>Br Ibrahim john at 12:09, 7 July 2021

2021-07-07T12:09:56Z

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'''[[Christianity]]''' is the third-most practised religion in '''[[Kerala]]''', accounting for 18% of the population according to the [[Indian census]].<ref name="censusindia1">{{cite web |title=Census of India |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_Data_Online/Social_and_cultural/Religion.aspx?cki=MJPdz8hYMlF |access-date=2009-04-12}}</ref> Although a minority, the Christian population of Kerala is proportionally much larger than that of [[India]] as a whole. A significant portion of the [[Christianity in India|Indian Christian]] population resides in the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.members.tripod.com/~berchmans/early.html |title=Christianity in India |publisher=Members.tripod.com |access-date=2013-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Compiled by Robert Eric Frykenberg |url=http://www.ctlibrary.com/ch/2005/issue87/9.26.html |title=Timeline |publisher=Ctlibrary.com |date=2005-07-01 |access-date=2013-12-16}}</ref>

== History ==
{{See also|Saint Thomas Christians}}
{{More citations needed section|date=July 2020}}
[[Image:Kodungaloor Mar Thoma Church.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Mar Thoma Sleeha Pilgrim Church, [[Kodungalloor]] where the relics of the right hand of the apostle is kept and venerated. This new church is built where it is believed that the first of the seven churches was built by [[Thomas the Apostle|St. Thomas]] in AD 52.]]

The tradition of origin among [[Saint Thomas Christians]] relates to the arrival of [[Thomas the Apostle|Saint Thomas]], one of the 12 disciples of [[Jesus]] at the ancient seaport [[Muziris]] on the Kerala coast in AD 52.<ref>https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/how-christianity-came-to-india-kerala-180958117/</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20110208073816/http://stthoma.com/</ref><ref name="Erwin Fahlbusch">[https://books.google.com/books?id=lZUBZlth2qgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=isbn:9780802824172&hl=en&sa=X&ei=i5ncVJiVJ4u4uATrlIGoAg&ved=0CB8Q6wEwAA#v=onepage&q=Muziris&f=false ''The Encyclopedia of Christianity, Volume 5''] by Erwin Fahlbusch. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing – 2008. p. 285. {{ISBN|978-0-8028-2417-2}}.</ref><ref>{{Citation|date=2015-12-31|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/9781400872589-003|work=Syrian Christians in a Muslim Society: An Interpretation|pages=1–98|place=Princeton|publisher=Princeton University Press|doi=10.1515/9781400872589-003|isbn=978-1-4008-7258-9|access-date=2020-11-04|title=Syrian Christians in Muslim Society}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Jullien|first=Christelle|date=2011-05-15|title=Origin of Christianity in India. A historiographical Critique. Delhi, Media House, 2007, 392 p.|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4000/abstractairanica.39686|journal=Abstracta Iranica|volume=31|doi=10.4000/abstractairanica.39686|issn=0240-8910|doi-access=free}}</ref> The families Sankaramangalam,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bayly, Susan.|title=Saints, goddesses, and kings : Muslims and Christians in South Indian Society, 1700-1900|date=1989|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=0-521-37201-1|location=Cambridge [England]|oclc=70781802}}</ref> Pakalomattam, Kalli, and Kaliyankal were considered particularly preeminent, and historically the most aristocratic [[Syriac Christian]] families tended to claim descent from these families.<ref name="Vanderbilt University | Syriac: Preserving an Endangered World Culture">https://gallery.library.vanderbilt.edu/exhibits/show/syriaca/syriaca/christianity</ref>

It is also possible for [[Aramaic]]-speaking [[Jew]]s from [[Galilee]] to make a trip to Kerala in the 1st century. The [[Cochin Jews]] are known to have existed in Kerala around that time. The earliest known source connecting the apostle to India is the [[Acts of Thomas]], likely written in the early 3rd century, perhaps in [[Edessa]].[[File:Arakuzha Syrian Catholic Church.jpg|thumb|right|[[Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Arakuzha]] was founded in 999|248x248px]]

