Christianity in Kerala

Christianity is the third-most practiced religion in Kerala with 19% of the population according to the Indian census.^[1] Although a minority, Christians represent a much larger percentage of the population of Kerala than of India considered as a whole. It's a significant minority within Christianity in India,^[2][3] but has contributed a lot towards the progress and development of the nation in the fields of education, healthcare, social uplift etc. Among the main Christian denominations in Kerala are the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholics of the Latin Rite, Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church and the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church. Today, Kerala has got a record total of 28 Catholic Dioceses consisting of 13 Syro-Malabar Rite dioceses, 11 Latin Rite dioceses and 4 Syro-Malankara Rite dioceses; in addition to a few more dioceses of other protestant denominations like the Church of South India (C.S.I.).

History

The origins of Christianity in Kerala go back to the earliest period of the Church itself. In fact, there is a tradition among the Christian people of Kerala that St. Thomas the Apostle, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, landed on the Kerala coast in 52 A.D., preached the Gospel, organized Christian communities in several places and established seven churches in Kerala and then at last got martyrdom in Mylapore, Chennai, in 72 A.D. However the exact year of his arrival here is disputed due to lack of credible historical evidence,^[4][5][6]despite the fact that the fruits of his hard labour being visible everywhere. His tomb is venerated by people of all religions even today.^[7] In 345 A.D., a Palestinian business man, Thomas Cana, along with 72 families came and settled in Kerala, thereby augmenting the Christian community.^[8] A second period of intense Christian missionary activity began with the arrival of European missionaries since the discovery of sea route to India by Vasco da Gama in 1492.

Christian Pilgrimage Sites

• St. Thomas Catholic Hilltop Church, Malayattoor, built at an altitude of 600 meters from mean sea level.
• St. Francis C.S.I. Church, Fort Kochi, built in 1503 C.E., is the oldest European church, declared as a National Monument in India.
• St. Alphonsamma Catholic Church, Bharananganam, Pala, dedicated to the first woman Saint of India.
• St. MarthaMariam Jacobite Syrian Cathedral Church, Mannarcad.
• St. George Catholic Church, Edathua.
• St. Antony's Church, Kaloor, Kochi.
• Divine Retreat Centre, Potta-Muringoor, Chalakudi.
• St. Joseph's Shrine, Kannamaly, Diocese of Cochin.
• Shrine of Coonan Cross, Mattancherry.

Current Situation

Today, the Christian community in Kerala is divided into several denominations, although they can be listed under three major groups: Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestant. Recent years have seen an intensification of initiatives to promote ecumenism. Christians in the State of Kerala are said to be relatively affluent.^[9]

Denominations

Source ^[10]

• Anglican Church of India
• Apostolic Church of Pentecost in India
• Apostolic Pentecostal Church, India
• Chaldean Syrian Church
• Christian Mission
• Church of God in Christ in India
• Church of God (Full Gospel) in India
• CMS Anglican Church of India
• Independent Assemblies of God, International
• Independent Local Churches of Kerala
• Malabar Basel German Mission Church
• Malabar Independent Syrian Church
• Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church^[11]
• Sharon Pentecostal Fellowship Church
• St Thomas Evangelical Church of India
• The Pentecostal Mission
• United Pentecostal Church in India
• Jehovah's Witnesses^[12]

References

1. ^ "Census of India". http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_Data_Online/Social_and_cultural/Religion.aspx?cki=MJPdz8hYMlF. Retrieved 2009-04-12. 
2. ^ Christianity in India
3. ^ Timeline
4. ^ Medlycott, A E. 1905 "India and the Apostle Thomas"; Gorgias Press LLC; ISBN
5. ^ 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.
6. ^ "Kerala Syrian Christians, Apostle in India". nasrani.net. http://nasrani.net/2007/02/13/kerala-syrian-christian-the-tomb-of-the-apostle-persian-church-syond-of-diamper-coonan-cross-oath-divisions/. Retrieved 2009-10-25. 
7. ^ .Thomas in India
8. ^ `Christianity in India : A True Face`, Ch:11,`Christianity in Kerala`by Dr. John Vallamattam, Ed.&Pub.:CBCI Commission, New Delhi,1981, page104
9. ^ Jewellers raise branding shrill in Kerala’s jittery gold market financial-express
10. ^ World Christian Encyclopedia , Second edition, 2001 Volume 1, p. 368-371
11. ^ http://marthoma.in/
12. ^ "Bijoe Emmanuel & Ors V. State of Kerala & Ors [1986 INSC 167"]. World Legal Information Institute. August 11, 1986. http://www.worldlii.org/in/cases/INSC/1986/167.html. 

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)