Articles @ nasrani.net

MS Vatican Syriac 22 & MS Vatican Syriac 17: Syriac Manuscripts copied in South India

NSC- Admin — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:32:52 +0000

1. Introduction There are many documents available from 14th century onwards which gives precise information about the Indian Christian community and the Bishops of India. Some of these were copied locally in South India. Amongst these, the MS Vatican Syriac 22 and MS Vatican Syriac 17 are the most well known Syriac MS from India. [...]

Patriarchate Of India- An Appraisal Of The Evolution Of The Episcopal Hierarchy Among Thomas Christians Of Malabar

M Thomas Antony — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:44:18 +0000

Christianity in India Thomas Christians of India are one of the most ancient Christian communities in the World. Apostle Thomas founded the Church in India in the first century itself. Tradition says that Apostle Thomas landed at Kodungalloor in AD 52 and founded 7 and half communities in the Malabar coast. Even though there is [...]

Major Arch Bishop Alencheril Mar Giwargis II Bava-The Patriarch of Syro Malabar Church and The Gate of All India- A Discussion on The Historical Hierarchical Status of The Church of Saint Thomas Christians

M Thomas Antony — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:06:42 +0000

INTRODUCTION Syro-Malabar Church is an Eastern Catholic Church in communion with the Pope of Rome. It is an Apostolic Church founded by Saint Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. Syro Malabar Church is the largest group of Saint Thomas Christians. The term Syro Malabar was coined by the Western Missionaries to denote ‘the [...]

The Heathen and the Syrian – Syrian Christian Ritual and Tradition pre 1599 A.D.

Olikara — Wed, 18 May 2011 19:36:10 +0000

In A.D. 52, St. Thomas – Doubting Thomas of the New Testament, is said to have landed at the Kerala port of Muziris and started his task of spreading the Christian faith. From this date, all Syrian Christians believe, their Church began and has continued without interruption. Christianity gained a foothold in Kerala well over [...]

Nazrani Christians and the Social Processes of Kerala, 800-1500

Guest Author — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 23:32:11 +0000

[ This article deals with a part of Nasrani history, which was not properly studied by any other historian so far. The study is based primarily on the original Tharisapally copper plate and on the Portuguese primary source material. This article is included as chapter III in the book "Maritime India: Trade, Religion and Polity [...]

Saint Thomas Cross- A Religio Cultural Logo of Saint Thomas Christians

M Thomas Antony — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 22:25:54 +0000

Introduction Cross is a universal symbol of Christians all over the world. Primitive Christian groups used the image of fish as their symbol. Sign of cross was reported to be used by primitive Christians by Tertullian (b AD 160). Early in the third century, Clement of Alexandria mentions Cross as the symbol of the Lord.1 [...]

“THE VARTHAMANAPPUSTHAKAM” written by Cathanar Thomman Paremmakkal

NSC- Admin — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 19:27:02 +0000

“Varthamanappusthakam” (1785) is the first travelogue written in an Indian language. The narrative of “Varthamanappusthakam “ begins with the death of Florence, Vicar Apostolic of Malabar in 1773. It elaborates all that happened after the death of Florence including the journey of Malpan Cariattil and Cathanar Paremmakkal to Europe with the events connected with it and ends with their return journey until they sighted the island of Ceylon. Dr. Placid J Podipara CMI translated this book into English and the book is published by Pontifical Oriental Institute Rome in 1971.

The Story of Joseph, the Indian; A Historical Appraisal of the Affairs of St Thomas’ Christians in the Pre Portuguese period

M Thomas Antony — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 03:55:35 +0000

1 INTRODUCTION Joseph, the Indian is a famous character in the History of Medieval India. He was a Christian priest from Malabar who had travelled to Mesopotamia, Europe, visited the Holy Patriarch of the East and ordained as a Priest by Him, and also visited the Holy Patriarch of the Western Church- the Pope of [...]

Champakulam Kalloorkkadu St Mary’s Church- The Hidden Pearl in Nasrani History

M Thomas Antony — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:07:28 +0000

Introduction Champakulam Kalloorkkadu church is one of the most ancient churches in India. It belongs to the Archeparchy of Changanacherry, of the Syro Malabar Church. Champakulam church is the mother church of almost all Catholic Syrian churches in Alleppey district in Kerala State. It was founded in AD 427. The Christian community of Kalloorkkadu originated [...]

