decided to have the Seminary at Kottayam, now Orthodox Pazhaya Seminary. The government of Travancore provided tax free land and the foundation stone was laid in February 1813. The work went on very fast and classes began in March 1815. Qualified teachers to teach various subjects were also appointed. They were Maramon Palakunnathu Abraham Malpan (Syriac), Konattu Varghese Malpan (Syriac), Kozhikode Kunjan Assan (Sanskrit), Poet Laureate Chekottu Kuruvilla Assan (Malayalam) and from Kochi Mose Esarphathi (Hebrew & Greek) were the first teachers of this first education institution in Kerala. By 2000 Kerala became the most literate state in India. Last days The actions and decisions of Major Munroe was a great blow to Mar Thoma VIII. Because of all these he fell sick and was bed ridden. For a better treatment he left Ankamali for Niranam. Knowing that his end was nearing, he called his uncle Kadamattathu, Iype Kathanar to his bedside, laid his hands on him, and consecrated him as his successor, Mar Thoma IX. Though at Niranam he was given great care and better treatment, Mar Thoma VIII died on 26 January 1816 and was interred at St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, Puthencavu. The funeral service was conducted by his successor Mar Thoma IX. See also Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar List of Catholicoi of the East and Malankara Metropolitans References Further reading Juhanon Marthoma Metropolitan, The Most Rev. Dr. (1952). Christianity in India and a Brief History of the Marthoma Syrian Church.. Pub: K.M. Cherian. Zac Varghese Dr. & Mathew A. Kallumpram. (2003). Glimpses of Mar Thoma Church History. London, England. . Chacko, T.C. (1936) Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charithra Samgraham. (Concise History of Marthoma Church), Pub: E.J. Institute, Kompady, Tiruvalla. Eapen, Prof. Dr. K. V. (2001). Malankara Marthoma Suryani Sabha Charitram. (History of Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church). Pub: Kallettu, Muttambalam, Kottayam. Ittoop Writer (1906). Malayalathulla Suryani Chistianikauleday Charitram. (History of Syrian Christians in the land of Malayalam). Mathew, N. M. Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charitram, (History of the Marthoma Church), Volume 1 (2006), Volume II (2007), Volume III (2008). Pub. E.J.Institute, Thiruvalla. 1816 deaths 19th-century Oriental Orthodox bishops Oriental Orthodoxy in India People from Ernakulam district Indian bishops Year of birth missing Syriac Orthodox Church bishops Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church bishops