The Saint Thomas Christians, also called Syrian Christians of India, Marthoma Suriyani Nasrani, Malankara Nasrani, or Nasrani Mappila, are an ethno-religious community of Indian Christians in the state of Kerala, who, for the most part, employ the Eastern and Western liturgical rites of Syriac Christianity. They trace their origins to the evangelistic activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. The Saint Thomas Christians had been historically a part of the hierarchy of the Church of the East but are now divided into several different Eastern Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, Protestant, and independent bodies, each with their own liturgies and traditions. They are Malayalis and their mother tongue is Malayalam, which is a Dravidian language. Nasrani or Nazarene is a Syriac term for Christians, who were among the first converts to Christianity in the Near East.
Pathanamthitta District, is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala. The district headquarters is in the town of Pathanamthitta. There are four municipalities in Pathanamthitta: Adoor, Pandalam, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvalla.
The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, also known as the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church, is an Eastern Catholic sui iuris particular church in full communion with the worldwide Catholic Church possessing self-governance under the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. It is one of the major archiepiscopal churches of the Catholic Church. It is headed by Major Archbishop Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos of the Major Archdiocese of Trivandrum based in Kerala, India. With more than 1096 parishes, its one of India's biggest church evangelical establishments.
The Syro-Malabar Church, also known as the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, is an Eastern Catholic Church based in Kerala, India. It is a sui iuris (autonomous) particular church in full communion with the Holy See and the worldwide Catholic Church, with self-governance under the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO). The major archbishop presides over the entire church. The incumbent Major Archbishop is Raphael Thattil, serving since January 2024. The Syro-Malabar Synod of Bishops canonically convoked and presided over by the major archbishop constitutes the supreme authority of the church. The Major Archiepiscopal Curia of the church is based in Kakkanad, Kochi. Syro-Malabar is a prefix reflecting the church's use of the East Syriac Rite liturgy and origins in Malabar. The name has been in usage in official Vatican documents since the nineteenth century.
Muvattupuzha is a municipality in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. It is located 26 km (16.2 mi) east of the district headquarters in Thrikkakara and about 170 km (105.6 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. As per the 2011 Indian census, Perumbavoor has a population of 30,397 people, and a population density of 2,306/km2 (5,970/sq mi).
Perumbavoor is a municipality in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. It is located 18 km (11.2 mi) north of the district collectorate in Thrikkakara and about 187 km (116.2 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. Perumbavoor is part of the Kochi metropolitan area and is located 26 km (16.2 mi) northeast of the Kochi city centre. As per the 2011 Indian census, Perumbavoor has a population of 28,110 people, and a population density of 2,065/km2 (5,350/sq mi).
Pampady is a major town in Kottayam district of Kerala, Southern India. It lies midway between the backwaters of Western Kerala and the mountains of the Western Ghats.
Piravom is a municipality in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. It is located 22 km (13.7 mi) south of the district collectorate in Thrikkakara and about 162 km (100.7 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. As per the 2011 Indian census, Piravom has a population of 27,229 people, and a population density of 927/km2 (2,400/sq mi).The majority of people living in Piravom are Syrian Christians.
Pukkattupady is a suburb of the City of Kochi, in Ernakulam District, Kerala, India. It is in intersection of major bus route from Aluva Town via F.A.C.T and BPCL to Thrippunithura and Kolenchery via Kizhakkambalam and the routes from Perumbavoor to Ernakulam via NPOL or Edappally.
This article lists the various old and ancient churches that exist among the Saint Thomas Christians in Kerala.
Kelakam is a small town and Grama Panchayat located in the south eastern part of Kannur district in Kerala state, India.
Koodal is the second largest town in Konni Taluk at Pathanamthitta District, located in Kerala state, India.Koodal Situates On Main Eastern Highway.
Marady is a village in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala.
Puthenkurish is a town in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala near Kolenchery town en route to Muvattupuzha. It is a part of the Greater Cochin area. Puthencruz is one of the fastest developing villages in Ernakulam district. Puthencruz plays a pivotal role in connecting different smaller villages and other surrounding towns to Ernakulam as it lies in the outer ring of Ernakulam City. Puthencruz is rapidly developing into a city and will be at the pivot of expansion of the Ernakulam municipal area.
Pampakuda is a village and Panchayath part of Muvattupuzha Taluk. It lies between Muvattupuzha and Piravom towns. The village is on Highlands and consists of Rubber Plantations. Pampakuda is 10 km from Muvattupuzha. The Areekkal Waterfalls is situated here.
The Saint Thomas Christian denominations are Christian denominations from Kerala, India, which traditionally trace their ultimate origins to the evangelistic activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. They are also known as "Nasranis" as well. The Syriac term "Nasrani" is still used by St. Thomas Christians in Kerala. It is part of the Eastern Christianity institution.
St. Peter's and St. Paul's Orthodox Syrian Church is an Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church church situated in Kolenchery, in Ernakulam, Kerala, India. It was built by Thankan Mappila of the Kolenchery House in 9th century CE.
Perumbavoor has many Hindu temples, Muslim mosques and Christian churches. As the area is dominated by expatriate north Indian workers, some places of worship cater to the taste of North Indian devotees.
Reflecting the religious constitution of the population, a large number of Hindu temples and Christian churches dot the townscape of Kottayam district. Some of them are the Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple, Kumaranalloor Devi temple, Thiruvarrpu Sri Krishna Temple, Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple, Pallippurathukavu Bhagavathi Temple, Elia Cathedral, Kottayam Valiya Pally, Manarcad Cathedral, Cheriya Palli, CSI Holy Trinity cathedral, Puthuppally St. George Church and Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid. All the temples of Kottayam were also built under royal patronage of Hinduism during the 2nd millennium.
