Priesthood in the Tradition of the St. Thomas Christians of India
Keywords:
PriesthoodAbstract
According to the strong tradition and belief of the St.Thomas
Christians of India, it was St.Thomas, the Apostle of Christ, who
preached the Gospel to their forefathers and baptized them.1 The
favourite term by which they designated themselves even from
early centuries was Nazrani. This term meant the follower of the
Nazarene Jesus. This is an analogue for the designation
Christian.That the St.Thomas Nazrani community had Priests and
Bishops ordained by St.Thomas himself is also a strong tradition
among them.2 It is but logical to think that St.Thomas ordained
Bishops and Priests as the other Apostles did in the Churches
founded by them.
References
Placid J. Podipara, The Thomas Christians, London-Bombay, 1970.
Xavier Koodapuzha, A History of the Church in India (in Malayalam), Kottayam, 1998.
A.M. Mundadan, Indian Christians. Search for Identity and Struggle for Autonomy, Bangalore, 2000.
Thomas Puthiakunnel, The Seminaries in Kerala (in Malayalam), Ernakulam, 1968.
George Menachery, ed., Thomapedika, Ollur, 2000
