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EspañolSYRIAN MALABAR NASRANI
:''This article deals with the 'Nasrani People' as an ethnic community, for a detailed article on the religious tradition of the Nasrani people; see: Saint Thomas Christians.''
The 'Syrian Malabar Nasrani people' are an ethnic group from Kerala, South India. The term refers to those who became Christians in the Malabar coast in the earliest days of Christianity, including the natives and the Jewish diaspora in Kerala.Menachery G; 1973, 1982, 1998; Mundalan, A. M; 1984; Podipara, Placid J. 1970; Leslie Brown, 1956Thomas Puthiakunnel 1973; & Koder S. 1973; T.K Velu Pillai, 1940 They follow a unique Hebrew-Syriac Christian tradition which includes several Jewish elements although they have absorbed some Hindu customs. Their heritage is Syriac-Keralite, their culture South Indian, their faith St. Thomas Christian, and their language Malayalam.Menachery G; 1973, 1982, 1998; Mundalan, A. M; 1984; Podipara, Placid J. 1970; Leslie Brown, 1956 Much of their Jewish tradition has been forgotten, especially after the Portuguese invasion of Kerala in the early 1500s.Menachery G; 1973, 1982, 1998; Mundalan, A. M; 1984; Podipara, Placid J. 1970; Leslie Brown, 1956 They are popularly known as Syrian Christians in view of the Syriac (classical form of Aramaic) liturgy used in church services since the early days of Christianity in India.
The Nasrani people are also called ''Syrian-Malabar Christians'', ''Saint Thomas Christians'' , ''Suriyani Christians'' or even as ''Syrian Christians''. They are also called as ''Nasrani Mapillas''. According to Hermann Gundert (who wrote the first Malayalam dictionary), the term 'mapilla' was a title used to denote semitic immigrants from West Asia. Thus the term Mapilla was used to denote both, the Arab descendants and Christian-Jewish descendants in Kerala. The descendants of Arabs were, and still are, called ''Jonakan Muslim Mappila'', while the descendants of Syrian-Jewish Christians are called ''Nasrani Mappilas''.Gantz Brothers, Land of the Perumals 1863 and the descendants of Halakhik Cochin Jews are called as ''Juda Mappila''. Bindu Malieckal (2005);
The Syrian Malabar Nasranis are some of the earliest people who joined Christianity, including the native people of Kerala and many Malabar Jews from the Jewish diaspora of the pre-Christian era who were settled in Kerala.Thomas Puthiakunnel 1973; & Koder S. 1973; T.K Velu Pillai, 1940 The community is also comprises several ancient Syriac Christian settlements in Kerala. The most prominent immigrations took place during the 4th and 9th centuries. The Knanaya Nasranis claim to be the descendants of one such group of 4th century immigrants. Podipara, Placid J. 1970; Vellian Jacob 2001; Menachery G, 1973, 1998; Poomangalam C.A 1998; Leslie Brown, 1956
Since Hinduism was the predomininant local religion, many writers claim that the first converts were mainly the Brahmin's of Kerala called the namboothiris, but others argue that the claims were made by the later Christians to obtain special caste status in the prevailing caste system of India. A notable point is that the Namboothiri history claims their origin in Kerala in the seventh century CE,Veluthat, K. 1978 while Christianity in India originated in the first century CE. Besides several of the Malabari locals who joined early Christianity returned to their earlier faith during a shaivite revival by the shaivite scholar Manikka Vachkar.Philip, E.M. 1908.
Thus the communi consists of people from ethnic groups of Kerala including some Brahmins, the pre-Christian era Jewish diaspora,different trading diaspora of Muzirs, Syriac Christian settlers and the Knanayas. Podipara, Placid J. 1970; Vellian Jacob 2001; Tisserant, E. (1957) Trans. and ed. by E. R. Hambye; Menachery G 1973, 1998; Leslie Brown, 1956; Poomangalam C.A 1998
The southern coast of the Indian subcontinent (hypothesized by the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus to be the place mentioned as Ophir in the Old Testament) inevitably became a gateway from the Mediterranean world to Kerala. The people there traded in teak, ivory, spices and peacocks, and the area was endowed with a magnificent coastline with numerous ports from Mangalapuram to Kodungallur, also known as Cranganore.James Hough 1893; T.K Velu Pillai, 1940 In the ancient times it was called as Muziris in Latin and Muchiri in Malayalam.Menachery, George 2000, Menachery & Chakkalakal W 1987
The trade routes brought with them not just riches but also stateless nations and nascent worldviews. Bjorn Landstrom, 1964; Miller, J. Innes. 1969 Cranganore became one of the earliest settlements of the Jewish diaspora from the later Old Testament period. They continued trade with the Mediterranean world, thus establishing a strong link between the southern coast of the Indian peninsula and the Judeo-Roman world.K.V. Krishna Iyer, 1971, (''Periplus Maris Erythraei'' transl. Wilfred Schoff 1912; Rawlinson, H; 1926 Laying the links or foundations for what would later be the early 'Judeo-Nazaraean' diaspora. The early Aramaic-speaking Syriac Christians who came to Kerala from Syria (which already had a Jewish settlement in Kodungulloor) were of largely ethnically Jewish origin.Thomas Puthiakunnel 1973; & Koder S. 1973; Menachery G 1973, 1982, 1998;
British researcher William Dalrymple travelled across the Arabian Sea to Kerala in a boat similar to those mentioned in ancient Jewish and Roman texts and showed how the Nasrani-Jewish people had travelled from Syria to Kodungalloor. He followed the same course as mentioned in the Acts of Thomas, a copy of which survives in a monastery on Mount Sinai.Dalrymple, William 2000; Bevan, 1897; Bornkamm, G. 1965
The term Syrian-Malabar Nasranis is a composite form of the elemental aspects of the ancient tradition. In it the term ''Syrian'' actually refers to the Aramaic speaking Jewish people rather than Syria, while the term Malabar is the name of an ancient region of the present day state of Kerala in India. The term Syrian-Malabar Nasrani therefore means people of Christian-Jewish tradition who follow Jesus of Nazareth and are from the Malabar coast of South India.Podipara, Placid J. 1970; Menachery G, 1973; 1982; 2000; Tisserant, E. 1957; Leslie Brown, 1956
The South Indian epic of Manimekalai written between 2nd and 3rd century CE mentions the Nasrani people by the name ''Essanis'' referring to one of the early Christian-Jewish sect within the Nasranis called Essenes. The embassy of Alfred in 833 CE described the Nestorian Syrian Christians as being prosperous and enjoying high status in the Malabar coast. Marco Polo also mentioned the Nasranis and their ancient church in the Malabar coast in his writings Il MilioneMarco Polo (1298) LATHAM, R. (TRANSL.) 1958
These early Christian Jews believed in Jesus as the Christ, but followed Jewish traditions and called themselves ''Nazaraeans'' or ''Nazrani'', meaning Jews who followed the Nazarene Messiah (Jesus). The term ''Nazaraean'' was first mentioned in the New Testament in Acts 24:5. The term ''nasrani'' was used essentially to denote Jewish followers of Jesus from Nazareth, while the term ''Khristianos'' "Christian" was initially used largely to refer to non-Jewish peoples ("gentiles") who followed the Christ (Acts 11:26).Vellian Jacob, 2001; Poomangalam C.A, 1998; Puthur, B. (ed.) 2002; Menachery, G; eds vol I 1982; vol II 1973; Menachery, G. 1998 Until the advent of the Portuguese in the 1500s, the proto-Jewish-Nasrani ethos in Kerala thrived with Jewish customs and the Syrian-Antiochian tradition.Vellian Jacob, 2001; Poomangalam C.A, 1998; Puthur, B. (ed.) 2002; Menachery, G; eds vol I 1982; vol II 1973; Menachery, G. 1998
