Orthodox Pazhaya Seminary

The M.D Seminary also known as Old Seminary or Orthodox Theological Seminary is a seminary of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. It was founded in 1815 by Colonel John Monroe with the help of the priest-monk Ittoop Ramban(Mar Dionysius II) to serve the then-unified Malankara Syrian Church, to invite CMS missionaries to teach theology. At that time deacons were ordianed as priests without an organized theological education. After the arrival of CMS missionaries theological education was organized for the priests. It is the first theological school in Kerala.

Colonel John Monroe, the British Resident in the Kingdom of Travancore offered his unreserved support for the initiative. The Queen of Travancore granted 16 acres (65,000 m²) of tax-free land, Rs.20,000 and the necessary timber for the construction of the Seminary. The work started in 1813 and the building was completed and classes began in March 1815.

The beginning of the Seminary synchronized with the arrival of Church Missionary Society (C.M.S) Missionaries to Kerala. For some years the relationship between the missionaries and the Church was one of cordial co-operation. The missionaries taught the Bible and biblical languages in the Seminary. The early principals were Rev. Benjamin Bailey and Rev. Henry Baker.

After some time the relationship of the Church with the later missionaries became strained as they wanted to introduce Anglican doctrines in the Church which eventually led to disputes and litigation. The missionaries got separated from the Malankara Church and they established the Anglican Church in Kerala.

It was the residence and headquarters of the Malankara Metropolitan, the chief Metropolitan of the Malankara Church. The academic importance of the Seminary suffered when it became the centre of church administration. It continued the programme of training ordinands. Eminent Malpans (teachers of theology and liturgy) rendered service to the institution. Some of the distinguished teachers include Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala, Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril, Konat Mathan Corepiscopa, Skaria Cheriamadam, Skaria Elavinamannil, Alexander Mattakkal, Augen Mar Timotheos (later Catholicos Baselios Augen I), Mr. V.K.Mathews (later Mar Athanasios and Catholicos Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews I), Philipose Mar Theophilus and Paulos Mar Gregorios.

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