Syrian Christian in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Syrian Christians of Indian also known as Saint Thomas Syrian Christians or Nasarni are an ancient endogamous ethno-religious group found in the south western coast of India, known as Malabar in the state of Kerala. The Saint Thomas Syrian Christians belong to Syrian Christianity with churches following the East Syriac (Persian Syriac) and the West Syriac (Antiochian Syriac) liturgical rites. According to tradition Thomas the Apostle has arrived at the Malabar coast of Kerala in 52 AD, converted many upper caste Nambudiri Brahmin families and Malabar Jewish familes to Christianity and established the Ezharappallikkal (seven and a half churches), which include Palayoor, Kodungallur, North Paravur, Malayattur, Gokkamangalam, Niranam , Nilakkal and Kollam churches. The most notable among the Nambudiri Brahmin familes which were converted to Christianity by Thomas the Apostle were Pakalomattom, Sankarapuri, Kalli, Kaliyankal and Pattumukkil families. Priests were ordianed from these families. Later in 345 AD, an Assyrian Jewish merchant known as Thomas of Cana along with 400 Judeo Assyrian Christians part of the Chaldean Syrian Church of the East migrated from Mesopotamia and Iraq to Kodungallur in the Malabar coast. These Syrian Christians came to be known as Knanaya and forms an endogamous part of the Saint Thomas Syrian Christians of Kerala. These Knanaya Syrian Christians were responsible for bringing all the existing native Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala into thr Chaldean Syrian Church of the East in the 4rth century. In 825 AD two Chaldean Syrian bishops Mar Sabor and Mar Aphroth came to the ancient port of Kollam (Quilon) in Kerala along with many Assyrian Christians. The Syrian Christians of Kerala were given many privileges by the rulers of Kerala which were inscribed in ancient records like the Quilon Syrian Copper plates, Thazhekkad Shashanam order, Iravikorthan Copper plates etc. Until 1599 all Syrian Christians of Kerala were under the Chaldean Syrian Church of the East, but the Portuguese rule brought huge splits amongst the Syrian Christians of Kerala. The Portuguese had forcefully converted all Saint Thomas Syrian Christians to Latin Catholicism but they rejected the faith and half of the Syrian Christians joined the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch which uses the West Syriac liturgy and came to be known as Puthenkoor (literally meaning new faction as joined the Syriac Orthodox Church) and the other half joined the Catholic church as an Eastern Catholic community which uses East Syriac liturgy and came to be known as Pazhayakoor (meaning old faction as they retained their East Syriac liturgy) which form the present Syro Malabar Catholic Church and the Chaldean Syrian Church. Later in the the 18th century there occurred another split amongst the Puthenkoor Syrian Christians under the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, which was due to the reformation of the Syriac Orthodox Church. The reformed faction formed the Malnakara Marthoma Syrian Church. Later there was another split where the Puthenkoor faction split into Malnakara Orthodox Syrian Church (under a native Catholicose) and the Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church (under the Patriarch of Antioch). In the 19th century some Puthenkoor Syrian Christians joined the Catholic church as an Eastern Catholic community and came to be known as Syro Malnakara Catholic Church.


Where Are they Located?

The Saint Thomas Syrian Christians are originally from the Malabar coast of Kerala where they are concentrated in the Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Kollam districts. They form 70.73% of the Christians of Kerala and 12.5% of the population of Kerala.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Syrian Christians of Kerala are a very conservative community from Kerala which is highly endogamous. They are majorly an aristocratic and trading ethnic group who are considered to be an upper caste in India in accordance with their Brahmin, Jewish and Assyrian ancestory. Until the early 20th century the Syrian Christians of Kerala practiced untouchability with the lower and middle castes of Kerala. The Saint Thomas Syrian Christians are considered a caste and they do not allow other Christians to be join them. They have the highest human developmental index among all communities of Kerala, the human developmental index is determined by land ownership, economic status and financial stability. The Syrian Christians are primarily non vegetarian and have a unique cuisine of their own. The Syrian Christians of Kerala are culturally Hindu and follow many Hindu traditions in their daily life. Their culture, cuisne, attire, artforms and traditions are derived from the native indegenous culture of Kerala.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Saint Thomas Syrian Christian Churches are the Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Syro Malankara Catholic Church, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church, Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church, Malabar Independent Syrian Church and the Chaldean Syrian Church. The Syro Malabar Church and the Syro Malankara Church are Eastern Oriental Catholic Churches, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church and the Malabar Independent Syrian Church are Oriental Orthodox Churches. The Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church is an reformed Oriental Orthodox Church and the Chaldean Syrian Church is a Nestorian Church.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Syrian Christians will have the gospel message given to them so that instead of being nominal Christians they become born again.
Pray for gospel materials to be given to them.


