Europeanyouthmtc

The First Meeting to get together all Youth from different Mar Thoma Parishes in Europe

The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church (officially the Malankara Mar Thoma Suryani Sabha) also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It has an entirely different identity when compared with other Churches in India. Churches around the world are divided into Western and Eastern. Eastern churches are again divided into two: the Eastern Orthodox and the Eastern Oriental. Mar Thoma Church is an Eastern Oriental Church. It adheres to the Syriac tradition and bases its teachings in accordance with Biblical teachings. It is one of the Saint Thomas Christian churches tracing its origins to the missionary activity of Thomas the Apostle.

The Mar Thoma Church defines itself as "Apostolic in origin, Catholic in nature, Biblical in faith, Evangelical in principle, Ecumenical in outlook, Oriental in worship, Democratic in function, Episcopal in character and is a Reformed Church. The mother tongue is Malayalam, the language of Kerala.

Until the beginning of 20th century Marthomites lived in a few districts of Central Travancore and Kunnamkulam in Kerala. Since that time it has spread with the 20th-century Indian diaspora to North America, Europe, the Middle East, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and currently has around one million members worldwide.

The Mar Thoma Church is amongst the fastest growing churches today and as our members spread out to the various parts of the globe, we feel it is pertinent that we are able to connect with one another occasionally, at least within geographical zones. Our youth are the future of our church and as we spread out across the globe and experience newer cultures and traditions we are also faced with challenges of our modern living. And as a church we have a moral responsibility of helping our friends in whatever way possible.

The European Mar Thoma Youth Fellowship is an initiative that has been set up under the direction of His Grace Rt. Rev Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa, with the aim of integrating and helping develop closer relationships amongst all the youth members spread across the Europe area, which essentially covers United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany and Switzerland.