“Christianity in India- a History in ecumenical perspective” by HC Perumalil and ER Hambye

NSC- Admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:25:15 +0000

About the Editors H C Perumalil CMI and E R Hambye SJ are the editors of this Volume published in 1972. Hormice C Perumalil CMI is a priest who has worked on many mission roles from the Syro Malabar Church. He was the General Manager and General Editor of Prakasam publications, Alleppey. He has published [...]

“Kerala, the Cradle of Christianity in South Asia”-a DVD Documentary on the cultural interface of religion and music- An eye opener to the Religio cultural identity of the St. Thomas Christians in Kerala.

M Thomas Antony — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:41:38 +0000

Kerala, the God’s own country has been described as the cradle of Christianity in India by many authors. The history of ancient Syriac Christianity in India has been researched well only after its contact with the western church. The pre Portuguese history that is available in oral traditions, ancient manuscripts and documents and artefacts such [...]

“The Arrival of the Portuguese in India and the Thomas Christians under Mar Jacob 1498-1552” by Dr. Mathias Mundadan

NSC- Admin — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:54:12 +0000

Note about the Author Dr. Mathias Mundadan is a distinguished historian of Christianity. He is a member of the Carmelite Society of Mary the Immaculate ( CMI) and a priest of the Syro Malabar Church. Dr. Mundadan is a senior professor at the Dharmaram College, Bangalore. He took his Doctorate in Church History from the [...]

Catalogue of ancient Nasrani Churches, their affiliations and population statistics in the background of division and attempts of Reconciliation- A review of Literature

M Thomas Antony — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:49:46 +0000

INTRODUCTION The history of Christianity in Malabar has been well documented after the synod of Diamper. Much information giving light into the ancient period is available as copper plates, inscriptions on rocks, palm leaf documents, artefacts, and oral traditions. Many authors have tried to knit up the loose history from available documents and available oral [...]

Sixteenth Century Churches – Churches belonging to Catholics and Syriac Orthodox ( 1818 AD-Statistics)

NSC- Admin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:36:01 +0000

Many lists exist about the statistics of Churches belonging to Catholics ( Syro Malabar Church) and Malankara Syriac Orthodox after the division of the Saint Thomas Christians community followed with the Syond of Diamper ( 1599 AD) , Coonan Cross Oath ( 1653 AD) and subsequent happenings ( 1653-1698). 1 This is one of those [...]

‘The Thomas Christians’ by Placid Podipara

NSC- Admin — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:31:13 +0000

Note about the Author DDDr. Placid Joseph Podipara CMI, is known as the greatest Church historian of India. He has authored more than thirty seven books and numerous articles on Saint Thomas Christians in many languages such as English, Malayalam, German, Latin etc.1 He has also served as Member of the Pontifical commission for codifying [...]

Margam Kali – History, Theme, Early References and Modern Developments

NSC- Admin — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:27:37 +0000

Margamkali is one of the ancient round group dance of Kerala practiced by Saint Thomas Christians. It is difficult to trace the exact origin, compilation of lyrics but these dance form was in practice among the Saint Thomas Christians before the arrival of Portuguese missionaries in Kerala. In traditional style, the performance of Margam Kali is divided into two parts, Vattakkali ( round dance) and Parijamuttu Kali ( sword and shield dance) with singing a particular ballard known as Margam Kali pattu ( The Song of the Way). This dance form is a description of the introduction of Christianity or the Christian way ( Marga) of worship in to Kerala.

‘The Indian Christians of St. Thomas’ by Dr. Leslie Brown

NSC- Admin — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 22:00:13 +0000

The Christians in Malabar, on the coast of South - west India, claim an unbroken relegious tradition from the time of Thomas the Apostle, who visited India in the first century AD. The community is a unique one. Living as a minority group on a busy trade route which has existed at least since Roman times.

‘Jornada of Dom Alexis de Menezes: A Portuguese account of the Sixteenth century Malabar’ edited by Dr. Pius Malekandathil

NSC- Admin — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:48:19 +0000

Jornada of Dom Alexis de Menezes: A Portuguese account of the Sixteenth century Malabar edited by Dr. Pius Malekandathil.The Synod of Diamper played a major role in changing the history of Kerala. The then Portuguese Archbishop of Goa, Dom Alexis de Menezes convoked the Synod of Diamper on June 1599. This was conducted after a prolonged power struggle spread over five months between Menezes and the St. Thomas Christian community headed by Archdeacon. During these months and another five months after the Synod Menezes visited most of the churches of St. Thomas Christians with a view to Europenizing and Latinizing this native Christian community of India by obliterating and erasing all their indigenous customs and practices.

