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Old Silk Routes for North, West and East India,  Malabar Coast shadowed on left side


 Mandate  –  Apostolic

“On Peter’s Rock I build my Church”  [i]
this Thomas heard, carried in his heart that center’s gifts,
the Mass and sacraments, the Cross, the Church
as did all Twelve: Convert, Baptize, Confirm, Ordain
 
The Song of Malabar says from Thomas came 
seven priests, two bishops, with churches built,
and baptized over twenty thousand, 
confirmed for strength “Catholic” and “Apostolic.”  [ii]
 
From synagogue ruins at Palayur, through Malabar,
and Virgin’s blessing shrine at Malleatur mount,  [iii]
formed old, strong links with Rome,  
the “Thomas Christians” of “Syro-Malankara Rite” 

Another branch grew strong in Mylapore-Madras
where Portuguese brought Latin Rite –
that Diocese, Year 1600, cathedral planned,
two hundred years a-building, done 1896  [iv]
 
Today the Indian Christians of Catholic faith,
though fraction small, count high in millions  [v]
and India, who honors them with Stamps and studies, 
also named St Thomas’ Feast as India Christian Day. 
 
 
[i]  Matt. 16:18, Jesus said  –   “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.”  

[ii]  In the Steps of St. Thomas, (See Endnote 4 above),  p. 19.

[iii]  “St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church, Malayattoor”. Wikipedia.org.  {https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Thomas_Syro-Malabar_Church,_Malayattoor}  (Accessed December 1, 2021).  – shrine in Malabar  –  “The church here has been designated by the Vatican as one among the eight International shrines in the world.” 

[iv]   In the Steps of St. Thomas, (See Endnote 4 above),  pp. 41-42.

[v]   “Christianity in India”.   Wikipedia.org. {https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_India} (accessed December 1, 2021). “Christianity is India's third-largest religion after Hinduism and Islam,  … with about 27.8 million adherents, constituting 2.3 percent of India's population.


A Dove descends upon his Cross