86-914: Saint Thomas Christian denominations Syro-Malabar Catholic , Syro-Malankara Catholic , Latin Catholic Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church , Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Malabar Independent Syrian Church Chaldean Syrian Mar Thoma Syrian , St. Thomas Evangelical Protestant denominations Andhra Evangelical Lutheran , Assemblies Jehovah Shammah , Christian Revival Church , Church of North India , Church of South India , Garo Baptist , Indian Brethren , Indian Pentecostal Church of God , Church of God (Full Gospel) , North Bank Baptist Christian , Northern Evangelical Lutheran , Methodist Church , Presbyterian , The Pentecostal Mission , Seventh-day Adventist , United Evangelical Lutheran The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church ,
172-468: A Dominican , followed in 1321–22. He reported to Rome , apparently from somewhere on the west coast of India, that he had given Christian burial to four martyred monks. Jordanus, between 1324 and 1328 (if not earlier), probably visited Kulam and selected it as for his future work. He was appointed a bishop in 1328 and nominated by Pope John XXII in his bull Venerabili Fratri Jordano to the see of Columbum or Kulam ( Quilon ) on 21 August 1329. This diocese
258-479: A reformation movement under Abraham Malpan due to influence of British Anglican missionaries in the 1800s. The Mar Thoma Church employs a reformed variant of the liturgical West Syriac Rite. The St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India is an evangelical faction that split off from the Marthoma Church in 1961. CSI Syrian Christians are a minority faction of Malankara Syrian Christians , who joined
344-512: A book about his travels titled The Travels of Joseph the Indian which was widely disseminated across Europe. Baselios Thomas I Mor Baselios Thomas I ( Syr: ܡܳܪܝ̱ ܒܰܣܺܝܠܺܝܳܘܣ ܬܐܳܘܡܰܐ ܩܰܕ݂ܡܳܝܳܐ; Mal: മോർ ബസേലിയോസ് തോമസ് പ്രഥമൻ; Born Cheruvillil Mathai Thomas 22 July 1929 – 31 October 2024) was a Syriac Orthodox prelate who served as the Catholicos of India (Maphrian) and head of
430-510: A gifted orator and biblical scholar, Thomas's impact extended across spiritual, social, and medical spheres. In 1973, the Angamali Diocese Church Association elected Thomas as its metropolitan. Consecrated as Mor Dionysius Thomas alongside Mor Gregorios Geevarghese of Perumpally in 1974 by Patriarch Ignatius Yacoub III , the new bishops were called to rally the community during the renewed conflict between
516-544: A leading role in protests opposing court orders favoring the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. In 2019, he stepped down from his administrative role as Malankara Metropolitan but remained Catholicos at the request of Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II, with Mor Gregorios Joseph succeeding him as Malankara Metropolitan. Mor Baselios Thomas I died on 31 October 2024 at a medical facility in Kochi, at
602-664: A lector, becoming a deacon in 1957 under Mor Philexenos Paulose , and a priest in 1958 under Mor Julius Elias Qoro . Serving as vicar of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church in Puthenkurish, he later ministered in communities including Vellathooval, Kezhumuri, Fort Cochin, Valamboor, Calcutta, and Thrissur. From 1967 to 1974, he worked as organizing secretary for Kolenchery Medical Mission Hospital, later serving in missions across northern India. He also supported coal miners in Calcutta through his work at Varikoly Hospital. Known as
688-595: A religious group, they refer to themselves as Mar Thoma Khristianis or in English as Saint Thomas Christians , based on their religious tradition of Syriac Christianity . However, from a religious angle, the Saint Thomas Christians of today belong to various denominations as a result of a series of developments including Portuguese persecution (a landmark split leading to a public Oath known as Coonen Cross Oath ), reformative activities during
774-541: A separate identity They had regular visitors from their home land. Some of their priests and bishops visited them. But these visiting bishops had no authority over Saint Thomas Christians. The Church is mentioned by Cosmas Indicopleustes (about 535). He notes that, "There are Christians and believers in Taprobane ( Sri Lanka ), in Malabar where pepper grows there is a Christian church. At a place known as Kalyan, there
860-527: Is Fully Human and Fully Man ( miaphysitism ). This union is natural, free of all separateness, intermixture, confusion mingling, change, and transformation. The Church maintains that at the time of Christs death, His Body separated from His Soul, and His Divinity did not depart from either. The Malankara Church has accepted miaphysitism since early on, per pictorial evidence in St. Mary's Knanaya Church of Kottayam, Piravom Church , and Mulanthuruthy Church dating to
