Related links http://menachery.org http://www.nazraney.com http://www.christianityinindia.com	The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India	Indian Church History Classics : The Nazranies
The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India OLLUR Thrissur City India 680306 www.indianchristianity.com , kunjethy@gmail.com , +914872352468, +919846033713  Cardinal Gracias and Cardinal Toppo Dedicate the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India to the Nation GUWAHATI, March 3 The publication of the three volumes of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India is a worthy model for the world Churches and an incomparable achievement and contribution of the Church in India, stated Oswald Cardinal Gracias in Guwahati, dedicating the work to the nation. The publication of the third and final volume is something of which the Encyclopaedia team can be justly proud, but they should not rest on their oars but must continue their much needed work of service to the Church in India today, His Eminence went on to say. Telespore P. Cardinal Toppo dedicated the volumes to the world Christian community. The two Cardinals officially released the Encyclopaedia by exchanging copies of the work, in the presence of Archbishops and Bishops from all over India and members of the CBCI Commissions. Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, Prof. George Menachery the Editor of the Encyclopaedia, and Dr. George Plathottam the secretary of the CBCI Commission for Media also spoke on the occasion.                             The Encyclopaedia comprises the contributions of hundreds of well-known scholars from all over India and abroad. There are articles on almost every aspect of Christianity in india, dealing with all chronological, denominational, and geographical divisions. The more than thousand illustrations on art plates, half of them on full colour art plates, in addition to the dozens of maps including a whole Christian and Linguistic atlas of India, and the graphs, tables, figures, and sketches go to make the work an exhaustive reference tool. Each major article is supported by bibliographies and inclusive end-notes, making the encyclopaedia an indispensible reference work for seminaries and teheological colleges. universities and colleges, and libraries of ecclesiastical establishments and headquarters and formation houses of religious congregations. GUWAHATI, Assam to Host Catholic Bishops’ Meet Assam will for the first time host the general body meeting of the apex body of the country’s Catholics, CBCI, from Feb. 24, 2010.  The objective of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India is to facilitate co-ordinated study and discussion on issues pertaining to the Church, besides adoption of a common policy and effective action in ecclesiastical matters. “It is good news that Assam has been chosen as the venue for the meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India. Many of the bishops wanted to see Assam as they have never come here. This is a wonderful opportunity for all of them,” Archbishop of Guwahati Diocese, Thomas Menamparampil, said. The meeting will be held at the Don Bosco Institute, Kharguli, from February 24 to March 3 and will be attended by 160 bishops from across the country. Menamparampil said chief minister Tarun Gogoi had also expressed happiness over the hosting of the meeting here for the first time. The first meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India in the region was held in Shillong about two decades back. The bishops will be treated to the region’s beauty and cultural diversity through programmes. “We want to show them that the Northeast is a ‘paradise on earth’ and not just a land of violence. It is a beautiful place with lots of cultural diversity,” the executive director of Don Bosco Institute, V.M. Thomas, said. Thomas said a seven-minute video film on the Northeast — a song sung and composed by national award winner Tarali Sarma — was being shot. Sarma won the coveted Rajat Kamal as the best female playback singer in 2004, becoming the first woman from the state to win the prestigious award. The film is being shot at different locations of the Northeast and will depict its land, people and culture. On February 28, a special cultural extravaganza will be held where 75 troupes from across the region will showcase the diversity of the region through music and dance. This time, the theme of the conference is Youth. Discussions will be held on the challenges confronting modern-day youth and the Church’s response.   Appointments of  Bishops (Catholic) 25.01.2010: Rev. Fr. Anthony Valiyavilayil, OIC, Clergy of the Order of the Imitation of Christ has been appointed Curia Bishop of the Archiepiscopal Curia of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, assigning him the Titular See of IGILGILLI. 