The '''Brahmavar (Goan) Orthodox Church''' is a self-governing branch of the [[Church of India|Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church]]. This is a uniate faction ''from'' the [[Roman Catholic Church]], formed under the leadership of Bishop [[w:Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares|Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares]] in 1889 AD. It is under the Mumbai Diocese, Of of the [[Church of India|Malanakara Orthodox Syrian Church]].

He Fr. [[w:Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares|Antonio]] left the Roman Church (''[[w:Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Goa and Daman|Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Goa and Daman]]'') with hundreds of Goan Catholic families and joined the Malankara Orthodox Church, and the . The Brahmavar community has come into existence since then as a part of the Indian Orthodox Church.<ref>[http://theorthodoxchurch.info/blog/articles/2009/12/holy-brahmavar/ ''HOLY BRAHMAVAR.'' OBL Articles, International Orthodox Christian Articles.]</ref>

Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares was ordained as the first Orthodox Metropolitan of Goa-Ceylon in 1889 AD by Paulose Mar Athanasious and [[w:Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala|Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala]] at the [[w:Orthodox Pazhaya Seminary|Orthodox Pazhaya Seminary]].

After joining the Orthodox Church Mar Alvares was excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church. He was excommunicated, stripped naked and paraded through the streets,<ref>[http://www.stalvares.com/docs/about.php His Grace ALVARES MAR JULIUS Metropolitan.]</ref> and was persecuted by the Roman Catholic Church and the Portuguese Government. Though he was advised by some of his old friends to reunite with the Roman Catholic Church, especially when he was very sick, he refused and stuck to his Orthodox faith. For the common people he was a true Missionary, a patriot, and an apostle of charity.

Presently there are about 700 families in Goa in this self-governing part of Indian Orthodox Church. The''Orthodox Church of Goa'' has survived almost a century after the death of Bishop Alvares (+1923), and the Brahmawar Brahmavar mission still remains still as a symbol of his work.