Photos: A historic Syrian Christian church in Kerala

In Kerala there are several Syrian Christian churches much older than St. Antony’s, Thycattussary which is my mother church. But the importance of this one is that for a century and more it played an important part in the struggle of the Syrian Catholics of Kerala to free themselves from the dominance of the foreign missionaries.

Many crucial events and decisions took place in Thycattussary involving dignitaries like Paremmakkal Governedor, Papal Delegates, Persian bishops, Blessed Chavara, Nidheerikkal Mani Kathanar and Bishop Thondanatt. The Parayil Family which built the church had a major role to play in this saga.

The photographs here were taken by different Parayil Family members at different times. Copyright is reserved. Click on them for enlarged view.

The church after renovation

Front view.

Many historic meetings have taken place and many

dignitaries accommodated in this building.

The bell fry

View from the church towards the lake.

The old chapel near the lake.

Flagstaff.

Also see:

A unique prayer.

Syrian Christians (Nazranis) of Kerala: Some interesting customs

Imagine judging whether a girl is married or not, by looking at her hairdo! Well, among the Nazranis of Kerala this was possible till a few decades back. An unmarried girl had to wear her hair down plaited or tied. Only married women would normally have their hair tied above the shoulders. But all women had to cover their head at a place of worship.

I think that this practice prevailed among the Latin Christians as well. In both communities, inside a church the men used to occupy the front portion and the women had to be at the back. Now the women stay on the left side and the men on the right. Why this pattern? I don’t know. An afterthought – the good thief was crucified on the right side of Jesus Christ. No offence meant to women. It is men who make the rules in the church.

Reverting to the hairdo – initially I thought that the custom might have been connected with Jewish traditions. On checking I find that among Orthodox Jews unmarried women do not have to cover their hair. But the Sephardic (Spanish & Portuguese Jews) custom requires that even unmarried girls should put up their hair.

However, Semitic influence can be seen in some aspects of Syrian Christian life. I have described one instance, about names, in the post Jewish names among Syrian Christians. That, however, has a Biblical angle. Till recently, in some old Syrian Christian families pork and fish that has no scale were taboo to eat. This obviously is a Jewish custom.

Talking about food, in the post Sadhya - a sumptuous Kerala meal I explained why the Nazranis are supposed to fold in the left end of the banana leaf from which they eat a meal. This is a royal privilege that many modern Syrian Christians don’t even know.

Would you believe that there was a time when Syrian Catholics were not allowed to read the Bible? The reason given for this was that laymen who were not trained may end up attributing wrong interpretations to the statements in the Holy Book. Now, al Catholic families are supposed to have a Bible and read it everyday. Here one must acknowledge the contribution of Joseph Pulikunnel (Hosana) in providing Bibles at low cost to the households.

In well-to-do Syrian Catholic families children were tutored at home in the 19c. The curriculum included Malayalam, Tamil, Sanskrit, other subjects and Carnatic music. English was frowned upon because it was the language of the Protestants! Learning of Carnatic music was also discouraged or banned by the Church because the songs invoked Hindu gods!

I have written this from the little knowledge that I have. It would be a great service if those who have more information on this subject come forward with their comments.

Ends.

Also see:

History of conversions to Christianity in Kerala – an overview

Vedas, Syrian Christians