25.01.2010: Rev. Fr. Stephen Thottathil, Clergy of the Archieparchy of Tiruvalla has been appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archieparchy of Tiruvalla, assigning him the Titular See of SOZOPOLI di EMIMONTO. 25.01.2010: Rev. Fr. Samuel Kattukallil, Clergy of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum has been appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum, assigning him the Titular See of TAMALLUMA. 25.01.2010: Rev. Fr. K. M. Vincent Kulapuravilai, Clergy of the Eparchy of Marthandom has been appointed Eparchial Bishop of Marthandom. 25.01.2010: Right Rev. Joseph Mar Thomas, Auxiliary Bishop of Trivandrum and Apostolic Visitator to North America and Europe has been appointed Eparchial Bishop of Bathery. 25.01.2010: Rev. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Bishop of Bathery has been appointed Eparchial Bishop of the new Eparchy of Puthur. 25.01.2010: Right Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, Bishop of Marthandom has been appointed Eparchial Bishop of the new Eparchy of Pathanamthitta. 18.01.2010: Rev. Monsignor George Njaralakatt, Proto-Syncellus of the Eparchy of Bhadravathi has been appointed Bishop of the new Eparchy of Mandya. 18.01.2010: Rev. Monsignor Paul Alappatt, Rector of St. Mary's Minor Seminary and Judicial Vicar of the Archeparchy of Trichur has been appointed Eparchial Bishop of the new Eparchy of Ramanathapuram. 18.01.2010: Rev. Monsignor Bosco Putur, Rector of Mangalapuzha Seminary, has been appointed Curia Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. 18.01.2010: Rev. Monsignor Raphael Tbattil, Proto-Syncellus of the Archreparchy of Trichur has been appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the same Archeparchy. 18.01.2010: Rev. Monsignor Remigiose Inchananiyil, Secretary , Chancellor and Judicial Vicar of the Eparchy of Thamarassery has been appointed Eparchial Bishop of the Eparchy of Thamarassery. 18.01.2010: Rev. Monsignor Pauly Kannookadan, Secretary of the Archepiscopal Commission for Liturgy , Clergy , Institutes for Consecrated Life and Executive Director of L.R.C, has been appointed Eparchial Bishop of the Eparchy of lrinjalakuda. 10.12.2009: Archbishop Felix Anthony Machado, Bishop of Nashik, has been appointed Bishop of Vasai. 10.12.2009: Bishop Lourdnada Daniel, Bishop of Amravati, appointed Apostolic Administrator of Nashik. 06.11.2009: Archbishop Dominic Lumon, Archbishop of Imphal, has been appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Kohima. 25.08.2009: Bishop Prakash Mallavarapu, Bishop of Vijayawada, has been appointed Apostolic Administrator sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the Diocese of Eluru. 14.08.2009: Rev. Fr. John Vadakel, CMI, appointed Eparchial Bishop of Bijnor 11.05.2009: Fr Arockia Sebastian Durairaj Alangaram svd, Provincial of SVD central India Province (Indore), has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Khandwa. 11.05.2009: Fr Devprasad John Ganawa svd, Parish Priest of Khrist Jyoti Mandir, Meghnagar, has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Jhabua. 08.05.2009: Bishop Joseph Kariyil, of Punalur, has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Cochin. 08.05.2009: Rev. Fr. Selvister Ponnumuthan, of the Clergy of Neyyattinkara and Rector of the St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Punalur. 07.04.2009: Rev. Fr. Sebastian Kallupura, of the clergy of Patna and Director of the Bihar Social Forum, Sewa Kendra, Patna, has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Buxar. 04.04.2009: Bishop Thomas Dabre, bishop of Vasai diocese, has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Poona and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Vasai. 02.04.2009: Bishop John Barwa, Coadjutor bishop of Rourkela diocese, has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Rourkela. 10.02.2009: Fr. Ignatius Loyola Mascarenhas, of the clergy of Delhi, rector of the preparatory regional seminary at Kauli, has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Simla-Chandigarh. 10.02.2009: Msgr. Binay Kandulna, of the clergy of Khunti, collaborator of the apostolic nunciature in New Delhi has been appointed as auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Ranchi. 23.01.2009: Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo, archbishop of Ranchi, has been appointed member of the Pontifical Council for Culture. 23.01.2009: Fr. Sebastian Maria Michael S.V.D, director of the Andheri Institute of Indian Culture in Mumbai has been appointed consultor of the Pontifical Council for Culture. 22.01.2009: Fr. Edward S. Mudavassery, S.J, has been appointed Provincial Superior of South Asia. He will assume office on 31 May 2009. He succeeds Fr. Hector D'Souza S.J. 17.01.2009: Rev. Fr. Franco Mulakkal, the Treasurer of the Apostolic Union of the Clergy (Rome) has been appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Delhi Archdiocese and titular Bishop of Chullu.
