About the Syro-Malabar Church

The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is one of the 22 Eastern Catholic churches. The church is in full communion with Rome (the Pope) and is the second largest Eastern Catholic church after the Ukrainian Church. It is a sui juris Church governed by the Synod of Bishops headed by the Major Archbishop. It is considered one of the most vibrant Catholic communities of India.

The present state of Kerala in India is the homeland of this church. The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is an apostolic church which traces its origin to St. Thomas, the apostle who landed at Cranganoor in 52 AD and founded seven Christian communities in Kerala. The early Christian community of India was called St. Thomas Christians.