They preserved the original rituals of the early Jewish Christians, such as covering their heads while in worship. Their ritual services (liturgy) was and still is called the Qurbana (also spelled ''Kurbana''), which is derived from the Hebrew ''Korban'' (קרבן), meaning "Sacrifice". Their ritual service used to be held on Saturdays in the tradition of the Jewish Sabbath. The Nasrani Qurbana used to be sung in the ''Suryani'' (Syriac) and Aramaic languages. They also believed that it was the Romans who killed Jesus Weil, S. 1982; Vellian Jacob 2001; Poomangalam C.A 1998, Menachery G, 1973; 1982; 2000; because, historically, Jesus was crucified; the official form of execution of the Jews was typically stoning to death, while the official form of execution of the Romans was crucifixion. Weil, S. 1982; Vellian Jacob 2001; Poomangalam C.A 1998, Menachery G, 1973; 1982; 2000; The architecture of the early church reflected a blend of Jewish and Kerala styles.Weil, S. 1982; Vellian Jacob 2001; Poomangalam C.A 1998, Menachery G, 1973; 1982; 2000;
The symbol of the Nasranis is the Syrian cross, also called the Nasrani Menorah ''Mar Thoma sleeba'' in Malayalam. It is based on the Jewish menorah, the ancient symbol of the Hebrews, which consists of a branched candle stand for seven candlesticks. (Exodus 25).The Holy Bible (King James Version): 1611 Edition (Thos. Nelson, 1993) ISBN 0-8407-0028-8) In the Nasrani Menorah the six branches, (three on either side of the cross) represents God as the burning bush, while the central branch holds the cross, the dove at the tip of the cross represents the Holy Spirit. (Exodus 25:31).The Holy Bible (King James Version): 1611 Edition (Thos. Nelson, 1993) ISBN 0-8407-0028-8) In Jewish tradition the central branch is the main branch, from which the other branches or other six candles are lit. ''Netzer'' is the Hebrew word for "branch" and is the root word of Nazareth and Nazarene. (Isaiah 11:1).The Holy Bible (King James Version): 1611 Edition (Thos. Nelson, 1993) ISBN 0-8407-0028-8)
Note that the Christian cross was not adopted as a symbol by Mediterranean and European Christianity until several centuries had passed.
The Judeo-Nasrani tradition of the Syro-Malabar Nasranis was wiped out when the Portuguese invaded Kerala, and denounced the Nasrani account of Christian faith as false. They imposed their European rituals and liturgy and obliterated the Jewish legacy from the Nasrani tradition. The Portuguese described the Nasranis as Sabbath-keeping Judaizers.Claudius Buchanan, 1811
Archbishop Menezes of Goa, convened the Synod of Diamper in Kerala in 1599.Michael Geddes, 1694, (Ed). Prof. Menachery, G, 1998; 2000; There he ordered all the texts of the Syrian Nasranis to be burnt.Van der Ploeg, J. P. M. 1983; Menachery, G 1973, 1998, 2000 The Portuguese burned the Gospel of Thomas and the Acts of Thomas. The purpose stated by Menezes was to erase all legacies of antiquity and Jewishness.Claudius Buchanan, 1811 Amongst several accusations, the Nasranis were accused of not worshipping images of saints and biblical figures.Claudius Buchanan 1811 They completely obliterated the records of early Nasrani life and Hebrew-Syriac tradition and imposed on the Nasranis that they were local people who were converted and not descendants of early Jewish settlers converted to Christianity by the Apostle Thomas. This despite the fact that the Acts of Thomas (a copy of which still survives in a monastery on Mount Sinai), states that the early Christian converts by the apostle Thomas in Kerala were early Jewish people settled in the Malabar coast.Bevan, 1897; Bornkamm, G. 1965
Most of all, the Portuguese burned the Nasrani Aramaic ''Peshitta'' Bible known today as the ''Lost Aramaic Bible'' that was based on the Jewish Targum and included the Gospel of the Nazoraeans. The Portuguese imposed the teaching that the Jews killed Jesus. The ''Nasranis'', who were, until then, the "living fossils" of the Christian-Jewish tradition, lost their very defining ethos.
Though much of the Jewish tradition was lost, some of the important traditions lived on. The symbol of the Nasrani people is still the Nasrani menorah. Another surviving Jewish tradition still followed by the Nasranis is the tradition of ''Pesaha-appam'' or unleavened Passover bread. On passover night, the Nasrani people have ''Pesaha-appam'' along with ''Pesaha-pal'' or "Passover coconut milk". This tradition of ''Pesaha-appam'' is observed by many Nasrani people until this day.
The Nasrani Church has a separate seating arrangement for men and women. Until the 1970s the Nasrani Kurbana was sung in the Aramaic-Syriac language. Many of the tunes of the Syrian- Christian worship in Kerala are remnants of ancient Syriac tunes of antiquity.Palackal, Joseph J. 2005 The "Holy of Holies" is divided by a red curtain for most of the time and is opened during the central part of the Nasrani Mass or ''Qurbana''. The Nasrani Baptism is still called by the Hebrew-syriac term ''Mamodisa'' and follows many of the ancient rituals of the ceremony. It is referred to in Malayalam as ''njana Snanam'' (Bath of Wisdom).
Nasrani people today belong to various Christian denominations of the Saint Thomas Christian tradition. See Saint Thomas Christians for a detailed description of the various denominations.
Nasrani people largely live in the districts of Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta and Trichur in Kerala. They have also migrated to other cities in India like Mumbai and Bangalore. Others have migrated to the United States or work in the Middle East. Based on the Indian census report of 2004, there are presently approximately 5,000,000 Syrian-Malabar Nasranis from across the various denominations within the Nasrani community. (Syrian christian census 2004)
Many Nasrani people own large estates and engage in trade of rubber, spices and cash crops. They also take a prominent role in the educational institutions of Kerala and throughout India. ('The Hindu' ''Syrian Christians are in a class of their own'' South Indian newspaper article 31 August 2001
Increasing migration and decreasing birth rate are endangering the Syrian Christian community in Kerala. The situation is likely to worsen in the coming decades and the community would soon enter the zero population regime. The community is facing a Parsi syndrome. Already about 25 percent of Syrian Christians live outside Kerala with a huge population living outside India. Very soon, the majority of them would be living outside and in 50 years time, the demography of Christian population in the state would change drastically. ('The Milli Gazette'''Syrian Christian pop. declining ''
★ A. K. Antony, Defence minister of India and former Chief Minister of Kerala
★ Oommen Chandy - Former Chief Minister of Kerala.
★ Cherian Philip ,ex congress leader,but now LDF Leader and KTDC Chairman
★ Joseph Mundassery, First Education Minister of Kerala
★ TM Thomas Issac, Finance Minister of Kerala
★ M A Baby, Education Minister of Kerala
★ John Mathai, Former Finance Minister of India.