The Syro Malabar Major Archbishop and Cardinal His Eminence Mar Varkey Vithayathil presents the first ever Syro Malabar Church Award instituted through the Liturgical Research Centre for "Outstanding Contribution to the Promotion of Syro Malabar Heritage", to Chevalier Professor George Menachery, editor of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India and the Indian Church History Classics, at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad, Ernakulam, Kochi on 1st Makaram - 14th Jan., 2010, in the presence of the 36 Bishops and Archbishops of that Church.  Click to see Deepika report.   Cardinal Vithayathil Better                                       Campaign for God His Eminent Beatitude Mar Vakkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Major ArchBishop and Head of the Syro Malabar Church, and President of the CBCI, who was admitted to the hospital Monday night following a heart condition has registered considerable improvement in his condition and has been tranferred from the Ventilator. However His Eminence is still under active medical observation at the Lissie Hospital, Ernakulam. Visitors are strictly prohibited. -SARAS NEWS Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil Critical The condition of Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of the Syro Malabar Church, who was admitted to the Lissie Hospital on Monday night after a cardiac arrest, continues to be critical. He is on life support system after the doctors successfully carried out an angioplasty to remove a major block in the artery, said Fr. Paul Thelekkat, spokesman for the Syro-Malabar Church. The Cardinal suffered the cardiac arrest on Monday night while he was at the headquarters of the Syro-Malabar Church at Mount St. Thomas Kakkanad. He was immediately rushed to the hospital. The condition of the Cardinal, who is 82-years-old, is reported to be stable,     Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church Mar varkey Cardinal Vithayathil honours Prof. George Menachery with a bouquet on the latter's being selected for the first Liturgical Research Centre Award of the Syro Malabar Church. Present on the dais were Bishop Mar James Pazhayattil, Archbishop Mar Andrews thazhath, Bishop Mar Thomas Chakiath, and Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt Vatican City, Sept. 19 At Castel Gandolfo, Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Major Arch Bishop and Head of the Syro - Malabar Church, presents a copy of the third and final volume of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India, the reference work on Christianity in India edited by Prof. George Menachery, along with the Alphonsa Coin to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI "Heads and Fathers" of all the Eastern Catholic Churches discuss future course of action with with Pope Benedict XVI Vatican city, 19 Sept. 2009: This morning in Castel Gandolfo Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil met the Holy Father along with other Catholic patriacrchs and major archbishops from the Oriental Churches. Participating in the meeting were Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. and Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, alongside the "Heads and Fathers" of all the Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with the Bishop of Rome. They are: His Beatitude Cardinal Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir, Patriarh of Antioch of the Maronites, Lebanon; Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, Iraq; Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halyc, Ukraine; Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil C.SS.R.; Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabars, India; His Beatitude Antonios Naguib, Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts, Egypt; His Beatitude Gregorios III Laham, Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek Melkites, Syria; His Beatitude Ignace Youssif III Younan, Patriarch of Antioch of the Syrians, Lebanon; His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX, Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenians, Lebanon, Archbishops Major of the Rumanian and Syro-Malankara Churches and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. The Pontiff had Lunch with the representatives of the Oriental Churches. During the meeting the Head of the Syro-Malabar Church Cardinal Vithayathil presented the Holy Father with heritage articles of the Indian Church viz. the Alphona Coin and the third and final volume of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India edited by Prof. George Menachery. URGENT LETTER TO HIS GRACE Syro Malabar Processions / Pradakhinams in NRK NRI Cities / Communities  May I humbly request your Grace to immediately issue a special circular to the NRKs/NRIs