|
The St. Thomas Christians of India came in contact with Portuguese missionaries who were Roman Catholic, and thus with the Roman Catholic Church, in 16th century. Later, after the Oath of Coonan Cross (meaning leaning cross), the St. Thomas Christians came in touch with the western Syrian Church (of Antioch). Until the 16th century, their foreign connection was with the Church of Persia, also known as the Chaldean Church, the Assyrian Church, or the Syrian Church of the East. The Christians who came under the two ancient yet distinct lineages of Malankara (India) and Persia had one factor in common - their St. Thomas heritage. Though claims have been made of intercourse with Roman Catholic Church and Western Syrian Church before the 16th century, they lack in credibility owing to a significant absence of any proof. On the other hand, several historic evidences are available which show the Malankara-Persia connection. ==Early References== The celebrated Church historian Eusebius has mentioned in his work that the Alexandrian scholar Pantenus〔:nl:Pantenus〕 had seen Christians during his visit to India between 180 A. D. and 190 A. D. This account of Eusebius has later been quoted by several historians. According to Eusebius, Pantenus saw people reading the Gospel according to Mathew in Hebrew. Based on this reference by Eusebius, Jerome has recorded the existence of Christians in India during the early centuries of Christian Era. In addition to this, Jerome mentions that Pantenus held debates with Brahmins and philosophers in India. The evangelisation of India is mentioned in a number of ancient works, including the book ''Acts of Judas Thomas'' written in Edessa around 180 A. D. in Syriac language, and ''Didascalia'' (meaning teachings of the Apostles) written around 250 A. D. Historians have often remarked that the Persians might have received this tradition about the Church in India from India itself. The Chronicle of Seert is a historical document compiled in the Middle Ages. In this Chronicle, the Church in India is mentioned along with the history of Persian Church and the Patriarchs (Catholicoi) of Babylon. It also states that during the reigns of Shahlufa and Papa bar Aggai as the heads of Persian Church, the Persian bishop David of Basra preached the Gospel in India.〔http://www.stgregorioschurchdc.org/cgi/doc.cgi?doc=ChurchHistory3.lesson&lang=en〕 Some historians' records regarding the participation of Bishop John representing Persia and India as the ''Bishop of the all of Persia and Greater India'' in the first Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 A. D. remains a matter of contention among historians. Ishodad was a famous Bible scholar who lived in Persia in the 5th century. In his commentary on the Epistle to Romans, a note is scribbled in the margin that may be translated as: ''This article is translated by Mar Komai with the help of Daniel, an Indian priest, from Greek to Syriac.'' This statement reveals the connection between the Indian priest Daniel and the Persian bishop Mar Komai.〔http://malankaraorthodoxchurch.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=36&Itemid=222〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Malankara-Persia Relation」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|