Thoma I was a 17th-century Eastern Orthodox priest who served as the first native-born Metropolitan bishop of the Malankara Church. Born into the Parampil family of Kuravilangad, he succeeded his uncle as archdeacon during a period of significant ecclesiastical tension. He is best known for leading the Coonan Cross Oath, a pivotal movement that asserted the independence of the Saint Thomas Christians from Jesuit and Portuguese colonial administration. He eventually sought and received formal consecration through the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch.
Ecclesiastical leadership
After inheriting the archdeaconate, Thoma faced intense conflict with Archbishop Garcia, who sought to diminish the traditional authority of the archdeacon. This dispute led Thoma to organize resistance among local parishes, ultimately resulting in the Coonan Cross Oath. Following this movement, his supporters declared him bishop in 1653. To solidify his position, he later received formal consecration from Mar Gregorios Abdal Jaleel, a representative of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch.
Legacy
Thoma is remembered as the final archdeacon of the undivided Saint Thomas Christian community. His leadership marked a turning point in the history of Indian Christianity, as he fought to preserve local traditions against colonial religious authority. He died in Angamaly on April 25, 1673, and is venerated as a saint within the traditions of the Malankara Church.