946-415: Is a bishop sent from Persia.". St. Gregory of Tours , before 590, reports that Theodore, a pilgrim who had gone to Gaul, told him that in that part of India where the corpus (bones) of St. Thomas had first rested, there stood a monastery and a church of striking dimensions and elaborately adorned, adding: "After a long interval of time these remains had been removed thence to the city of Edessa." As per
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#17327729277471032-592: Is called Holy Qurbono in the Syriac language . The Liturgy of Saint James is celebrated on Sundays and special occasions. The Holy Eucharist consists of Gospel reading, Bible readings , prayers, and songs. Apart from certain readings, prayers are sung in the form of chants and melodies . Hundreds of melodies remain preserved in the book known as Beth Gazo . Liturgy is done every Sunday and on feast days, traditionally done every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday (which only some churches follow nowadays). The official Bible of
1118-465: Is the small cross at Kottayam dated 7th century. In 829 CE, the Udayamperoor (Diamper) church was built. A priest (or bishop) from Persia Abo came to Kadamattom. With the help of a widow and her son, he built a small hut and lived there. He called the boy Poulose. Abo taught him Syriac and later ordained him as a deacon. After this deacon Poulose disappeared for twelve years. It is said that he
1204-781: The Anglican Church in 1836, and eventually became part of the Church of South India in 1947, after Indian independence . The C.S.I. is in full communion with the Mar Thoma Syrian Church. By the 20th century, various Syrian Christians joined Pentecostal and other evangelical denominations like the Kerala Brethren , Indian Pentecostal Church of God , Assemblies of God , among others. They are known as Pentecostal Saint Thomas Christians . Their traditions go back to first-century Christian thought, and
1290-661: The Church of the East , which was also established by Thomas the apostle according to early Christian writings. The Primate or Metropolitan of Persia consecrated bishops for the Indian Church, which brought it indirectly under the control of Seleucia . The Church of the East traces its origins to the See of Seleucia-Ctesiphon , said to be founded by Thomas the Apostle . Other founding figures are Mari and Addai as evidenced in
1376-829: The Doctrine of Addai and the Holy Qurbana of Addai and Mari . This is the original Christian church in what was once Parthia : eastern Iraq and Iran. The See of Seleucia-Ctesiphon developing within the Persian Empire, at the east of the Christian world, rapidly took a different course from other Eastern Christians. The First Council of Nicaea , held in Nicaea in Bithynia (present-day İznik in Turkey ), convoked by
1462-676: The Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Church . Enthroned on 26 July 2002 by Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas in Damascus, Syria, he led the church through periods of ecclesiastical and social challenge until his death in 2024. Cheruvillil Mathai Thomas, affectionately known as "Kunjunju," was born on 22 July 1929 to Cheruvillil Mathai and Kunjamma. Though he came from an aristocratic family, financial hardship marked his childhood. Frequent illnesses interrupted his education, leading his mother to pray at
1548-934: The Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church , the Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church or the Syriac Orthodox Church in India , is an autonomous Maphrianate of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch based in Kerala , India and a part of the Oriental Orthodox Communion . It is administered by the Malankara Metropolitan , Gregorios Joseph , under the spiritual authority of the Catholicos of India , which has been vacant since
1634-583: The Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church , where he was elected Malankara Metropolitan and Catholicos. In 2002, Mor Dionysius Thomas was enthroned as Catholicos of India , taking the name Baselios Thomas I. During his leadership, he restructured the Angamali diocese into five regions and established new dioceses in Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Mylapore, and Idukki. He presided over the consecration of 13 bishops and participated in numerous other consecrations presided by
1720-557: The Oriental Orthodox Communion , the JSC also has these relations: According to the agreement of Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I and Pope John Paul II , the Syriac Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church have a relationship between sacraments of penance, Eucharist and anointing of the sick for a grave spiritual need. There are also set rules and guidelines, within this agreement specifically for interfaith marriages between
