Archdeacon George of Christ
One of the most famous Archdeacons in the history of St Thomas Christians is the Archdeacon Geevarghese of Christ (died 1585 AD). He was a Biblical expert and a master of Syriac language and literature. He was considered a holy person but extremely efficient in administration. He was contemporary to Bishop Mar Abraham of Persia who lived in Angamaly. He is credited with the new construction of Angamaly Marth Mariam Jacobite Syrian church.[1]
The archdeacon during the first part of the reign of Mar Abraham was George of Christ, who was on friendly terms with the Latin missionaries and was to be appointed the successor of Mar Abraham as metropolitan of India. Thus he should have become, according to the plans of Mar Abraham, supported by the Jesuits, the first indigenous Chaldaean Metropolitan of the St Thomas Christians. However, the last letter of Mar Abraham, where his requisition letter to the Pope to confirm George’s ordination as bishop of Palur and as his successor is dated January 13, 1584; While from another letter of the same Mar Abraham, we are informed that the consecration of George failed because of the latter’s death.[2] Great mural paintings in the Angamaly Jacobite Syrian church are viz. "Hell" , "Last Judgement" , also of mural paintings of the Bishops and the Archdeacon .
The Indian Church History Classics, Vol.I, The Nazranies (1998) and the Thomas Encyclopaedia Vol. II(1973).
Geevarghese of Christ died in Angamaly. He was buried in the St Mary's church Angamaly. His brother Yohannan was Archdeacon (1585–93) & Another brother Jacob Became Archdeacon in 1596.[1]
See also
- India (East Syrian Ecclesiastical Province)
- Christianity in India
- Church of the East
- Syrian Malabar Nasrani
- Mar Abraham
References
- 1 2 http://www.ayrookuzhiyil.bravepages.com/pakalomattom.html
- ↑ Language of religion, language of the people: medieval Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Ernst Bremer, Susanne Röhl Page 401