The Mar Thoma Congregation at Sacramento, administered by the North American and Europe Diocese of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church was established in 2016 and has been growing ever since in prayer, worship, sharing of the word and fellowship.
Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church was founded by the disciples of Jesus, St. Thomas (Mar Thoma in Syriac) in AD 52 in Malabar in the state of Kerala, India. The church is apostolic in origin, universal in nature, biblical in faith, evangelical in principle, ecumenical in outllook, oriental in worship, democratic in function and episcopal in character.
The Church believes in Jesus Christ, the God incarnate for the redemption of humankind, and in the Triune God revealed by him, who himself is one among the Trinity. The Church cherishes its Oriental heritage and Episcopacy as a gift of God. The Church accepts Holy Bible as the basis for all matters of faith and doctrine, and the Nicene Creed formulated in accordance with the Holy Scripture. The Church is regarded as a ’bridge’ church in the Ecumenical world.
The Church is at present blessed by the able leadership of eleven Bishops and is headed by Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan who is the 22nd Malankara Metropolitan to occupy the Holy Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas. The Church is served through thirteen dioceses and has over a million adherents spread worldwide. The Diocese of North America and Europe is currently presided by Rt. Rev. Dr. Issac Mar Philoxenos Episcopa.
Meet Our Vicar…
Rev. Jinu John Achen’s home parish is St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Pullamcode, Kottarakkara. Achen has a bachelor of Divinity from Gurukul, Chennai. Achen started his ministry in 2009 at St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Edayaranmula, Kerala. Before coming to the United States, Achen was serving as assistant vicar of Salem Mar Thoma Church, Ernakulam. Achen has a passion for music and is a talented singer. He has published a Christian music CD – Gershom.