1806-705: The Patriarch of Antioch . He also presided over the enthronement of Mor Ignatius Aphrem II as Patriarch of Antioch in 2014. He founded St. Thomas Meditation Center in Kizhillam, St. Paul's Mission Center in Pattimatam, and St. John's Mission Center for Orphans in Kothamangalam, as well as educational institutions such as St. Thomas College in Puthencruz. He also established the churches headquarters,
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#17327729277471892-513: The Shehimo during canonical hours in accordance with Psalm 119 . In 1910, Reverend Konattu Mathen Malpan translated the prayer book of the Syrian orthodox church into Malayalam, known as Pampakuda Namaskaram, with permission from Ignatius Abded Aloho II . It is the common prayer book of Syrian Orthodox Christians in India. Prayers are done facing the East, and churches are normally built facing
1978-554: The Syriac Orthodox Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church . In 1978, Mor Dionysius founded Mor Baselios Medical Mission Hospital in Kothamangalam. Following Mor Baselios Paulose II ’s and Mor Gregorios 's deaths, Mor Dionysius became President of the Malankara Synod in 2000, and he played a pivotal role in organizing an association meeting in 2002 to establish a new constitution for
2064-640: The Syriac Orthodox Church , and his authority over the Malankara Church. The conflict with MOSC started in 1912, when the Malankara Metropolitan Dionysius Vattesseril was suspended by the Patriarch of Antioch , Ignatius Abded Aloho II . This caused Vattesseril to go to the deposed Patriarch, Ignatius Abded Mshiho II , to get an autocephalous Catholicate established in Malankara. After years of conflict
2150-663: The Thiruvithamcode Arappally in Kanyakumari district. The Apostle also preached in other parts of India . The visit of the Apostle Thomas to these places and to Mylapore on the East coast of India can be read in the Ramban Songs of Thomas Ramban , set into 'moc', 1500. He was martyred in 72 at Little Mount, a little distant from St. Thomas Mount , and was buried at San Thome , near
2236-417: The social status system according to their professions with special privileges for trade granted by the benevolent kings who ruled the area. After the 8th century when Hindu Kingdoms came to sway, Christians were expected to strictly abide by stringent rules pertaining to caste and religion. This became a matter of survival. This is why St. Thomas Christians had such a strong sense of caste and tradition, being
2322-571: The "East", which covers Persia and India, based on the canons of the ecumenical councils of Nicaea and Constantinople . The Jacobite church further argues that the Persian bishops who governed Saint Thomas Christians, recognized the supremacy of the Patriarch of Antioch before 500 CE. However, it acknowledges the perpetual connections with the Church of the East from the 14th to 16th centuries. In
2408-714: The 16th century witnessed the Portuguese colonial overtures to bring St Thomas Christians into the Latin Catholic Church , administered by their Padroado , leading to the first of several rifts ( schisms ) in the community. The attempts of the Portuguese culminated in the Synod of Diamper in 1599 and was resisted by local Christians through the Coonan Cross Oath protest in 1653. This led to
2494-736: The 16th century, the overtures of the Portuguese Padroado to bring the Saint Thomas Christians into the Latin Church of the Catholic Church led to the first of several rifts in the community due to Portuguese colonialists, and the establishment of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church . Since then, further splits have occurred, and the Saint Thomas Christians are now divided into several factions. Saint Thomas Christians were administratively under
2580-540: The Apostle in the 1st century. They are also known as "Nasranis" as well. The Syriac term "Nasrani" is still used by St. Thomas Christians in Kerala. It is part of the Eastern Christianity institution. Historically, this community formed a part of the Church of the East, served by metropolitan bishops and a local archdeacon . By the 15th century, the Church of the East had declined drastically, and
2666-540: The Apostle of India (ܫܠܝܚܐ ܕܗܢܕܘܐ S hleehe d'Hendo ). Its most venerated relics include the Holy Girdle of the Theotokos and the relics of Saint Thomas the Apostle . The church of India also venerates other saints, local saints, church fathers, martyrs, aligned with the practices of the entire Syriac Orthodox Church . The JSC and MOSC regularly engage in disputes over the position of the Patriarch of Antioch of
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2752-659: The Apostles foreigners? Granting that Judea was the country of Peter, what had Saul to do with the Gentiles, Luke with Achaia, Andrew with Epirus, Thomas with India, Mark with Italy?." Ambrose (340–397) writes "When the Lord Jesus said to the Apostles, go and teach all nations, even the kingdoms that had been shut off by the barbaric mountains lay open to them as India to Thomas, as Persia to Mathew." There are other passages in ancient liturgies and martyrologies which refer to
