The rivalry within the Orie-ntal Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch in India has deepened with its two factions and the go-vernment in the southern Kerala state approaching India’s Supre-me Court for justice over a linge-ring property dispute. A faction of the Damascus-based Church, called Jacobite Church in Kerala, appealed to the top court to “set aside” an Aug. 30 state High Court order, which directed the state government to hand over six disputed churches to the rival Orthodox faction. “We hope the court will consider our appeal and rule favourably,” a Jacobite leader told on Oct. 23. The state government, led by communist parties, became involved in the case after the state High Court found the government in “conte-mpt of court” by failing to imple-ment court orders. The Kerala High Court on Oct. 21 ordered 15 top government officials, including the chief secretary and the director-general of police, to present themselves before the court to face contempt charges. The government appealed against the High Court order in the Su-preme Court on Oct. 22, pleading not guilty to the alleged contempt. The state maintains that it with-drew from taking over the chur-ches from the Jacobites and giv-ing them to the Orthodox faction because the move could result in massive resistance and a serious threat to peace and public order. The Orthodox Church Associa-tion also approached the apex court with a caveat. “We have filed a caveat before the Supreme Court,” claimed lawyer Biju Oommen, an association official.
A caveat in the Indian judicial system allows the petitioner to present his side during a case’s hearing. The Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch is estimated to have 2 million followers in southern Kerala. However, in 1911, the dispute over churches and other assets split the Church into the Jacobite and Orthodox factions.The Orthodox faction claims ownership of some 1,100 churches in India that are currently in the possession of the Jacobites. The Orthodox faction’s supreme head is based in southern Kerala, while the Jacobites owe their allegiance to the patriarch in Antioch. In 1934, they came together, agreed on a constitution, and elected the Catholicos of the East, based in Kerala, as their common head. However, in 1973, they split again, each faction taking over properties in areas where they dominated. The Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch was based in Turkey. However, after World War I, the patriarchate was transferred to Homs in Syria in 1933. In 1959, it was moved to Damascus.