->Pachu Kannan: Restoring revision 1037735580 by 58.178.210.9: (RW 16.1)

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Restoring revision 1037735580 by 58.178.210.9: (RW 16.1)

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{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
The '''Pakalomattam family''' is an ancient [[Saint Thomas Christians|'''Marthoma Nasran'''i]] ('''[[Saint Thomas Christians|St Thomas Syrian Christian]]''') family in [[Kerala]], [[India]].The Pakalomattam family were [[Marathi Brahmins|Brahmins]], who were brought into the Christian faith by Saint Thomas the Apostle in AD 52. The Pakalomattam family traditionally held the historical offices of [[Archdeacon|Arkkadiyakon of all India]], who headed the [[Saint Thomas Christians|Marthoma Nasranis]] in [[Kerala]] and later [[Malankara Metropolitan]] (from AD 1653 till AD 1816) which headed the Puthenkoor faction of Marthoma Nasranis. The Pakalomattam [[Tharavad]] was initially at [[Palayoor]], but later in 4th Century they moved to [[Kuravilangad]]. Many branches of Pakalomattam later moved to different parts of [[Kerala]], starting from 17th century due to the division created between Puthenkoor and Pazhayakoor.The Marthoma Nasranis consists of the [[Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church]], [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]], [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]], [[Jacobite Syrian Christian Church|Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church]] and [[Syro-Malankara Catholic Church|Malankara Syrian Catholic Church]].
[[File:Palayoor boat jetty.jpg|thumbnail|right|320px|Statue of St. Thomas]]

==History==

According to tradition, [[Thomas the Apostle|St. Thomas]], the apostle visited Kerala in AD 52, as part of his missionary work in [[Persia]], [[India]] and [[Afghanistan]].<ref>[[Susan Bayly|Bayly, Susan]] ''Saints, Goddesses and Kings in South Indian Society'' Cambridge University Press 22 April 2004 {{ISBN|978-0-521-89103-5}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=siLzp_4Dwb4C&pg=PA244&dq=%22st.+thomas%22+kerala&num=100&ei=C-r9SJG9D4LysQOjn9ivDA&client=firefox-a]</ref> There is no direct contemporary evidence for Thomas the Apostle being in the subcontinent, though it definitely would have been possible for a [[Roman Empire|Roman]] [[Jew]] of the time to make such a trip. The earliest known source connecting the apostle to India is the ''[[Acts of Thomas]]'', written in [[Edessa, Mesopotamia|Edessa]] likely in the 2nd century.<ref name="Frykenberg93">Frykenberg, Eric (2008). [https://books.google.com/books?id=sOrglHSX6rsC&dq=%22Malankara+Church%22&as_brr=3&client=firefox-a&source=gbs_navlinks_s ''Christianity in India: from Beginnings to the Present''], p. 93. Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|0-19-826377-5}}.</ref><ref name="Bornkamm">Bornkamm, G. "The Acts of Thomas" in E. Hennecke, New Testament Apocrypha, Vol. 2. London: Lutterworth, 1965.</ref> The text describes Thomas' adventures in bringing Christianity to India, a tradition later expanded upon by early Indian sources such as the ''Thomma Parvam'' (Song of Thomas).<ref name=Frykenberg92>Frykenberg, Eric (2008). [https://books.google.com/books?id=sOrglHSX6rsC&dq=%22Malankara+Church%22&as_brr=3&client=firefox-a&source=gbs_navlinks_s ''Christianity in India: from Beginnings to the Present''], p. 92. Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|0-19-826377-5}}.</ref><ref name= "Ramban">"The Song of Thomas Ramban" in Menachery G (ed); (1998) "The Indian Church History Classics", Vol. I, The Nazranies, Ollur, 1998. {{ISBN|81-87133-05-8}}</ref> According to a [[Malabar Coast|Malabar]] tradition, he anointed and appointed elders to conduct worship from the Pakalomattam family.<ref>{{cite book | title = The pastoral care of the Syro-Malabar Catholic migrants | author = James Arampulickal | publisher = Oriental Institute of Religious Studies, India Publications | year = 1994 | page = 40 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book| author = Adrian Hastings| title = A World History of Christianity| date = 2000-08-15| publisher = Wm. B. Eerdmans| isbn = 978-0-8028-4875-8| page = 149 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book| author = Benedict Vadakkekara| title = Origin of Christianity in India: a historiographical critique| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pAncGlpGW8wC| year = 2007| publisher = Media House Delhi| isbn = 978-81-7495-258-5| page = 61 }}</ref>