2838-737: The East , causing a second split into the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church (who supported the Synod) and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (who rejected the Synod). The MOSC proclaims the general agreement of territorial jurisdictions integral to the Orthodox churches around the world and alleges that the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate illegally interferes in the temporal matters of the Malankara Church. The JSC lost many of its prominent churches to
2924-600: The East Bishop during the 1870s. The Assyrian Church is one of the descendant churches of the Church of the East. Thus it forms the continuation of the traditional church of Saint Thomas Christians in India. Oriental Protestant denominations include the Mar Thoma Syrian Church and the St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India . The Marthoma Syrian Church were a part of the Malankara Church that went through
3010-813: The East Syriac liturgy of the historic Church of the East. The Oriental Orthodox faction includes the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church , resulting from a split within the Malankara Church in 1912 over whether the church should be autocephalous or rather under the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch . As such, the Malankara Orthodox Church is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox Church independent of
3096-699: The East, in accordance with Matthew 24:27 . The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, as a part of the Syriac Orthodox Church, rejects the Council of Chalcedon along with the rest of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. The church believes in the faith as proclaimed by the three Ecumenical Councils of Nicaea , Constantinople , and Ephesus . The church confesses Trinitarianism, that God, who is One in Essence, subsists in Three Hypostasis ,
3182-652: The Elder and the author of Periplus of the Erythraean sea, Muziris in Kerala could be reached in 40 days' time from the Egyptian coast purely depending on the southwest monsoon winds. The Sangam works Puranaooru and Akananooru have many lines which speak of the Roman vessels and the Roman gold that used to come to the Kerala ports of the great Chera kings in search of pepper and other spices, which had enormous demand in
3268-819: The Father Son and Holy Spirit. The Father is Unbegotten, the Son is eternally begotten of the Father, the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father. The Trinity is One Godhead, having One Will, One Word, and One Lordship. The church believes in the Incarnation of God the Son, who is Jesus Christ, of the Virgin Mary, who was cleansed by the Holy Spirit of all natural impurity, filling her with His Grace. The Church confesses that Christ has One Incarnate Nature, that
3354-408: The Holy See in Rome. This includes the aforementioned Syro-Malabar Church as well as the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church , the latter arising from an Oriental Orthodox faction that entered into communion with Rome in 1930 under Bishop Geevarghese Ivanios (d. 1953). As such the Malankara Catholic Church employs the West Syriac liturgy of the Syriac Orthodox Church, while the Syro-Malabar Church employs
3440-530: The Jews at "Maliyankara" on the sea coast. Jews were living in Kerala from the time of Solomon. Later, large numbers of them arrived in 586 BC and 72 AD. Malabari Jewish tradition hold these facts. Its traditionally believed that during his stay in Kerala , the Apostle baptized the Jews and some of the wise men who adored the Infant Jesus . The Apostle established seven "and a half" churches in Malabar at Kodungalloor ( Muziris ), Paravur , Palayoor , Kokkamangalam , Niranam , Nilackal , Kollam , and
3526-410: The Malankara Orthodox after the Supreme Court of India's verdict, despite having absolute majority in many of those churches. After the long struggle for talks on churches that were dismissed by Malankara Orthodox, the Jacobite Syrian Church decided to end their sacramental relationship with them in 2022. Aside from the ecumenical agreements by the Syriac Orthodox Church , and the larger communion being
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3612-460: The Malankara Syriac Orthodox and the Syro-Malankara Catholic churches. By the fourth century, the bishops of Antioch, Alexandria and Rome became the heads of the regional churches, and were known as patriarchs. In the seventh century, the Syriac Orthodox Christians who lived outside the Roman Empire began using the title of "maphrian", for their head. This office ranked right below the Patriarch of Antioch in Syriac Orthodox church hierarchy, until it
