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  • Title 1
  • Title 2
  • DECLARATION
  • CERTIFICATE
  • Preface
  • CONTENTS
  • Introduction
  • Part I
  • 1. The Milieu of the Nascent Syriac Christianity
  • Early Christianity in Syria.
  • Beginning of East Syriac Christianity
  • The place of Edessa in the formations of the Syriac Christianity.
  • The language: Syriac.
  • Gestation and the Nascent period of East Syrian Church.
  • a. Biblical foundation of the East Syrian Church.
  • i. Visit of wise men from the east and birth of Jesus Christ.
  • ii. Jesus mission extended to the Diaspora Jews through his disciples.
  • iii. Visit of certain Greeks to meet Jesus.
  • iv. The Persians at the day of the Pentecost.
  • v. The Persian Church and St. Peter.
  • b. The Traditional Christian view.
  • The East Syrian Church and St. Thomas
  • c. From the writings in the early centuries
  • Abgar Legend.
  • Greek Version
  • Syriac Version.
  • d. The account of Bar Hebraeus
  • The views expressed by western scholars.
  • Greek culture in Edessa
  • The Missionary Enterprises through the trade routes.
  • A Line Sketch in Indicating Old Silk Road through Persian Boarder during Sassanid Period.
  • 2. The Church in Parthian Empire and Sassanid Dynasty
  • The nature of the Church under Parthian rule.
  • The persecution faced by the church during this period.
  • Missionary flow.
  • The Fall of the Parthian empire.
  • A Transition period in the Asian Church history.
  • The Sassanid Dynasty.
  • Persian confrontation with Roman world
  • Religious policy of the Sassanid dynasty.
  • Persecutions of religious minorities.
  • The Church under the Sassanid Dynasty.
  • Metropolitan Sees in the Sassanid Empire.
  • Missionary Expansion of the Church at the time of Sassanians.
  • Map: West Asia and the Sassanid Empire, Ca.600 A.D.
  • 3. The Persecuted Church: The East Syrian Church
  • Tolerant Parthian Rulers.
  • The East Syrian Church under threat in Persia.
  • Allegations against the Christians in Persia.
  • Denial of Conversion from Zoroastrianism to Christianity.
  • The Jewish leadership against the Christian Church.
  • The Conflict between Constantine the Great and Shapur II.
  • The Claim of Constantine as the representative of the Christian Church.
  • The Consequence of the unfortunate letter.
  • The Persecutions
  • Persecution under Shapur II (339-379)
  • i. Double Taxation.
  • ii. Arrest of the Catholicos
  • The Martyrdom of Shimun
  • The influence of the Martyrdom upon the noble men of the palace.
  • The destruction of churches and the annihilation of the Clergy.
  • Suppression of the Christian community by persecution.
  • The reign of Ardasher-II.
  • The reign of Yazdegard-I (420 AD)
  • Persecution by Bahrain V (Varahran V) (421-438),
  • The Persecution by Yezdgerd II (428)
  • The Church - State Relationship of Sixth Century
  • The Last years of Sassanid Empire
  • The Control of Government over the Church.
  • 4. East Syrian Church: Towards a Primate
  • The Episcopacy of Papa Bar Aggai.
  • Attempts to establish the Primacy of Seleucia-Ctesiphon.
  • Beginning of the Seleucian Catholicate.
  • The Reorganization of the East Syrian Church.
  • The Christians accepted as a Miller in Persia (410 A.D)
  • Edict of Toleration
  • The role of Bishop Marutha of Maipherqat in convening the Synod.
  • The order of the Patriarchal Synods of the ESC.
  • The Independence of the East Syrian Church.
  • The Decision of the Synod.
  • 5. The East Syrian Church And Nestorianism
  • Alexandrian and Antiochene schools
  • Nestorian Controversy
  • The Council of Ephesus.
  • The School of Edessa.
  • The School of Nisibis.
  • Other schools.
  • The importance of the schools of Edessa aid Nisibis.
  • The Nestorianism in Persian Empire.
  • The Synod of Acacius (486)
  • Antiochian Partisans in Persia.
  • 6. The Monastic Movement of the East Syrian Church
  • The Root of Monastic Movement.
  • Origin of the East Syrian Church monasticism.
  • Development of Monastic moment in the East Syrian Church.
  • The Monastery of Beth Abe and its Library.
  • The East Syrian Church Monastries and Hellenistic studies.
  • The Life of the Ascetics.
  • Educational Institutions started by the Monasteries.
  • The Curriculum of the School.
  • Administration of the Schools.
  • Literary contribution of the Monks to the East Syrian Church.
