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PETITIONER:

MOST. REV.P.M.A. METROPOLITAN & ORS.ETC.

Vs.

RESPONDENT:

MORAN MAR MARTHOMA MATHEWS & ANR.ETC.

DATE OF JUDGMENT20/06/1995

BENCH:

SAHAI, R.M. (J)

BENCH:

SAHAI, R.M. (J)

JEEVAN REDDY, B.P. (J)

SEN, S.C. (J)

CITATION:

1995 AIR 2001 1995 SCC Supl. (4) 286

JT 1995 (5) 1 1995 SCALE (4)1

ACT:

HEADNOTE:

JUDGMENT:

B.P. JEEVAN REDDY.J.

Leave granted in Special Leave Petitions.

These appeals represent the latest round of litigation

between two rival sections in the Malankara Jacobite Syrian

JUDGEMENT

Christian Community. A brief reference to the earlier rounds

of litigation is necessary for a proper appreciation of the

questions arising herein.

St.Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ came to

Malabar in 52 A.D. to spread his message. He died in India.

At the Council held at Nicea in 325 A.D. - First

General Council - convened by the Roman Emporer Constantine,

four Patriarchates were established spanning the Christendom

as it was known then, viz., Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria

and Antioch, each headed by a Patriarch. Within t