There have been several great souls in the Syrian Christian Community who rose to partake in the freedom struggle for India’s Independence. As India celebrates another year of Independence on 15th August, Nalloor Library would like our readers to remember a few freedom fighters who represented the Syrian Christian community and share their stories in their Sunday Schools and meetings across the world. This list is no means a complete list and only four have been chosen as representatives. We salute each and every freedom fighter across this great nation who participated in the freedom struggle and those who gave their lives for India’s freedom. Jai Hind!
Shri Thevarthundiyil Titus also known as ‘Titusji’ – Dandi March
The historic Dandi Salt march by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930 triggered the wider Civil Disobedience Movement leading to India’s freedom from the British. Among the marchers that would change India’s destiny was just one Christian and a Mar Thomite, Shri Thevarthundiyil Titus also known as ‘Titusji’. A devout Gandhian – he was known by the name Titus in his earlier days. “Titusji” was the name given to him by Mahatma Gandhi as a token of love and honour.
Mr. O. C. Chacko of the Indian National Army (INA)
Mr. O. C. Chacko was part of the Indian National Army (INA) of Subash Chandhra Bose and member of the Kuriannoor Mar Thoma Church, Pathanamthitta, Kerala. We post a link to a write up that was published on his 100th (centenary) birth anniversary.
General Secretary of the Mar Thoma Sunday School Samajam. He was the only Mar Thoma Priest who is recognized and awarded as a freedom fighter by the Government. Before his ordination, he was in jail for almost a year for his participation in the Freedom movement of India.
George Joseph, a barrister, fiery nationalist, avant-garde journalist, pioneer trade unionist, and ardent champion of important public causes, has etched an indelible place in the history of India’s war for Independence. He hailed from Kerala and was not just a pioneer in several fields, he was also a staunch supporter of Annie Besant’s Home Rule movement and Gandhiji’s Non-Cooperation movement during India’s freedom struggle.
He was born in Chenganoor (Kerala) in 1887, which at that time was part of the Travancore Kingdom. He completed his Law at the University of Edinburgh and it was during his stay in London that he became acquainted with notable freedom fighters like Madam Cama, S K Verma, S R Rana, and Veer Savarkar. He returned to India after finishing his education and though he established his legal practice initially in Chennai, he eventually shifted it to Madurai. George Joseph went on to become a famous criminal lawyer in Madurai. From the time he started practising there, he championed the cause of Madurai’s tribes, such as the Piramalai Kallars and Maravars. In 1920, following the Perungamanallur firing (also referred to as the Jallianwalla Bagh of the South), the British implemented the Criminal Tribes Act, labelling these groups as criminals. He vehemently opposed the Act by voicing his opinions in newspapers and he also represented these communities in court proceedings. The residents of these settlements gave him the name ‘Rosapoo Durai’ (a Rose amongst Leaders), as a symbol of their gratitude. ~indianculture.gov.in
A Brief History – with rare Church Consecration videos from 2005
Old undated photo of the old Kuriannoor Mar Thoma Church and the present church building. (Images from Nalloor Library Archives)
Video Part 01 – The newly built Kuriannoor Mar Thoma Church building was consecrated on 3rd September 2005 by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Metropolitan in the presence of Dr. Joseph Mar Irenaeus Suffragan Metropolitan. The Mar Thoma Church in Kuriannoor was established in 1879.
Video Part 02 – The newly built Kuriannoor Mar Thoma Church building was consecrated on 3rd September 2005 by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Metropolitan in the presence of Dr. Joseph Mar Irenaeus Suffragan Metropolitan. The Mar Thoma Church in Kuriannoor was established in 1879.
St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ, came to India in A.D.52 and established 7 churches in the Malabar Coast of Kerala, in South India. Niranam St. Mary’s Church was one among them. Believers in and around Niranam, Changanassery, Edathua, Chambakulam, Chengannur, Maramon, Kalloopara, Chennithala, Paliyekkara and Puthiyakavu used to worship in that Church. Members of the Niranam Parish, who were staying in Maramon area, found it extremely difficult to attend church services in Niranam regularly.
In those days, country boats (Kettuvallams) were the only mode of transportation (there were no road transport facilities). This led the believers in the Maramon area to establish the Maramon Mar Thoma Church on 28 August A.D.1440. Our forefathers worshiped in the Maramon Church until a Mar Thoma Church in Kuriannoor was established in 1879.
