It was a tradition that each bishop was answerable
only unto himself. Each bishop taught various doctrines
oftentimes contradicting one another. In a plot to consolidate
power politics became a factor in the altering of many
theologies. With the entrance of the Roman Emperor’s
interest in Christianity, the alteration and promulgation
of the Trinitarian doctrine became the dominant doctrine
within Christendom. All other voices were labeled as
heretics and vehemently stamped out thereby consolidating
theologies as well as civil and religious authority
in one man, the Roman Emperor. The Roman Emperor had
a direct role in the choosing of the next bishop of
Rome and therefore was really the one holding all the
keys in this life and the hereafter. It is said that
the victor of a war is the one who gets to write history.
We find this true within Christianity as well.
With the dawn of archeology and Biblical scholarship
we are able to see for the first time, in centuries,
the broad scope of what was considered as “Christian”
within its formative stages. The caches found at Nag
Hammadi and Qumran has verified the postulations of
19th and early 20th century Biblical scholars of the
wide variety of doctrines taught within primitive Christianity.
With the dawn of the Internet all are able to read what
was suppressed and come to a conclusion as to what sounds
logical and plausible.
The Thomasine Church is the only ecclesiastical body
reinstating the original teachings as set forth within
the Gospel of Thomas, the Hymn of the Pearl, and Thomas
the Contender.
We do not know who changed the original doctrines but
we posit that it was someone who came after those who
were in Jesus’ family line.
 Mar
Isho (Jesus) the first Patriarch of the Thomasine Church.
Jesus is the son of Yosip the Carpenter (Joseph) and
Marta Miriam (Mary). He had several brothers, sisters,
and cousins. There remains speculation as to whether
he was crucified due to a lack of evidence in historical
records. In our tradition it is said that he was crucified
but survived. Marta Miriam (Mary of Magdala) brought
herbs to heal him when she met him hiding in the garden
where they had interred him. He told her that he was
not dead “I have not ascended to the Father”
and that she should not touch him. The pain of crucifixion
is excruciating and fresh wounds are delicate to the
touch. Later he acquiesced to her touching him. As a
political dissident he could not remain in the area.
Tradition also tells us that Miriam was his Beloved
Disciple, not John as held by some Orthodox and Gnostic
Christians. What happened after this we have no account
but there is much speculation and talk of a flight to
Gaul.
Mar Thoma (Thomas) was an apostle of Mar Isho. Under his
guidance he eventually became illuminated. Mar Isho saw
him then as his equal and called him his spiritual twin.
Mar Isho asked him to go as an emmisary to King Agbar
of Edessa, along with Mar Bar Tulmay, Mar Addai and Mar
Mari.
Mar Thoma founded a church in Edessa which covered a vast
region stretching from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Armenia
and India. Mar Thoma's school of thought was much different
from those of the other apostles since he learned many
esoteric secrets (keys to the kingdom).
Mar Bar Tulmay (Bartholomew) was an Apostle of Mar Isho
who’s name (Bartholomaios) means "son of Talmai"
(or Tholmai). He preached in Edessa Mesopotamia, Persia,
Egypt, Armenia, Lycaonia, Phrygia, and on the shores of
the Black Sea. He then is purported to have traveled to
India.
He is said to have been martyrd at Albanopolis in Armenia
by being flayed alive and crucified, head downward,
by order of Astyages, for having converted his brother,
Polymius, King of Armenia. He is therefore often represented
in art as holding a knife or his own skin. There still
exists a Gospel of Bartholomew which dates back to antiquity.
Mar Addai (Thaddeus) of the Seventy Disciples "the
brother of James, the Less." Mar Addai (Thaddeus)
was a relative of Jesus through his father Joseph's
side of the family. He was though to be the son of Cleophas
and Mary Thaddeus. Mar Addai was from Paneas, and he
preached in Edessa and in Mesopotamia in the days of
Abgar the king; and he built a church in Edessa. After
Abgar died, Herod Abgar's son slew him in the fortress
of Aggêl. His body was afterwards taken and carried
to Rome; but some say that he was laid in Edessa.
Mar Aggai was a maker of silks for King Abgar. He then
became a disciple of Mar Addai of the Seventy Disciples.
After King Abgar's death, his son reigned, and he demanded
that Mar Aggai weave silks for him. Mar Aggai refused
saying “I cannot forsake teaching and preaching
to return to weaving.” The prince being highly
incensed broke his legs with a club. He soon died from
the trauma.
Mar Mari was a disciple of Mar Addai founded a church
in Seleucia-Ctesiphon, on the Tigris River near Baghdad.
Edessa was also the home to a number of “heretical”
groups, including the Gnostics. The two most prominent
Syriac Christian scholars of this era were Tatian (c.
110-180) and Bardaisan (154-222), both were influenced
by Gnosticism. This of course is no secret to those in
the Thomasine Church since we hold that the original teachings
were Gnostic and not Orthodox in orientation. Mar Mari
was buried in the convent of Kônî.
Mar Abris was a relative of Marta Miriam (Jesus’
mother) he was also known as Ambrosius (Greek). He received
the laying on of hands at Antioch. The place of his
grave is unknown.
Oraham I (Abraham) was a relative of Yosip the Carpenter
(Jesus’ father) and received the laying on of hands
at Antioch; he was descended from the family of Jacob
the son of Joseph; his grave is in Ctesiphon.
 Mar
Yacob I, (James) was a relative of Yosip the Carpenter
(Jesus’ father) received the laying on of hands
at Antioch, his grave is in Ctesiphon. He was an apostle
of Mar Isho as well as his cousin. He was the brother
of Mar Addai and he was the first Bishop of Jerusalem.
He should not be confused with James the Greater. He
was also known as James the Just. He was called James
the Little because he was either shorter in stature
or younger and less well-known. We are told that he
was martyred at Jerusalem by being thrown from the highest
pinnacle of the temple, stoned and beaten with clubs,
including fuller's mallets.
Mar Didymos accomplished a great many things during his Patriarchate. He assisted the finalization of the Canon Law, established the Exarchates of the Unites States and the Dominion of Canada, consecrated five Eparchs, reestablished the ancient office of Chorbishop, and sanctioned the founding of the Order of Friars Marcionite. He retired from office on November 1st 2006.
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