{ "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": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 129 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00153-e87caf4d2e97b4fa5fcd.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Memorial Against Mar Dionysius", "chunk_data": "93. A MEMORIAL SUBMITTED TO COL. FRASER BY TWELVE PRIESTS OF THE SYRIAN CHURCH (1836 A.D.)\nThis memorial was a protest against the allegedly evil practices of the then Metropolitan of the Syrian Church, Mar Dionysius, submitted by twelve priests of the Syrian Church in Malabar. Cited in K. K. Kuruvilla, A History of the Mar Thoma Church, pp. 15-17.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Mar Dionysius", "Twelve Syrian priests", "Col. Fraser" ], "places": [ "Malabar" ], "event": "Twelve Syrian priests submitted a memorial to Col. Fraser protesting the alleged practices of Metropolitan Mar Dionysius.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Affairs", "Protest" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 2, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 129 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00153-e87caf4d2e97b4fa5fcd.webp" ], "chunk_title": "The Second Commandment Omitted", "chunk_data": "1. Of the ten commandments given in Exodus 20, the Second Commandment, relating to the worship of images, is dropped out and, to make amends for this, the Tenth Commandment is split into two.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Malabar" ], "event": "The memorial alleged that the Second Commandment was omitted and the Tenth Commandment divided into two.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Doctrine", "Church Reform" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 3, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 129, 130 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00153-e87caf4d2e97b4fa5fcd.webp", "raw\\pages\\00154-1a67b9f11488066b9278.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Baptism Before Instruction", "chunk_data": "2. It is necessary and proper that the baptism of an infant should be made perfect through instruction and examination; and, in utter disregard of this principle, marriages and similar rites are being conducted before this is done.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Malabar" ], "event": "The memorial criticized the conduct of marriages and similar rites before the required instruction and examination following infant baptism.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Rituals", "Church Discipline" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 4, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 130 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00154-1a67b9f11488066b9278.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Improper Second Anointing", "chunk_data": "3. There is neither the custom nor the rule of anointing a person a second time for the same blessing. In violation of this and in the name of First Unction' Mooron (Sythe) is administered.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Malabar" ], "event": "The memorial alleged that Mooron was administered as a second anointing under the name of First Unction.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Rituals", "Church Discipline" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 5, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 130 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00154-1a67b9f11488066b9278.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Abuse of Last Unction", "chunk_data": "4. It is ordained that prayer should be offered on behalf of a sick person and that, when he is conscious, he should be advised to repent and that the Holy Communion should be administered to him. Instead of this, it is taught that the performance of the last unction even when a man is unconscious is a guarantee of salvation.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Malabar" ], "event": "The memorial criticized teaching that last unction administered to an unconscious person guaranteed salvation.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Sacraments", "Church Discipline" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 6, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 130 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00154-1a67b9f11488066b9278.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Communion and Financial Gain", "chunk_data": "5. For forgiveness of sins and the grace of God, Holy Communion should be offered only to those who through confession have given evidence of repentance, but it is administered without giving adequate time for instruction and advice, in the anxiety to secure one chakram (about half an anna) per individual from those who come for Holy Communion.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Malabar" ], "event": "The memorial alleged that Holy Communion was administered for financial gain without adequate instruction or evidence of repentance.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Sacraments", "Corruption" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 7, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 130 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00154-1a67b9f11488066b9278.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Confession and Pagan Offerings", "chunk_data": "6. The Holy Fathers have enjoined on all who come for confession that they should ask for forgiveness with fasting and prayer. Instead they are asked to offer coconut oil, incense and candles on such an occasion.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Malabar" ], "event": "The memorial alleged that penitents were asked to bring coconut oil, incense, and candles instead of observing fasting and prayer before confession.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Confession", "Rituals" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 8, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 130 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00154-1a67b9f11488066b9278.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Irreverent Sunday Services", "chunk_data": "7. The Sunday services are held in a very irreverent and unspiritual way. Instead of reading and expounding Scripture as is ordained, clergymen seek for betel leaves and arecanuts from those who come daily to church and indulge in meaningless talks with them. They also take this as an occasion to ascertain whether there are festivals in connection with the departed. There are occasional demonstrations of bitter conflicts among them over the days appointed for such functions; this occurs when there are more priests than one in a parish. After these irregularities, they say a mass which has no life and which does not provoke people to a holy life.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Syrian clergymen", "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Syrian parishes in Malabar" ], "event": "The memorial criticized irreverent Sunday services, clerical solicitation of betel leaves and arecanuts, meaningless conversations, and disputes over festivals for the departed.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Worship", "Church Discipline" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 9, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 130 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00154-1a67b9f11488066b9278.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Pilgrimage and Festival Salvation", "chunk_data": "8. Besides the practice of going round the church and then crawling into it to offer gifts, the worshippers seek salvation through migration from one church to another on festival days.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Syrian worshippers", "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Syrian churches in Malabar" ], "event": "The memorial criticized ritual crawling around churches, offering gifts, and moving between churches on festival days in search of salvation.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Pilgrimage", "Rituals" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 10, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 130 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00154-1a67b9f11488066b9278.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Clergy Pursuing Secular Gain", "chunk_data": "9. All ministers are expected to follow the advice of St. Paul to Timothy that he should preach the word in season and out of season; but these instead of fulfilling their great responsibility frequent law courts, conspire with revenue officers for illicit gains, engage in trade and come to church to hold services only when there is any hope of financial gain out of it.