exhorting them to hold such a procession and celebration beginning with this July 3rd itself. From Prof. George Menachery Ollur Thrissur City 680306 0091 487 235 2468, 0091 487 235 4398, 0091 98460 33713 kunjethy@gmail.com,kunjethy@yahoo.com 14th June, 2009 Your Esteemed and Respected Grace, May I humbly request your Grace to go through the following and take appropriate action if thought fit. In the circumstances obtaining among the NRK/NRI Syro-Malabar communities in many Indian and foreign cities the Nazranies hardly get any chance to get together or to maintain their identity. Hence one possibility is for them to celebrate the Ormapperunnal of our father St. Thomas the Apostle with at least a public procession inside the church campus or if possible outside it, with all the cultural elements of our Pradakhinams or church processions. It could be any one of the four types of processions we have - 1.intra-church procession, 2.procession rounding the open-air cross (this won’t be possible in most cases outside Kerala), 3.procession around the church building or campus, or 4. procession along the streets or Angadies. I have found how happy our people are to congregate on such occasions - whether in the Americas or Europe or the Middle East, especially in the US and the Gulf, and how proud our people are of our cultural traditions and individuality.. A Syro- Malabar Mass may be said where ( and only where) the local hierarch permits it. Otherwise it can be a well attended religio-cultural event to which there could be no objection from any quarter. Such a programme, I feel - and am convinced from experience in different parts of the world - could and will go a long way to unite our people and to hold them together in the memory of our heritage and roots. AND it could be a first step in many ways. These Pradakhinams or processions must have as many of the following elements as possible: 1. A gold(en) processional cross with the red (or other) sheath. 2.Two silver(y) crosses with sheaths. 3.Many colourful parasols or umbrellas viz. Muthukkudas. 4. At least one processional Roopakkoodu to carry the image of St. Thomas &c. typically decorated. 5.Band sets and typical Kerala Vadyams and Melams including drummers. 6. Fancy fire-works where permissible. 7. Public and common preparation and distribution of Kozhalappam, Achappam, Unni Appam, Neyyappam, and other Syro-Malabar confectionaries. May I humbly request your Grace to immediately issue a special circular to the NRKs/NRIs exhorting them to hold such a procession and celebration beginning with this July 3rd itself. Thanking Your Grace, Your Graces’ obedient servant, Prof. George Menachery. p.s.Establishing a Bahya Kerala - Bahya Bharata Diocese for agreeable areas at least must be another priority. p.p.s. Could we think of a reserve team of priests willing to serve these communities from time to time on special occasions and to give them cultural experiences and guidance in the form of seminars, video fests, power-point talks &c. occasionally? Prof. George Menachery elected General Secretary of CHAI (Church History Association of India) SHILLONG, May 10 At the Church History Association of India (CHAI) Triennial General Body Meeting held at the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) , Shillong, Prof. George Menachery was elected General Secretary of the Association for the next three years. He was working as national vice-president for the last three years. Dr. O.L. Snaitang, Meghalaya (President), Rev. "Cardinal" Thomas Edmunds, Tamil Nadu (Vice- President), Dr. Agnes de’Sa, Maharashtra (Joint Secretary), S. Edathikavil, DVK, Karnataka (Treasurer), were also elected. Dr. Verghese  Perayil (Aroor), Dr. George Oommen (Deradun) were the other members elected to the Board of Trustees, . Dr. A. M. Mundadan will continue as the Editor-in-Charge of the ongoing History of Christianity in India project while Dr. Joe Kalappura (Patna) was appointed editor of the CHAI Journal, Indian Church History Review (ICHR). The 14th Triennial of the Southern India region will be held in Thrissur in October, 2009 while the 15th Triennial of the National Association and the Platinum Jubilee will be hosted by the Southern India Branch. The Vice-Chancellor of the NEHU, Dr. Pramod Tandon inaugurated the meet, presided over by the President of CHAI, Dr. Kranthi Farias. The Key Note address was delivered by Dr. J. Kalappura, Secretary. The NE regional president Dr. O. L. Snaitang, secretary and Registrar cum Controller of the NEHU Dr. David Syiemlieh were the main organisers of the meet at which more than 20 papers on the Theme of the Conference "Christianity and the Marginalised in India" were presented by scholars from every region of india.     