3698-408: The Nasranis. The First Council of Nicaea , held in Nicaea in Bithynia (present-day İznik in Turkey ), convoked by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in 325, was the first Ecumenical council of the Christian Church, and most significantly resulted in the first uniform Christian doctrine, called the Nicene Creed . Many historians have written that ‘’Mar John, the Bishop of Great India’’ attended
3784-407: The Patriarch of Antioch, whereas the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church is an integral part of the Syriac Orthodox Church and is headed by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch. The Iraq -based Assyrian Church of the East 's archdiocese includes the Chaldean Syrian Church based in Thrissur . They were a minority faction within the Syro-Malabar Church, which split off and joined with the Church of
3870-415: The Patriarchal Centre in Puthencruz, Kochi , in 2004. A prominent figure in ecumenical dialogue, Mor Baselios Thomas I held discussions with the Roman Catholic Church and the Mar Thoma Syrian Church, maintaining friendships with figures like Joseph Mar Thoma , Cardinal Baselios Cleemis , and Cardinal George Alenchery . He participated in meetings with both Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II and took
3956-403: The Persian Church of the East headed by the Catholicos-Patriarch of Seleucia-Ctesiphon , and became part of its archdiocese of Rev Ardashir , by 420 CE, which lasted till the arrival of Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church however maintains that Saint Thomas Christians always acknowledged the ecclesiastical pre-eminence of the Patriarch of Antioch over
4042-554: The Persian Church suffered severe persecutions. The persecuted Christians and even bishops, at least on two occasions, sought an asylum in Malabar. The Rock crosses of Kerala found at St.Thomas Mount and throughout Malabar coast has inscriptions in Pahlavi and Syriac . It is dated from before the 8th Century. In 825, the arrival of two bishops are documented, Sapor and Prodh. Le Quien says that "these bishops were Chaldaeans and had come to Quilon soon after its foundation. They were men illustrious for their sanctity, and their memory
4128-416: The Portuguese, organized themselves as the independent Malankara Church, entered into a new communion with the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch , and they inherited the West Syriac Rite from the Syriac Orthodox Church, which employs the Liturgy of Saint James , an ancient rite of the Church of Antioch , replacing the old East Syriac Rite liturgy. The Eastern Catholic faction is in full communion with
4214-418: The Roman Emperor Constantine I in 325, was the first Ecumenical council of the Christian Church, and most significantly resulted in the first uniform Christian doctrine, called the Nicene Creed . It is documented that John, the Bishop of Great India attended the council. The prelate signs himself as "John the Persian presiding over the Churches in the whole of Persia and Great India." Some centuries following,
4300-404: The Syriac Orthodox Church, the church uses the West Syriac liturgy and is part of the Oriental Orthodox Communion. It has dioceses in most parts of India as well as in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Western Europe, the Persian Gulf , Australia, and New Zealand. In 2003 it was estimated that the church had 1,000,000 (including Knanaya ) members globally. The liturgical service
4386-451: The Syriac Orthodox Church, who became the first among equals of the Diocese of the East as stated by the Council of Nicaea (Canon 6). The second among equals is the Maphrian , known nowadays as the Catholicos of India , and is the head of the Jacobite Syrian Church in India, and first among the Syriac Orthodox bishops in India. There are also archbishops, and bishops. Three ranks of hierarchy There are three ranks of priesthood in
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#17327729277474472-415: The Syriac Orthodox Church: The church believes in the intercessions of the St. Mary and all the Saints. The church holds the place of the Virgin Mary as the Mother of God as affirmed by the Council of Ephesus, with the title of Theotokos (Θεοτόκος) in Greek, Yoldath Aloho (ܝܠܕܬ ܐܠܗܐ) in Syriac, or Daiva Mathavu (ദൈവമാതാവ്) in Malayalam. The church also considers St. Thomas the Apostle as its patron saint,
4558-417: The West. The lure of spices attracted traders from the Middle East and Europe to the many trading ports of Keralaputera (Kerala) — Tyndis, ( Ponnani ), Muziris , near Kodungallur, Niranam, Bacare, Belitha, and Comari ( Kanyakumari ) long before the time of Christ. Thomas the Apostle in one of these ships, arrived at Muziris in 52, from E’zion-ge’ber on the Red Sea. He started his gospel mission among
