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HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA : M. M. NINAN Vasco da Gama was the first European to open a sea-based trade route to India. In an epic voyage, he sailed around Africa's Cape of Good Hope and succeeded in breaking the monopoly of Arab and Venetian spice traders Vasco Da Gama (1460 – 1524 AD) was commissioned by the King of Portugal King Manuel I to over ride the Muslim hegemony over the Oriental oceanic trades. He also hoped to join with the Eastern Christian forces (symbolized to medieval Europeans by the legend of the Priest King Prestor John) in an attempt to crusade against Islam. Gama carried with him a personal letter from King Manuel to Prester John and to the ruler of the Malabar city of Calicut from the Tagus River of Lisbon on July 8, 1497. After the circuitous journey round Africa he landed in Calicut in AD 1498. So when Gama landed in Calicut he assumed that the people were all Christians. He even went to the temple to worship “Our Lady” and prostrated before the goddess Mariamma. The name Krishna very much sounded exactly as Christ. They were soon to realize their mistake. Mother Mary and Mariamman right: Sri Kanyaka Paramesvari temple in the heart of old Georgetown in Chennai. December, 1994 The Tamil word "Amman" means "mother", so the name Mariamman means "Mother Mari". Alternative versions of her name include Mariamma, Marika, Amman, Mari, Mahamaayi, and Maariamma. She is 84
HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA : M. M. NINAN considered to be a form of Mother Parvati, consort of Siva, the Father God; who also manifests Herself as Durga and Kali. Hindus have statues of Mariamman in the temples, and pictures of Her in their houses.Very often she is called Virgin Goddess (Kanyaka Parameswari) Ghee or oil lamps are lit in shrines to Mariamman, and some devotees may place ghee lamps before Her shrine in the temple. There are special prayers and hymns to Mariamman. Hindus observe a vegetarian diet on Fridays - they refrain from eating meat. Without the understanding of the emergence of Hinduism from the early Thomas <strong>Christianity</strong> all these could not make sense. From the 8th C defining period of Hinduism, it grew up into a distinct religion. It also shows how the Greco-Roman Churches almost fall in line with the Hindu Churches except for the fact there was the redeeming presence of the Reformation which halted such extreme idol worship and ritual acts be taken to their extreme. Vasco da Gama's first voyage to India Goa was settled by the Portugese in 1498. Daman and Diu were not annexed by the Portugese until 1537 CE. St Jerome Fort built by the Portugese in Daman between 1614 and 1627 CE. There were 2 other small enclaves which were under Portugese control. These were called Dadra and Nagar Haveli. These 2 small enclaves came under Portugese control in 1783 and 1785 and were administered from Daman, They became semi-independent in 1954 - because they were still recognized by the international connunity as Portugese possessions. But in 1961 when the Portugese were forced to leave India, these 2 enclaves signed an agreement to become part of India. Along with this came the religious domination of Roman Catholic Church over the independent churches of Malabar. Portuguese being of Roman Catholic persuasion wanted to bring the Malabar Christians under the pontificate of Rome. According to the Roman concept the Pope of Rome is the heir to the throne of Peter and is the Vicar of the Church Universal all over the world wherever it may be. The Roman Catholicism claimed that Pope of Rome was the supreme head of all the churches of the world and <strong>Indian</strong> Churches should also submit to this supremacy if they are to remain true as Catholic Church. The first such claim came with Friar John, whom Pope John XXII ordained as Bishop of Quilon in AD 1330 when he was sent him with a letter. Friar John is reported to have come to Quilon and founded a church in Latin rite. However historically there is no evidence that he ever came to Quilon. He is said to have been martyred at Kalyan 85
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PREFACE This book is the result of
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA :
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According to the Anal Naga Baptist
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Bible Studies Six Enigmas in the Bi
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Indian Christianity

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