The new office-bearers and members of the Board of Trustees of CHAI, the Church History Association of India elected at the Shillong Triennial. (From left to right):Dr. Varghese Perayil (Member of the BOT), Dr. Agnes de'Sa (Joint Secretary), Prof. George Menachery (General Secretary), Dr. "Cardinal" Thomas Edmonds (Vice - president),  Dr. O. L. Snaitang (President), Fr. Sebastian Edathikkavil (Treasurer), Dr. George Oommen (Member BOT), and Dr. Jose Kalappura ( Editor, ICHR). Some of the distinguished participants and delegates at the 14th Triennial of CHAI at Shillong.   A scholarly tome onChristianity in India Staff Reporter THRISSUR: The third volume of Saint Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India (STCEI) which is scheduled to be published shortly, throw light on various subjects including Christianity in India, Hinduism, Christianity and Sankaracharya, Shaiva Siddhantha and Islam, says George Menachery, the editor of the encyclopaedia.  STCEI is considered an authoritative workfor reference on India in general and Christianity in particular, says Mr. Menachery.  It contains articles contributed by renowned archaeologists, anthropologists, historians, educational experts, lexicographers and biographers. The first volume of the encyclopaedia was published in April 1973 in connection with the 1900th death anniversary of Saint Thomas, the Apostle of India.  The first volume was about the origin, growth and development of Christianity in India.  The second volume was brought out in 1982. The Thomapedia, an enlarged millennium edition of the early volume, was also published in 2000. STCEI had been described by noted reviewers as monumental work containing significant information on India, Mr. Menachery says.  Thousands of its copies have been sold the world over and leading libraries have subscribed to it.  [The HINDU, 3 March 2009]   KCBC Darshanika Vyjnanika Award being presented to Prof. George Menachery by HE Mar Thomas Chakiath, Chairman of the KCBC Media Commission on 25th January at POC Auditoriam, Kochi, Ernakulam.   KCBC Awards 2008: Prof. George Menachery awarded the Darshanika Vyjnanika Award Kochi: A. K. Puthussery has won the literary award instituted by the K.C. B. C. Media Commission. Prof. George Menachery has won the Mar Mankuzhikkari philosophical award. Fr. Geo Payyappilly and Elizabeth Raju  won the media and young talent awards, respectively. [The Hindu].   Malayala Manorama and Deepika add: The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council's Media Awards 2008 have been announced.A. K. Pudussery bagged the Media Award for his contributions in the fields of the Novel and the Drama.Prof. Chev. George Menachery was selected for the Mar Mankuzhikkary Darshanika Vyjnanika Award. Fr. Geo Payyappilly obtained the Media Award while singer Elizabeth Raju was chosen for the Young Talent Award.   Rev. Dr. Jacob Kattakkal, O. V. Raphael, Prof. Thomas Kaniyanplavan, Varghese Kanjirathingal, and Abraham Pattani were selected for the Guru Pooja Awards.   A judging committee consisting of the Chairman of the KCBC Media Commission Dr.Mar Thomas Chakiath, Dr. George Irumpayam, Dr. Cherian Kuniyanthodath, Dr. Primus Perincherry, and K.C.B.C. Media Commission Secretary Fr. Joseph Nicholas decided the awards.   The awards will be bestowed at a function to be held at the POC auditorium, Ernakulam on the 25th of January, 2009.  Prof. George Menachery is the Chief Editor of a number of reference works including the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India, Indian Church History Classics (The Nazranies), the Thomapedia, and the works in progress Ayurveda Encyclopaedia of India, and the Encylopaedia of the Arabian Sea. Noted historian, archaeologist, numismatist, and geographer Prof. Menachery was in the UAE and Oman for the past several months researching on his latest publications. Prof. George Menachery Sapthathy Sangeetha Seminar and Conference Prof. G. Menachery Sapthathi Sangeetha (Musical) Seminar being inaugurated by Prof. George S. Paul the well known art critic and writer at the Kerala Sahitya Academy Campus. Seated from left to right are: M. D. Madhavan Namboodiri (Ch. Editor, Sangeetham, Kozhikode) [who gave a Chitra-Swara presentation of Kumaran Asan'n Veena Poovu in which Sri Namboodiri accompanied forty Veena Poovu paintings of Francis Kodankandath with his musical recital of the entire classicaql poem]: reputed educationist and cultural leader Sri Chitran Nampoodiripad (who presided); Dr. Mar Aprem Metropolitan of the Church of the East (who delivered the Key Note Address); Dr. Paul Poovathingal (who gave a classical concert and spoke on Voco-System in Classical Music); Prof. Balakrishnan (former principal of the Sree Kerala varma College and reputed vocalist who gave the Invocation Song; Prof. A. M. Francis the Principal of the St. Thomas' College (who welcomed the audience); and