The Orthodox-stronghold portion of the historic Kandanad Diocese, based at Kolenchery, is known for its charitable institutions and for Metropolitan Mathews Mar Severios, later Baselios Marthoma Mathews III.
Counts above reflect Orthodox-held institutions only; churches, chapels, and other properties currently under schismatic occupation are catalogued separately below and are not included in these totals.
The Diocese of Kandanad, whose inaugural Metropolitan was H.G. Paulose Mar Ivanios (later Baselios Paulose I, first Catholicos), was subsequently guided by H.G. Yuyakim Mar Ivanios, H.G. Augen Mar Thimothios, H.G. Paulose Mar Philoxenos and H.G. Joseph Mar Pachomiose. It is centred on the historic Kandanad Cathedral. Following periods of internal division and a vital allegiance to the 1934 Constitution, a reorganisation on 20 March 2002, under the directives of a Malankara Association meeting at Parumala, divided the territory into East and West, the latter comprising the parishes that were strongholds of the Orthodox faction.
H.G. Dr. Mathews Mar Severios, who later became Supreme Head of the Church as Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, served as its principal modern Metropolitan. The diocese is headquartered at the Prasadam Centre, Kolenchery, Ernakulam, and oversees more than forty active parishes and worship centres, including the historic Kadamattom St. George Church and Kolenchery St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church. It is widely recognised for its charitable work, including the Mar Pachomios Charitable Society, Pratheeksha Bhavan and Prashanthi Bhavan.
4 districts, listed alphabetically.