{ "book_metadata": { "book_name": "History of Christianity in India: Source Materials", "book_author": "M. K. Kuriakose", "publisher": "Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge", "published_on": "2011" }, "chunks": [ { "chunk_index": 1, "chapter_name": "65. Claudius Buchanan on the Syrian Church of Kerala", "page_numbers": [ 77 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00101-9f8d286cf1fa3bb61b6c.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Chapter Introduction", "chunk_data": "65. CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN ON THE SYRIAN CHURCH OF KERALA (c. 1806 A.D.)\nClaudius Buchanan, a chaplain of the East India Company in Bengal, travelled through Kerala during the first decade of the nineteenth century. Scholars are often dependent upon his narrative with respect to the history of the Syrian Christians during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. This passage deals with political suppression, religious persecution, an interview with the Bishop, and conversations regarding union with the Anglican Church.\nC. Buchanan, Christian Researches in Asia. pp. 106-148.", "time": { "start_year": 1806, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1806, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "c. 1806 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Claudius Buchanan" ], "places": [ "Kerala", "Bengal" ], "event": "Introduces Claudius Buchanan's account of the Syrian Church of Kerala.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Church History", "India" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 2, "chapter_name": "65. Claudius Buchanan on the Syrian Church of Kerala", "page_numbers": [ 77 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00101-9f8d286cf1fa3bb61b6c.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Signs of Political Decline", "chunk_data": "But at the same time, I perceived, all around, symptoms of poverty and political depression. In the churches, and in the people, there was the air of fallen greatness. I said to the senior Priest, 'You appear to me like a people who have known better days.' 'It is even so,' said he. 'We are in a degenerate state compared with our forefathers.'", "time": { "start_year": 1806, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1806, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "c. 1806 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Claudius Buchanan", "Senior Priest" ], "places": [ "Kerala" ], "event": "Claudius Buchanan observes poverty and political depression among the Syrian Christians and discusses their decline with a senior priest.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Politics", "Syrian Christians" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 3, "chapter_name": "65. Claudius Buchanan on the Syrian Church of Kerala", "page_numbers": [ 77 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00101-9f8d286cf1fa3bb61b6c.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Foreign Religious Suppression", "chunk_data": "He noticed, that there were two causes of their present decay. About 300 years ago, an enemy came from the West, bearing the name of Christ, but armed with the inquisition and compelled us to seek the protection of the native Princes.", "time": { "start_year": 1506, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1806, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "c. 1506-1806 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Senior Priest" ], "places": [ "Kerala" ], "event": "The senior priest attributes the Syrian Christians' decline partly to Western Christian persecution and the Inquisition approximately three centuries earlier.", "tags": [ "Persecution", "Christianity", "Politics" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 4, "chapter_name": "65. Claudius Buchanan on the Syrian Church of Kerala", "page_numbers": [ 77 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00101-9f8d286cf1fa3bb61b6c.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Native Political Depression", "chunk_data": "And the native Princes have kept us in a state of depression ever since. They indeed recognise our ancient personal privileges, for we rank in general next to the Nairs, the nobility of the country; but they have encroached by degrees on our property, till we have been reduced to the humble state in which you find us.", "time": { "start_year": 1506, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1806, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "c. 1506-1806 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Senior Priest", "Nairs" ], "places": [ "Kerala" ], "event": "The senior priest explains that native princes gradually encroached on Syrian Christian property while retaining their traditional privileges.", "tags": [ "Politics", "Society", "Syrian Christians" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 5, "chapter_name": "65. Claudius Buchanan on the Syrian Church of Kerala", "page_numbers": [ 77, 78 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00101-9f8d286cf1fa3bb61b6c.webp", "raw\\pages\\00102-ff2c0320a0661d6ef304.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Hope for Church Revival", "chunk_data": "The glory of our Church has passed away; but we hope your nation will revive it again. I observed that the glory of a Church could never die, if it preserved the Bible.' 'We have preserved the Bible,' said he, 'the Hindoo Princes never touched our liberty of conscience. We were formerly on a footing with them in political power; and they respect our religion. We have also converts from time to time; but in this Christian duty we are not so active as we once were; besides, it is not so credible now to become Christian, in our low estate'.", "time": { "start_year": 1806, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1806, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "c. 1806 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Claudius Buchanan", "Senior Priest" ], "places": [ "Kerala" ], "event": "The senior priest hopes that Buchanan's nation will revive the Syrian Church and affirms its preservation of the Bible and freedom of conscience.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Bible", "Evangelism" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 6, "chapter_name": "65. Claudius Buchanan on the Syrian Church of Kerala", "page_numbers": [ 78 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00102-ff2c0320a0661d6ef304.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Meeting Metropolitan Dionysius", "chunk_data": "(p. 117)\nMeeting the Metropolitan Dionysius\nHe (Mar Dionysius) told me that all my conversations with the priests since my arrival in the country had been communicated to him. 