Prof. V.P.Jones the working Chairman of the Prof. Menachery Sapthathi Samithi who was also the M. C. on this occasion. Picture TWO: Artist Punachitaya gives a demonstration in connection with the Sapthathi Historico-Cultural EXPO on another day. months back he had inaugurated the Menachery Sapthathy Painters' Workshop attended by 40 odd artists from all over South India at the St. Thomas' College and the Archdiocesan Family Apostolate Complex presided over by Sri Madanan, Ch. artist at the Mathrubhoomi, Calicut.. Pic. THREE: Live Sapthathy demonstration by Artist Francis Kodenkandath in the Academy Complex: He painted a Jubilee Commemoration Montage in 55 minutes in which he represented M. T. Vasudevan Nair's Naalukettu, Vykkom Muhammed Basheer's Bhargavee Nilayam, and Kumaran Asan's Veena Poovu to commemorate the Jubilee Celebrations connected with these great sons of Kerala and pioneers in Malayalam Literature. The demo was followed by a two-hour discussion in which some of the leading artists and literary critics of Kerala participated. Prof. G. Menachery Sapthati Historico-Cultural EXPO 2008 Bestowing "Ponnada" on Prof. George Menachery by Sri Therambil Ramakrishnan M.L.A. and former Speaker of the Kerala Assembly during the inauguration of the Sapthathi  Historico-Cultural Expo 2008 at the Kerala Sahitya Academy Complex. Sri M. V. Devan inaugurated the Expo at a function presided over by Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala Kala Mandalam Dr. K. G. Paulose. Dr. Raphael Thattil, V. G., Archdiocese of Trichur felicitated. Two Professors from the Krakov University of Poland are also seen discussing aspects of Kerala Culture with Prof. Menachery
Guide to Thomapedia                        The SEVEN Indices in the Thomapedia  The Thomapedia is the Enlarged 2000 Edition of the 1973 2nd Volume of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India                     both edited by Prof. George Menachery U S and Canada Libraries having the Encyclopaedia                                                                                      Order Thomapedia                              Send US$ 35.00 (Thirty-five only) for the Paper Back Edition and   for the Hard Bound Library Edition send US$ 60.00(Sixty only) to The Thomapedia, Ollur 680306 India. Free Regd. Airmail Delivery			Thomapedia Index I Index to Title Words and Contributors Thomapedia Index II Index to Photographs Thomapedia Index III Index to Dates Thomapedia Index IV Index to Personal Names Thomapedia Index V Index to Place Names Thomapedia Index VI Index to Subjects, Events Thomapedia Index VII Index to Bibliographical Details

[For YOUR EYES ONLY is a new LOL Series which would carry interesting pictures and illustrations which throw some useful light on St. Thomas Christian history, culture, customs, manners representing every church and denominations of Syrian Christians. Prof. George Menachery who is a renowned scholar with vast research experience in Thomas Christian traditions and history organizes this Series.]

For more info cf. http://www.indianchristianity.com/html/New Article.htm

MALABAR CHRISTIANS OF ANCIENT DAYS By PROF. GEORGE MENACHERY			[For YOUR EYES ONLY is a recently started LOL Series which would carry interesting pictures and illustrations which throw some useful light on St. Thomas Christian history, culture, customs, manners representing every church and denominations of Syrian Christians. Prof. George Menachery who is a renowned scholar with vast research experience in Thomas Christian traditions and history organizes this Series.]
		The very costumes and ornaments of the Thomas Christians indicate - at least used to indicate until very recent times - their deep Spirituality and commitment to the Gospel message. What the Bible speaks of the deportment of women is fully satisfied in the dress of Syrian Christian women of Kerala; it is a costume where beauty meets modesty. Allow me to quote (the late) Mrs. K. M. Matthew from the 1973 St. Thomas Christian Encyclopedia: "The costumes they wear are worthy of special note which in many ways resemble those of the high caste Hindu women. A white cloth-length 51/2 yards by 12/2 yards [Mundu} is folded into a Pudava which is again folded into fan like pleats. This fan like arrangement, which is highly artistic completely, covers the back portion of the woman when she wears the
cloth. ... The upper portion of the body including the belly and the arm is completely covered with the loose blouse-like Kuppayam or Chatta. Going to the church they cover themselves from head to foot with a nice white cloth, when only the face will be visible. This dress is fully in keeping with the modesty and nobility of the Syrian Christian women. Naturally this dress is not meant to kill, the whiteness representing purity and chastity."