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Syrian ministers", "St. Paul", "Timothy", "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Malabar", "Law courts" ], "event": "The memorial accused ministers of neglecting their preaching duties while pursuing illicit gains, trade, and financially rewarding church services.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Clergy", "Corruption" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 11, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 131 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00155-eb58df7aa7b0794b6e1b.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Sunday Disputes and Ordinary Work", "chunk_data": "10. The Old and New Testaments as well as the canons instruct Christians to spend Sunday in prayer and the reading of the Word. Instead of encouraging this habit, on promise of settlement of disputes on Sundays before the bishops or the elders, they encourage such people to come to church for this purpose. Others spend the time in attending to their ordinary work.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Syrian bishops", "Syrian elders", "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Syrian churches in Malabar" ], "event": "The memorial alleged that Sunday was used for dispute settlement and ordinary work instead of prayer and Scripture reading.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Sunday Observance", "Church Discipline" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 12, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 131 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00155-eb58df7aa7b0794b6e1b.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Unexamined Candidates Ordained", "chunk_data": "11. The canon has enjoined the bishops that they should ordain only candidates who have been examined by them and the malpans (Syriac professors) and who have gained the good report of the people. But this being entirely overlooked, young men are called to the ministry with the recommendation of interested people.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Syrian bishops", "Malpans", "Young Syrian candidates", "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Malabar" ], "event": "The memorial alleged that young men were ordained through private recommendations without examination by bishops and malpans.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Clergy", "Church Discipline" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 13, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 131 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00155-eb58df7aa7b0794b6e1b.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Priests Ordained Too Young", "chunk_data": "12. The Holy Fathers have decreed that a deacon should be called to the priesthood only after he reaches the age of thirty, but, no heed being paid to this, deacons are called to be priests even at the age of sixteen.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Syrian deacons", "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Malabar" ], "event": "The memorial criticized the ordination of deacons as priests at sixteen instead of the prescribed age of thirty.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Clergy", "Church Discipline" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 14, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 131 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00155-eb58df7aa7b0794b6e1b.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Heathen-Style Saints' Days", "chunk_data": "13. It is but proper that on Saints' Days we should be instructed to follow them. Instead of this, people are advised to celebrate these days with the hoisting of flags and theatrical performances as heathens do.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Syrian saints", "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Malabar" ], "event": "The memorial alleged that Saints' Days were celebrated with flags and theatrical performances instead of instruction in the saints' example.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Saints", "Rituals" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 15, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 131 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00155-eb58df7aa7b0794b6e1b.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Heretics Listed as Saints", "chunk_data": "14. Heretics who like the Nestorians deny the Catholic faith regarding the person of Christ and the Trinity are included in the list of saints, in disregard of the synodical and canonical injunctions.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Nestorians", "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Malabar" ], "event": "The memorial alleged that Nestorians and others who denied Catholic teaching on Christ and the Trinity were included among the saints.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Doctrine", "Saints" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 16, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 131 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00155-eb58df7aa7b0794b6e1b.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Misuse of Church Funds", "chunk_data": "15. The Syrian Canon, Chapter 7, places on bishops the responsibility of appointing malpans for the education of the young for the priesthood, and, if the Church has not resources enough to maintain the school and pay the malpans, contributions may be called for from the faithful. It is regrettable that the money available is not used for this purpose, but is appropriated by the priests and lay administrators of the church for their selfish ends, and if any thing is left it is used to make small images for the adoration of the laity.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Syrian bishops", "Malpans", "Syrian priests", "Lay church administrators", "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Syrian Church in Malabar" ], "event": "The memorial alleged that church funds intended for schools and malpans were appropriated by priests and lay administrators and used to make small images.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Education", "Corruption" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 17, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 131 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00155-eb58df7aa7b0794b6e1b.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Encouragement of Forbidden Practices", "chunk_data": "16. The holy books and the canon teach that image-makers, astrologers and those who produce inscribed tablets to ward off evil should be ex-communicated from the Church, but the priests encourage these, and worse than these, both in church and outside.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Syrian priests", "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Syrian Church in Malabar" ], "event": "The memorial accused priests of encouraging image-makers, astrologers, and makers of protective inscribed tablets despite canonical prohibitions.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Superstition", "Church Discipline" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 18, "chapter_name": "1836. A Memorial Submitted to Col. Fraser by Twelve Priests of the Syrian Church", "page_numbers": [ 131 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00155-eb58df7aa7b0794b6e1b.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Unauthorized Eight-Day Lent", "chunk_data": "17. Lent should be utilised both as an expression of repentence and as a means for self-control. It is not used properly, and in addition an unauthorised season of lent for eight days is now in vogue. During this period, people are allowed to congregate in certain churches, and they keep Lent by saying formal prayers in the Roman fashion, by preparing their food, and by indulging in trivial pleasure.", "time": { "start_year": 1836, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1836, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1836" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Syrian worshippers", "Syrian priests", "Twelve Syrian priests" ], "places": [ "Certain Syrian churches in Malabar" ], "event": "The memorial criticized improper observance of Lent and the unauthorized adoption of an eight-day season involving Roman-style prayers and trivial pleasures.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Lent", "Rituals" ] } } ] }