The year 1837 bore witness to a spiritual reformation in the Mar Thoma Church, mainly under the leadership of Palakkunnathu Abraham Malpan Achen (1796-1845). The reforms included translation of liturgy into Malayalam, emphasis on the study of the Holy Bible, family worship, and evangelization of the Gospel. Abolition of prayers for the dead and some unscriptural practices, such as statues, invocation of saints and some unhealthy veneration of sacraments were banned.
As there were no proper roads, the journey from Kuriannoor to Maramon was difficult and tedious, especially for funerals during the monsoon season. The Neelethu Pallikkoodam, a shed on bamboo poles, thatched with coconut leaves that was being used as a prayer hall cum school, was altered as the Mar Thoma Church, Kuriannoor in the year 1879 by Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan (1837-1893 The Mar Thoma XIV). Rahoor Scariah Kathanar was the first Vicar of the Kuriannoor Church.
Two of the Mar Thoma Metropolitans, viz. Titus I Mar Thoma (Dethose Kathanar (1843-1909) and Titus II Mar Thoma (P. J. Dethose Kathanar (1866-1944) were vicars of our parish when they were achens. Due to an increase in the membership/population, St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church was formed in 1897 and Salem Mar Thoma Church in 1902.
Rev. M.C. George, (1874-1923) Maliyekkal was the first full time priest for Kuriannoor from 1903 as former vicars were in charge of Maramon Church as well. The English School, Kuriannoor was started in 1921 thanks to the leadership of Rev. M.C. George. Rev. T.M. Mathai (1883-1970) Punnathundiyil was our vicar from 1924.
During the leadership of Titus II Mar Thoma Metropolitan, a beautiful church building was constructed under the leadership of Vicars Rev. K.I. Varkey (1877-1948), Kizhakkethalakkal, Edathua, Rev. K.M. Mathai (1899-1959), Kuttamathayyethu, Puthenkavu, and Rev. Abraham Mathew (1902-1960), Elamittethu, Moovattupuzha Valakom. Our forefathers spent about eight years and a sum of Rs. 3150/- to complete their ardent desire of a place of worship. It was dedicated on 12th April 1940.
All the three Mar Thoma Churches in Kuriannoor were under the Vicarship of a single Achen till 1963. Rev. M. V. Abraham, Ashtamudy was the first Vicar who was solely in-charge of our parish. He managed to purchase 28 cents of land for a parsonage for Rs. 7500/-. Our first parsonage was completed in 1969 under the leadership of Rev. C. M. Thomas (1907-2001), Cherukara, Ayroor and Rev. K. A. Joshua, Mallassery.
The Centenary of the Church was celebrated during the year 1979 under the leadership of Rev. P. M. Samuel, Nelladu. Twenty cents of land adjacent to the church compound was purchased in December 1977, and the Centenary Hall was built there, which was consecrated on 6th May 1979.
Construction of the present, spacious and beautiful church building, with a parish hall underneath, was commenced during the year 2001, the plan of which was approved during the tenure of Rev. James M. Koshy Veeramala as Vicar. Rev. Achenkunju Mathew, and Rev. M.V. George (1952-2012) subsequent Vicars of the parish, worked tirelessly to complete the Church building, which was consecrated on 3rd September 2005 by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Metropolitan in the presence of H.G. Dr. Joseph Mar Irenaeus Suffragan Metropolitan.
Rev. M. V. George laid down the idea for the present parsonage in the year 2008, which was completed during the tenure of Rev. M. Mathew as Vicar. The new parsonage was consecrated by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan on 23rd March 2010.
Rev. M.C. George (1874-1923), Maliyekkal, Rev. T.M. Mathai (1883-1970), Punnathundiyil, Rev. C.M. Thomas (1893-1956), Kochuparampil, and Rev. C.M. Abraham (1923-2008), Cheriyavadakkedathu, who were strong pillars of the Mar Thoma Church in the past belonged to our parish.