Qambel Maran- Syriac chants from South India- a review and liturgical music tradition of Syriac Christians revisited

M Thomas Antony — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:01:47 +0000

The liturgical music tradition among Syriac Christians is unique. Though the Syriac churches flourished in Indian culture for nearly 2000 years, they continued using Syriac language and Syriac musical tradition.1. Even after divisions and latinisation attempts, Syriac churches were successful in keeping their Syriac music. Recently, all Syriac churches vernacularised their liturgy but the Syriac [...]

Letters of St. Thomas the Apostle to Edessa from India

NSC- Admin — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 17:06:04 +0000

The definite statement that Apostle Thomas sent letters from India, which were preserved and read in the Church services, occurs in the Syriac Doctrine of the Apostles. It can be read in W. Cureton’s “Ancient Syriac Documents” , p.32. “And after the death of the apostles there were Guides and Rulers in the churches, and [...]

‘St. Thomas Christians and Nambudiris, Jews and Sangam Literature – A Historical Appraisal’, Bosco Puthur (Editor)

Jackson John — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:44:06 +0000

INTRODUCTION The present volume is the result of a modest venture of the Liturgical Research Centre of the Syro-Malabar Church to study the history of St. Thomas Christians, especially against the background of the early history of the Nambudiri Brahmins and Jews in Kerala (Malabar) and the famous literary work, the Sangam Literature. The study [...]

Prelates of Nasranis till the Synod of Udayamperoor- List of early Bishops till 1599 AD

NSC- Admin — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:06:50 +0000

Both history and tradition testify that St. Thomas one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ came to India, preached the Gospel and founded a Church here. The origin of the Indian Church is an apostolic one. There are lot of opinions, views coupled with lack of documentary evidences which creates confusion about the early [...]

Hymns of Saint Ephraem (Ephrem) the Syrian, on Apostle Thomas and India

NSC- Admin — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:08:01 +0000

The earliest author of the Eastern Church, is Saint Ephraem (Ephrem) , the Great Doctor of the Syrian Church. Known us Deacon, monk, musician, inspired poet and profound commentator of sacred Scripture, this church father is beloved by all branches of Christ’s Church. This fourth-century saint was so admired and influential that a great many [...]

Lifestyle of Kerala Syrian Christians

Jackson John — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:58:23 +0000

The way of life or lifestyle of the Syrian Christians of Kerala or St. Thomas Christians or Nasranis, as they are called, is best described by the term ‘Margavasis’ or ‘Followers of the Margam (Path)’ used by them, and speaks for their identity as one of the most distinct and a unique community of Christians. [...]

Kerala Nazranee Pesaha Receipes

Amprayil — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 03:45:11 +0000

The following are recipes for certain unique Kerala Nazranee Pesaha dishes, from different sources/individuals as duly acknowledged after each recipe. Such or similar dishes were and are part of the Pesaha (Maundy Thursday) supper in several Nazranee families in India and overseas. The tradition is thus kept alive by them. 1. Pesaha Appam (Unleavened Bread [...]

Analogical review on Saint Thomas Cross- The symbol of Nasranis-Interpretation of the Inscriptions

NSC- Admin — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:03:27 +0000

The spirit of Christianity can be explained with reference to cross. Cross is the most common symbol of Christianity, intended to represent the redeeming martyrdom of Jesus when he was crucified on the True Cross in the New Testament. This article is an attempt to look Thomasine Christianity through St. Thomas cross with reference to [...]

The Syrian Christian Church – An Architectural Overview

Olikara — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 22:51:33 +0000

Architecture is that great living creative spirit which from generation to generation, from age to age, proceeds, persists, creates, according to the nature of man, and his circumstances as they change. That is really architecture.” —Frank Lloyd Wright, In the Realm of Ideas The Church in Kerala has always been a central source which has [...]

Thomas-Malabar Connection & The Jewish Heritage, A Biblical & Analytical Approach

Josephgpal — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 15:57:02 +0000

Introduction This short article is an attempt to view the Thomas tradition from a Biblical perspective with an analytical lens. Hence this should not be treated as a stand-alone article but must be read in conjunction with other historical information which are not stressed or cited in here. I. Why is it so Difficult to [...]

