Pakalomattom family

The Pakalomattam family is an ancient Suriyani (Syrian) Christian family in Kerala, India. 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 and not for any Syrian migration. They are also known as Nazaranis (followers of Jesus the Nazarene).[1][2]

History

There is a local legend that St. Thomas, the apostle visited Kerala in A.D. 52, as part of his missionary work in Persia, North India and Afghanistan.[3] According to a Malabar tradition that he ordained Bishops and priests from the Pakalomattom family. The Saint Thomas Christians are a group of Christians from the Malabar Coast (now Kerala), who follow Syriac Christianity.[4]

References

  1. ^ David Daniel (1986). The Orthodox Church of India: History. History of Christianity in India. (University of Michigan). 
  2. ^ Edgar Thurston. "Castes and Tribes of Southern India". Google Product Search. http://books.google.com/books?id=Erin3nkU3ZUC&pg=PA435&dq=Pakalomattom+family&sig=ACfU3U2qQM1tgfDgv-6eVINeM8Uqq44lmQ. 
  3. ^ Bayly, Susan Saints, Goddesses and Kings in South Indian Society Cambridge University Press 22 April 2004 ISBN 978-0521891035 [1]
  4. ^ Jagdish Saran Sharma (1981). Encyclopaedia Indica. India: S. Chand (Original from the University of Michigan).