Archdeacon George

Archdeacon George was the leader of the Malabar Church in its struggling period of preserving the identity and unity.It was during his time the Synod of Diamper took place due to the pressure from Goan Archbishop Alexio De Menezes. Archdeacon George is always remembered for his great leadership he presented when Marthoma Christians in Kerala saw great crisis.

St. Thomas Church and Archdeacon George

Archdeacon George took over the administration in the year 1597 when Mar Abraham the Bishop of Malabar Christians died. Goan Archbishop Alexio De Menezes also accepted him as the administrator. In the midst of so many challenges and difficulties, he led the Malabar Church faithfully and diligently. It was during his period the Archbishop of Goa Alexio De Menezes intervened directly in the affairs of Thomas Christians to Latinize them. For this, Archbishop Menezez reached Cochin and started visiting the churches one after another without the prior permission of Archdeacon George. St. Thomas Christians revolted against it. With the help of local kings and Christian leaders of Kaduthuruty, Menezes started to question the authority of the Archdeacon. He ordained priests and administered sacraments. The Archdeacon objected his procedures, but he could not prevent the Archbishop from interfering. As Menezes, the Archbishop gained ground, he even dared to threaten Archdeacon George by favoring a rival candidate for the same office. This split the Christian community in Kerala into two and the community was on the verge of a division. In this sorrowful situation, the exasperated Archdeacon was forced to accept the condition to convoke a synod at Diamper. He had to accept the decisions of synod, which were detrimental to the Malabar Church.

Synod of Diamper

Synod of Diamper was called to discuss the Latinization of St. Thomas Church. As the result of this synod, Coonan Kurishu oath happened and Christians were split into two; Catholics or Puthenkoottukkaar and Orthodox Syrian or pazhayakoottukaar.

Archbishop Aleixo de Menezes

Contributions of Archdeacon George

Archdeacon George was a man who was humble and simple throughout his life. He worked hard to keep Christians together but barely failed due to the pressure of Goan Archbishop Alexio De Menezes.He died in 1640.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Archdeacon George.

• Syro-Malabar Church
• Archdiocese of Thrissur
• Archdiocese of Kottayam
• Archdiocese of Changanacherry
• Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly
• Archdiocese of Tellicherry
• The website for Synod of Diamper
• Indian Christianity : Books by Geddes, Mackenzie, Medlycott, &c.
• Syro malabar mission in Chennai
• Syro Malabar Church in Australia
• Nazraney Heritage
• Syro Malabar Church in Qatar
• Syro Malabar Matrimony

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14:18, 16 November 2013 (UTC)