  • The Missionary Enthusiasm of the Monks.
  • Part II
  • 1. The East Syrian Church Under The Arabs and the Caliphate
  • Arabia: The land, the people and the language.
  • Christian beginning among Arabs.
  • Medium for Transmission of Christian message.
  • Persecution of Christians in Arabia by a Jewish Ruler-C.520
  • Literary works.
  • The result of interaction between Arabs and East Syrian Church.
  • The Arabic Language.
  • Inter relation between Arabic and Greek.
  • Bishoprics in Arabian Christian Community.
  • The East Syrian Church under he Caliphate.
  • The Prophet Mohammed and office of the Caliphate.
  • The Umayyad Dynasty (661-750 AD)
  • The Abbasid Empire (750 AD to 1258 AD)
  • The Christian Church during the leadership of Timothy - I
  • Contribution of East Syrian Church to develop Arabic as a Literary Language.
  • Pioneering Christian Translators.
  • The fall of the Abbasid Caliphate.
  • The Ecclesiastical position of the Church during this period.
  • Metropolitan Sees.
  • Decline of the East Syrian Church in the Abbasid Empire.
  • The Attitude of Muslim rulers.
  • An evaluation of the Christian Church during this period.
  • Map - West and West Central Asia under Islam and Abbassid Caliphate Ca.800 AD
  • A Line Sketch during Abbassid Caliphate Boarder
  • 2. The first Christian Mission to China
  • Chinese rule through Dynasties.
  • Chinese relationship with other countries.
  • Religious Background.
  • Spiritual Reawakening.
  • Christian presence in Pre-Tang China.
  • The Introduction of Christianity in China.
  • The Visit of St. Thomas to China.
  • The Reference if East Syrian Christian presence.
  • The Entry of the East Syrian Christians in the Chinese Empire.
  • Authenticity of the Monument.
  • The attitude of the Emperor towards the Missionaries.
  • The Chinese East Syrian Church Texts of the T ang Period.
  • Beginning of persecution.
  • Recovery of the church (712-781 AD)
  • The Church in China during the period between (712-781 AD)
  • A new name for Christian Church
  • The decline of Tang Dynasty.
  • The reference to an organized Church in China.
  • Disappearance of the Christianity from China and its reasons
  • The influence of Confucianism
  • Religious Persecution.
  • Theological issues- the Christian faith diluted and communicated.
  • Chinese Christian Church -- a Church of foreigners.
  • Dependence on Government.
  • End of an Era.
  • Map -- East Asia and Tang Dynasty China, Ca.800 AD
  • Aline Sketch indicating Tang Border and Great Wall
  • 3. East Syrian Church Mission Work in Central Asia
  • The Religious Background of Central Asian Tribes.
  • Christian presence.
  • Christianity and the Central Asian tribes.
  • Shah Kavad: The follower of Prophet Mazdak.
  • Shah Kavad meets East Syrian Christians.
  • The Christian communities in Central Asia.
  • The main centres of East Syrian Christian communities in Central Asia.
  • The Church life of the people of Samarqand
  • The Christian communities at Tokmak and Pishpek.
  • East Turkestan.
  • The Christian Community in the Oasis of Turfan
  • Dunhuang - A center of Christian, Community.
  • The Literary Evidences.
  • Tibetan Early Syrian Church Community.
  • Decline of Christianity
  • The Literature and the writings.
  • Organization of the Church in Central and East Asia.
  • The structure of the hierarchical order in the Church
  • The Monastic life.
  • Uighur Language.
  • The decline of Christianity in Central Asia.
  • The impact of East Syrian Church upon Turco-Mongol Christians.
  • 4. East Syrian Christian missions among the Mongols
  • The Tribe Mongol.
  • The formation of Mongol Empire and Genghis Khan.
  • Kerait influence at Mongol Court through Royal Marriage.
  • East Syrian Christian presence in Mongol Empire.
  • Main sources of information.
  • The Christian Church in the Mongol Empire.
  • The Chagatai line in the Mongol Empire.
  • Hulegu and Kublai.
  • Sorkaktani and the line of dynastic succession.
  • The Christianity under Kublai Khan (1260 AD)
  • The Christian Church at the time of Hulegu.
  • The factors that checked the Mongol Advance.
  • The arrival of Roman Catholic Church delegates (1095-1291AD)
  • The Intervention of Muslim extremists.
  • Tamerlane, the Terror of the world to the Scene.
  • The Decline of Fast Syrian Christianity in Mongol Empire.
  • The Nature of the East Syrian Church in the Mongol Empire.
  • Christian Monks and Hermits in Mongol Empire.
  • Prominent East Syrian Christians during the Mongol rule.