==The legend==

[[Palayoor]] was one of the places near the port of [[Muziris]], where St. Thomas established a church. The place is referred to as Paloor in some old documents. At that time, according to tradition, Palayoor had a Brahmin village of families with the strength of 64 adults. It is believed that in one of the [[Temple tank|temple ponds]] in Palayoor, St. Thomas performed a miracle. Some Brahmins were performing a Vedic ritual called Tharpanam which means "That offering which satisfies" in which they devote Lord Sun by the symbolic submission of water in their palms along with Vedic recitation. St. Thomas was attracted to the ritual and queried about the act and challenged the logic of their submission since the water was thrown above was not accepted and returned to earth. St. Thomas used this opportunity to present his subject before the present Brahmin community. St. Thomas threw water in the name of Jesus and it stood still in the air and glittered like a diamond. By this experience, many Brahmins accepted Christianity while the other Brahmins cursed the place and left the place with their families saying that they would do their rituals from then on at [[Vembanattu]].<ref>George Menachery and Edward René Hambye - The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, Volume 2</ref>

==Historical and traditional facts==
Even today the place is known as Sapa-kadu or [[Chavakadu]] which means "cursed forest". The place from where the unhappy Brahmins relocated from Palayoor to [[Vembanattu]] out of fear of black magic. It is stated that a Hindu temple that was abandoned by the Brahmins was converted into the present church. Temple remnants in the form of broken idols, sculptures, and relics of the old temple can also be seen near the precincts of the church, in addition to two large tanks near the west and east gates of the church.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

It is also stated that the conversion of Brahmins has resulted in such an aversion among the Nambudri Brahmins that they do not even accept cold water or tender coconut water anywhere in the vicinity of the church. In Vembanattu there is a Brahmin illam of Kalatt, which according to tradition is one of the families which left from Palayoor out of fear. This place is still called Pudumanassery or the "Place of the new Mana" ([[Illam]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pAncGlpGW8wC&pg=PA48&dq=hindu+traditions+of+St.Thomas+Christians+nasrani&hl=en&ei=-th9TqCyOoLTrQe96dTIAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Kalatt&f=false|title=Origin of Christianity in India|work=google.co.in}}</ref> Furthermore, a document called Grandavariola kept by a local Brahmin family (who had moved out from Palayoor during the preaching) testifies to the date of the gospel work of St. Thomas. The document states:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thrissurkerala.com/tourist/palayur-church.html|title=PALAYUR CHURCH, CHAVAKKAD|work=thrissurkerala.com}}</ref> <blockquote>"Kali year 3153 (52 AD) the foreigner Thomas Sanyasi came to our village (gram) preached there and thereby causing ...</blockquote>"
In many songs of "[[Margam Kali]]" - An art form of Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala, It is an ancient coordinated round group dance presented by women for entertainment and passing down information, a brief description of St. Thomas tradition is portrayed in it with exaggerations to make the song more interesting.
A relevant part of such a song is translated below:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thrissurkerala.com/tourist/palayur-church.html|title=PALAYUR CHURCH, CHAVAKKAD|work=thrissurkerala.com}}</ref>

<blockquote>"He then heard about Kerala and went there, arriving at Malankara, preaching to the Brahmans of Cranganore and anointed two of them. Then he went south, erecting crosses at Quilon, [[Niranam]], Gokkamangalam, Kottakkayal, Cayla, and Poor. A Northern King sent for Thomas and inquired him of the completion of Castle's work. The King put him in prison when told he must wait till after his death to see the new palace and was so mortified by the deception. However, his brother died that night and saw the palace in heaven. He came back to life and told the King of its glory. The king, his brother and others were baptized, and the faith spread apace arousing the Brahmans"...<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nasrani.net/2009/05/04/margam-kali-history-theme-early-reference-and-modern-developments/#more-703|title=Margam Kali – History, Text, Lyrics, Theme, Early Reference and Modern Developments|work=Nasranis}}</ref></blockquote>

==Saints==
*[[Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception|Marth Alphonsa]]
*[[Kuriakose Elias Chavara|Mar Kuriakose Elias Chavara]]
*Pampady Thirumeni (Bishop Kuriakose Mar Gregorios)
*Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril

==Marthoma Metropolitians==
The Marthoma Metropolitans were the Head of the Puthenkoor faction of [[Saint Thomas Christians|Mathoma Nasranis]] commonly referred today as [[Malankara Church]]. (which was a name synonymousy used to call [[Saint Thomas Christians|Marthoma Nasranis]].)
*[[Mar Thoma I]]
*[[Thoma II|Mar Thoma II]]
*[[Mar Thoma III]]
*[[Mar Thoma IV]]
*[[Mar Thoma V]]
*[[Mar Thoma VI]]
*[[Mar Thoma VI]]
*[[Mar Thoma VII]]
*[[Mar Thoma VIII]]
*[[Mar Thoma IX]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.pakalomattamfamily.org Pakalomattam family website]

[[Category:Pakalomattam family]]

Pakalomattam family - Revision history

->Pachu Kannan: Restoring revision 1037735580 by 58.178.210.9: (RW 16.1)