'You have come,' said he, 'to visit a declining Church, and I am now an old man but the hopes of its seeing better days cheer my old age, though I am not alive to see them.'", "time": { "start_year": 1806, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1806, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "c. 1806 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Claudius Buchanan", "Mar Dionysius" ], "places": [ "Kerala" ], "event": "Claudius Buchanan meets Metropolitan Mar Dionysius, who expresses hope for the Syrian Church's future despite its decline.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Leadership", "Church History" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 7, "chapter_name": "65. Claudius Buchanan on the Syrian Church of Kerala", "page_numbers": [ 78 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00102-ff2c0320a0661d6ef304.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Scripture Translation Plans", "chunk_data": "I submitted to the Bishop my wishes in regard to the translation and printing of the Holy Scriptures. 'I have already fully considered the subject,' said he, 'and have determined to call the most learned of my clergy to my aid. It is work which will illuminate these dark regions, and God will give it his blessing.' I was much pleased when I heard this pious resolution of the venerable man; for I had now ascertained that there are upwards of 200,000 Christians in South India, besides the Syrians, who speak the Malabar language.", "time": { "start_year": 1806, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1806, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "c. 1806 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Claudius Buchanan", "Mar Dionysius" ], "places": [ "South India", "Kerala" ], "event": "Mar Dionysius agrees to enlist learned clergy for translating and printing the Holy Scriptures.", "tags": [ "Bible", "Christianity", "Education" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 8, "chapter_name": "65. Claudius Buchanan on the Syrian Church of Kerala", "page_numbers": [ 78 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00102-ff2c0320a0661d6ef304.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Syriac Manuscript Collection", "chunk_data": "The next subject of importance to my mind, was the collection of useful manuscripts in the Chaldaic and Syriac Languages; and the Bishop was pleased to say that he would assist my inquiries and add to my collection. He descanted with great satisfaction on the hope of seeing printed Syriac Bibles from England; and said they would be a treasure to his Church. (p.130)", "time": { "start_year": 1806, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1806, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "c. 1806 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Claudius Buchanan", "Mar Dionysius" ], "places": [ "Kerala", "England" ], "event": "Mar Dionysius offers to assist Buchanan in collecting Chaldaic and Syriac manuscripts and welcomes the prospect of printed Syriac Bibles from England.", "tags": [ "Bible", "Manuscripts", "Christianity" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 9, "chapter_name": "65. Claudius Buchanan on the Syrian Church of Kerala", "page_numbers": [ 78 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00102-ff2c0320a0661d6ef304.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Proposal for Anglican Union", "chunk_data": "Syrian-Anglican Union\nSince my coming amongst this people, I had cherished the hope that they might be one day united with the Church of England. When I reflected on the immense power of the Romish Church in India, and on our inability to withstand its influence, alone, it appeared to be an object of great consequence to secure the aid and co-operation of the Syrian Church, and sanction of its antiquity in the East. I thought it might be serviceable, at least, to lay such a foundation by the discussion of the subject, as our Church might act upon hereafter, if he should think it expedient.", "time": { "start_year": 1806, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1806, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "c. 1806 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Claudius Buchanan" ], "places": [ "India", "East" ], "event": "Claudius Buchanan considers a future union between the Syrian Church and the Church of England to counter Roman Catholic influence in India.", "tags": [ "Church Union", "Politics", "Christianity" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 10, "chapter_name": "65. Claudius Buchanan on the Syrian Church of Kerala", "page_numbers": [ 78 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00102-ff2c0320a0661d6ef304.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Questions About Ordination", "chunk_data": "I was afraid to mention the subject to the Bishop at our first interview; but he himself intimated that he would be glad if I would communicate freely upon it with two of his clergy. I had hitherto observed somewhat of a reserve in those with whom I had conversed on this matter; and now the cause was explained. The bishop's chaplains confessed to me that they had doubts as to English Ordination. 'The English,' said they, 'may be a warlike and great people; but their Church, by your own account, is but of recent origin. Whence do you derive your Ordination?' 'From Rome. You derive it from a Church which is our ancient enemy, and with which we would never unite.'", "time": { "start_year": 1806, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1806, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "c. 1806 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Claudius Buchanan", "Mar Dionysius", "Bishop's Chaplains" ], "places": [ "Kerala", "England", "Rome" ], "event": "Syrian clergy question the legitimacy of English ordination because it derives from Rome, regarded as their ancient enemy.", "tags": [ "Ordination", "Church Union", "Christianity" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 11, "chapter_name": "65. Claudius Buchanan on the Syrian Church of Kerala", "page_numbers": [ 78, 79 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00102-ff2c0320a0661d6ef304.webp", "raw\\pages\\00103-eb82c004b08552d7e3bc.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Syrian Apostolic Continuity", "chunk_data": "They acknowledged that there might be salvation in every Church where the name of Christ was named'; but in the question of UNION, it was to be considered that they had existed as a pure Church of Christ from the earliest ages; that if there was such a thing in the world as Ordination by the laying on of hands, in succession from the Apostles, it was probable that they possessed it; that there was no record of history or tradition to impeach their claim. I observed that there was reason to believe that the same Ordination had descended from the Apostles to the Church of Rome. It might be so: but that Church had departed from the faith'...", "time": { "start_year": 1806, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1806, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "c. 1806 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Claudius Buchanan", "Bishop's Chaplains" ], "places": [ "Rome", "Kerala" ], "event": "The Syrian clergy defend their church's ancient purity and apostolic succession while acknowledging the possibility of salvation among other Christian churches.", "tags": [ "Ordination", "Apostolic Succession", "Church Union" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 12, "chapter_name": "65. Claudius Buchanan on the Syrian Church of Kerala", "page_numbers": [ 79 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00103-eb82c004b08552d7e3bc.