★ K. M. Chandy, Former Governor of Madhya Pradesh
★ P.C. Alexander, Former Governor of Maharashtra
★ P. V. Cherian, Former Governor of Maharashtra
★ M. M. Jacob, Former Governor of Meghalaya
★ M. M. Thomas, Former Governor of Nagaland
★ P. J. Kurian, Former Union Minister of State.
★ Thachil Mathoo Tharakan - First non-Hindu minister of Travancore.
★ K. M. Mani - Longest running MLA of Kerala
★ Mathai Manjooran - Indian freedom fighter and Socialist revolutionary.
★ P T Chacko - The only Christian Member of Constituent Assembly from Kerala.
★ A J John - Chief Minister of Travancore-Cochin (1951-53)
★ R V Thomas - President (Speaker) of Travancore Legislative Assembly (1948-50)
★ Sebastian Edathy, German Member of Parliament
★ Philip M Prasad, Notorious Ex-Naxalite and Communist
★ P. J. Joseph, Former State Minister
★ Josef Philip Winkler, German Politician (Nasrani mother)
★ Nidhiry Mani Kathanar, Founder of Deepika erstwhile Naszrani Deepika, Eminent educationalist, Orator, Organizer and Ecumenist
★ Paremmakkal Thomma Kathanar, Author of the first travalogue in an Indian language.
★ Mathew M. Kuzhively, The author of the first Encyclopedia in an Indian Language.
★ Abu Abraham, Cartoonist
★ K. M. Mathew, Chief Editor, Malayala Manorama
★ Toms, Cartoonist
★ M. P. Paul, Malayalam critic
★ Zacharia, Author
★ Yesudasan, Cartoonist
★ Arundhati Roy, Author, winner of the Booker Prize, (Nasrani mother)
★ George Joseph - Editor of Gandhiji's 'Young India'
★ Pothen Joseph - Renowned Newspaper Editor
★ Mahakavi Kattakayam Cherian Mappila - Poet
★ Mahakavi Puthenkavu Mathen Tharakan - Poet
★ Mahakavi P M Devasia - Poet
★ M. C. Joseph, Sceptic and writer
★ Meena Alexander, Poet
★ D. C. Kizhakkemuri - Author ,Founder of D C Books and publisher.
★ I C Chacko - Grammarian and one of the early recipients of the Sahithya Academy Award
★ Sunnykutty Abraham, Journalist , Writer and the Chief Editor and COO of Jaihind TV
★ B.G. Verghese, Magsaysay Award-winning journalist and former editor of The Hindustan Times
★ T. N. Ninan, Editor and publisher of the Business Standard
★ Asin Thottumkal, Actress
★ Benny Mathews, American Director
★ Johnson (composer) - Malayalam cinema composer
★ John Abraham, Actor and Model
★ Naveen Andrews, Actor
★ Nayantara, Actress
★ Meera Jasmine, Actress
★ Suleka Mathew, Canadian Actress
★ Sugith Varughese, Canadian Actor
★ Shelly Malil, Actor
★ Paul Varghese, Comedian
★ Anchal Joseph, Model
★ Kim Thayil, Guitarist of 90's vanguard grunge band Soundgarden
★ Kunchacko Boban, Actor
★ Serena Varghese, Indian American Actress
★ Nafisa Joseph, Miss India Universe 1997, Committed Suicide
★ Annie Thomas, Miss India World 1998
★ Sabrina Setlur, German Singer
★ Anand Jon
★ Kunchacko, Founder of Udaya Studios, and pioneer movie-maker of Malayalam Film
★ John Mathew, Creative Director, Advertising. Model
★ Abey Kuruvilla, Indian Cricketer
★ Anju Bobby George, Athlete
★ Jimmy George, Indian Volleyball Player
★ Cyril Valloor, Indian Volleyball Player
★ K. M. Beenamol, Athlete
★ Shiny Abraham, Athlete
★ T. C. Yohannan, Long Jumper
★ Tinu Yohannan, Indian Cricketer
★ Johnson Varghese, Boxer
★ Tom Joseph, Indian Volleyball Player
★ M. D. Valsamma, Athlete - Asiad Gold Medallist
★ Mercy Kuttan, Athlete
★ Leelamma Thomas, Indian Basketball Player
★ Geethu Anna Jose, Indian Basketball Player
★ Dominic Joseph Kuruvinakunnel - Founder of Casino (CGH Earth) Group of Hotels and Father of Tourism Industry in Kerala.
★ Chalakuzhy Paulose Matthen, Founder of the Quilon Bank Ltd. which merged to form TNQ Bank Ltd.
★ Kandathil Cherian Mammen Mappilai - Founder of Travancore National Bank Ltd. which merged to form TNQ Bank Ltd.
★ Joseph Augusti Kayalackakom - Founder of Palai Central Bank Ltd.
★ M C Cherian Manamel - Largest single plantation owner
★ Thachil Mathoo Tharakan, First timber exporter of Southern India
★ K. M. Mammen Mappillai, Founder of Madras Rubber Factory - MRF
★ Kandathil Varghese Mappillai, Founder of Malayala Manorama
★ Appu Kuttan, Founder of CyberLearning Universe and former owner of the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy
★ Kulangara Paulo Hormis, Founder of the Federal Bank
★ Kochouseph Chittilappilly, Industrialist - ( V-Guard / Veega Land)
★ Joy Alukkas, Alukkas Group
★ Ashok M. Kurien, Co-founder of Zee TV
★ George Sudarshan, Theoretical Physicist.
★ Mathai Varghese, Mathematician
★ Thomas Kailath
★ George Varghese
★ K. Mani Chandy
★ Thomas Zacharia
★ Thomas Thomas, The first Indian Cardio-Thoracic surgeon
★ Mary Punnen Lukose - First lady doctor of India
★ Abraham Verghese, American medico and author
★ K. M. Cherian, Indian heart-surgeon
★ Paul Antony, American Physician
★ Abraham Kovoor, Rationalist
★ Anna Chandy, First woman judge of an Indian High Court
★ T K Thomman, Former Justice of the Supreme Court of India.
★ Ravi J. Matthai, Founding Director of IIM Ahmedabad
★ Verghese Kurien, Father of the Indian White Revolution
★ K.K. Mathew, Former Justice of the Supreme Court of India.
★ Joseph Edamaruku, Journalist and Rationalist
★ Rachel Paulose, Youngest US woman attorney
★ Joy Cherian, First Asian American to serve on the EEOC
★ Peter Varghese, Director of the Office of National Assessments (Australia)
★ P K H Tharakan, Former head of Research and Analysis Wing
★ Abraham George
★ His Grace Mar Thoma I Metropolitan , First bishop of the Indian church.
★ Philipose Mar Chrysostom ,Metropolitan Bishop of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church
★ V.C.Samuel, Church Historian
★ Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Major ArchBishop of Syro Malabar Church
★ Mar Joseph Powathil, Arch Bishop of Changanacherry- Kerala
★ George Kovoor, Principal of Trinity College, Bristol[1]
★ Sebastian Kappen, Liberation theologian
★ K. V. Simon ,Christian Poet and Mahakavi
★ George Abraham Thampy, Winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2000
★ Matthew Eappen, Baby who was murdered in the Louise Woodward case
★ Vinod Thomas, Director-General of Independent Evaluation Group), World Bank
★ Thankom Philip - The first and foremost culiniary expert of India
★ M.O. Mathai, Private secretary to Jawaharlal Nehru
★ Cochin Jews
★ Goa Inquisition
★ Knanaya
★ Saint Thomas Christians
★ Menachery G (1973) The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, Ed. George Menachery, B.N.K. Press, vol. 2, ISBN 81-87132-06-X, Lib. Cong. Cat. Card. No. 73-905568; B.N.K. Press — (has some 70 lengthy articles by different experts on the origins, development, history, culture... of these Christians, with some 300 odd photographs).