The text describes Thomas' adventures in bringing Christianity to India, a tradition later expanded upon in early Indian sources such as the "Thomma Parvam" ("Song of Thomas"). Generally he is described as arriving in or around [[Maliankara]] and founding Seven Churches and half churches, or Ezharapallikal: Kodungallur, Kollam, [[Niranam]], [[Nilackal]] (Chayal), Kokkamangalam, [[Kottakkavu]], [[Palayoor]] , Thiruvithamcode Arappalli and [[St. George's Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Aruvithura|Aruvithura church]] (half church). A number of 3rd- and 4th-century Roman writers also mention Thomas' trip to India, including [[Ambrose of Milan]], [[Gregory of Nazianzus]], [[Jerome]], and [[Ephrem the Syrian]], while [[Eusebius of Caesarea]] records that his teacher [[Pantaenus]] visited a Christian community in India in the 2nd century. There came into existence a Christian community who were mainly merchants.
[[File:Kirche Kuravilangad Juli 2011.jpg|thumb|Kuravilangad Church]]

== Denominations ==
{{Pie chart
|caption = Denominations among all Christians in Kerala
|value1 = 40.2
|label1 = Syro-Malabar
|value2 = 7.6
|label2 = Syro-Malankara
|value3 = 7.9
|label3 = Syrian Jacobite
|value4 = 8.0
|label4 = Malankara Orthodox
|value5 = 6.6
|label5 = Syrian Marthoma
|value6 = 0.43
|label6 = Syrian Chaldean
|value7 = 4.3
|label7 = Pentecost
|value8 = 13.2
|label8 = Latin Catholic
|value9 = 2.6
|label9 = Dalit Christian
|value10 = 4.5
|label10 = CSI
|value11 = 5.47
|label11 = Others
}}
Source: Religious Denominations of Kerala<ref name="Population">{{cite web |author=K.C. Zachariah |date=April 2016 |title=Religious Denominations of Kerala |publisher=Center for Development Studies |url=http://cds.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/WP468.pdf |access-date=8 July 2018}}</ref>
[[File:English Church, Nadakkavu.jpg|thumbnail|English Church, Nadakkavu]]
[[File:Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral.jpg|thumb|[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Alleppey]]([[Latin church]])]]
[[File:Nasrani cross.jpg|thumb|Nasrani cross]]
The 2011 [[Indian census]] found a total of 6,411,269 Christians in Kerala.<ref name="censusindia1" /> The [[Saint Thomas Christians|Saint Thomas Syrian Christians]] ([[Syro-Malabar Church|Syro Malabar]], [[Syro-Malankara Catholic Church|Syro Malankara]], [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church|Orthodox]], [[Jacobite Syrian Christian Church|Jacobite]], [[Mar Thoma Syrian Church|Marthoma]], [[Chaldean Syrian Church|Chaldean]] and the [[Malabar Independent Syrian Church|Thozhiyur]] churches) constituted 70.73% of the Christians in Kerala. The [[Roman Catholics of Malabar|Roman Catholics]] formed 13.3%. The [[Pentecostalism in Kerala|Pentecostal]] church formed 4.3%. Other [[Protestantism|Protestant]], [[Calvinism|Reformed]] and [[Charismatic Christianity|Charismatic]] churches form 5.9% of the Christians. The [[Church of South India|CSI]] Church constitutes 4.5% of the Christians. [[Dalit Christian|Dalit Christians]] formed 2.6% of the Christian community of Kerala.

Catholics form three particular Churches totalling overall 3,743,851 (61% of all Christians)numbers as follows:
*Syro Malabar (2,345,911),
*Syro Malankara(465,207),
*Roman Catholic (932,733).

Major Churches of the non-Catholic [[Syro-Antiochian Rite]] form 1,381,209 (23% of all Christians) (also [[Eastern Protestant Christianity|Reformed Oriental]] church like Malankara Marthoma) numbers are as follows:
*Malankara Orthodox (689,404)
*Malankara Jacobite (493,358)
*Malankara Marthoma (405,089)

Protestant, Reformed and other Charismatic churches numbers are as follows
*CSI (Church of South India) (274,255)
*Pentecostal (213,806)
*Seventh-day Adventist Church (37,000 membership in Kerala)
*St. Thomas Evangelical Church (2900)
*Other miscellaneous (301,864),
*Dalit (159,982).

