While Mar Thoma VII was at Kandanad (near Kochi) he fell seriously ill. He did not get time to call a meeting of the church leaders to select his successor. So he invited one of his relatives Thoma Kathanar, to his bed side, laid his hands on him, prayed and consecrated him as Mar Thoma VIII on July 2, 1809. Two days later, on July 4, Mar Thoma VII died and Mar Thoma VIII took charge of the Malankara church.