★ Mundadan, A. Mathias. (1984) ''History of Christianity in India'', vol.1, Bangalore, India: Church History Association of India.
★ Podipara, Placid J. (1970) "The Thomas Christians". London: Darton, Longman and Tidd, 1970. (is a readable and exhaustive study of the St. Thomas Christians.)
★ The Land of the Perumals, or Cochin, Its Past and Present — Madras: Gantz Brothers — 1863.
★ Philip, E.M. (1908) The Indian Christians of St. Thomas (1908; Changanassery: Mor Adai Study Center, 2002).
★ Veluthat, K. (1978). Brahmin settlements in Kerala: Historical studies. Calicut: Calicut University, Sandhya Publications.
★ Aprem, Mar. (1977) The Chaldaean Syrian Church in India. Trichur, Kerala, India: Mar Narsai, 1977.
★ Menachery, Professor George. (2000) Kodungallur - The Cradle of Christianity In India, Thrissur: Marthoma Pontifical Shrine.
★ Dalrymple, William (2000) “Indian Journeys”, BBC documentary
★ Acts of St. Thomas (Syriac) MA. Bevan, London, 1897
★ Poomangalam C.A (1998) The Antiquities of the Knanaya Syrian Christians; Kottayam, Kerala.
★ Menachery George & Chakkalakal Werner (1987) "Kodungallur: City of St. Thomas", Azhikode
★ Bornkamm, G. "The Acts of Thomas" in E. Hennecke, New Testament Apocrypha, Vol. 2. London: Lutterworth, 1965.
★ Tisserant, E. (1957) Eastern Christianity in India: A History of the Syro-Malabar Church from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. Trans. and ed. by E. R. Hambye. Westminster, MD: Newman Press.
★ James Hough (1893) "The History of Christianity in India".
★ Michael Geddes, (1694) A Short History of the Church of Malabar together with the Synod of Diamper, London.
★ Vellian, J (1988) Marriage Customs of the Knanites, Christian Orient, 9, Kottayam.
★ Lukas, P.U(l910) ed. Ancient songs of the Syrian Christians, Kottayam.
★ Menachery G (ed) (1982) The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, B.N.K. Press, vol. 1;
★ K.V. Krishna Iyer, Kerala’s Relations with the Outside World, pp. 70, 71 in "The Cochin Synagogue Quatercentenary Celebrations Commemoration Volume", Kerala History Association, Cochin, 1971.
★ ''Periplus Maris Erythraei'' "The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea", (trans). Wilfred Schoff (1912), reprinted South Asia Books 1995 ISBN 81-215-0699-9
★ Miller, J. Innes. (1969). The Spice Trade of The Roman Empire: 29 B.C. to A.D. 641. Oxford University Press. Special edition for Sandpiper Books. 1998. ISBN 0-19-814264-1.
★ "In Universi Cristiani" (Latin Text of the Papal erection of the Knanaya Diocese of Kottayam)
★ Thomas Puthiakunnel, (1973) "Jewish colonies of India paved the way for St. Thomas", The Saint Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, ed. George Menachery, Vol. II., Trichur.
★ Koder S. 'History of the Jews of Kerala".The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India, Ed. G. Menachery,1973.
★ Vellian Jacob (2001) Knanite community: History and culture; Syrian church series; vol. XVII; Jyothi Book House, Kottayam
★ Tamcke, M. (ed.) (2001) : ''Orientalische Christen zwischen Repression und Migration'' (Studien zur Orientalischen Kirchengeschichte 13; Münster: LIT).
★ Puthur, B. (ed.) (2002): The Life and Nature of the St Thomas Christian Church in the Pre-Diamper Period (Cochi, Kerala).
★ H. Rawlinson, Intercourse between India and the Western World from the Earliest Times to the Fall of Rome (1926).
★ Bindu Malieckal (2005) Muslims, Matriliny, and A Midsummer Night's Dream: European Encounters with the Mappilas of Malabar, India; The Muslim World Volume 95 Issue 2
★ T.K Velu Pillai, (1940) "The Travancore State Manual"; 4 volumes; Trivandrum)
★ Weil, S. (1982)"Symmetry between Christians and Jews in India: The Cananite Christians and Cochin Jews in Kerala. in Contributions to Indian Sociology,16.
★ Menachery, G. (ed.): (2000) Thomapedia. The Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, 2. Trissur). [ISBN 81-87132-13-2].
★ Claudius Buchanan (1811). Christian Researches in Asia: With Notices of the Translation of the Scriptures into the Oriental Languages. 2nd ed. Boston: Armstron, Cornhill
★ Menachery G (ed); (1998) "The Indian Church History Classics", Vol. I, ''The Nazranies'', Ollur, 1998. [ISBN 81-87133-05-8].
★ Jessay, P.M. "The Wedding Songs of the Cochin Jews and of the Knanite Christians of Kerala: A Study in Comparison." Symposium, 29 August 1986.
★ The Holy Bible (King James Version): 1611 Edition (Thos. Nelson, 1993) ISBN 0-8407-0028-8.
★ Palackal, Joseph J. Syriac Chant Traditions in South India. Ph.d, Ethnomusicology, City University of New York, 2005.
★ Joseph, T. K. The Malabar Christians and Their Ancient Documents. Trivandrum, India, 1929.
★ Leslie Brown, (1956) ''The Indian Christians of St. Thomas. An Account of the Ancient Syrian Church of Malabar'', Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1956, 1982 (repr.)
★ Thomas P. J; (1932) "Roman Trade Centres in Malabar", Kerala Society Papers, II.
★ Marco Polo.(1298) LATHAM, R. (TRANSL.) "The Travels" Penguin Classics 1958
★ Bjorn Landstrom (1964) "The Quest for India", Double day English Edition, Stockholm.
★ Preserved original rituals of the early Jewish Christians in Syrian Christians of Kerala
★ Nasrani Syrian Christians - Demography
★ Unofficial site of SOC
★ History of the Christian Jews in Asia
★ Knanaya Christians
★ The cradle of Christianity in India
★ The Syro Malabar Church
★ History of the Kerala Christians by Dr. Zacharias Thundy, Northern Michigan University
★ Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (Indian Orthodox Church)
★ The tradition of the Essenes
★ Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church
★ Christians of Kerala
★ Population of Christians in India and Kerala based on 2004 report of Indian census
★ Syrian christians are in a class of their own South Indian newspaper 31 August 2001
★ Madras Medical Mission
★ The Nasrani Syrian Christian Network
★ The Syrian Christians of Kerala - Family Tree DNA Project
★ Project for preserving the manuscripts of the Syrian Christians of Kerala
The Syrian Kuriz also known as Nasrani Menorah or the Mar Thoma sliva
The 'Syrian Malabar Nasrani people' are an ethnic group from Kerala, South India. The term refers to those who became Christians in the Malabar coast in the earliest days of Christianity, including the natives and the Jewish diaspora in Kerala.Menachery G; 1973, 1982, 1998; Mundalan, A. M; 1984; Podipara, Placid J. 1970; Leslie Brown, 1956Thomas Puthiakunnel 1973; & Koder S. 1973; T.K Velu Pillai, 1940 They follow a unique Hebrew-Syriac Christian tradition which includes several Jewish elements although they have absorbed some Hindu customs. Their heritage is Syriac-Keralite, their culture South Indian, their faith St. Thomas Christian, and their language Malayalam.Menachery G; 1973, 1982, 1998; Mundalan, A. M; 1984; Podipara, Placid J. 1970; Leslie Brown, 1956 Much of their Jewish tradition has been forgotten, especially after the Portuguese invasion of Kerala in the early 1500s.Menachery G; 1973, 1982, 1998; Mundalan, A. M; 1984; Podipara, Placid J. 1970; Leslie Brown, 1956 They are popularly known as Syrian Christians in view of the Syriac (classical form of Aramaic) liturgy used in church services since the early days of Christianity in India.
