Kollam Diocese is one of the 30 dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The diocese was created after the Mulanthuruthy Synod in 1876. Zachariah Mar Anthonios is the Metropoliton of the diocese. The head office is located in Bishop House, Cross Junction, Kadappakkada, Kollam.
History
Kollam was a famous trade centre and a sea port in ancient times. On the way of the missionary activities of St. Thomas He Arrived Kollam and founded a church. Now the church is Destroyed due to natural calamities and lie under the sea. Kollam is one of the seven dioceses created after the Mulanthuruthi Syrian Christian association conducted under the leadership of Moran Mor Ignatios Pathros III, Patriarch of Antioch in 1876. Others are Kottayam, Kandanadu, Angamali, Niranam, Thumpamon, Kochi. In initial time there were more than 30 churches in diocese. Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II was the first Metropolitan of Kollam Diocese. Parumala Thirumeni led the diocese along with his Niranam diocese after this time. Then Vattasserril Geevarghese Mar Dionysus, a notable proclaimed saint in Malankara Sabha, led the diocese. It as Geevarghese Mar Gregorios, later Baselios Geevarghese II led the diocese with head office at Kundara seminary. In 1938,Alexios Mar Thevodosios Of Bethany become Metropolitan. In 1965, Mathews mar Coorilos, later Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II took the responsibility of diocese. Mar Coorilos shifted the head office From Kottappuram Seminary Kottarakkara to Cross junction Near Kadappakkada, Kollam. The Bishop's House and St.Thomas Orthodox Syriancathedral Church were constructed here. In 1985 Mathews Mar Ephipanios appointed as the assistant of Metropolitan and become Metropolitan in 1991. At the time of 1992, there were 130 parishes and 13 chapels. After his demise Zachariah Mar Anthonios become the eighth Metropolitan of Kollam Diocese. Later, in different times, Kollam diocese divided and created Thiruvananthapuram, Mavelikkara, Adoor-Kadampanad and Kottarakkara-Punalur.The Malankara Orthodox Syrian church had Remarkable Position in the historical Place Like Kollam.The Kollam Christians or Kollam Marthoma Nazranis are made a pivotal role in the current city.The 'Thareesappally Chepped' is one of them which is given by His Highness Sthanu ravivarma of Travancore to Malankara Nazranis.
Major churches
Kadeesha Syrian church Port Kollam, Thevalakkara Marthamariyam suriyanipally, West Kallada St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian church, Kundara St.Thomas Orthodox Syrian church are the ancient churches in Kollam Diocese.There are also famous pilgrim churches in Kollam Diocese such as Kundara seminary, Nedumpaikulam St.george Orthodox Syrian church, Nallila Bethel St. George Orthodox Syrian church, St.George Orthodox Valiyaplly Puthoor Mukhathala St George are some of them.