Ambattu Varkey Upadeshi, Poozhikkalayil Ipe Mathen (1796-1890) Poozhikkalayil Thomma Upadeshi (1830-1912), Cherukattu Geevarghese Upadeshi, Thanathodathil Mathen Upadeshi, Kolabhagathu Geevarghese Ashan (1855-1938), Eruthikkal E.V. Philip Sar, Nalloor Joseph Sar (1910-1992) etc. were strong lay leaders of our parish in the past.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” ~ Jeremiah 17:7-8 | NIV
Founders of Hoskote Mission – Mr. M. T. Joseph and Rev. A.C. Zachariah
The Hoskote Mission Medical Center was established in 1947 in Hoskote, Bangalore Rural District, Karnataka by two missionaries Mr. M. T. Joseph and Mr. A.C. Zachariah along with their wives Mariamma Joseph and Saramma Zachariah.
The Short Story of the Beginnings of Hoskote Mission
Listen to a rare 42 year old recording to commemorate the Anniversary of the Hoskote Mission Field on 27 June 2026.
The recording was done in June 1984 during Mrs Mariamma Joseph’s (co-founder of the mission) address to the Dubai Mar Thoma Parish. She spoke about the beginning of Hoskote Mission and the challenges faced by the pioneering missionaries.
As part of this anniversary, Nalloor Library presents a free Ebook version of – ‘From his majesty’s service to His Majesty’s Service’ (Pioneers of Hoskote Mission) released in December 2003.
Articles in the book are in both English and Malayalam and include recollections from the late Rt. Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Valia Metropolitan, late Rt. Rev. Philipose Mar Thoma Valia Metropolitan, late Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan, Rt. Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas Suffragan Metropolitan, Acharya Rev. K. J. Samuel, late Very. Rev. C. G. Alexander, late Rev. Dr. K. P. Mathai, Rev. E. J. George and more.
Contents
English
Manon Ousephachen – Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Irenaeus Suffragan Metropolitan
Builders of the Kingdom of God -Rt. Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas Episcopa
Speaking Ill of Others ! – Acharya Rev. K. J. Samuel
A Reflection on the life of Mr. and Mrs. M.T. Joseph – Rev. P. V. Philip
A Pillar in the Temple of God – Rev. P. Chacko and Mrs. Thankamma Chacko
Blessing Harper -Miss Blessing
Consolation Letter -Rev. A.C. Zachariah
Appachen -Dr. Rajan Koshy
M.T. Joseph -Very. Rev. C. G. Alexander
Impressions and Reflections -Mrs. E. V. Mathew
Early Days of Pennamma (Mrs. M.T. Joseph)
Memoirs of ‘Hoskote Ashram’, the place where I grew up -Thomas Joseph (Jay)
A more excellent way – Grace John
My Beloved Mother – Grace John
Hoskote Mission – Rev. Dr. K. P. Mathai
Photos
Malayalam
My Memories about Hoskote Mission Field – Rt. Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Valia Metropolitan.
Classmate of my Brother -Rt. Rev. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Metropolitan
Sweet Memories -Mary and Sally
Joseph Sar and family -Witnesses of Christ in Hoskote -Mr. K. V. Mathew
The Torch Bearers of the Gospel in Karnataka -Mr. V. Mathai
Appachen -Ms. P.T. Mariamma
Unforgettable Memories -Mr. T. M. Koshy, Evangelist
Memories, Memories … -Rev. E. J. George
Joseph Sar and Kochamma still alive in my memory – Ms. Aleyamma Mathew
Two Brave Martyrs for Christ – Mr. K. V. Varghese
Appachen and Ammachi in our Memories – Rev. P. E. Mathew and Mrs. Laly Mathew
Remembrance News Article – Suvisesha Doothan – Magazine of the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association (MTEA)
MTEA General Secretary’s Letter – Article – Suvisesha Doothan – Magazine of the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association (MTEA)
About the Writers
Note:
This book is a collection of memories penned down by people who have closely interacted or worked with Mr. and Mrs. M. T. Joseph (Co-founders of Hoskote Mission). This book comes from a need that old memories of the pioneers would encourage and inspire more people to join the ministry and take up from where they left. History repeats itself and the only way people would be inspired to carry on with this great legacy we have been handed down is to read and pass on the memories of yesteryears.
Almost all the people who have contributed to this book are people who have done their part in building up the Kingdom of God. This is not a book to highlight or to downplay any individual’s work but rather an attempt to preserve and record history of the past events. It would be a testimony to show how God uses ordinary people from all walks of life simultaneously to carry out His mission and work of letting the whole world know of His Saving Grace.
