Intro: Many things are common in Hindus and this sect of Christians.
Conversion and Gharwapasi are the most discussed words in Media now days. Sarsanghachalak Honourable Mohan Bhagwat’s recent statement about Mother Teresa added fuel to media reporting. Personally I don’t think there is anything wrong in his statement. Unfortunately most of the media (especially electronic media) is presenting only one side of the issue or one side of Mother Teresa. In the background of all that debate, discussion and controversies I came across some wonderful experiences. These experiences were associated with the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, also known as the Indian Orthodox Church-'Malankara' is another name for Kerala, 'Orthodox' is the category of Christian faith and tradition it follows (distinguishes it from the Roman Catholic and Protestant faiths). The Church traces its origins to St. Thomas the Apostle, who came to India in AD 52.
Few days back I met one of the teachers (not wanting to disclose his identity) of Indian Orthodox Church. We discussed many things regarding Christianity, Christianity in Kerala, Catholic Church, Indian Orthodox Church and many more things regarding current situation.
Father, who teaches, completed his graduation in Sacred Theology and Bachelor in Divinity Degree. He did his masters in Theology. I began the conversation by asking him what the Indian Orthodox Church signifies. The Father replied-I think we can surely say that Indian Orthodox Church is what we can call-the Indianisation of Church or Christianity. This church has it’s headquarter in Kottayam, Kerala, unlike the Catholic Church that has its headquarters in Rome. One sect of Syrian Christians has their presiding head in Syria, but the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church’s Head of Society is located in Kerala only; whereas the Catholics head is Pope Francis from Rome. Similarly, Head of Orthodox Church community is Catholicos of the East. Currently Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II is heading the community. This is the most important difference in these two communities.
Similarity between Orthodox Church, Temple
Few years back the writer visited Kerala and visited Cheriapally Church of Kottayam. The Church was built in 1578 AD and belongs to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church or Indian Orthodox Church. Many things are common in Hindus and this sect of Christians—Their Dhwajastambha (Pole for the Flag) is similar to Dhwajastambha outside Hindu Temples. As we remove shoes before entering temples, followers of Orthodox Church remove shoes or chappals outside the Church. And unlike other Churches, teachings in the Church are in Malayalam and not in English.
The Church never lightens the lamp or samai in the Church in front of Holy Cross or Statue of Jesus. This is a unique scenario in the churches of Kerala. In Cheriapally Church in Kerala one can observe places specially created for lightening the lamp in the walls of the Church. This is also practised in Hindu Temples of Kerala. Care taker at Cheriapally told the writer that as Hindu Kings were rulers when churches were being constructed, to get more money and help form them, Christians kept similar things in Church and Temples. Hanging lamps, lamps in the walls, removing shoes outside the Church are some of them. Women from Indian Orthodox Church are allowed to wear Mangalsutra (Marriage Thread), which is again a Hindu tradition accepted by Christians. While discussing various things the Father told that his community i.e. Indian Orthodox Church is against conversions. Neither the Church nor the Fathers believe in Conversion. Not only Indian Orthodox but all the Syrian Christians never encourage the Conversion activity. It is claimed that in the past also Syrian Christians did not cooperate conversion activity or foreign missionaries and didn’t allow new converts to join their activity.
Father also accepted the fact that once upon a time, may be many generations back we were also Hindus. Someone came here and converted us to Christianity and we practised the same till today. But we have to accept that culturally we are Hindus. Our traditions, culture and many other things are just like Hindus. And therefore by religion we may be Christians, but culturally we are like Hindus.
Few years back in 2002 or 2003, then Sirsanghachalak K. S. Sudarshan had presented the idea of Indianisation of Church. He might be expecting same thing from the Christians. If everyone from Christian community accepts the idea of Indianisation of Church then there would not be fights and clashes.
Sarvadnya Punekar (The writer is a Pune based senior journalist)