Save Syriac

NSC- Admin — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:55:22 +0000

At a time in history Syriac was synonymous with Nasranis. This article analyze the present situation of Syriac, considering the various factors which influenced the Kerala social sphere. 1. Syriac Language Syriac is an Eastern Aramaic language that was once spoken across much of the Fertile Crescent. It was a major literary language throughout the [...]

A Syrian Christian Family Portrait – Circa 1620 A.D.

Olikara — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 14:43:27 +0000

The below folio is from a manuscript at the Casanatense Library in Italy. It is called the ‘Portuguese Codice’ and is from a collection of manuscripts donated by Cardinal Casanata ( 1620 A.D. -1698 A.D.) to an Italian Public library which was to be run by Dominican monks. The codice is composed of 76 folios, [...]

Museum- Christian Cultural Centre Golden Jubilee Museum at Pala

NSC- Admin — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 09:17:39 +0000

Christian Cultural Centre Golden Jubilee Museum at Pala is a rare Museum to feast on the priceless glory of antiquity , a treasure house of the diverse traditions of yester years, a niche rich in the remnants and relics of the exquisite past; a rare collection of the marvels of ingenious craftsmen centuries back; a [...]

Focus III- Cheppad St. George Church

NSC- Admin — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 02:45:33 +0000

Cheppad St. George Church is a Syrian Christian Church dedicated to St. george built in early century. Historical records say the church which existed in 7 th century till 11 th century at Harippad Mission Centre has been moved and re built half at cheppad and other half at Karthikapally. There is an interesting tradition [...]

What Every Nasrani Needs to Know–And Doesn’t

Guest Author — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:35:49 +0000

There are huge wooden doors and spacious door-ways at the front and side entrances to the naves and in the gate houses in Kerala Churches. To protect the front and side doors from inclement weather there are pillared porticoes, which have benches inside to sit down. The three sided gabled roof of the portico has [...]

‘The Nazranies’ by Prof. George Menanchery

NSC- Admin — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 03:20:53 +0000

Notes about the Editor Prof. George Menachery is a freelance Indian Journalist and Editor of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India and the Indian Church History Classics. After teaching university classes for thirty years, he gave up the job as Head of the Department of Post-Graduate Teaching in order to concentrate on research and [...]

‘East of the Euphrates- Early Christianity in Asia’ by T.V. Philip

Amprayil — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 05:31:03 +0000

Note on the Author: (The late) Dr. T.V. Philip, a noted Mar Thoma (St. Thomas) Nazranee Church Historian, had worked and taught in India, Europe, USA and Australia; his former students include many among the senior clergy and bishops of several Mar Thoma Nazranee Syrian (Syriac) Christian denominations. Dr. Philip had served as Professor at [...]

Role, Characteristics, List and Tomb of Archdeacons (Arkadiyakons) of Saint Thomas Christians

NSC- Admin — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:11:08 +0000

Archdeacon or Arkadiyakon in Malayalam was “the prince and head of the Christians of Saint Thomas” and had such titles as “Archdeacon and Gate of All India, Governor of India.” Under the Metropolitan of Saint Thomas Christianity send by the Patriarch of Seleucia- Ctesiphon , there existed from ancient times the office of the Archdeacon (Arkadiyakon). The temporal [...]

St.George- Geevarghese Sahada traditions and rituals among Nasranis

NSC- Admin — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 04:28:20 +0000

The cult of St. George in Kerala represents the antiquity and hybridization of different cultures among the Nasranis. Geevarghese Sahada is champion for indigenous concerns, one of the most venerated saints in Nasrani population.1 George was a good soldier and consequently rose through the military ranks of the time. According to the hagiography, in 303 [...]

Hindu Traditions of St. Thomas –Thondacchan and the Four Silver Coins

NSC- Admin — Tue, 22 May 2007 21:18:37 +0000

The worship of Thondachan, a Hindu family deity, by a particular lineage of Nairs (native martial clan) of Malabar, Kerala, and especially the manner and ritual of this worship is noteworthy. Though a family deity, Thondachan is never worshipped within the Nair household. Nor has this deity been ever given a berth among the pantheon [...]

