Draft:Syrian Malayali

Syrian Malayali Christians (also known as Nasranis) are a community of Saint Thomas Christians from the Indian state of Kerala who trace their religious heritage to the apostolic missions of Saint Thomas in the 1st century CE. They are distinguished by their long-standing use of liturgical traditions rooted in the Syriac language—a dialect of Aramaic—and by their synthesis of Middle Eastern Christian rites with the local Malayalam-speaking culture.

Etymology and terminology

The term "Syrian Malayalis" reflects two key elements of this community's heritage:

Syrian: Denotes their historical use of the Syriac language, an Aramaic dialect, in their liturgies, tracing back to early Christian traditions.
Malayalis: Indicates their identity as Malayalam-speaking people from Kerala.

The term Syrian Christians has historically been used to distinguish this group from Latin-rite Christians introduced by European colonization. However, it does not imply an ethnic connection to Syria. Locally, they are also known as Nasranis, derived from Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus.

History

Syrian Malayalis trace their origins to Saint Thomas the Apostle, who, according to tradition, arrived in Kerala in the 1st century CE. He is believed to have established seven and a half churches along the Malabar Coast, laying the foundation for the Christian faith in Kerala. These early Christians integrated into the local Hindu-dominated society while maintaining their distinct religious identity.

Early Church and Syriac traditions

The Syrian Malayalis maintained ecclesiastical ties with the Church of the East (East Syriac tradition), particularly through Persian and West Asian Christian influences during the 4th to 15th centuries. They adhered to the East Syriac liturgical rites, which were conducted in Classical Syriac, the language of early Christianity in the Near East.

European influence and splits

From the 16th century onwards, the arrival of Portuguese colonial powers led to significant changes. The Portuguese attempted to bring the Syrian Christians under the Latin-rite Roman Catholic Church, culminating in the Synod of Diamper (1599). This imposition led to tensions and eventual splits:

Those who accepted Latin influence formed the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church (East Syriac tradition).
Those who resisted aligned with the West Syriac tradition, leading to the formation of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, and the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

The 19th and 20th centuries saw further divisions, with Protestant missionary influences creating smaller denominations and reformist movements within the community.

Contemporary status

Today, the Syrian Malayali community is divided into several major denominations, including the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, and the Mar Thoma Syrian Church. Despite denominational differences, they remain united by their shared history and Syriac Christian traditions.

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