The Nasrani people are also called ''Syrian-Malabar Christians'', ''Saint Thomas Christians'' , ''Suriyani Christians'' or even as ''Syrian Christians''. They are also called as ''Nasrani Mapillas''. According to Hermann Gundert (who wrote the first Malayalam dictionary), the term 'mapilla' was a title used to denote semitic immigrants from West Asia. Thus the term Mapilla was used to denote both, the Arab descendants and Christian-Jewish descendants in Kerala. The descendants of Arabs were, and still are, called ''Jonakan Muslim Mappila'', while the descendants of Syrian-Jewish Christians are called ''Nasrani Mappilas''.Gantz Brothers, Land of the Perumals 1863 and the descendants of Halakhik Cochin Jews are called as ''Juda Mappila''. Bindu Malieckal (2005);
Origins
The Syrian Malabar Nasranis are some of the earliest people who joined Christianity, including the native people of Kerala and many Malabar Jews from the Jewish diaspora of the pre-Christian era who were settled in Kerala.Thomas Puthiakunnel 1973; & Koder S. 1973; T.K Velu Pillai, 1940 The community is also comprises several ancient Syriac Christian settlements in Kerala. The most prominent immigrations took place during the 4th and 9th centuries. The Knanaya Nasranis claim to be the descendants of one such group of 4th century immigrants. Podipara, Placid J. 1970; Vellian Jacob 2001; Menachery G, 1973, 1998; Poomangalam C.A 1998; Leslie Brown, 1956
Since Hinduism was the predomininant local religion, many writers claim that the first converts were mainly the Brahmin's of Kerala called the namboothiris, but others argue that the claims were made by the later Christians to obtain special caste status in the prevailing caste system of India. A notable point is that the Namboothiri history claims their origin in Kerala in the seventh century CE,Veluthat, K. 1978 while Christianity in India originated in the first century CE. Besides several of the Malabari locals who joined early Christianity returned to their earlier faith during a shaivite revival by the shaivite scholar Manikka Vachkar.Philip, E.M. 1908.
Thus the communi consists of people from ethnic groups of Kerala including some Brahmins, the pre-Christian era Jewish diaspora,different trading diaspora of Muzirs, Syriac Christian settlers and the Knanayas. Podipara, Placid J. 1970; Vellian Jacob 2001; Tisserant, E. (1957) Trans. and ed. by E. R. Hambye; Menachery G 1973, 1998; Leslie Brown, 1956; Poomangalam C.A 1998
The southern coast of the Indian subcontinent (hypothesized by the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus to be the place mentioned as Ophir in the Old Testament) inevitably became a gateway from the Mediterranean world to Kerala. The people there traded in teak, ivory, spices and peacocks, and the area was endowed with a magnificent coastline with numerous ports from Mangalapuram to Kodungallur, also known as Cranganore.James Hough 1893; T.K Velu Pillai, 1940 In the ancient times it was called as Muziris in Latin and Muchiri in Malayalam.Menachery, George 2000, Menachery & Chakkalakal W 1987
The trade routes brought with them not just riches but also stateless nations and nascent worldviews. Bjorn Landstrom, 1964; Miller, J. Innes. 1969 Cranganore became one of the earliest settlements of the Jewish diaspora from the later Old Testament period. They continued trade with the Mediterranean world, thus establishing a strong link between the southern coast of the Indian peninsula and the Judeo-Roman world.K.V. Krishna Iyer, 1971, (''Periplus Maris Erythraei'' transl. Wilfred Schoff 1912; Rawlinson, H; 1926 Laying the links or foundations for what would later be the early 'Judeo-Nazaraean' diaspora. The early Aramaic-speaking Syriac Christians who came to Kerala from Syria (which already had a Jewish settlement in Kodungulloor) were of largely ethnically Jewish origin.Thomas Puthiakunnel 1973; & Koder S. 1973; Menachery G 1973, 1982, 1998;
The ancient navigation route from the Judeo-Roman world to the Malabar coast
British researcher William Dalrymple travelled across the Arabian Sea to Kerala in a boat similar to those mentioned in ancient Jewish and Roman texts and showed how the Nasrani-Jewish people had travelled from Syria to Kodungalloor. He followed the same course as mentioned in the Acts of Thomas, a copy of which survives in a monastery on Mount Sinai.Dalrymple, William 2000; Bevan, 1897; Bornkamm, G. 1965
The term Syrian-Malabar Nasranis is a composite form of the elemental aspects of the ancient tradition. In it the term ''Syrian'' actually refers to the Aramaic speaking Jewish people rather than Syria, while the term Malabar is the name of an ancient region of the present day state of Kerala in India. The term Syrian-Malabar Nasrani therefore means people of Christian-Jewish tradition who follow Jesus of Nazareth and are from the Malabar coast of South India.Podipara, Placid J. 1970; Menachery G, 1973; 1982; 2000; Tisserant, E. 1957; Leslie Brown, 1956
The South Indian epic of Manimekalai written between 2nd and 3rd century CE mentions the Nasrani people by the name ''Essanis'' referring to one of the early Christian-Jewish sect within the Nasranis called Essenes. The embassy of Alfred in 833 CE described the Nestorian Syrian Christians as being prosperous and enjoying high status in the Malabar coast. Marco Polo also mentioned the Nasranis and their ancient church in the Malabar coast in his writings Il MilioneMarco Polo (1298) LATHAM, R. (TRANSL.) 1958
Christian Jewish tradition
An old church in Kerala
These early Christian Jews believed in Jesus as the Christ, but followed Jewish traditions and called themselves ''Nazaraeans'' or ''Nazrani'', meaning Jews who followed the Nazarene Messiah (Jesus). The term ''Nazaraean'' was first mentioned in the New Testament in Acts 24:5. The term ''nasrani'' was used essentially to denote Jewish followers of Jesus from Nazareth, while the term ''Khristianos'' "Christian" was initially used largely to refer to non-Jewish peoples ("gentiles") who followed the Christ (Acts 11:26).Vellian Jacob, 2001; Poomangalam C.A, 1998; Puthur, B. (ed.) 2002; Menachery, G; eds vol I 1982; vol II 1973; Menachery, G. 1998 Until the advent of the Portuguese in the 1500s, the proto-Jewish-Nasrani ethos in Kerala thrived with Jewish customs and the Syrian-Antiochian tradition.Vellian Jacob, 2001; Poomangalam C.A, 1998; Puthur, B. (ed.) 2002; Menachery, G; eds vol I 1982; vol II 1973; Menachery, G. 1998
