St. Thomas Evangelical Church

The Evangelical St. Thomas Church of India ( STECI ) is a Protestant Episcopal church located in the state of Kerala, India. It results from a schism ( schism ) within the Mar Thoma Church in 1961.

History

The members of this church are among the Thomas Christians who can look back on a nearly 2000 year old Indian tradition according to their own legend. While already split off a Roman Catholic particular Church of the tribe of the Thomas Christians under the influence of the Portuguese in the mid-17th century had (now united with Rome Syro - Malabar Church ), it came to the middle of the 19th century - not least under the influence of the British colonial power - the separation of the Anglican Mar Thoma Church. A group of members of this church split in 1961 final of the Mar Thoma Church and founded the Evangelical St. Thomas Church of India.

Organization

The center of the church is in Tiruvalla, Kerala. The Chairman of the Synod of Bishops Bishop Rev Dr CV Mathew. The church has about 50,000 members, mostly in Kerala.