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| St.Thomas Mount cross |
This
is a controversial subject among Syriac Christians of Malankara. Majority of
church historians put forward the Persian cross as the prime evidence for the
existence of Persian Christianity in Malankara . These so called crosses have
termed Persian crosses because of Pahlavi writing on them. Many scholars have
tried to decipher the writing on these crosses and produced diametrically
opposite results. This is the problem with Pahlavi script which is mainly
Logogrammatic
.jpg) |
| Kottayam Cross -1,Kerala.,India. |
We find two types of crosses named as Persian Crosses at various locations .These locations are
1) St.Thomas Mount, Chennai,
Tamilnadu:-
2) Kadamattom ,Kerala:- This cross is at St. George Orthodox Syriac Church, Kadamattom, Kerala.This Cross was found at the southern wall of the Madbaha.
3) Kottayam,Kerala:- There are two Crosses at St. Mary's Syriac Orthodox Church, Kottayam,Kerala. One cross is considered of late origin (10th century) and the other dated between 6-8th century.
4) Kothanellur, Kerala:- This cross is at St. Gervasis and Prothasis Roman Catholic (Syro-Malabar) church, Kothanellur,Kerala.The Cross said to have been discovered during renovation at 1895.
5) Muttuchira,Kerala:-This Cross is at Holy Ghost Roman Catholic church(Syro-Malabar) at Muttuchira, Kerala.This is also said to have been discovered during renovation of the church.
6) Alangadu, Kerala:-This cross is at St.Mary's Roman Catholic (Syro-Malabar) Church ,Alangadu,Kerala.This is a very recent discovery.
Besides these locations church historians state that similar
crosses have been found at Goa, India; Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka and Taxila, Pakistan.
 |
| Goa Cross,India |
Goa
cross:-Among
these three crosses, Goa cross is only similar
to the cross of
St.Thomas Mount but its origin is questionable because of Portuguese
inscription on them .The cross has been discovered by Fr.Cosme Costa S.F.X near river Zuari at Agasaim on 27th April 2001. The Cross is now kept at Pilar Seminary Museum.
 |
| Anuradhapura Cross,Sri Lanka |
Cross of Anuradhapura:- It is totally different from any of these crosses. It is placed (possibly) in a flower which is different from any of these Persian crosses. It is more similar to some of the Katchkhar crosses of Armenia . There is no Pahlavi inscription on it and no descending dove as like in the St.Thomas Mount cross.
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| Taxila Cross,Pakistan |
Taxila Cross :-It was found in 1935 in a field near the site of the ancient city of Sirkap,Taxila,Pakistan.The local zamindar gave it to Mrs.C. King wife of British deputy commissioner of Rawalpindi who then presented to the cathedral at Lahore. Most astonishing thing about this Taxila cross is that it does not even resemble with the said Persian Crosses. But many Syriac Church historians wrote a lot about this without making a basic enquiry !
The two types(south Indian crosses) are easily distinguishable because of their pattern of construction.
One group has clearly defined descending dove along with lotus base and
creatures carved with the cross while the other group have no dove forms or
lotus base. These distinctive styles are difficult for us to arrive in any
concrete conclusion. The crosses at
St.Thomas Mount and Kadamattam along with one cross at Kottayam comprise
the first group while the other cross at Kottayam leads the other group. Why
and how did these distinctive styles come in to existence? It is still an
unanswered question!
It
is very difficult to prove the origin of these crosses because of the
difficulty in deciphering the Pahlavi writing on them. We also have no
supportive documents or evidences to indicate their possible origin. It is
noted that Cross had been a symbol to many sects and religion before
Christianity. Even Buddhists and Hindus used crosses in different forms as one
of their symbols. This makes our task very difficult.
I
think it is better to start our study by understanding the various translations
of the Pahlavi inscriptions on them. We have many translations available with
us. These translations are the best evidences to find their origin.
Different translations of Pahlavi inscriptions
1) "In punishment by
the cross (was) the suffering on this (one); (He) who (is) true Christ and God
above, and Guide ever Pure" (Burnnell1873)
2)
He who believes in the
Messiah and in God on high and also in the holy Ghost is in the Grace of Him
who bore the pain of the cross(Martin Haug 1874)
3)
He who is the Messiah ,
the reconciler, the resuscitator, for ever purified by virtue of his
crucifixion.(Harlez 1892)
4)
Such was the affliction of the wounding and spearing of him on
the cross, who was the faithful Messiah, the merciful one, the descendant of
the great Abraham, who was the descendant of Chaharbukht. (Sanjana 1914)
5)
I, a beautiful bird from Nineveh, (have come) to this
(country).Written (by) Mar Shapur.I,whom(?)Messiah, the forgiver, freed from danger(or
terror). (Modi 1924)
6)
My lord Christ , have mercy upon Afras son of Chaharbukht, the
Syrian who cut this.(winkworth,1929)
7) Our Lord Messiah may show on Gabriel , the son of Chaharbokht (literally meaning having four sons), the grand son of Durzad (literally meaning born in distsnd land), who made this (cross) (Gerd Gropp 1970)
7) Our Lord Messiah may show on Gabriel , the son of Chaharbokht (literally meaning having four sons), the grand son of Durzad (literally meaning born in distsnd land), who made this (cross) (Gerd Gropp 1970)
Now which one is correct and how can we find out the veracity of
their claims. This is the problem with Pahlavi Language which is logogrammatic
in writing. Probably we will never know! ( any body want to know what is
logogrammatic writing plz google it ). I haven’t included the translations by
Kanara Brahman and Fr.Burthey, S.J a Roman Katholic.
