Pakalomattom family
The
Pakalomattam or Pakalomattom family is an ancient Suriyani (Syrian) Christian family in
Kerala,
India. They are popularly known as
Syrian Christians in view of the
Syriac (classical form of
Aramaic) liturgy used in church services since the early days of
Christianity in India and not for any Syrian migration. They are also known as
Nazaranis (followers of
Jesus the Nazarene).
[1][2]
Histoy
Palayur St.Thomas Monument
There is a local legend that
St. Thomas, the apostle visited Kerala in A.D. 52, as part of his missionary work in Persia, North India and Afghanistan.
[3]It is believed that pakalomattom family was evangelized by
Thomas the Apostle.
[4]
There is no direct contemporary evidence for Thomas being in the
subcontinent, though it definitely would have been possible for a
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 likely in the 2nd century.
[4][5]
The text describes Thomas' adventures in bringing Christianity to
India, a tradition later expanded upon in early Indian sources such as
the "Thomma Parvam" ("Song of Thomas").
[6][7] According to a Malabar tradition that he ordained Bishops and priests from the Pakalomattom family.
[8][9][10][11][12]
The Legend
Palayoor was one of the places near the port of
Muziris,
where St. Thomas established church. The place is referred as Palur in
some old documents. At that time, according to tradition, Palayoor had a
Brahmin village of 64 families. It is believed that in one of the
Temple Ponds in Palayoor St. Thomas performed a miracle. Some Vaidik
Brahmins were performing Vedic ritual called Tharpanam 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 the logic of their submission since the water thrown above was
not accepted and returned to earth. Thus St. Thomas got an opening to
present his subject before that Brahmin community. St. Thomas threw
water in the name of Jesus and it stood still in the air and glittered
like 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 bathe their next bath at
Vembanattu.
[13] Nedumpally,
Madeipur, Koykkam, Muttodal, Pakalomattom, Panakkamattam, Sankarapuri,
Kalli, Kallikavu, etc. were among the families who were Baptised in
Palayoor.
[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]
Supporting Facts
Even today the place is known as Sapa-kadu or
Chavakadu which means Cursed Forest. The unhappy Brahmins ran away to
Vembanattu and settled down there. This place is still called
Pudumanassery or the “Place of the new Mana(
Illam
).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.
[25][26]
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 that ran away from
Palayoor.
[27]
Furthermore, a document called ‘Grandavariola’ kept by a local Brahmin
family (who had moved out from Palayur during the preaching ) testifies
to the date of the gospel work of St. Thomas. The document states:
"Kali year 3153 (52 AD) the foreigner Thomas Sanyasi came to our village (gramam) preached there and therby causing…"
[28][29][30]
In
Margam Kali
song - one of the ancient round group dance of Kerala practiced by
Saint Thomas Christians, a brief description of this tradition is
portrayed. A relevant part of the song is translated below :
"He then heard about Kerala and went there, arriving at Malankara,
preaching to the Brahmans of Cranganore and ordaining two of them
priests. Then he went south, erecting crosses at Quilon, Niranam,
Kokkamangalam, Kottukkayal, Cayal and Palayoor. The 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 that he wanted to
abdicate.However, his brother died at that time and saw the palace in
heaven. He was resuscitated and told the King of its glory. The king,
his brother, Habban and others were baptized, and the faith spread apace
arousing the Brahmans’ jealousy......"
[31]
Historicity of Brahmanical Origin
Some historians argue that the
Brahmin arrival to Kerala happened much later. However, prominent Kerala historians like A. Sreedhara Menon are against this argument.
Aryan religions like
Jainism and
Budhism had already made inroads to Kerala in the 4rth and 3rd centuries BC. The consensus of opinion among scholars is that the
Aryan Brahmin immigration to South India had started as early as 1000 BC, though there are differences of opinion. Some of the poets of
Sangam period were Brahmins, and there are references to the
Poojas and
Yajnas conducted by Brahmin priests in the court of Chera Kings.
[32]
Medieval History of Palayoor families
Thus Christianity gained a foothold in Kerala well over 300 years
before it succeeded in obtaining official recognition in Europe, or in
becoming the established religion of Rome. This community, though a
minor one, was aligned in the social crystalline structure with a
respectable orientation. The respect and toleration shown to this faith,
found expression in the fraternal treatment extended to its adherents,
who were accorded and retained for themselves an honoured place, in the
social and economic life of kerala. They succeeded in doing this because
they were Christian in faith only, but in all else, they were Indian.
They were no doubt staunch in their adherence to their faith, and proud
of the apostolic origin of their church. But their primary concern was
to live in harmony and requite the hospitality and toleration shown to
them by the Hindu kings and princes.
[33]
Some of the Palayoor Christian families relocated as early as 2nd
century AD. Pakalomattom and Sankarapury include in this list. Others
stayed in Palayoor until
Tippu Sultan(1749–99) attacked Kerala.