They preserved the original rituals of the early Jewish Christians, such as covering their heads while in worship. Their ritual services (liturgy) was and still is called the Qurbana (also spelled ''Kurbana''), which is derived from the Hebrew ''Korban'' (קרבן), meaning "Sacrifice". Their ritual service used to be held on Saturdays in the tradition of the Jewish Sabbath. The Nasrani Qurbana used to be sung in the ''Suryani'' (Syriac) and Aramaic languages. They also believed that it was the Romans who killed Jesus Weil, S. 1982; Vellian Jacob 2001; Poomangalam C.A 1998, Menachery G, 1973; 1982; 2000; because, historically, Jesus was crucified; the official form of execution of the Jews was typically stoning to death, while the official form of execution of the Romans was crucifixion. Weil, S. 1982; Vellian Jacob 2001; Poomangalam C.A 1998, Menachery G, 1973; 1982; 2000; The architecture of the early church reflected a blend of Jewish and Kerala styles.Weil, S. 1982; Vellian Jacob 2001; Poomangalam C.A 1998, Menachery G, 1973; 1982; 2000;
Nasrani symbol
The symbol of the Nasranis is the Syrian cross, also called the Nasrani Menorah ''Mar Thoma sleeba'' in Malayalam. It is based on the Jewish menorah, the ancient symbol of the Hebrews, which consists of a branched candle stand for seven candlesticks. (Exodus 25).The Holy Bible (King James Version): 1611 Edition (Thos. Nelson, 1993) ISBN 0-8407-0028-8) In the Nasrani Menorah the six branches, (three on either side of the cross) represents God as the burning bush, while the central branch holds the cross, the dove at the tip of the cross represents the Holy Spirit. (Exodus 25:31).The Holy Bible (King James Version): 1611 Edition (Thos. Nelson, 1993) ISBN 0-8407-0028-8) In Jewish tradition the central branch is the main branch, from which the other branches or other six candles are lit. ''Netzer'' is the Hebrew word for "branch" and is the root word of Nazareth and Nazarene. (Isaiah 11:1).The Holy Bible (King James Version): 1611 Edition (Thos. Nelson, 1993) ISBN 0-8407-0028-8)
Note that the Christian cross was not adopted as a symbol by Mediterranean and European Christianity until several centuries had passed.
Persecution by Portuguese
The Judeo-Nasrani tradition of the Syro-Malabar Nasranis was wiped out when the Portuguese invaded Kerala, and denounced the Nasrani account of Christian faith as false. They imposed their European rituals and liturgy and obliterated the Jewish legacy from the Nasrani tradition. The Portuguese described the Nasranis as Sabbath-keeping Judaizers.Claudius Buchanan, 1811
Archbishop Menezes of Goa, convened the Synod of Diamper in Kerala in 1599.Michael Geddes, 1694, (Ed). Prof. Menachery, G, 1998; 2000; There he ordered all the texts of the Syrian Nasranis to be burnt.Van der Ploeg, J. P. M. 1983; Menachery, G 1973, 1998, 2000 The Portuguese burned the Gospel of Thomas and the Acts of Thomas. The purpose stated by Menezes was to erase all legacies of antiquity and Jewishness.Claudius Buchanan, 1811 Amongst several accusations, the Nasranis were accused of not worshipping images of saints and biblical figures.Claudius Buchanan 1811 They completely obliterated the records of early Nasrani life and Hebrew-Syriac tradition and imposed on the Nasranis that they were local people who were converted and not descendants of early Jewish settlers converted to Christianity by the Apostle Thomas. This despite the fact that the Acts of Thomas (a copy of which still survives in a monastery on Mount Sinai), states that the early Christian converts by the apostle Thomas in Kerala were early Jewish people settled in the Malabar coast.Bevan, 1897; Bornkamm, G. 1965
Most of all, the Portuguese burned the Nasrani Aramaic ''Peshitta'' Bible known today as the ''Lost Aramaic Bible'' that was based on the Jewish Targum and included the Gospel of the Nazoraeans. The Portuguese imposed the teaching that the Jews killed Jesus. The ''Nasranis'', who were, until then, the "living fossils" of the Christian-Jewish tradition, lost their very defining ethos.
Nasrani tradition today
Though much of the Jewish tradition was lost, some of the important traditions lived on. The symbol of the Nasrani people is still the Nasrani menorah. Another surviving Jewish tradition still followed by the Nasranis is the tradition of ''Pesaha-appam'' or unleavened Passover bread. On passover night, the Nasrani people have ''Pesaha-appam'' along with ''Pesaha-pal'' or "Passover coconut milk". This tradition of ''Pesaha-appam'' is observed by many Nasrani people until this day.
The Nasrani Church has a separate seating arrangement for men and women. Until the 1970s the Nasrani Kurbana was sung in the Aramaic-Syriac language. Many of the tunes of the Syrian- Christian worship in Kerala are remnants of ancient Syriac tunes of antiquity.Palackal, Joseph J. 2005 The "Holy of Holies" is divided by a red curtain for most of the time and is opened during the central part of the Nasrani Mass or ''Qurbana''. The Nasrani Baptism is still called by the Hebrew-syriac term ''Mamodisa'' and follows many of the ancient rituals of the ceremony. It is referred to in Malayalam as ''njana Snanam'' (Bath of Wisdom).
Nasrani people today belong to various Christian denominations of the Saint Thomas Christian tradition. See Saint Thomas Christians for a detailed description of the various denominations.
Nasrani people today
Nasrani people largely live in the districts of Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta and Trichur in Kerala. They have also migrated to other cities in India like Mumbai and Bangalore. Others have migrated to the United States or work in the Middle East. Based on the Indian census report of 2004, there are presently approximately 5,000,000 Syrian-Malabar Nasranis from across the various denominations within the Nasrani community. (Syrian christian census 2004)
Many Nasrani people own large estates and engage in trade of rubber, spices and cash crops. They also take a prominent role in the educational institutions of Kerala and throughout India. ('The Hindu' ''Syrian Christians are in a class of their own'' South Indian newspaper article 31 August 2001
Increasing migration and decreasing birth rate are endangering the Syrian Christian community in Kerala. The situation is likely to worsen in the coming decades and the community would soon enter the zero population regime. The community is facing a Parsi syndrome. Already about 25 percent of Syrian Christians live outside Kerala with a huge population living outside India. Very soon, the majority of them would be living outside and in 50 years time, the demography of Christian population in the state would change drastically. ('The Milli Gazette'''Syrian Christian pop. declining ''
List of prominent Nasranis
A Syro-Malabar Catholic Church with the Holy of Holies containing the Nasrani Menorah or Mar Thoma Sliba(St. Thomas Cross) veiled by a red curtain in the tradition of ancient Jewish synagogue.
Politics and Public Service
★ A. K. Antony, Defence minister of India and former Chief Minister of Kerala
★ Oommen Chandy - Former Chief Minister of Kerala.
★ Cherian Philip ,ex congress leader,but now LDF Leader and KTDC Chairman
★ Joseph Mundassery, First Education Minister of Kerala
★ TM Thomas Issac, Finance Minister of Kerala
★ M A Baby, Education Minister of Kerala
★ John Mathai, Former Finance Minister of India.