[[File:SaintThomasChristian'sDivisionsHistoryFinal-en.svg|SaintThomasChristian'sDivisionsHistoryFinal-en]]

=== Catholic Church ===
*[[Syro-Malabar Church|Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]]<ref>World Christian Encyclopedia , Second edition, 2001 Volume 1, p. 368-371</ref> - an [[Eastern Catholic church]] of the [[East Syriac Rite]] (Edessan Rite) - the largest Christian denomination in Kerala.
*[[Syro-Malankara Catholic Church]] - an [[Eastern Catholic church]] of the [[West Syriac Rite]] (Syro-Antiochene Rite)
*[[Latin Church|Roman Catholic Church]] also known as Latin Church ([[Roman Rite]])

===Oriental Orthodox Churches (West Syriac Rite)===
*[[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://malankaraorthodoxchurch.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=53&Itemid=10 |title=Malankara Orthodox Church - Kottayam Seminary |publisher=Malankaraorthodoxchurch.in |access-date=2013-12-16}}</ref> - [[autocephaly|autocephalous]] Indian Orthodox Church, part of the [[Oriental Orthodox Churches|Oriental Orthodox communion]].
*[[Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church]] - autonomous jurisdiction of the [[Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch]] in India.

===Independent Oriental Orthodox Churches===
(The denominations that follow Oriental Orthodox theology but are not officially part of Oriental Orthodox Communion).
*[[Malabar Independent Syrian Church]] - Oriental Orthodox church in good ecumenical relations with the [[Anglican Communion]], but not in communion with other Oriental orthodox churches.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fenwick |first1=John R. K. |title=Malabar Independent Syrian Church The Thozhiyur Church |url=https://gedsh.bethmardutho.org/Malabar-Independent-Syrian-Church}}</ref>

===Reformed Oriental Churches===
*[[Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marthoma.in/ |title=Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar |publisher=Marthoma.in |access-date=2013-12-16}}</ref> - [[Eastern Protestant Christianity|Reformed]] [[West Syriac Rite]] Church. In communion with the [[Anglican Communion]] and [[Malabar Independent Syrian Church]].
*[[St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India]] - [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] [[Protestant Eastern Christianity|Oriental]] Church.

===United and Uniting (Anglican)===
*[[Church of South India|Church of South India (CSI)]] - the successor to the Anglican and several Protestant denominations in India, including the [[Church of England]], the [[Methodist Church]] and the [[Church of Scotland]], after Indian Independence. This Church is part of the [[Anglican Communion]].

===Assyrian Church of the East - (East Syriac Rite)===
*[[Chaldean Syrian Church]] - [[archbishop]]ric of the [[Assyrian Church of the East]]

===Prominent Protestant denominations===
* [[The Indian Pentecostal Church of God]]
* [[General Council of the Assemblies of God of India]]
* [[Church of God (Full Gospel) in India]]
*[[The Pentecostal Mission]]
*[[Kerala Brethren]]
*[[Seventh-day adventist]]