Names, Middle Names and Last Names among the Syrian Christians

Olikara — Wed, 16 May 2007 18:57:55 +0000

A syrian christian takes his own name which is the name of his paternal grandfather, the name of his father and his house or ‘tharavad’ name. He may make any of these his surname and hence he may be G.J. Olikara, ‘G’ for Gevarghese (name of paternal grandfather), ‘J’ for John(name of father) and ‘Olikara’ [...]

The Tiger and the Syrian Christians: Tipu Sultan’s ‘Padayottam’

Olikara — Sun, 06 May 2007 19:44:46 +0000

The invasion of kerala by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan of Mysore in the latter half of the 18th century left a deep impact on kerala polity and society. This invasion of the mysoreans and Tipu in particular is called the ‘Padayottam’. Much of it’s effects are visble deep down in the keralite [...]

Churches on demolition line – Ramapuram Twin Churches

Guest Author — Tue, 01 May 2007 05:52:36 +0000

Beautiful Isn’t? These are the historic twin churches at Ramapuram, one of the cradles of Christianity in Kerala, India. The smaller of these, in the name of St. Augustine, was built around 1450, and the other in 1864. These monuments may be razed to the ground soon. What no invader, no government, no other community, [...]

The Mural tradition of Kerala Churches

NSC- Admin — Tue, 01 May 2007 05:00:03 +0000

The mural paintings remained a major medium of public communication for over a thousand years. Great cycles of religious stories were spread across the walls of ecclesiastical structures almost as Christianity became state religion in west and at a similar period in east. Pope Gregory the Great ( 590-604) is said to have encouraged the [...]

Raja Thoma Villarvattam – King of the Nasranis

Olikara — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 12:21:29 +0000

There is an interesting tradition cherished by the Syrian Christians that they possessed their own king at Valeyadattu or Villarvattom near Udayamperur. Tradition records that the first king was named Baliartes or Beliarte, which may be a corruption of the Malayalam Valeyadattu. The kingdom of Villarvattom comes into prominence twice in the course of Nasrani history. [...]

Focus II- History, Munnu Noyambu and Kappalottam – Marth Mariam Church, Kuravilangad

NSC- Admin — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 09:12:27 +0000

Traditional beliefs, some legendary factors and historical associations contribute to the actual history of the Kuravilangad Marth Mariam Church. The Church is under the Palai Eparchy of Syro Malabar Church. It is believed that four Christian families from Palayur arrived at Ettumanoor and they moved to Kalikavu near Kuravilangad in the beginning of the second [...]

The Muziris Heritage Project- News

NSC- Admin — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 22:05:49 +0000

The Muziris Heritage Project The Muziris Heritage Project is a novel attempt at the behest of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Govt of Kerala. It aims at retrieving the historical heritage of the Kodungallur-Paravur region and plans a combination of heritage management initiatives in its restoration, conservation and access to the public. KCHR, identified as [...]

Focus I- Ramapuram twin churches, Role, History & Rituals

NSC- Admin — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 22:54:00 +0000

The centuries-old, twin-churches of Ramapuram near Pala is one of the old churches existing in Kerala.1 The twin-church complex at Ramapuram consists of a smaller church dedicated to St. Augustine and a larger one dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. While the church dedicated to St. Augustine dates back to around 1450, the one dedicated to [...]

Church feast and festivals in Central Kerala-Kottayam

NSC- Admin — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 04:19:16 +0000

The Bible and other historical records of the apostolic era confirm that the original Christian Church continued to observe the same festivals Jesus observed. Church festivals are days set apart by the Church either for the remembrance of some special mercies of God or for celebration of feasts. This article details the Church feast and [...]

Palm Sunday ( Kuruthola Perunnal), Maundy Thursday( Pesaha), Good Friday (Dukha Velli) and Easter among Saint Thomas Christians of India

NSC- Admin — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 07:27:11 +0000

Christians in Kerala have seen traditions becoming extinct over the years, be it Holy Week, Christmas, Weddings, Funerals or other ceremonies. But there are some traditions which are observed with out any change. The Pesaha celebrations observed by Saint Thomas Christians is one among them. One recognizes intimate and deep rooted influences of Judaism on [...]

‘The Syrian Christians of Kerala, Demographic and Socio-Economic Transition In The Twentieth Century’ by K. C. Zachariah

NSC- Admin — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 23:39:41 +0000

Note About the Author Dr K C Zachariah is Honorary Fellow with Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram . He has published number of books about demographic studies and transition. He is also the Principal author of the United Nations Manual on Internal Migration which was published under the auspices of the United Nations. 1 Overview [...]

