Indian Christianity

HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA : M. M. NINAN
• The ritual services (liturgy) is called the Holy Qurbana (or "Kurbana"), which is derived from the Hebrew
Korban ‏,(קרבן)‏ meaning “Sacrifice”.
• Some parts of the Nasrani Qurbana are sung in the Suryani (Syriac) language. Until 1970s most of the
churches followed Syriac liturgy almost completely.
• The architecture of the early church reflected a blend of Jewish and Kerala styles.
• Pesaha, the ritual supper which is the narration of the Paschal event is celebrated among Saint Thomas
Christians. The observance of Pesaha at home is an unbroken tradition which is unique to the Saint
Thomas Christians among Christians in India. It is the real Paschal catechesis in the families.
• The Churches have a separate seating arrangement for men and women.
• Many of the tunes of the Syrian- Christian worship in Kerala are remnants of ancient Syriac tunes of
antiquity.
• The “Holy of Holies” is divided by a red curtain for most of the time and is opened during the central part of
the Qurbana.
• Baptism is still called by the Hebrew-Syriac term Mamodisa and follows many of the ancient rituals of the
ceremony. It is referred to in Malayalam as Njana Snanam (Bath of Wisdom).
• Most of the Nasranis even today use Biblical given names like Jews. Biblical names along with Greek,
Armenian, and Syrian given names have been popular names in the Nasrani Community. They prefix and
suffix Kerala names to these traditional names. The naming convention is also seen among the Sephardic
Jews, whose customs may have been absorbed by the Syrian Christians in Kerala.
• Immediately after a Child is born, a priest or male relative shouts in the child’s ear ‘ Maron Yesu Mishiha’ (
Jesus Christ is the Messiah ) and the child would be fed with three drops of honey in which a little gold had
been rubbed.
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