual heritage.
The teachings of the St. Thomas Christian Church are from two sources:
Holy Scripture and Sacred Mystical Teachings. Like the church which Jesus
instituted, the St. Thomas Christian Church is neither Latin nor Greek;
neither Eastern nor Western. Rather it is universal, for it has no
limitations in time or place. It is given for all people. The St. Thomas
Christian Church is a universal, sacramental and apostolic church. Its
teachings and practices are derived from the original and mystical
teachings of the apostles and from the wisdom teachings brought forward
through the religious tradition. It is a church which has preserved the
purity of the teachings of Christianity in its truest form and which
interprets those teachings in the light of today's awareness.
St. Thomas Christian Church
2531 Briarcliff Rd.
Suite 217
Atlanta, Georgia 30329
Telephone (404)320-1038 Fax (404) 320-1042
