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The Saint Thomas Christian denominations are Christian denominations from Kerala, India, which traditionally trace their ultimate origins to the evangelistic activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century.[1][2][3][4] 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.
For the first 15 centuries, they had their own leaders to whom they were obedient and who were well respected by both the people and the rulers of the country. In AD 190, Pantaenus from Alexandria visited these Christians.[5] He found that they were using the Gospel of Matthew in the Hebrew language. Around AD 522, an Egyptian East Syriac monk, Cosmas Indicopleustes, visited the Malabar Coast. He mentions Christians in a country called Male, where pepper grows, in his book Christian Topography.[6][7][8] This shows that until the 6th century these Christians had been in close contact with Alexandria.
In AD 883, Alfred the Great (849–899), King of Wessex, England reportedly sent gifts to Mar Thoma Christians of India through Sighelm, bishop of Sherborne.[9] Around AD 1292, Marco Polo (1254–1324) on his return journey from China visited Southern Kerala, mentions that, "The people are idolaters, though there are some Christians and Jews among them".[10][11]
It is believed that in AD 345, Christians from Edessa arrived in Kerala under the leadership of Thomas of Cana,[12] and in 825, another group joined them. They had their own bishops visiting them from Persia. Though the Saint Thomas Christians welcomed them, these bishops had not made any effort to subjugate them. Saint Thomas Christians remained as an independent group, their bishops coming from the Church of the East until the 16th century.
Saint Thomas Christians were greatly affected by the arrival of the Portuguese in India in 1498. The Portuguese attempted to bring the community under the auspices of Latin Catholicism, resulting in permanent rifts in the community.[13][14][15]
- ^ The Encyclopedia of Christianity, Volume 5 by Erwin Fahlbusch. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing – 2008. p. 285. ISBN 978-0-8028-2417-2.
- ^ The Jews of India: A Story of Three Communities by Orpa Slapak. The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. 2003. p. 27. ISBN 965-278-179-7.
- ^ Medlycott, A E. 1905 "India and the Apostle Thomas"; Gorgias Press LLC; ISBN 1-59333-180-0.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Church History by Eusebius. Book V Chapter X.
- ^ McCrindle, J.W. (Trans. & Editor) The Christian Topography of Cosmos, an Egyptian Monk. The Hakluyt Society, First series No. XCVIII. 1897. pp 118–119, Book 3.
- ^ Travancore Manual, page 248.
- ^ Pearse, Roger. "Cosmas Indicopleustes, Christian Topography (1897) pp. 358-373. Book 11".
- ^ The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Part II, AD 750–919
- ^ Marco Polo. The Book of Travels Translated by Ronald Latham. 1958. Page 287.
- ^ N.M.Mathew. St. Thomas Christians of Malabar Through Ages. CSS Tiruvalla. 2003. p. 78–79
- ^ Hough. ‘’Christianity in India’’. Vol I. Page 93, 94
- ^ Frykenberg, p. 111.
- ^ "Christians of Saint Thomas". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
- ^ Frykenberg, pp. 134–136.
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