==Pilgrimage sites==

* The National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom Roman Catholic Church, Vallarpadam, Ernakulam.
* St. Antony's Roman Catholic Church Kaloor, Ernakulam.
* St. Francis Assisi Cathedral Roman Catholic Church, [[Archdiocese of Verapoly]], [[Marine Drive, Kochi|Marine Drive]], [[Ernakulam]], [[Kochi]]
* [[St.Philomena's Forane Church, Koonammavu]] & St. Chavara Pilgrimage, Archdiocese of Verapoly, a Roman Catholic Church, [[Koonammavu]], Cochin.
* [[St. Mary's Church, Niranam|St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church]], [[Niranam]], [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]]- one of the oldest churches in [[India]] and founded by [[Thomas the Apostle|St. Thomas]].
* [[St. Mary's Cathedral, Kundara|St. Mary's Cathedral]], [[Kundara]], [[Kollam]]- contains a [[Holy Girdle]] believed to be dropped from the sky by the [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Virgin Mary]] to [[Thomas the Apostle|St. Thomas]].
* [[St. George Orthodox Church Puthuppally Pally|St. George Orthodox Church]], [[Puthuppally, Kottayam|Puthuppally]], [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]]- commonly called the 'Puthuppally Valiyappally' and contains a shrine declared as the 'Georgian Pilgrim Centre of the East'. Relics of [[Saint George]] are also present at Puthuppally Pally.
* St Mary's Orthodox Church, Kallooppara, Pathanamthitta(Kallooppara Valyapally).
* [[Our Lady of Dolours Basilica]], [[Thrissur]], [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]]- commonly known as 'Puthanpally' ('new church') and the [[List of tallest church buildings|third-tallest church in Asia]].
* [[St. Antony's Forane Church]], [[Ollur]], [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]]- a well-known church, site of the famous [[Feast of Saint Raphael, Ollur|'Malakhayude Perunnal']].
* [[St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Parumala|St. Peter and St.Paul's Church]], [[Parumala]], [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]]- important to [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church|Malankara Orthodox Christians]] as the burial site of [[Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala|St. Geevarghese Mar Gregorios]].
* [[Basilica of St. George, Angamaly|Basilica of St. George]], [[Angamaly]], [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]]- largest of its kind in [[India]] and the first church in Angamaly, which was formerly dedicated to St Mary. It was the seat of power of Syrian Christians till 16th century.
* [[St Mary's Church, Angamaly|St. Mary's Soonoro Cathedral Angamaly]], built by [[Archdeacon George]] in 1567.
* [[Potta Ashram]], [[Potta]], [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]]- a famous [[Catholic]] [[charismatic movement|charismatic renewal]] centre in [[Kerala]].
* [[St. George's Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Aruvithura|St. George's Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church]], Aruvithura, [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]]- first church built in the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Palai|Pala Eparchy]] and has a cross laid down by [[Thomas the Apostle|St. Thomas]].
* [[St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Cathedral, Manarcad|St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Cathedral]], [[Manarcaud|Manarcad]], [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]]- contains part of the [[Holy Girdle]] and was the site of the [[Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church|Jacobite]] ritual of the [[Chrism|Holy Mooron]] in 1982 by the [[Patriarch of Antioch]] [[Ignatius Zakka I Iwas]].
* [[Divine Retreat Centre, Muringoor|Divine Retreat Centre]], Muringoor, [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]]- a famous [[retreat (spiritual)|retreat centre]] with a [[drug rehabilitation|rehabilitation centre]], [[retirement home]] and other centres.
* [[Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam|Orthodox Theological Seminary]], [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]]- first seminary in [[Kerala]] for the ''[[Malankara Church]]'' and currently owned by the [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]].
* [[St. Thomas Church, Malayattoor|St. Thomas Church]], [[Malayattoor]], [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]]- an [[international shrine]] and the site of [[Thomas the Apostle|St. Thomas']] footprints and knee-prints, along with other historical sites.
* [[Mor Ignatius Dayro Manjinikkara|Manjinikkara Dayara]], [[Omallur]], [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]]- [[Syriac Orthodox Church|Syriac Orthodox]] monastery and contains the tombs of [[Ignatius Elias III|St. Ignatius Elias III]] and [[Mor Yulios Elias Qoro]].
* [[St. George Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Edappally|St. George Church]], [[Edappally]], [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]]- foundation laid by [[Pope John Paul II]] and the site of the 'offering of fowls' during the [[Saint George's Day|Feast of St. George]].
* [[St. Thomas Cathedral, Kadampanad|St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral]], [[Kadampanad]], [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]]- contains the tomb of [[Mar Thoma III]] and declared as a 'Marthoman Pilgrim Centre'.
* [[St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Kolenchery|St. Peter and St. Paul's Church]], [[Kolenchery]], [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]]- contains the tomb of [[Mar Thoma VII]] and reopened recently for both [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church|Malankara Orthodox Christians]] and [[Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church|Jacobite Orthodox Christians]].
* [[St. Thomas Church, Kothamangalam|St. Thomas Church]], [[Kothamangalam]], [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]]- contains the tomb of [[Baselios Yeldo|St. Baselios Yeldo]].
* [[Thamarachal Valiyapally|St. Mary's Jacobite Church]], [[Thamarachal]], [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]]- pilgrim centre of [[Mary, mother of Jesus|St. Mary]] and famous for its [[Nativity of Mary|'Ettunombu']].
* [[St. George's Church, Chandanapally|St. George Orthodox Church]], [[Chandanapally, Kerala|Chadanapally]], [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]]- contained the relics of [[Saint George|St. George]] for a while and site of the well-known 'Chembuduppu' annual ritual.
* [[St. George Orthodox Church, Cheppad|St. George Orthodox Church]], [[Cheppad]], [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]]- contains the tomb of [[Mar Dionysius IV]] and a 600-year-old [[mural]].
* [[St. Francis Church, Kochi|St. Francis Church]], [[Fort Kochi]], [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]]- oldest European church and currently under control of the [[Church of South India|CSI]].
* [[St. John Nepumsian's Forane Church, Parappukkara|St. John Nepumsian's Forane Church]] [[Parappukkara]], [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]]- a rare pilgrim centre of [[John of Nepomuk|St. John Nepumsian]] and contains a [[granite]] cross given by [[Francis Xavier|St. Francis Xavier]].
* [[St. Joseph's Church, Mannanam|St. Joseph's Church]], Mannanam, [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]]- constructed by [[Kuriakose Elias Chavara|St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara]] and contains his tomb.
* [[National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam|Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom]], [[Vallarpadam]], [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]]- a National Pilgrim Centre and contains a [[Privileged Altar|privileged altar]].
* [[Kattachira Church|St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church]], Kattachira, [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]]- declared as a Global Marian Pilgrim Centre and contains an [[icon]] of [[Mary, mother of Jesus|St. Mary]] with tears of [[fragrance oil|aromatic oil]] flowing from the eyes.
* [[Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Arakuzha|Marth Mariam Forane Church]], [[Arakuzha]], [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]]- one of the oldest churches in [[Kerala]] and where [[Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly|Mar Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly]] served as a parish priest.
* [[Jerusalem Retreat Center]], [[Thalore]], [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]]- a famous [[Catholic]] [[charismatic movement|charismatic renewal]] centre in [[Kerala]].
* [[St. George's Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Aruvithura|St.George Forane Church Aruvithura]]