SRITE- Project for Preserving the Manuscripts of the Syrian Christians in India

NSC- Admin — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 15:53:48 +0000

Kerala is home for many thousands of Syriac, Malayalam, Malayanma, Kolezhuttu, Vattezhuttu manuscripts of older and more recent date belonging to the autochthonous communities of the St Thomas Christians. Because of the humid, tropical climate and other factors, these manuscripts are greatly endangered. SRITE is a complex international project, based on cooperation between Indian, German, [...]

‘Glimpses of Nazraney Heritage’ by Prof George Menachery

NSC- Admin — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 15:18:23 +0000

Notes about the Author Prof. George Menachery is a freelance Indian Journalist and Editor of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India and the Indian Church History Classics. After teaching university classes for thirty years, he gave up the job as Head of the Department of Post-Graduate Teaching in order to concentrate on research and [...]

Glimpse from History-Gondophares, Roman and Venetian gold coins

NSC- Admin — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 21:30:05 +0000

Foreign coins discovered from many sites in modern India are many and varied. This include the Persian and Greek coins discovered from North India ( modern Pakistan ) and the vast number of Roman coins from South India in Malabar coast highlighting the trade relations between Roman ports and the Indian ports in Malabar coast. [...]

‘The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India’- Volume II , Chief Editor Prof.George Menachery

NSC- Admin — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 15:31:13 +0000

‘The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India’- Volume I -Prof. George Menachery

NSC- Admin — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 20:23:13 +0000

‘Origin of Christianity in India’ by Dr.Benedict Vadakkekara

NSC- Admin — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 23:09:22 +0000

Note about the Author Dr. Benedict Vadakkekara is a research scholar at the Capuchin Historical Institute, Rome and a lecturer of Franciscan Mission History at the Pontifical University Antonianum. Dr. Vadakkekara is a member of the Saint Joseph Province ( India) of the Franciscan Capuchin Order and has to his credit several publications especially in [...]

Familytree – Syrian Christians DNA Project Information

Guest Author — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 06:01:34 +0000

Kerala, South India is one of the cradles of Christianity in the world. St Thomas the Apostle, is believed to have brought christianity to Kerala and this region is suppposed to have christianity before most parts of Europe and the world. This project is an attempt to trace the history of Syrian Christians of Kerala [...]

Arrival of Thomas of Cana ( Bishop Thomas of Cana ?), History and references about Southist Community (Thekkumbhagar – Knanaya )

NSC- Admin — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 03:53:27 +0000

A merchant or Bishop named Thomas of Cana ( also known as Knanaya Thommen or Thomas of Knanaya this being a recent addition) is connected with the history of the community of St. Thomas Christians. The details about this merchant or bishop are shrouded in mystery and there is no agreement on the year/period of [...]

Arrival of Mar Sabrisho and Mar Piruz, Earliest Reports, Copper Plates, Katheeshangal,Christians & Churches at Quilon

NSC- Admin — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 17:06:27 +0000

The Christian community in Kerala and those especially at Quilon are intimately attached to the memory of two Bishops, known as Mar Sabrisho and Mar Piruz. They are generally presented as two saintly brothers, who came to India some time between 8th and 9th century from the parts of Chaldea or Persia. The foundation of [...]

The Edicts, Copper Plates and Privileges- Quilon (Tarisapalli) plates, Thazhekad edict, Iravi Kortan plate and Cana Thomman plate

NSC- Admin — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 21:57:42 +0000

The Rulers gave the Nasranis various rights and privileges which were written on edicts and copper plates. These are also known as Cheppeds, Royal Grants, Sasanam etc. The languages of these Copper plates are Tamil, Pahlavi and Vattezhuthu. Though differences of opinion exist among the exact dating of each copper plates, there is a consensus [...]

Early references about the Apostolate of Saint Thomas in India, Records about the Indian tradition, Saint Thomas Christians & Statements by Indian Statesmen

NSC- Admin — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 02:33:22 +0000

Tradition says that at the dispersal of the Apostles after Pentecost, Saint Thomas was sent to evangelize the Parthians, Medes, Persians and Indians; he ultimately reached South India, carrying the Faith to the Malabar coast, which still boasts a large native population calling themselves “Christians of St. Thomas.” The Apostle is believed to have speared [...]