Why it has most probably a Manichaean origin?
1) The most acceptable
translation by Burnell indicates that the trinity suffered on the cross which
is a heresy similar to Sabellianism or Patrippasianism
2)
These crosses are found only in places where Manichaean had
considerable influence
3)
The place where one of the cross was unearthed –Mylapore- were
found worshiped by all religion like Muslims, Hindus etc. There was no special
importance to this place in the history of Malankara Nazranies. The detail
about the excavations conducted by Portuguese surely indicates their special
interest in the subject to attach the place to St. Thomas
4)
There is no believable records relating to Mylapore before the
advent of Portuguese or Malankara Nazranies have any documents, myths relating
to Mylapore story prior to the Portuguese Manipulations. Most of the travelers
indicate the place where St. Thomas said to have been martyred as CALAMIANA
which is yet to be identified
5)
Bl.Odoric of Pordenon a Franciscan friar visited India during
the time of Jordanus Catalani talk about this so called Mylapore”””And in this
realm is laid the body of the Blessed Thomas the Apostle. His church is FILLED
WITH IDOLS, AND BESIDE IT ARE SOME FIFTEEN HOUSES OF NESTORIANS; THAT IS TO
SAY, CHRISTIANS, BUT VILE AND PESTILENT HERETICS”””. (Wow, NESTORIANS and
IDOLS!!) This indicates that the church belongs to some heretics who worshipped
idols. Who else it can be?
6)
Arab geographer Abu Zaid about 916AD wrote about
Sarandib(Ceylon) “there is a numerous colony of Jews in Sarandib ,and people of
other religions especially Manichaeans””
7)
Manichaean used cross with decoration of plants, flowers etc.
because they believed Mani the Jesus or the Apostle of Jesus died on cross.
They were true vegetarian and respected plants, flowers and animals. All their
paintings reflect their philosophy and attitude
8)
Manichaean adopted many things from other religions like
Christianity, Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism etc. and used it to propagate their
religion in the respective countries/regions
9)
Mani considered himself as Paraclete and his followers naturally
depicted him as descending “dove”
10)
Manichaean used Aramaic, Pahlavi and Sogadian languages to
propagate their religion in respective regions and engraved/painted on their
artifacts.
11)
The cross with descending dove is found only in the areas where
Manichaean church existed and it is specifically towards the east
12)
If the cross with dove is peculiar to Persian Christians there
must have been some literature related with it considering their rivalry with
churches of the Roman Empire
13)
How many of this type crosses found from the places where the
Manichaean church did not have any influence?
14)
Manichaean church was “DUALISTS” and so with NESTORIANS and the
church historians always referred them as heretics and often misunderstood
15)
Manichaean practiced BEMA and Qurbana so the NESTORIANS
16)
Malankara has a peculiar name called “MANI” pronounced as
“MAANI” which is unheard in Christendom.
How many Persian Christians have this name? (Please do not come with
manipulations like Mani derived from Manual etc.)
Why is it a Manichaean cross?
Followers of Mani
considered his death was by cross and gave much importance to cross in their
religion. He himself considered as a Paraclete and it is possible that his
followers depicted him as a descending Dove along with a cross
--The great historian of
the early Christian church Eusebius Bishop of Caesarea also mentions the
Manichaean religion: Mani the mad man driven by the devil himself. He was a
barbarian and tried to represent himself as Christ by saying that he was the
Paraclete----Page 37 (MANI by L.J.R Ort.)
---- There is an allusion in the Chinese Treatise to ‘the pure marvelous wind(spirit) which is a white dove’. This Christian image of the Holy Spirit as the ‘white dove’ recalls the argument maintained by Mani in disputing with Bishop Archaleus concerning the dove which descended upon Jesus in his baptism--- (Researches in Manichaeism by A.V.W.Jackson)
---- There is an allusion in the Chinese Treatise to ‘the pure marvelous wind(spirit) which is a white dove’. This Christian image of the Holy Spirit as the ‘white dove’ recalls the argument maintained by Mani in disputing with Bishop Archaleus concerning the dove which descended upon Jesus in his baptism--- (Researches in Manichaeism by A.V.W.Jackson)
Manichaean Art On The Silk Road By Hans-Joachim Klimkeit
If we trace the silk
road towards the east we see four religion (Zoroastrianism, Buddhism,
Christianity, & Manichaean) existed together along with local
Persian/Chinese religions. A further study on their writings, paintings and
other artifacts is sufficient to prove their religious syncretism. This may
look little problematic /awkward to a blind believers of any religion of today,
but the fact is fact.