4644-407: The aftermath of the Council of Chalcedon , Emperor Justinian I who supported the Chalcedonians , exiled Patriarch Severus of Antioch to Egypt, for refusing to accept the council, and professing Miaphysitism . The Syriac Orthodox Church is the church of Antioch that continued to accept Severus as patriarch until his death in 538 AD. During this turbulent time for the church, Jacob Baradaeus
4730-458: The church is the Peshitta or its Malayalam translation, Vishudhagrandham (വിശുദ്ധ ഗ്രന്ഥം). There are 7 hours of prayers in the Syriac Orthodox Church, in accordance with Psalms 119:164 . The Hours are: Vespers ( Ramsho - 6pm), Compline ( Sootoro - 9pm), Midnight ( Lilyo - 12am), Matins ( Saphro -6am), Third Hour ( Tloth sho' - 9am), Sixth Hour ( Sheth sho - 12pm), and Ninth Hour ( tsha' sho - 3pm). The Jacobite Syrian Christians pray from
4816-440: The church reunited in 1955, under the Patriarchate of Antioch, with an autonomous Maphrianate, leading to the subsequent enthronement of Baselios Augen I as Catholicos of the East . However, in 1974, the Catholicate sought to remove the Patriarch from his authority over Malankara, leading to Augen I being suspended by the Syriac Orthodox Synod of 1975 from his position, and the enthronement of Baselios Paulose II as Catholicos of
4902-428: The company's help. At the church's request, the Dutch brought Gregorius Abdul Jaleel of Jerusalem , a bishop of the Syriac Orthodox Church , aboard their trading vessel in 1665. The Malankara Church consolidated under Archdeacon Thoma welcomed Gregorios Abdal Jaleel , who regularized the canonical ordination of Thoma as a bishop. The Malankara Church gradually adopted West Syriac liturgy and practices. As part of
4988-420: The council. Church life bore characteristics of a church which had its origin and growth outside the Graeco-Roman world . There was no centralized administrative structure on a monarchical pattern. The territorial administrative system which developed after the diocesan pattern within the eastern and western Roman empires did not exist in the Indian Church. "They have the uncorrupted Testament Which they believe
5074-436: The first millennium. In punishment by the cross (was) the suffering on this one; He who is true Christ and God above, and Guide ever Pure The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church of India established by Saint Thomas the Apostle believes in apostolic succession within the hierarchy of the Syriac Orthodox Church , within the Oriental Orthodox Communion . It is under the Holy See of Antioch , established by Saint Peter , which
5160-401: The forty-second of his "Carmina Nisibina" that the Apostle was put to death in India, and that his remains were subsequently buried in Edessa , brought there by a merchant. St. Ephraem in a hymn about the relics of St. Thomas at Edessa depicts Satan exclaiming, "The Apostle whom I killed in India comes to meet me in Edessa." Gregory Nazianzen , (329–389), in a homily says; "What! were not
5246-573: The great of Wessex in England sent donations to the Christians in Malabar. Marco Polo visited Malabar on his return journey from China . He wrote about the people whom he saw in Malabar, this way. "The people are idolaters, though there are some Christians and Jews among them. They speak a language of their own. The king is tributary to none." The two Rock crosses of Kerala are found at Kottayam, one each at Kadamattam, Muttuchira and at St.Thomas Mount, in Mylapore. and throughout Malabar coast has inscriptions in Pahlavi and Syriac. The earliest
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#17327729277475332-399: The holy book." In short, the St. Thomas Christians of Kerala have blended well with the ecclesiastical world of the Eastern Churches and with the changing socio-cultural environment of their homeland. Thus, the Malabar Church was Hindu or Indian in culture , Christian in religion , and Judeo-Syriac-Oriental in terms of origin and worship. According to the 1st century annals of Pliny
5418-434: The holy see of St.Thomas the Apostle". The life-style of the Saint Thomas Christians might be stated as "Indian in culture, Christian in faith and Oriental in worship". Socially and culturally these Saint Thomas Christians remain as a part of the wider Indian community. They keep their Indian social customs, names and practices relating to birth, marriage, and death. They have Biblical names ( Mar Thoma Christian names ). At
5504-425: The modern city of Chennai . The body of Apostle Thomas was translated to Edessa, Iraq. It is now in Ortona , Italy . Relics of Apostle Thomas were translated to the San Thome Cathedral in Chennai and to St Thomas Church in Palayur, near Guruvayoor at Chavakkad Taluk, Thrissur District in Kerala. Several ancient writers mention India as the scene of St. Thomas ’ labours. Ephrem the Syrian (300–378) writes in