We earnestly pray and believe that this book will inspire many of you to pray and support the work of the Hoskote Mission.
The past thirteen years have truly been a blessing, made possible through your continued support, encouragement, and readership. As we celebrate this anniversary, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who has been part of this journey.
What began as a simple dream has now reached readers across the globe, with lakhs of visitors to our website from almost every corner of the world. Your feedback, prayers, and constant encouragement have inspired us to continue expanding and making more valuable resources available to our community.
Over the years, readers and parishes from near and far have shared how these resources are being used in parish bulletins, Sunday School lessons, VBS programs, summer camps, sermons, prayer groups, and many other ministries. Along this journey, we have also been blessed to build meaningful friendships, while social media has helped us share the rich cultural heritage and traditions of our Church with a wider audience.
We humbly ask that you continue to keep Nalloor Library in your prayers as we move forward with renewed commitment and gratitude.
“Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 106:1
A free pdf resource sheet for Parents / Sunday School Teachers to explain to their children facts and events chosen from the history of the Maramon Convention. In 2026, the Maramon Convention will be conducted for the 131st time from 8th -15th February 2026, at Maramon, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala.
A free English PDF resource sheet for Non- Malayalam Speaking Christians and Sunday Schools to explain facts and events chosen from the history of the Maramon Convention throughout the ages. The document contains rare photos and facts.
A free Malayalam PDF resource sheet for Malayalam Speaking Christians and Sunday Schools to explain facts and events chosen from the history of the Maramon Convention throughout the ages. The document contains rare photos and facts.
A big thank you to Mr. Liju Zachariah, Kattayil Graphics, Kuriannoor for the Malayalam Translation
12 December, 1912: Consecration of Bishop V. S. Azariah.
Rev. Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah was consecrated as the first Indian Bishop of the Church in India (Anglican Church) on 12 Dec 1912, in the St. Paul’s Cathedral in Calcutta. Most Rev. Dr. Copleston, assisted by ten other bishops, conducted the consecration ceremony.
First Indian bishop of the Anglican Church in India
The first Indian bishop of the Anglican Church in India, Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah was born in 1874 in a small village in Andhra Pradesh, the son of Thomas Vedanayagam, an Anglican priest, and Ellen, a woman with a deep love and understanding of the Holy Scriptures. Samuel became a YMCA evangelist at nineteen and secretary of the organization throughout South India only a few years later. He saw that, for the Church in India to grow and to bring ordinary Indians to Jesus Christ, it had to have indigenous leadership.
He helped to create the Tinnevelly-based Indian Missionary Society in 1903, and was a co-founder of the National Missionary Society of India, an all-India, Indian-led agency founded in December 1905.
At the age of thirty-five he was ordained to the presbyterate, and three years later (December, 1912) he was consecrated as the first bishop of the new Diocese of Dornakal, with eleven bishops of the Anglican Church in India participating in the liturgy at St Paul’s Cathedral in Calcutta. Bishop Azariah was the first Indian to be consecrated a bishop in the Churches of the Anglican Communion. Bishop Azariah died on January 1, 1945, two years before the inauguration of the united Church of South India (CSI).
The Bishop and the Blessing: A Story from the Life of Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah:
Bishop Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah, accompanied by the Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie, visited a small village in his diocese. As they approached, an elderly woman emerged from her humble dwelling. She had never seen a white Archbishop before, and was struck by the sight of this important figure arriving in a grand car with a police escort.
To everyone’s surprise, Archbishop Runcie bowed before the elderly villager. Without hesitation, the woman placed her hands on his head and offered a blessing. Moved by this unexpected act of faith, the Archbishop was overcome with emotion . “Nobody has ever done this to me,” Runcie said, tears in his eyes. “I have laid my hands on many people. But this mother has laid her hands on me.”
This simple yet profound moment exemplified Bishop Azariah’s lifelong mission – to cultivate an indigenous Indian church where the faith of ordinary people could flourish. It revealed the deep spirituality he nurtured among his flock, where even the humblest villager felt empowered to bless an Archbishop. The incident also highlighted Azariah’s ability to bridge cultures, bringing together a high-ranking English cleric and a poor Indian woman in a touching display of mutual respect and shared faith.
Azariah had two great priorities in his work: evangelism and the desire for Christian unity.