Scripture Prayers for the Syrian Christian in India.


References

Singh, K. S., ed. "India's Communities A-Z", Oxford University Press, USA 1999


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Syrian Christian
People Name in Country Syrian Christian
Alternate Names Azhayakar; Jacobite; Knanaya; Knanaya Christian; Knanaya Samudhayan; Mar Thoma; Marthoma Christiani; Nazarani Mapilla; Pazhayakur; Puthenkur; Thekkumbhaga Samudhayam; Thekkumbhagar Samudhayan; Vadakkumbhagar; Vadakkumbhaggar; सिरियन क्रिस्चियन
Population this Country 4,195,000
Population all Countries 4,195,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 3
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 18199
ROP3 Code 113714
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 36
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Kerala
3,417,000
Tamil Nadu
362,000
Karnataka
229,000
Maharashtra
132,000
Delhi
14,000
Gujarat
8,500
Telangana
6,100
West Bengal
4,600
Madhya Pradesh
2,900
Chhattisgarh
2,200
Andaman and Nicobar
1,700
Punjab
1,600
Rajasthan
1,400
Odisha
1,300
Haryana
1,300
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 36  (only 20 largest shown)
  Kerala 3,417,000
  Tamil Nadu 362,000
  Karnataka 229,000
  Maharashtra 132,000
  Delhi 14,000
  Gujarat 8,500
  Telangana 6,100
  West Bengal 4,600
  Madhya Pradesh 2,900
  Chhattisgarh 2,200
  Andaman and Nicobar 1,700
  Punjab 1,600
  Rajasthan 1,400
  Odisha 1,300
  Haryana 1,300
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
100.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Malayalam (3,626,000 speakers)
Language Code mal   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
Tulu
28,000
Tamil
22,000
Konkani
19,000
English
17,000
Konkani, Goan
7,000
Kannada
1,000
Hindi
50
Primary Language Malayalam (3,626,000 speakers)
Language Code mal   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
  Tulu 28,000
  Tamil 22,000
  Konkani 19,000
  English 17,000
  Konkani, Goan 7,000
  Kannada 1,000
  Hindi 50
People Groups Speaking Malayalam

Primary Language:  Malayalam

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1811-1968)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1829-1995)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1841-2022)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Malayalam Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Binoy Chacko Audio Bible (Malayalam) General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Malayalam YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Malayalam Bible (മലയാളം ബൈബിള്‍) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Malayalam Bible (മലയാളം ബൈബിൾ) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Bible app: Malayalam Contemporary Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible app: Malayalam Gospel Films (മലയാളം ഗോസ്പൽ ഫിലിംസ്) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Bible app: Malayalam Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Mar Thoma Church Great Lenten Lectionary Internet Publishing Sevice
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pastors Study Bible Malayalam Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Malayalam Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Rafa Bible Radio Malayalam General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Anish Thankachan Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Avan Krupa (അവന്‍ കൃപ) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Binu Vadakkencherry Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: J P Vennikulam (ജെ പി വെണ്ണിക്കുളം) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Open Bible Stories (Malayalam) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: RSV (Visawasa Ganangal) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Shyju Mathew Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: വി. നാഗൽ കീർത്തനങ്ങൾ (V Nagal Songs) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Binoy Chacko Audio Bible (Malayalam) General / Other
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Malayalam YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Sathyavedapusthakam (Malayalam) Kalaam Media Ltd
Text / Printed Matter Bible Gateway scripture Bible Gateway
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Malayalam Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


Joshua Project logo    Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Copyright © 2024