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Benefits of Church Union", "chunk_data": "Our conversation was reported to the Bishop. He wished me to state the advantages of an union. One advantage would be, I observed, that the English Clergymen, or rather Missionaries ordained by the Church of England, might be permitted hereafter to preach in the numerous Churches of Syrians in India, and aid them in promulgation of pure religion, against the prepondering and increasing influence of the Romish Church; and again, that Ordination by the Syrian Bishop might qualify for preaching in the English Churches in India for we had an immense Empire in Hindostan, but few preachers; and of these few scarcely any could preach in the native languages.", "time": { "start_year": 1806, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1806, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "c. 1806 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Claudius Buchanan", "Mar Dionysius", "English Clergymen", "Syrian Bishop" ], "places": [ "India", "Hindostan" ], "event": "Claudius Buchanan outlines how church union could enable mutual preaching and strengthen Christian missions in India.", "tags": [ "Church Union", "Missions", "Christianity" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 13, "chapter_name": "65. Claudius Buchanan on the Syrian Church of Kerala", "page_numbers": [ 79 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00103-eb82c004b08552d7e3bc.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Protecting Syrian Church Dignity", "chunk_data": "The Bishop said, 'I would sacrifice much for such an Union; only let me not be called to compromise anything of the dignity and purity of our Church.' I told him, we did not wish to degrade, we would rather protect and defend it. All must confess that it was Christ's Church in the midst of a heathen land. The Church of England would be happy to promote its welfare, to revive its spirit, and use it as an instrument of future good in the midst of her own Empire.", "time": { "start_year": 1806, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1806, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "c. 1806 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Claudius Buchanan", "Mar Dionysius" ], "places": [ "India", "British Empire" ], "event": "Mar Dionysius expresses willingness to sacrifice for union provided the dignity and purity of the Syrian Church are protected.", "tags": [ "Church Union", "Christianity", "Missions" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 14, "chapter_name": "65. Claudius Buchanan on the Syrian Church of Kerala", "page_numbers": [ 79 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00103-eb82c004b08552d7e3bc.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Reforming Later Customs", "chunk_data": "I took this occasion to observe that there were some rites and practices in the Syrian Church, which our Church might consider objectionable or nugatory. The Bishop confessed that some customs had been introduced during their decline in the latter centuries, which had no necessary connection with the constitution of the Church, and might be removed without inconvenience.", "time": { "start_year": 1806, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1806, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "c. 1806 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Claudius Buchanan", "Mar Dionysius" ], "places": [ "Kerala" ], "event": "Mar Dionysius acknowledges that some later Syrian customs could be removed because they were not essential to the church's constitution.", "tags": [ "Reform", "Church Union", "Christianity" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 15, "chapter_name": "65. Claudius Buchanan on the Syrian Church of Kerala", "page_numbers": [ 79 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00103-eb82c004b08552d7e3bc.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Bishops and Indian Oversight", "chunk_data": "He asked whether I had authority from my own Church to make any proposition to him. I answered that I had not; that my own Church scarcely knew that the Syrian Church existed: but I could anticipate the wishes and purposes of good men. He thought it strange that there was no Bishop in India to superintend so large an Empire and said he did not perfectly comprehend our ecclesiastical principles. I told him that we had sent bishops to other countries; but that our Indian Empire was yet in its infancy.", "time": { "start_year": 1806, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1806, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "c. 1806 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Claudius Buchanan", "Mar Dionysius" ], "places": [ "India", "British Empire" ], "event": "Buchanan explains that he lacks formal authority to propose union while Mar Dionysius questions the absence of an Anglican bishop overseeing India.", "tags": [ "Church Governance", "Church Union", "India" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 16, "chapter_name": "65. Claudius Buchanan on the Syrian Church of Kerala", "page_numbers": [ 79 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00103-eb82c004b08552d7e3bc.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Written Union Proposal", "chunk_data": "Next day, the Bishop, after conferring with his clergy on the subject, returned an answer in writing to the following effect; 'That an union with the English Church or, at least, such a connection as should appear to both Churches practicable and expedient, would be a happy event, and favourable to the advancement of religion in India.'... (pp. 130-133)", "time": { "start_year": 1806, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1806, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "c. 1806 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Mar Dionysius", "Claudius Buchanan" ], "places": [ "India", "Kerala" ], "event": "After consulting his clergy, Mar Dionysius gives written approval for a practicable and expedient connection between the Syrian and English Churches.", "tags": [ "Church Union", "Christianity", "India" ] } } ] }