He understood evangelism to be the acid test of Christianity. When asked what he would preach about in a village that had never heard of Christ, Azariah answered without hesitation: ‘The resurrection.’ From a convert he demanded full acceptance of Christianity which would include baptism and which could therefore include separation from family and caste. He claimed that Christianity took its origin in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the outburst of supernatural power that this society manifested in the world.
Azariah recognised that because four-fifths of Indian people live in villages, for the Church to be an indigenous one it must be a rural Church. He was constantly in the villages, inspiring and guiding the teachers, clergy and congregations. He blamed the missionaries for not training people in evangelism, and thought their teaching had been mission centred instead of Church centred, and he pleaded with missionaries to build up the Indian Church. Much of the Christian outreach in his area was among the outcast people. Gradually as Christianity spread amongst the villages, the social situation began to change, the Christian outcasts gaining a new self-respect as they realised their worth in the eyes of God.
Azariah considered that one of the factors that hampered evangelism, and possibly the deepening of the spiritual life of the convert, was the western appearance of the Church in both its buildings and its services. As early as 1912 he had visions of a cathedral for the diocese to be built in the eastern style, where all Christians could feel spiritually at home regardless of their religious background and race. Building was delayed because of the Great War in Europe, but finally his dream was realised when the Cathedral Church of The Most Glorious Epiphanywas consecrated on January 6, 1936. The building is a beautiful structure embodying ideas from Christian, Hindu and Moslem architecture. Its dignity and spaciousness create a very different effect from that of the nineteenth and twentieth century Gothic churches and furnishings scattered elsewhere in India.
If evangelisation of India was Azariah’s first priority, the second was that of Church unity. He was the two as interrelated. He believed that a united Church was in accordance with the will of God, ‘that we may all be one’, and he also believed that a United Church would be more effective for evangelism. Addressing the Lambeth Conference in 1930 he pleaded:
“In India we wonder if you have sufficiently contemplated the grievous sin of perpetuating your divisions and denominational bitterness in these your daughter churches. We want you to take us seriously when we say that the problem of union is one of life and death. Do not, we plead with you, do not give us your aid to keep us separate, but lead us to union so that you and we may go forward together and fulfil the prayer, ‘That we may all be one.’”
Bishop Samuel is commemorated in the sanctoral calendars of the Anglican Church in North America and the Church of England on January 2.
The guest house of the National Council of Churches in India at their Nagpur headquarters is known as Azariah House in memory of the Bishop.
We remember the life of Bishop Easow Mar Timotheos, whose ministry and legacy continues inspire younger generations in the Mar Thoma Church today. He will be remembered for his earnest service, prayerful nature and genuine care for his people. Even after becoming a bishop, Timotheos thirumeni sat with the common people on the floor, while attending prayer meetings.
25 November, 1932: Birth of Bishop Easow Mar Timotheos (d.11 Apr.1988). Bishop Easow Mar Timotheos was a member of Valiyaparampil Family of Thonniyamala near Pathanamthitta. He was a permanent member of our Sihora Ashram from 1951-to 1972.
He became deacon on 15 Oct. 1961; priest on 4 March 1962, Ramban on 11 January 1975 and Bishop on 8 Feb 1975. His life of prayer and deep spiritual experience were his special characteristics. He was deeply interested in the rural development activities. Being also in charge of the parishes in the Arabian Gulf area, he raised funds from there for the development of Malabar area. He passed away in 1988 while visiting our parishes in the Andamans Islands and was buried at Tiruvalla.
20 November, 1904: Death of Stephanos Kathanar – Author of “Shayana Namaskaram” (Mar Thoma Shayana Namaskaram).
Stephanos Kathanar (born on 14 June 1852) was a member of Kallarakkal Peedikayil family of Thazhahkkara, Mavelikkara. He became a deacon at the age of 8. He was an expert teacher of the Syrian Language.
In 1897, he established Thazhakkara Mar Thoma Church and started a library for the parish. Achen is the author of The Shayana Namaskaram– (prayer song usually sung with the evening family prayer or public worship) “njangalkullha karthave…” which is still used by many Kerala Christians. Many Malayalaee Christian groups also use it for their common evening worships during the lent season.
Stephanos Kathanar was called to his eternal home on 20 Nov 1904.
Achen’s grandson Dr. Samuel Mathai was the Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala University.
Nalloor Library 