  • East Syrian Church organization ins Mongol Empire.
  • Enthronement of Yaballaha -III as the Mongol Catholicos-Patriarch.
  • Chinese against the Mongols.
  • Interaction of Cultures between the East Syrian Church and the Mongol.
  • Map - The Mangol Empire Under Kublai Khan Ca. 1260-1300 AD
  • 5. East Syrian Christianity in South, South-East Asia and North-East Asia
  • The evidences of the Christian communities.
  • Evidences from Manuscripts, Crosses And Inscriptions.
  • Paintings, Carvings and Artefacts.
  • Letters.
  • The accounts of Cosmos Indicopleustes.
  • Anuradhapura: A centre of Christianity in Ceylon.
  • East Syrian Christian presence in Tibet.
  • Malaya Peninsula reference to Episcopal See.
  • The evidence for Christian Community at Dabag (Java-South Sumatra)
  • The Missionary activities at North -East Asia.
  • The evidence of ancient East Syrian Community in Korea.
  • The Christian Church in Japan.
  • The Christian Community at Nara and Kyoto.
  • CONCLUSION.
  • Part III
  • 1. The Origin of Indian Church and its back ground
  • Lack of documentary evidence.
  • The origin of the Indian Church.
  • Traditional view.
  • Encounter of Western Christianity in India.
  • The geographical position of the erstwhile India
  • The Invasion upon India.
  • The entry of Parthians and King Gondophorus.
  • The trade relations to India from the early times.
  • The discovery of the direction of the Monsoon winds by Hippalus.
  • Trade routes related to India.
  • Roman Indian trade relationship.
  • Exchange of commercial products.
  • Biblical narration
  • The evidence of Roman relationship with India.
  • a. Roman Coins in India
  • b. The Roman settlement at Arikamedu.
  • The ancient chief trade centres in India: Malabar Coast (Kerala)
  • The important sea ports in Kerala.
  • Impact through these trade ports.
  • Consequences of the intercourse.
  • Entry of other religions and their interactions
  • The Jewish settlements as entries for Christian presence in India.
  • Cochin Jewish Community -- a living example.
  • 2. Indian Apostolate of St.Thomas and the Indian Christian Communities
  • Testimony of the Early Church Fathers.
  • Apostolate of St. Thomas according to the South Indian Tradition.
  • The martyrdom of St. Thomas and his Tomb.
  • The North Indian Tradition.
  • Confirmation of Indian Apostolate of Thomas from the early writings.
  • The supporting evidences from Indian sources.
  • Opinion from the modern scholars.
  • Penetration of East Syrian Christians to India.
  • Migration of Christian groups to India.
  • Thomas of Cana and others.
  • Migration under the leadership of Sapor and Prot.
  • The Priveliges enjoyed by the Christian community.
  • Plates inscribed in favour of the Tharissa Church.
  • Copper plate issued to Iravikorthan.
  • The Royal Dynasty of Villiarvattam
  • The Ecclesiastical life of St. Thomas Christians.
  • Malabar Christian community one Among the lndian Communities.
  • Mutual acceptance between the Hindus and Christians in India.
  • Other Pre sixteenth century Indian Christian communities
  • Coastal Regions: From Sind to Cape Comorin.
  • The Church and Community at Cape Comorin.
  • Main Land and Central India: Sind - Punjab, Patna.
  • Orissa- City of Butifilis
  • Christian Kingdoms in Central India.
  • Church of Udaipur in Malwa Kigdom.
  • Christians all over India.
  • CONCLUSION.
  • Map-East Syrian Church Communities Ca.1500 AD
  • 3. The relationship between the Indian Church and the East Syrian Church
  • Allusions in the Documents.
  • Report of the Theophilus the Indian.
  • Evidence from the Syriac Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans.
  • Mana the Bishop of Rewardashir.
  • Reference to Indian Christianity in Acta Maris.
  • Reference to India from Universal Christian Topography.
  • Theodore the Monk.
  • Meeting of Patriarch Sabrisho with the Ambassador, Bishop Maruta.
  • Bishops from Nestorian Hierarchy.
  • India among the Metropolitan Sees in the Sassanid Empire.
  • The order of the creation of metropolitan Sees.
  • The order of precedence regarding metropolitans of East Syrian Church
  • From the light of letters of Ishu-Yab -III.
  • The Metropolitan of Gate of All India.
  • Metropolitan, Province of India.
  • The Events at the time of the Patriarch Timothy-I (779-823AD)
  • Indian church delegation to East Syrian Church Patriarch Mar Simon.
  • Adoption of East Syrian Liturgy in Indian Church.
