Indian Antiquary Vol 56

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 105

MAY, 1927 1
LAND'S ANECDOTA SYRIACA ON THE SYRIANS OF MALABAR
87
In these and similar ways, the chief pastors came, teaching and instructing the people of Malabar. In the year 1500, when the Portuguese first appeared in Malabar, where they afterwards obtained a footing, there came, by order of the Catholic Patriarch, four teachers, by name Mardina, 16 Mar Jacob, Mar Thoma, and Jene Allay, 17 who governed the Chris. tians and built many churches. After the death of these four teachers, another, called Mar Abraham came to Malabar, about the year 1550,18 whereupon the Portuguese passed a decree that henceforth no Catholic teachers should come thither, and placed guards every. where to seize and put to death all who should attempt it. Mar Abraham was captured, but escaped through God's mercy, and continued to teach for many years, and built several churches : after which, he went the way of all flesh. After that time the road was closed to the Syrian priests, and the Christians experienced a want of pastors; which the Portuguese perceiving, a Vicegerent and Bishop, called Alexio, 19 came to the city of Cochin in the name of, and with authority from, the Pope of Rome. This Bishop took a great deal of trouble to bring the Syrian Christians into subjection, and seeing no chance of effecting his object, the Portuguese gave to the King of Cochin 30,000 ducats, and with the help of His Highness perse. cuted the Christians who dwelt in his dominions, for three whole years. The Christians then, unable to endure the persecution longer, submitted to the Bishop, and thus became reconciled with the Portuguese. Shortly afterwards, the Syrian manners and customs underwent a change : the priests were forbidden to (Page 108) marry: and for about 55 years the Syrians followed the same customs as the Portuguese. In the meantime a priest called Mar Matti20 came to Maliapore sent by the Catholic Patriarch. The Portuguese apprehended him and brought him into the city and afterwards dragged him to the harbour and cast him into the water21. On hearing this, the Christians of Malabar assembled in the church of Mar Tancheri, 22 took counsel together, bound themselves by oath, and thus threw off the Portuguese yoke from their necks; having first written and signed a letter that from that time forward and for ever, they would have nothing more to do, for good or evil, with the Portu. guese. Meanwhile the Portuguese Bishop went to Cranganore, wrote secretly to the Cassanarios23 and Christians, and sent messengers, with presents consisting of fine silk stuffs, gold ornaments and jewels; and those who were allured by these things and also by fair words and promises, went over secretly to that Bishop. The Portuguese and those who belonged to that party, filled the hands of the Prince, in whose country the Syrian Christians dwelt, with gifts and materially injured the latter by sundry vexations, confiscations and deeds of violence. And in the days of this persecution, the upright, God-fearing, Justice-loving, and peaceable Dutch were sent to Malabar by the inspiration of Almighty God and by order of the East India Company, under the command of the noble Lord Admiral Ryklop24 van Goens, and like as the heathen were driven out of the land of Isso Biranon Kainan (Canaan?]e5 so have they driven the worse than heathen Portuguese out of Cochin and other cities and fortresses of Malabar : and through Divine Providence the Syrian Christians have been from that time forward protected and defended from them, and their pastors have again visited this country without let or hindrance. In the beginning of the year 1700, the Bishop Mar Symons, sent by the Catholio Patriarch of the East, arrived in India, being appointed to Malabar. This man gave notice of his intended arrival by letters to the Syrian Christians, which happening to fall into the hands of the Carmelites and Jesuits, they accordingly placed sentinels everywhere, captured the Bishop, and led him prisoner to Pondicherry, where they kept him in irons.26 After him, in the year 1705, the chief teacher, Mar Gabriel, came to this land ; and since that time most of the Syrians have adopted the Church customs of the Portuguese, subjecting themselves to several ceremonies, and condemning (Page 109) the marriage of the Priests; and that out of the 64 churches, twenty have remained on the side of the Carmelites, and 44 on that of the Syrians: but as we enjoy the favour of the Lord Commandant, we hope that all this will be restored to the old footing, and this is what we