Catholicos and Maphrian
The word catholic is a transliteration of the Greek καθολικός, pl. καθολικοί, meaning concerning the whole, universal or general. It was a title that existed in the Roman Empire where a government representative who was in charge of a large area was called ‘Catholicos’. The churches later started to use this term for their Chief Bishops.
‘Maphriyono’ (Maphrian) is derived from the Syriac word 'afri', “to make fruitful", or "one who gives fecundity". This title is used exclusively for the head of the Syriac Orthodox Church in the East (of Rome). ‘Catholicos’ is a Persian term, it referred to the head of the Persian church which was also called as the Church of the East which was started by St.Thomas. The throne of St Thomas was re-ordained in Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Syrian Church by Abdulla Mashiha patriarch in 1912. The self-proclaimed chief of the so called jacobatic church assumed the title ‘Catholicos’ as a counter act to the existing catholicos of indian orthodox church and to make confusion among members of church later the same trick was used by the head of 0 malankara sabha. It is this title that is being used in India today by more than one person, whilst the title Maphrian is no longer used by anyone since it is only a secondary position.
Read more about this topic: Catholicos Of India