==See also==
* [[Caste system among South Asian Christians]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*George K.M.,`Christianity in India Through the Centuries`,Authentic Books, Secunderabad,2007,2009.({{ISBN|978-81-7362-786-6}}).
*Benedict Vadakkekara,`Origin of Christianity in India`,Media House, Delhi,2007.{{ISBN|81-7495-258-6}}.
*Agur C.M.,`Church History of Travancore`,Madras,1903 Reprint:Asian Educational Services, New Delhi,1990. ({{ISBN|81-206-0594-2}}).
*Visvanathan Susan,`The Christians of Kerala`,Oxford University Press, Delhi1993,1999.({{ISBN|0195647998}})
*George Menachery,`The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India`,SARAS,Ed.Prof. George Menachery, Ollur,Vol.I 1982, Vol.II 1973, Vol. III 2009.
*George Menachery,`Indian Church History Classics`,SARAS,Ed.Prof. George Menachery, Ollur,Vol.I The Nazranies 1998.
*C. I. Issac, The Evolution of Christian Church in India, {{ISBN|978 81 7255 056 1}} 2014, Soorygatha Publishers, PB No 3517, Kochi 682 035

{{Christianity in India by region}}
{{Churches in India}}

[[Category:Christianity in Kerala| ]]

Christianity in Kerala - Revision history

>Br Ibrahim john at 12:09, 7 July 2021