Mar Thoma Sleeva (Saint Thomas Cross) are ancient crosses associated with the community of Indian subcontinent, who trace their origins to the evangelism of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century AD. The Saint Thomas Christians, which is one of the oldest Christian communities of the world,[1][2][3] survive in the Malabar region in state of Kerala, India and have a diaspora in other parts of the Indian subcontinent. Saint Thomas Christian crosses are known as Mar Thoma Sleeva (Saint Thomas cross),[4]Indian cross,[5] or Persian Cross in English, as well as Nasrani Sthambam in Malabarese.
Mar Thoma Sleeva (also written as Mar Thoma Slīva) is a Syriac-language term which means Saint Thomas cross.[10]
Vector illustration of Mar Thoma Sleeva or Saint Thomas Cross
Antonio Gouvea states in his 16th-century work Jornada that the old churches of Saint Thomas Christians were full of crosses of the type discovered at S. Thome (Mylapore).[11] He also states that veneration of the cross is an old custom in Malabar. Jornada is the oldest known written document which calls the cross cross from (of) Sam Thome (Mylapore). The original phrase used is Cruz de Sam Thome, meaning "Cross of (from) St. Thomas". For this reason, it can also mean "Cross from Sam Thome", where Mylapore is equivalent to Sam Thomé, the name that the given by the Portuguese to the city of Mylapore. Gouvea also writes about the veneration of the Cross at Cranganore (Kodungallur), mentioning it as Cross of Christians.[11]
Locations
Mar Thoma Sleeva can be found at the following locations:
Persian Cross Dated Between the 7-8th Century (Left Altar) - Kottayam Knanaya Valiyapally
Believed to have originally been exhibited at the churches built by the merchant Knai Thoma in Kodungallur. Later moved to Kaduthuruthy Knanaya Church due to the destruction of the Knanaya settlement of Kodungallur in a battle between the Kingdom of Kozhikode and the Kingdom of Kochi in 1524. Finally moved to St. Mary's Knanaya Church Kottayam at its erection in 1550 C.E.
The left altar cross was dated between the 7th and 8th century by Assyriologist C.P.T Winkworth in 1928.
Persian Cross Dated to the 10th Century (Right Altar) - Kottayam Knanaya ValiyapallyPersian Cross Dated to the 10th Century (Right Altar) - Kottayam Knanaya Valiyapally
Believed to have originally been exhibited at the churches built by the merchant Knai Thoma in Kodungallur. Later moved to Kaduthuruthy Knanaya Church due to the destruction of the Knanaya settlement of Kodungallur in a battle between the Kingdom of Kozhikode and the Kingdom of Kochi in 1524. Finally moved to St. Mary's Knanaya Church Kottayam at its erection in 1550 C.E.
The right altar cross was dated to the 10th century by Assyriologist C.P.T. Winkworth in 1928.
This cross is considered to be the oldest cross in Sri Lanka. It was found in 1912 during excavations of Anuradhapura.
Other similar crosses:
Taxila Cross at Lahore Cathedral
Taxila, Pakistan. It is a very small cross that found in a field near the ancient city Sirkap near Taxila. The cross is kept at the Cathedral Church of the Resurrection, Lahore.[13][14] However, experts point out that the cross shares only one characteristic with other St Thomas crosses: mostly equilateral, with arms of equal length. They claim that the Christian antiquity of this cross cannot be conclusively proven, as the same characteristic is also observed in pre-Christian Buddhist crosses and Swastika-variants found in the region, and even in Greek crosses.[14][15][16][17]
An Indian cross is depicted on the rock-piece at the front of the Parur (North) church, first published in the St Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India, Vol.II, 1973, Ed. George Menachery.
"My Lord Christ, have mercy upon Afras son of Chaharbukht the Syrian, who cut this (or, who caused this to be cut)."[20]
On the large cross, there is this additional sentence in Estrangelo Syriac. (Galatians 6:14)
"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."
The inscription at Kadamattom church when translated is,
"I, the beautiful bird of Nineveh has come to this land. Written by me Shapper, who was saved by the Holy Messiah from misery."
Symbolism of Mar Thoma Sleeva
Unlike crosses in other traditions, the St Thomas cross does not carry the effigy of the Christ. In addition to this unique quality, each of its elements carry symbolic meanings. Generally the Cross symbolizes life rather than death and suffering.[21]
The four edges of the cross are floral in shape, symbolizing fruition and life from the tree of life.
The lotus flower beneath the cross is a symbol of Buddhism and India. A cultural adaptation of local imagery, the cross fixed on the lotus would symbolize Christianity in India in the first century.
The three steps below the Cross represent Golgotha, symbolically referring to the death of Jesus, also the three decks of the Ark and the ascent to Mt. Sinai.
Recent studies have revisited the origins of the Persian crosses found in South India, suggesting they may be linked to Manichaeism rather than early Christianity.[27] Traditionally, these crosses, inscribed with Pahlavi script, were considered evidence of Persian Christian influence in the Malankara region. However, the interpretation of these inscriptions has been challenging due to the logogrammatic nature of the Pahlavi script, leading to varied and sometimes contradictory translations.
Some researchers propose that the iconography and inscriptions on these crosses align more closely with Manichaean symbolism. For instance, certain motifs found on these crosses, such as the dove and lotus, are significant in Manichaean art, representing the Holy Spirit and the Father, respectively. This has led to the hypothesis that these crosses might have been used by Manichaean communities in South India, indicating a historical presence distinct from early Christian groups.
The dating of these crosses adds another layer to the discussion. While some scholars date them to the 7th century, correlating with the decline of the Pahlavi script post the Sasanian Empire's fall in 651 AD, others suggest earlier origins, possibly as early as the 4th century. This timeline could support the presence of Manichaean communities, as Manichaeism was widespread during these periods.
It is important to note that the cross as a symbol predates Christianity and was used in various cultural and religious contexts, including ancient Mesopotamian and Persian traditions. The presence of cross-like symbols in pre-Christian Persian art and architecture suggests that the cross had diverse meanings across different cultures and religions.
In summary, while the Persian crosses in South India have been traditionally associated with early Persian Christianity, recent studies propose a possible Manichaean origin. The exact interpretation remains a subject of scholarly debate, highlighting the complex interplay of religious and cultural influences in the region's history.
The crosses identical to the so-called "Persian crosses" found in South India have not been discovered in Persia. These unique stone crosses, inscribed with Pahlavi script, are primarily located in Kerala, India, with notable examples at Kottayam, Kadamattom, and Muttuchira. The absence of similar artifacts in Persia has led scholars to explore alternative origins for these crosses.
One prevailing theory suggests a Manichaean connection. Manichaeism, a 3rd-century dualistic religion founded in Persia by the prophet Mani, incorporated various religious symbols, including the cross. The specific design elements of the South Indian crosses, such as the dove and lotus motifs, are not typically associated with Persian Christian artifacts but do appear in Manichaean art. This has led some researchers to propose that these crosses may have been created by Manichaean communities in South India, rather than by Persian Christians.
The unique characteristics of these crosses, combined with the lack of similar findings in Persia, continue to fuel scholarly debate regarding their true origin and the nature of early religious influences in South India.
↑ Picture and description in the St Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India, Ed. George Menachery, Vol.I, 1982 in article Christianity in Pakistan by Bishop Young,
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