  • Affinity for the language Syriac.
  • No Indigenous Indian Liturgy.
  • Special Spiritual Relationship between Indian Church and Persian Church.
  • The Institution and position of the Title Arch Deacon.
  • Persian Crosses, Copper plates and inscriptions.
  • Commentaries, Homilies and Letters.
  • The account of the travellers.
  • Visit of Marco Polo.
  • The accounts of Ludovico di Varthema and Durate Barbosa.
  • Niranam Grandhavari (The Niranam Chronicle)
  • The diminishing relationship.
  • Part IV
  • 1. Impact on Asian continent in general
  • A network of urban civilizations and cultures of the World.
  • Nature of the ancient civilization.
  • The role of religion for the network of civilization and culture.
  • The Ecclesiastical authority of East Syrian Church.
  • Cultural confrontation.
  • Mesopotamian culture.
  • Hellenisation.
  • Two streams of Missionary Endeavour.
  • The Media of contact.
  • East Syrian Church presence in different parts of Asian continent.
  • East Syrian Christian domination in the Mongol Empire.
  • The influence of the East Syrian Church in the region.
  • Prophetic voice of the Christian officials.
  • The use of Syriac language and its impact.
  • a.Liturgical purpose.
  • b.The inscriptions on the Tombstones.
  • c. Influence of Syriac on the vernacular language.
  • The recognition of the Uighur script as the official script.
  • Administrative Language in the Mongol Empire.
  • Contribution of the East Syrian Church to the Arab World.
  • Syriac Medical School.
  • Introduction of Greek Philosophy to the Asian continent through Syriac.
  • East Syriac Literature in different fields.
  • Notable works during this period.
  • The hieroglyphics and art forms.
  • Art and Architecture.
  • Persian Art.
  • The influence upon Shamanistic Society.
  • Buddhist use of the Cross.
  • 2. The impact of East Syrian Church on Malabar Coast
  • Semitic influence upon India
  • The influence of Mesopotamia upon Malabar Christians
  • The use of the language Syriac in India
  • The East Syrian Church relationship with the Indian Church
  • The East Syrian Church prelates in Malabar Church
  • The Impact of this hierarchical relationship upon the Malabar Church
  • Communion of East Syrian and Indian Churches
  • The Prelates: the Source of Spiritual strength for the community
  • Autonomy to Malabar Church.
  • Contribution to the administration of the Malabar Church.
  • The doctrinal influence of East Syrian Church upon the Malabar Church.
  • Introduction of East Syrian Church liturgy in the Malabar Church.
  • Influence on Sacraments, rites, feasts and fasting.
  • Sacraments in the East Syrian Church.
  • Baptism and Confirmation.
  • Celebration of Holy Eucharist.
  • Sacrament of penance.
  • Anointing the sick.
  • Death and Burial.
  • Educational and formation of the Holy priesthood.
  • Rite for Marriage.
  • Lent and Fasting.
  • The Feasts.
  • The influence of Church Inscriptions and Granite Crosses.
  • Enhancement of the Spirituality through Asceticism
  • The influence upon Kerala Christian Community.
  • East Syrian Church influence upon pagan atmosphere.
  • The survival of the Christian community outside Hindu pantheon.
  • Enabled to develop the identity and individuality of the Indian Church.
  • The Missionary spirit of Thomas Christians of India.
  • The influence of Syriac Language and Literature.
  • The High Esteem Towards Syriac.
  • Worshipping language of Thomas Christians.
  • The influence of Syriac Liturgies upon the Malabar Church.
  • Syriac Manuscripts in India.
  • The Malayalam Translation of the Syriac Bible.
  • Relationship between Tamil and Aramic,
  • The suffix Ur in Malayalam and Tamil languages.
  • Influence of Syriac literature in Kerala.
  • The use of Syriac words in Malayalam.
  • Malayalam Karhson
  • Art forms of the Malabar Church.
  • Influence of Persian Art in the paintings of the ancient Churches.
  • Antiques, Frescoes and mural paintings of certain churches.
  • Some observations from these paintings.
  • The architecture of Malabar Church.
  • The influence of the East Syrian Church upon the non Christian society.
  • Christian influence on Hinduism.
  • The rise of the religious movement in south India.
  • The development of Bhakti doctrine in Hinduism
  • The concept of personal God in Sankaras teaching.
  • The Christian influence upon hymns of the Hindu saints.
  • Bhakti Marga
  • The relation between Creator and Creation: East Syrian contribution.
  • Cultural interaction.
  • CONCLUSION.
  • APPENDIX
  • Syriac Manuscript
  • BIBLIOGRAPHY