★ K. M. Chandy, Former Governor of Madhya Pradesh
★ P.C. Alexander, Former Governor of Maharashtra
★ P. V. Cherian, Former Governor of Maharashtra
★ M. M. Jacob, Former Governor of Meghalaya
★ M. M. Thomas, Former Governor of Nagaland
★ P. J. Kurian, Former Union Minister of State.
★ Thachil Mathoo Tharakan - First non-Hindu minister of Travancore.
★ K. M. Mani - Longest running MLA of Kerala
★ Mathai Manjooran - Indian freedom fighter and Socialist revolutionary.
★ P T Chacko - The only Christian Member of Constituent Assembly from Kerala.
★ A J John - Chief Minister of Travancore-Cochin (1951-53)
★ R V Thomas - President (Speaker) of Travancore Legislative Assembly (1948-50)
★ Sebastian Edathy, German Member of Parliament
★ Philip M Prasad, Notorious Ex-Naxalite and Communist
★ P. J. Joseph, Former State Minister
★ Josef Philip Winkler, German Politician (Nasrani mother)
Literature and Media
★ Nidhiry Mani Kathanar, Founder of Deepika erstwhile Naszrani Deepika, Eminent educationalist, Orator, Organizer and Ecumenist
★ Paremmakkal Thomma Kathanar, Author of the first travalogue in an Indian language.
★ Mathew M. Kuzhively, The author of the first Encyclopedia in an Indian Language.
★ Abu Abraham, Cartoonist
★ K. M. Mathew, Chief Editor, Malayala Manorama
★ Toms, Cartoonist
★ M. P. Paul, Malayalam critic
★ Zacharia, Author
★ Yesudasan, Cartoonist
★ Arundhati Roy, Author, winner of the Booker Prize, (Nasrani mother)
★ George Joseph - Editor of Gandhiji's 'Young India'
★ Pothen Joseph - Renowned Newspaper Editor
★ Mahakavi Kattakayam Cherian Mappila - Poet
★ Mahakavi Puthenkavu Mathen Tharakan - Poet
★ Mahakavi P M Devasia - Poet
★ M. C. Joseph, Sceptic and writer
★ Meena Alexander, Poet
★ D. C. Kizhakkemuri - Author ,Founder of D C Books and publisher.
★ I C Chacko - Grammarian and one of the early recipients of the Sahithya Academy Award
★ Sunnykutty Abraham, Journalist , Writer and the Chief Editor and COO of Jaihind TV
★ B.G. Verghese, Magsaysay Award-winning journalist and former editor of The Hindustan Times
★ T. N. Ninan, Editor and publisher of the Business Standard
Arts and Entertainment
★ Asin Thottumkal, Actress
★ Benny Mathews, American Director
★ Johnson (composer) - Malayalam cinema composer
★ John Abraham, Actor and Model
★ Naveen Andrews, Actor
★ Nayantara, Actress
★ Meera Jasmine, Actress
★ Suleka Mathew, Canadian Actress
★ Sugith Varughese, Canadian Actor
★ Shelly Malil, Actor
★ Paul Varghese, Comedian
★ Anchal Joseph, Model
★ Kim Thayil, Guitarist of 90's vanguard grunge band Soundgarden
★ Kunchacko Boban, Actor
★ Serena Varghese, Indian American Actress
★ Nafisa Joseph, Miss India Universe 1997, Committed Suicide
★ Annie Thomas, Miss India World 1998
★ Sabrina Setlur, German Singer
★ Anand Jon
★ Kunchacko, Founder of Udaya Studios, and pioneer movie-maker of Malayalam Film
★ John Mathew, Creative Director, Advertising. Model
Sports
★ Abey Kuruvilla, Indian Cricketer
★ Anju Bobby George, Athlete
★ Jimmy George, Indian Volleyball Player
★ Cyril Valloor, Indian Volleyball Player
★ K. M. Beenamol, Athlete
★ Shiny Abraham, Athlete
★ T. C. Yohannan, Long Jumper
★ Tinu Yohannan, Indian Cricketer
★ Johnson Varghese, Boxer
★ Tom Joseph, Indian Volleyball Player
★ M. D. Valsamma, Athlete - Asiad Gold Medallist
★ Mercy Kuttan, Athlete
★ Leelamma Thomas, Indian Basketball Player
★ Geethu Anna Jose, Indian Basketball Player
Business
★ Dominic Joseph Kuruvinakunnel - Founder of Casino (CGH Earth) Group of Hotels and Father of Tourism Industry in Kerala.
★ Chalakuzhy Paulose Matthen, Founder of the Quilon Bank Ltd. which merged to form TNQ Bank Ltd.
★ Kandathil Cherian Mammen Mappilai - Founder of Travancore National Bank Ltd. which merged to form TNQ Bank Ltd.
★ Joseph Augusti Kayalackakom - Founder of Palai Central Bank Ltd.
★ M C Cherian Manamel - Largest single plantation owner
★ Thachil Mathoo Tharakan, First timber exporter of Southern India
★ K. M. Mammen Mappillai, Founder of Madras Rubber Factory - MRF
★ Kandathil Varghese Mappillai, Founder of Malayala Manorama
★ Appu Kuttan, Founder of CyberLearning Universe and former owner of the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy
★ Kulangara Paulo Hormis, Founder of the Federal Bank
★ Kochouseph Chittilappilly, Industrialist - ( V-Guard / Veega Land)
★ Joy Alukkas, Alukkas Group
★ Ashok M. Kurien, Co-founder of Zee TV
Science and Technology
★ George Sudarshan, Theoretical Physicist.
★ Mathai Varghese, Mathematician
★ Thomas Kailath
★ George Varghese
★ K. Mani Chandy
★ Thomas Zacharia
Medicine
★ Thomas Thomas, The first Indian Cardio-Thoracic surgeon
★ Mary Punnen Lukose - First lady doctor of India
★ Abraham Verghese, American medico and author
★ K. M. Cherian, Indian heart-surgeon
★ Paul Antony, American Physician
Education and Government Service
★ Abraham Kovoor, Rationalist
★ Anna Chandy, First woman judge of an Indian High Court
★ T K Thomman, Former Justice of the Supreme Court of India.
★ Ravi J. Matthai, Founding Director of IIM Ahmedabad
★ Verghese Kurien, Father of the Indian White Revolution
★ K.K. Mathew, Former Justice of the Supreme Court of India.
★ Joseph Edamaruku, Journalist and Rationalist
★ Rachel Paulose, Youngest US woman attorney
★ Joy Cherian, First Asian American to serve on the EEOC
★ Peter Varghese, Director of the Office of National Assessments (Australia)
★ P K H Tharakan, Former head of Research and Analysis Wing
★ Abraham George
Religion
★ His Grace Mar Thoma I Metropolitan , First bishop of the Indian church.