Again this is what Dr. J. Kolengadan has to say in the same Encyclopedia: "...the fan like appendage behind render their dress highly modest as well as artistically elegant...As they went out to church they had a veil like outer garment, with gold brocade, reaching to the ground showing nothing but the face..." The costume of the Syrian Christian women of Kerala does what the Purdah does but without its ugliness, unhealthy anonymity and abuses. Unfortunately today one has to watch the obituary columns of Malayalam newspapers to come across this unique costume - cry, the beloved country. D. Ferroli has this on the costumes of the Syrian Christians: " The mundu [of men] is fastened round the waist and reaches down to the heels. A towel is thrown over the shoulders...". "Except those who kept celibacy and those who had gone on a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Thomas at Mylapore, all kept long hairs tied up in a bundle..."(Placid, Thomapedia, p.107>f,g.)
[Author Prof. George Menachery is a freelance Indian Journalist and Editor of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India and the Indian Church History Classics. After teaching university classes for thirty years, he gave up the job as Head of the Department of Post-Graduate Teaching in order to concentrate on research and publication. SARAS (South Asia Research Assistance Services) provides information and research assistance for topics dealing with India in particular and South Asia in general. He has to his credit a large number of publications, research papers, articles, radio talks and TV programmes. His research activities and lectures have taken him to more than 20 countries in 4 continents.]
THE ROCK CROSSES OF KERALA CHURCHES By PROF. GEORGE MENACHERY			[For YOUR EYES ONLY is a new LOL Series which would carry interesting pictures and illustrations which throw some useful light on St. Thomas Christian history, culture, customs, manners representing every church and denominations of Syrian Christians. Prof. George Menachery who is a renowned scholar with vast research experience in Thomas Christian traditions and history organizes this Series.]
This is the pedestal of the stone cross in granite [rock] in front of the Ollur Church which is the oldest church in the Thrissur Corporation area. But the Ollur Church is less than 300 years old whereas there are more than a hundred churches which are 400 years or more old in Kerala. And there are dozens of exquisitely carved open air rock crosses or Nazraney Sthambams in front of many of these ancient Kerala Christian places of worship, e.g. at Kottekkad, Enammavu [now in the Trichur Archieparcal Residence, where it was shifted from the Lourdes Cathedral Christian Cultural Museum that was estd. in 1980 - discovered by this writer in 1980 at Enammavu from a mud deposit] Mapranam, Puthenchira, Parappukkara, Veliyanad, Kalpparambu [the last discovered by this writer in the mud deposits] Koratty, Angamaly
[one each in front of the three churches - the Western church cross, 27ft. tall- has been exactly reproduced in front of the Kakkanad Mount St. Thomas St. Thomas Christian Museum], Kanjoor, Malayattoor, Udayanperur, Kuravilangad,Uzhavoor,Chungam,Kaduthuruthy [2 Nos.], Muttuchira, Kudamaloor, Niranam, Kothamangalam, Chengannur, Thumpamon, Chathannur, Changanacherry [the base of the second cross was discovered by this writer in the Changanacherry cemetery], and many other places. These crosses have four members: the base with a socket often fixed on a huge pedestal (see pic), the huge monolithic shaft with cylinder-like projections at both ends, the arm with sockets above and below, and the capital which forms the fourth arm of the cross with a cylinder arrangement at the bottom. All these crosses rise from the lotus carved at the top of the base member termed the Pookkallu. Many of these crosses have exquisite carvings and sculptures esp. on the four sides of the pedestal, and in rare cases on the shaft as the Adam, Eve, and the Serpent on the Chengannur Obelisk Cross. Like the Egyptian Obelisks the cross is a ray of the sun - Horus or Christ.

[Author Prof. George Menachery is a freelance Indian Journalist and Editor of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India and the Indian Church History Classics. After teaching university classes for thirty years, he gave up the job as Head of the Department of Post-Graduate Teaching in order to concentrate on research and publication. SARAS (South Asia Research Assistance Services) provides information and research assistance for topics dealing with India in particular and South Asia in general. He has to his credit a large number of publications, research papers, articles, radio talks and TV programmes. His research activities and lectures have taken him to more than 20 countries in 4 continents.]

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