Indian Antiquary Vol 56

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

Page 54

42
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ MARCH, 1927
and Gukainaglam," and Nernam,& and Tirûbokut. Finally he returned to Mailopur, where he was pierced with a lance by unbelieving gentiles; and his soul rested in peace. After his death India and Malabar was left without a preacher and leader, those excepted who had been inade presbyters by the Apostle Thomas.
Now, after 92 years, India and Malabar10 was made a widow, deprived of priests and pres. byters (orbata sacerdotibus et presbyteris), (vs. 11) and there were only the faithful of both sexes. However, at that time, there arose a magician, called Manikbosir,11 one of the infidels. He too came to Mailopur, where through his magical arts he performed many miracles, scandalized the leaders and chief ones of the faithful and drew them away from the true faith, and there was no one to oppose himself to his orders. On this account the rest of the faithful fled and found an asylum in Malabar. Seeing them, the brethren, the faithful of Malabar, rejoiced with the greatest joy, and, according to the custom of the faithful, they became bound to one another by the ties of affinity. (Page 122) Afterwards, however, when 160 truly Christian families1s had long been without presbyters and leaders, a dissension arose among them for what cause I know not ; that is, some of them renounced the orthodox faith,13 and others did not. Those who renounced the faith were 96 familieg18a; on the other hand, those who retained the orthodox faith were 64 families.
(vs. 21.) At the same time, a vision appeared by night to the metropolitan of Edessa.14 He arose in the morning and went to the Catholicus of the East,15 and told him of the vision which he had seen. When the Catholicus had heard it, he sent messengers to all the churches and monasteries and cities of the diocese and called the people to his presence. And when many flocks had met with their bishops and merchants, he related to them what the Bishop had seen, and they spoke together (et collocuti sunt).17 Then, one of them arose, to wit a merchant called Thomas of Jerusalem, 18 who answered, saying: "Behold, I have ere now heard & report about Malabar and India from foreign countries and men." The Catholicus, hearing his answer, rose from his seat, went to him, embraced him lovingly, and thus addressed him: "I entreat thee, my very dear son, to go to Malabar, to visit the inhabitants of the country, and to tell me what has befallen them." Accordingly, that occasion offering, Thomas of Jerusalem set out for Malabar, and, coming to Moljomkare, he saw the Thomas Christians, and they were mutually pleased, the Christians telling him about their affairs. (vs. 31.) Which when Thomas had heard, he gave them courage and exhorted them with kind words; and straightway he embarked and returned to his country. Back in his country, he went to the Catholicus and said to him :"Lo! I have seen with my eyes the Thomas Christians, and we spoke together and were mutually pleased. I left them hopeful and returned." The Catholicus, hearing these words, answered thus : "Although I am ready to lay down my life for them, I ask you to be pleased to tell me what those children of mine most wish ine to do." Then he stated to the Catholicus what the Malabar brethren desired. Therefore, not long after, yea in those very days, with the help of the adorable God and by order of the Catholicus of the East, Thomas of Jerusalem, the merchant, went forth again, and with him the Bishop who had seen the vision, and at the same time presbyters and deacons, and also men and women, young men and maidens, from Jerusalem and Bagdad and Ninive, 19 and they entered & ship (Page 125) and left for Malabar, where they landed at Moljomkare in the year 345 of the Lord. 20
(vs. 41.) The Malabars at once recognised them, and they came together for advice to the brethren who had arrived, which done, they went to Serkun, 21 the king of the whole of Malabar, and presented him with gifts. And the king was pleased with them (the gifts ?), and said to them :" I shall give you whatever you ask of me." And he gave them the land which they desired, a very long and very broad piece of ground; besides, he granted them all the royal honours, which were written on copper-plates. Lo ! these plates are preserved among us to this day, 116 Having received all this from the king, they returned to Moljomkare to