★ Philipose Mar Chrysostom ,Metropolitan Bishop of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church
★ V.C.Samuel, Church Historian
★ Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Major ArchBishop of Syro Malabar Church
★ Mar Joseph Powathil, Arch Bishop of Changanacherry- Kerala
★ George Kovoor, Principal of Trinity College, Bristol[1]
★ Sebastian Kappen, Liberation theologian
★ K. V. Simon ,Christian Poet and Mahakavi
Others
★ George Abraham Thampy, Winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2000
★ Matthew Eappen, Baby who was murdered in the Louise Woodward case
★ Vinod Thomas, Director-General of Independent Evaluation Group), World Bank
★ Thankom Philip - The first and foremost culiniary expert of India
★ M.O. Mathai, Private secretary to Jawaharlal Nehru
See also
★ Cochin Jews
★ Goa Inquisition
★ Knanaya
★ Saint Thomas Christians
Notes
References and bibliography
★ Menachery G (1973) The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, Ed. George Menachery, B.N.K. Press, vol. 2, ISBN 81-87132-06-X, Lib. Cong. Cat. Card. No. 73-905568; B.N.K. Press — (has some 70 lengthy articles by different experts on the origins, development, history, culture... of these Christians, with some 300 odd photographs).
★ Mundadan, A. Mathias. (1984) ''History of Christianity in India'', vol.1, Bangalore, India: Church History Association of India.
★ Podipara, Placid J. (1970) "The Thomas Christians". London: Darton, Longman and Tidd, 1970. (is a readable and exhaustive study of the St. Thomas Christians.)
★ The Land of the Perumals, or Cochin, Its Past and Present — Madras: Gantz Brothers — 1863.
★ Philip, E.M. (1908) The Indian Christians of St. Thomas (1908; Changanassery: Mor Adai Study Center, 2002).
★ Veluthat, K. (1978). Brahmin settlements in Kerala: Historical studies. Calicut: Calicut University, Sandhya Publications.
★ Aprem, Mar. (1977) The Chaldaean Syrian Church in India. Trichur, Kerala, India: Mar Narsai, 1977.
★ Menachery, Professor George. (2000) Kodungallur - The Cradle of Christianity In India, Thrissur: Marthoma Pontifical Shrine.
★ Dalrymple, William (2000) “Indian Journeys”, BBC documentary
★ Acts of St. Thomas (Syriac) MA. Bevan, London, 1897
★ Poomangalam C.A (1998) The Antiquities of the Knanaya Syrian Christians; Kottayam, Kerala.
★ Menachery George & Chakkalakal Werner (1987) "Kodungallur: City of St. Thomas", Azhikode
★ Bornkamm, G. "The Acts of Thomas" in E. Hennecke, New Testament Apocrypha, Vol. 2. London: Lutterworth, 1965.
★ Tisserant, E. (1957) Eastern Christianity in India: A History of the Syro-Malabar Church from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. Trans. and ed. by E. R. Hambye. Westminster, MD: Newman Press.
★ James Hough (1893) "The History of Christianity in India".
★ Michael Geddes, (1694) A Short History of the Church of Malabar together with the Synod of Diamper, London.
★ Vellian, J (1988) Marriage Customs of the Knanites, Christian Orient, 9, Kottayam.
★ Lukas, P.U(l910) ed. Ancient songs of the Syrian Christians, Kottayam.
★ Menachery G (ed) (1982) The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, B.N.K. Press, vol. 1;
★ K.V. Krishna Iyer, Kerala’s Relations with the Outside World, pp. 70, 71 in "The Cochin Synagogue Quatercentenary Celebrations Commemoration Volume", Kerala History Association, Cochin, 1971.
★ ''Periplus Maris Erythraei'' "The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea", (trans). Wilfred Schoff (1912), reprinted South Asia Books 1995 ISBN 81-215-0699-9
★ Miller, J. Innes. (1969). The Spice Trade of The Roman Empire: 29 B.C. to A.D. 641. Oxford University Press. Special edition for Sandpiper Books. 1998. ISBN 0-19-814264-1.
★ "In Universi Cristiani" (Latin Text of the Papal erection of the Knanaya Diocese of Kottayam)
★ Thomas Puthiakunnel, (1973) "Jewish colonies of India paved the way for St. Thomas", The Saint Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, ed. George Menachery, Vol. II., Trichur.
★ Koder S. 'History of the Jews of Kerala".The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India, Ed. G. Menachery,1973.
★ Vellian Jacob (2001) Knanite community: History and culture; Syrian church series; vol. XVII; Jyothi Book House, Kottayam
★ Tamcke, M. (ed.) (2001) : ''Orientalische Christen zwischen Repression und Migration'' (Studien zur Orientalischen Kirchengeschichte 13; Münster: LIT).
★ Puthur, B. (ed.) (2002): The Life and Nature of the St Thomas Christian Church in the Pre-Diamper Period (Cochi, Kerala).
★ H. Rawlinson, Intercourse between India and the Western World from the Earliest Times to the Fall of Rome (1926).
★ Bindu Malieckal (2005) Muslims, Matriliny, and A Midsummer Night's Dream: European Encounters with the Mappilas of Malabar, India; The Muslim World Volume 95 Issue 2
★ T.K Velu Pillai, (1940) "The Travancore State Manual"; 4 volumes; Trivandrum)
★ Weil, S. (1982)"Symmetry between Christians and Jews in India: The Cananite Christians and Cochin Jews in Kerala. in Contributions to Indian Sociology,16.
★ Menachery, G. (ed.): (2000) Thomapedia. The Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, 2. Trissur). [ISBN 81-87132-13-2].
★ Claudius Buchanan (1811). Christian Researches in Asia: With Notices of the Translation of the Scriptures into the Oriental Languages. 2nd ed. Boston: Armstron, Cornhill
★ Menachery G (ed); (1998) "The Indian Church History Classics", Vol. I, ''The Nazranies'', Ollur, 1998. [ISBN 81-87133-05-8].
★ Jessay, P.M. "The Wedding Songs of the Cochin Jews and of the Knanite Christians of Kerala: A Study in Comparison." Symposium, 29 August 1986.
★ The Holy Bible (King James Version): 1611 Edition (Thos. Nelson, 1993) ISBN 0-8407-0028-8.
★ Palackal, Joseph J. Syriac Chant Traditions in South India. Ph.d, Ethnomusicology, City University of New York, 2005.
★ Joseph, T. K. The Malabar Christians and Their Ancient Documents. Trivandrum, India, 1929.
★ Leslie Brown, (1956) ''The Indian Christians of St. Thomas. An Account of the Ancient Syrian Church of Malabar'', Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1956, 1982 (repr.)
★ Thomas P. J; (1932) "Roman Trade Centres in Malabar", Kerala Society Papers, II.
★ Marco Polo.(1298) LATHAM, R. (TRANSL.) "The Travels" Penguin Classics 1958
★ Bjorn Landstrom (1964) "The Quest for India", Double day English Edition, Stockholm.
External links
★ Preserved original rituals of the early Jewish Christians in Syrian Christians of Kerala
★ Nasrani Syrian Christians - Demography
★ Unofficial site of SOC
★ History of the Christian Jews in Asia
★ Knanaya Christians
★ The cradle of Christianity in India
★ The Syro Malabar Church
★ History of the Kerala Christians by Dr. Zacharias Thundy, Northern Michigan University
★ Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (Indian Orthodox Church)
★ The tradition of the Essenes
★ Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church
★ Christians of Kerala
★ Population of Christians in India and Kerala based on 2004 report of Indian census
★ Syrian christians are in a class of their own South Indian newspaper 31 August 2001
★ Madras Medical Mission
★ The Nasrani Syrian Christian Network
★ The Syrian Christians of Kerala - Family Tree DNA Project
★ Project for preserving the manuscripts of the Syrian Christians of Kerala
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