Nasrani Patriarch: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Catholicos Patriarch +Mar Michai - Nasrani Patriarchate of Jerusalem

After being consecrated on April 14, 1991 as the Catholicos Patriarch of the Nasrani Patriarchate of Jerusalem, by Catholicos +Mar Thomas Dalin (III) and co-consecrators, His Holiness ordered an interim be put into place in order to undergo full seminary training under leading bishops and other educators within the Patriarchate. During the next several years the Nasrani Church of the East & Abroad was able to go through much needed radical reforms and restructuring.

The Catholicos Patriarch established various institutes for the promotion and safeguarding of time honored Mar Thoma Nasrani Orthodox Traditions and Bible education in general. The name "Nasrani Church of the East" is officially registered as a legal entity within the United States of America and throughout the Church's canonical territory.

Members of the Nasrani Church of the East recognize and consider the Catholicos Patriarch as the rightful successor to the Ecclesiastical Chairs of Saints Peter, Thomas and James the Apostles for the Ecumenical mission of the Holy Nasrani Church of the East & Abroad. Catholicos Patriarch +Mar Michai is completely committed to the continuation of the Holy Mar Thoma Nasrani Tradition in our modern world through the protection and guidance of the Apostolic See of Saint Thomas, a multi-jurisdictional Patriarchate. A common phrase heard among Orthodox Nasrani (Saint Thomas Christians) today in reference to the Church is, "Out of the past and into the future."

The Mother See of the Nasrani Church is the pre-eminent center of authority in the worldwide, multi-jurisdictional Holy Church. In its capacity as the residence of the Catholicos Patriarch of the East and Abroad, the Ecclesia Universal is known as the "Apostolic See of Saint Thomas."

As the Catholicos Patriarch, +Mar Michai stands as the voice of the ancient and Apostolic Church demonstrating and teaching a strong adherence to the ancient, Biblical ways of the Church founded by Messiah in 33 A.D.

The Catholicos is not concerned with the trappings of denominationalism and asks that all those who wish to be a part of the Church simply adhere to the ancient Canons and Traditions, which is the foundation of our Faith, the Holy Scriptures, and to the Holy Ecumenical Councils accepted as binding by the Church.

The Jurisdiction of the Apostolic See includes various Patriarchates, churches, ministries and individuals within the United States, Africa, Burma, Nettara, India, Israel, Portugal, Poland, Thailand, Tibet, Romania, Russia, Syria, and Turkey.

The Nasrani/Nestorian Patriarch does not claim jurisdiction over other Christians or other legitimate Patriarchates, and only has jurisdiction over Mar Thoma Orthodox Nasranis.