5590-517: The native Christians to the Catholic Church, and in 1599 they succeeded through the Synod of Diamper . Resentment against these forceful measures caused the majority of the community under Archdeacon Thomas to swear an oath never to submit to the Portuguese, known as the Coonan Cross Oath , in 1653. Meanwhile, the Dutch East India Company defeated the Portuguese and gained supremacy over the spice trade in Malabar in 1663. The Malankara church used this opportunity to escape from Catholic persecution with
5676-476: The oldest order of Christianity in India . The Archdeacon was the head of the Church, and Palliyogams (Parish Councils) were in charge of temporal affairs. They had a liturgy -centered life with days of fasting and abstinence. Their devotion to the Mar Thoma tradition was absolute. Their churches were modelled after Jewish synagogues . "The church is neat and they keep it sweetly. There are mats but no seats. Instead of images, they have some useful writing from
5762-417: The passing away of Baselios Thomas I , and, the Patriarch of Antioch , Ignatius Aphrem II the supreme hierarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church. According to tradition, it was founded by Saint Thomas the Apostle . It is currently the only church in Malankara that maintains the hierarchy and succession of the Syriac Orthodox Church . The church employs the West Syriac Rite 's Liturgy of Saint James . In
5848-410: The permanent schism among the Thomas' Christians of India, leading to the formation of Puthenkūr (New allegiance, pronounced Pùttènkūṟ ) and Pazhayakūr (Old allegiance, pronounced Paḻayakūṟ ) factions. The Pazhayakūr comprise the present day Syro-Malabar Church and Chaldean Syrian Church which continue to employ the original East Syriac Rite liturgy . The Puthenkūr group, who resisted
5934-427: The relationship with their home Church in Persia, which was also established by St. Thomas the Apostle. Following is a rough chronology of events associated with St. Thomas Christianity. Doctrine of the Apostles states that, "India and all its countries . . . received the Apostle's hand of priesthood from Judas Thomas…." From an early period the Church of St. Thomas Christians came into a lifelong relationship with
6020-402: The relics of St. Cyricus , St. Ignatius Elias III , and St. Gregorios of Parumala at Malecruz Dayro . Due to financial constraints, he left school after the fourth grade and began working as a mail runner with the postal department. Thomas received spiritual training under figures like Njarthunkal Koruthu Malpan, Moosa Saloma Ramban, and Kadavil Paul Ramban . In 1952, Thomas was ordained
6106-449: The same time they follow a number of Jewish customs like worship, baptism, wedding and other ceremonies which are entirely different from Western Churches. The rulers of Kerala, always appreciated the contributions of St. Thomas Christians to the country and society. Thazhekad sasanam and deeds on copper plates bear witness to it. Five sheets of the three copper plates are now in the custody of St. Thomas Christians. In 883 King Alfred
6192-533: The seven "and a half" churches established by Thomas the Apostle during his mission in Malabar. These are located at Kodungalloor ( Muziris ), Paravur , Palayoor , Kokkamangalam , Niranam , Nilackal , Kollam , and the Thiruvithamcode Arappally in Kanyakumari district . The Nasranis are an ethnic people, and a single community. As a community with common cultural heritage and cultural tradition, they refer to themselves as Nasranis . However, as
6278-622: The single native dynastic leadership of an archdeacon (a native ecclesiastical head with spiritual and temporal powers, deriving from the Greek term arkhidiākonos ) and were in communion with the church in the Middle East from at least 496 AD. The indigenous Church of Malabar/Malankara followed the faith and traditions handed over by the apostle St. Thomas . In the 16th century, the Portuguese Jesuits deliberately attempted to annex
6364-645: The time of the British (6,000 - 12,000 Jacobites joined the C.M.S. in 1836, after the Synod of Mavelikara; who are now within the Church of South India ), doctrines and missionary zeal influence ( Malankara Church and Patriarch/Catholicos issue (division of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church (1912)). St. Thomas Christian families who claim their descent from ancestors who were baptized by Apostle Thomas are found all over Kerala . St. Thomas Christians were classified into
6450-504: The title Catholicos of India, distinct from Catholicos of the East . The following saints from Malankara are included in the 5th Diptych (Canon of the Church Fathers): Saint Thomas Christian denominations The Saint Thomas Christian denominations are Christian denominations from Kerala , India , which traditionally trace their ultimate origins to the evangelistic activity of Thomas
