The Heritage of Thomas
Christians
The heritage of St. Thomas
Christians come from three
sources or periods,
namely,(1)the early period
from St. Thomas to the arrival
of the East Syrian
missionaries,(2) From the
arrival of the East Syrian
Missionaries to the end of the
sixteenth century, and
(3)during the period of the
Western missionaries until
establishment of the Syro-
Malabar hierarchy. Our present
heritage comes from these
three periods.
During the first period the
apostle preached the Good News
to the non Christians, our
ancestors. The faith on the
Malabar Coast has its origin
from the apostle. The divine
functions were performed in
the local cultural milieu. The
elements of inculturation
which remained in our liturgy
go back to this period. The
influence of this period was
seen in the construction of
the Churches. They looked
similar to Hindu temples.
The East Syrian Liturgy
which was brought to Malabar
by the Persians was accepted
by Thomas Christians and they
loved both the Liturgy and the
Syriac language. This Liturgy
has been restored to us in the
year 1962 this restored
Liturgy is part of heritage.
The need of renewal and
adaptation will be discussed
later.
In the following pages we
will see that St. Thomas
community accepted certain
elements from the Western
missionaries,such as the
seminary formation, celibacy,
and certain devotions like
rosary.
Western Missionaries
1600-1896 Vasco de Gamma
arrived in Cochin in 1502 A.D
(during his second visit to
India).a delegation of St.
Thomas Christians met him,
implored him for protection. A
very cordial relation was
established between the native
Christians and the Portuguese.
(See Prof. George Menacherry
and Fr. Werner Chakkalakal CMI,
Kodungallur City of
St.Thomas,p.65).
One thing to be noted at
the outset is that the
relation was established
between two parties with their
own distinct identity. This
identity had to be respected
in all respects; one is not to
be absorbed by the other. This
cordial relation broke down
when the Portuguese tried to
absorb the St. Thomas
Christians, whatever is the
pretext for the same attempt.
St. Francis Xavier arrived
in India in 1542.The
missionaries who came to India
were mostly secular priests,
Franciscans and Dominicans who
were joined by Jesuits from
1559.
Frictions Between the
Portuguese and St. Thomas
Christians St. Thomas
Christians had hoped that the
Portuguese being powerful
would strengthen their
position among the other
religions. There was however
no question of giving up what
was their own, namely, the
East Syrian Liturgy and the
local customs and.19 20
practices. They did not expect
them to interfere in the
internal affairs of the
community or tamper with their
identity. |
