Malankara Church

Common card · No. 474731

The Malankara Church, also known as Malankara Syrian Church, was the unified body of Puthankur Saint Thomas Christians who claim origins from the missions of Thomas the Apostle. This was the earlier name of the Malabar Church before the split with Coonan Croos Oath. The Coonan Cross oath was taken by a large section of the Saint Thomas Christian community in protest against Portuguese ecclesiastical domination under the Padroado system, particularly following the Latinizing measures imposed after the Synod of Diamper. The resistance was directed mainly against foreign control and the suppression of their East Syriac traditions rather than against Catholic doctrine itself. Under the leadership of Archdeacon Thoma, later known as Thoma I, Saint Thomas Christians sought to preserve its autonomy and apostolic heritage. The Carmelite missionaries later attempted reconciliation with Rome, resulting in many returning to the Catholic communion. The protested faction eventually established ties...

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