6536-562: The tradition of Saint Thomas Christians , St. Thomas the Apostle established his throne in India and India was his See (Kolla Hendo), therefore the see of the metropolitan of Saint Thomas Christians was India and used the title Metropolitan and Gate of all India. In Syriac Manuscript Vatican Syriac Codex 22 the title given for the Metropolitan of the Saint Thomas Christians was "the superintendent and ruler of
6622-596: The west coast of India, i.e., Malabar . Shapur II the Great was the ninth King of the Sassanid Empire from 309 to 379. During that period, there was persecution against Christians. So in AD 345 under the leadership of Thomas of Cana 72 families landed at Muziris near Cranganore. They formed the group known as Knanaya Christians. They cooperated with the Malankara Church, attended worship services together but remained
6708-529: The work of St. Thomas in India . These passages indicate that the tradition that St. Thomas died in India was widespread among the early churches. Many writers have mentioned that the Apostle established seven "and a half" churches in Malabar. They are: Doctrine of the Apostles states that, "India and all its countries...received the Apostle's hand of priesthood from Judas Thomas…." From 345 AD, when Knanaya Christians arrived from Persia , they had continued
6794-607: Was a well known exorcist. He is well known in Kerala as Kadamattathu Kathanar. Abo died and was buried in Thevalakara church (now St. Mary's Orthodox Church). There are many accounts of visits from Rome, before the arrival of Portuguese. John of Monte Corvino , was a Franciscan missionary who traveled from Persia and moved down by sea to India, in 1291 Odoric of Pordenone who arrived in India in 1321. He visited Malabar, landing at Pandarani (20 m. north of Calicut ), at Cranganore , and at Kulam or Quilon . Jordanus ,
6880-537: Was abolished in 1860 and reinstated in 1964 in India. The Maphrian of India (Catholicos) is an ecclesiastical office of the Syriac Orthodox Church and the local head of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. He is the head of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, which is a part of the Syriac Orthodox Church. The jurisdiction of Catholicos is limited to India so to avoid disambiguation and avoid legal issues. The Syriac Orthodox Church uses
6966-586: Was bought and built under the leadership of Baselios Thomas I after the church faced difficulties in continuing its operations in Muvattupuzha after Baselios Paulose II 's death. According to Indian Christian tradition, the Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala were evangelized by Thomas the Apostle , who reached Malankara in 52 CE. The dominant view is that the entirety of the Saint Thomas Christian community gradually gravitated towards
7052-516: Was confirmed as a patriarchate in the Council of Nicaea , along with the Holy See of Alexandria , and the Holy See of Rome. All bishops of the East must be in communion with the Patriarch of Antioch. A bishop in the East who is not in communion with the Holy See of Antioch is considered invalid by the church. The highest rank in the ecclesiastical hierarchy is the Patriarch of Antioch , head of
7138-599: Was consecrated as bishop with the support of Empress Theodora and he led and revived the church. The term "Jacobite" was originally used as a derogatory word for Miaphysites from the church of Antioch, but were later embraced by the church. Puthencruz is the headquarters of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church in India. It is registered as a society under the Societies Act of the Government of India . Its headquarters are named after Ignatius Zakka I . The property
7224-491: Was held sacred in the Malabar Church. They constructed many churches and, during their lifetime, the Christian religion flourished especially in the kingdom of Diamper." The beginning of Kolla Varsham resulted in the origin of Christianity in Kerala as an individual religion outside vedic Vaishnavism In 190, Pantaenus , probably the founder of the famous Catechetical School of Alexandria , visited India and
7310-476: Was the first in the whole of the Indies , with jurisdiction over modern India, Pakistan , Afghanistan , Bangladesh , Burma , and Sri Lanka. In 1347, Giovanni de' Marignolli visited Malabar. Another prominent Indian traveler was Joseph, priest over Cranganore. He journeyed to Babylon in 1490 and then sailed to Europe and visited Portugal , Rome, and Venice before returning to India. He helped to write
7396-542: Was translated for them by St. Thomas the apostle himself." Theophilus (ca 354) as recorded by church historian Philostorgius mentions about a church, priests, liturgy, in the immediate vicinity of the Maldives , which can only apply to a Christian church and faithful on the adjacent coast of India. The people referred to were the Christians known as a body who had their liturgy in the Syriac language and inhabited
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