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St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India

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St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India
St Thomas Evangelical Church Of India Emblem
AbbreviationSTECI
TypeEvangelical Protestant
ClassificationSyrian Christian,Saint Thomas Syrian Christians
ScriptureHoly Bible
PolityEpiscopal
GovernanceDemocratic
Presiding BishopMost Rev Dr Thomas Abraham
Prathinidhi sabha AdhyakshanRt Rev Dr Abraham Chacko
LanguageMalayalam, English, Hindi, Odia, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Gujrati, Telugu,
LiturgyWest Syriac Rite(Reformed)
HeadquartersManjadi,ThiruvallaKerala,India
TerritoryUniversal
PossessionsIndia,United States,Canada,Europe,Great Britain-London&Belfast,Middle East,Singapore
Origin26 January 1961
Thaimala, Thiruvalla
Independence1961
RecognitionIndependent Episcopal Church, 1961
Separated fromMalankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church(1961)
Congregations350+
Members100000+
MinistersBishops- 6, Clergy- 150+
Missionaries400+
Publicationssuvisesha prakasini
Official websitehttp://steci.org/
SloganFOR THE WORD OF GOD AND FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST (REV. 1:9)

St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India(STECI) is an OrientalProtestant(Reformed Orthodox) episcopal denomination based inKerala,India.

The church originated from aschismin theMalankara Mar Thoma Syrian Churchin 1961 and forms a part of theSaint Thomas Syrian Christiancommunity.

The headquarters of the church is atTiruvalla,Kerala.

History

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Branches & Denominations of Saint Thomas Christians

The St. Thomas Evangelical Church is one of several groups ofSaint Thomas Christianswho trace their origins toSt. Thomas the Apostlewho, according to their tradition, came to India in AD 52.[1]

Until 1961, the Church's history was deeply connected to theMalankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church.

In the 1800s, South Indian Christians were in contact with British missionaries during the time of British colonialism. The missionaries facilitated the translation of theBibleintoMalayalamin 1811; this was the firstvernacularBible in Kerala. Further changes introduced by the influence of missionaries led to a schism within the Thomas Christians.[2]

By the 1830s, some clergy in the St Thomas Church were looking at reform, particularly in the area of rituals. This movement led to the St Thomas Church establishing the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association (MTEA) in 1888.[3]

In the 1950s, reforms within the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church led to some members creating the Mar Thoma Pathiopadesa Samathy (St Thomas Organisation for Sound Doctrine) in 1952. In 1960, four presbyters (P John Varghese, P I Mathal, CM Vaghese and KO John) were suspended. This led to the establishment of the St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India (STECI), on January 26, 1961, with 20 ministers and 25,000 lay Christians.[4]

STECI established theJubilee Memorial Bible Collegein Chennai in August 1987.[5]The college trains students from almost 20 different denominations and has links to theBiblical Graduate School of Theologyin Singapore andColumbia International Universityin the US.

Beliefs

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Mission statement

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STECI was formed with a three-pronged mission;

  • Safeguarding sound doctrine
  • Living a holy life
  • Obeying theGreat Commissionto evangelise India[6]

Basic teachings

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STECI believes in; theTrinity,theSecond Coming,Sola Scripturaof 66 books of the Bible, salvation by faith (not works), safeguarding sound doctrine, evangelism and sharing the news aboutJesus,royal priesthood and prayers to Jesus for the living.[7]

Sacraments

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STECI members incorporate twosacramentsinto their lives; these arebaptismandthe Lord’s Supper.[8]

Diocese

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In 2023, the Church has seven dioceses. Four of these are in Kerala; the others are "Bahya Kerala" ‘’Gulf and Singapore’’ and ‘’North America and Europe’’.[9]The dioceses cover 240 parishes.[10]

Clergy in 1961

Bishops

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STECI Boards

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  • Board for Evangelistic Work
  • Board for Youth Work
  • Board for Women's Work
  • Board for Sunday School Work
  • Education Board
  • Department of Music & Communications

See also

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References

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  1. ^Curtin, D. P.; James, M.R. (June 2018).The Acts of St. Thomas in India.ISBN9781087965710.
  2. ^STECI Fellowship website
  3. ^Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church website
  4. ^STECI Fekllowship website
  5. ^Jubilee Memorial Bible College official website
  6. ^Indian Christians United website
  7. ^SCETI Atlanta website
  8. ^STECI Atlanta website
  9. ^Official website, Retrieved 2023-05-29
  10. ^STECI Kuwait website, Retrieved 2023-05-29