Launching of the seminary The Old Seminary at
Kottayam, founded in 1815, contributed much to the development of the
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The leadership of the Church considered that a new theological institution should be started in the multi-religious context of India. This was brought to the attention of the Holy Episcopal Synod of 5–9 July 1994. It appointed a sub-committee consisting of six bishops to study the case. The sub-committee presented a report in the Synod of February 1995, and the latter decided to establish a seminary in North India. The Holy Episcopal Synod accepted the offer of Stephanos Mar Theodosius, the Bishop of
Calcutta Diocese, to use the infrastructure of his diocesan centre, and the inception of the seminary occurred on 14 September 1995 in the St. Thomas Ashram at
Bhilai. In the July Synod of 1996, the Bhilai Seminary was given autonomous status and named the St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary. On 25 September 1996, the seminary was officially inaugurated by
Geevarghese Mar Osthathios, the President of the Mission Board of the Malankara Church, in the presence of Stephanus Mar Theodosius and Geevarghese Mar Ivanius (Kottayam). The Seminary offers a
Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.), a Graduate in Sacred Theology (G.S.T.), and an online Diploma in Orthodox Christian Studies. As the G.S.T. is a ministerial degree, it is only available to male students. As of 2020, Father Dr Jossi Jacob is the Principal of the college. ==Milestones==