If we study the practices Christians follow with respect to their believes, festivals, religious costumes etc. are mostly from the Pagan background. The Christmas (date) we celebrate today have the pagan origin and do not have any biblical or apostolic background. If this is the case, then there is sufficient logic to suggest that the said Cross probably have a Manichaean origin based on the evidences stated here. It is also to be noted that the cross with dove mostly found from the places were Manichaean church existed. The authors whom I quoted have clearly answered the objection raised with respect to non occurrence of this type of cross in the west. The religious or cultural syncretism takes place not in the crucible rather the open world which is influenced by many factors.
It is also to be noted that the Manichaean church is culturally closer to Syriac Christianity of the east. The languages these religions used were also similar. Most striking thing is that the leaders/propagators of these religions were from the same background and even practiced both these religions in their life time.
Again read
Manichaean Art On The Silk Road By Hans-Joachim Klimkeit
If we study the practices Christians follow with respect to their believes, festivals, religious costumes etc. are mostly from the Pagan background. The Christmas (date) we celebrate today have the pagan origin and do not have any biblical or apostolic background. If this is the case, then there is sufficient logic to suggest that the said Cross probably have a Manichaean origin based on the evidences stated here. It is also to be noted that the cross with dove mostly found from the places were Manichaean church existed. The authors whom I quoted have clearly answered the objection raised with respect to non occurrence of this type of cross in the west. The religious or cultural syncretism takes place not in the crucible rather the open world which is influenced by many factors.
It is also to be noted that the Manichaean church is culturally closer to Syriac Christianity of the east. The languages these religions used were also similar. Most striking thing is that the leaders/propagators of these religions were from the same background and even practiced both these religions in their life time.
Again read
Manichaean Art On The Silk Road By Hans-Joachim Klimkeit
Now understand the position Of Mani and
Manichaeism. He was quite aware of Christ and Christian teachings. Christianity
faced maximum heresy during this period and he was fascinated by these
teachings. No wonder he adopted many things from Christianity.
It is quiet natural that Manichaeism was a dualistic concept closely identified with another dualistic concept called Nestorianism.
It is quiet natural that Manichaeism was a dualistic concept closely identified with another dualistic concept called Nestorianism.
History of Civilization of Central Asia, Vol.3&4 By Clifford Edmund Bosworth, M.S. Asimov
Read above scholars and understand where a group of Syriac Church historians stand in front of scientific and secular studies. It is not the study of a separate group among Syriac Christians but world renowned scholars of Manichaeism and Eastern Christianity.
This is not to embarrass the Manichean cross supporters but to stop the wrong identification of the same as Nazrani Cross.
Pahlavi Language as Evidence
The next argument the followers of Manichaean Cross put forward is the Pahlavi Language of inscription. This is an old argument that we find Pahlavi inscriptions on these crosses and Pahlavi literature like Pahlavi Psalter from Church of Fars. It seems logical from out side but if we go little deep on these languages used by these religions we will find the truth. The language Pahlavi was used by many religions of the region such as Zoroastrians, Manichaean, and Persian Christians etc. So there is no exclusivity of this language to any particular religion. So this is not an evidence to prove that the said crosses belong to Syriac Christianity. It is also noticed that these religions used other languages like Dari-Persian, Sogadian etc.
Read from “”History of Civilization of Central Asia, Vol.3&4 By Clifford Edmund Bosworth,M.S.Asimov””
Pahlavi was the language of Zoroastrians, Manichaean, Persian Christian etc.
The next argument the followers of Manichaean Cross put forward is the Pahlavi Language of inscription. This is an old argument that we find Pahlavi inscriptions on these crosses and Pahlavi literature like Pahlavi Psalter from Church of Fars. It seems logical from out side but if we go little deep on these languages used by these religions we will find the truth. The language Pahlavi was used by many religions of the region such as Zoroastrians, Manichaean, and Persian Christians etc. So there is no exclusivity of this language to any particular religion. So this is not an evidence to prove that the said crosses belong to Syriac Christianity. It is also noticed that these religions used other languages like Dari-Persian, Sogadian etc.
Read from “”History of Civilization of Central Asia, Vol.3&4 By Clifford Edmund Bosworth,M.S.Asimov””
Pahlavi was the language of Zoroastrians, Manichaean, Persian Christian etc.
Dari-Persian was also the language of these religions
These religions also used Sogadian language for their writings and existed in Turfan side by side
This shows that the language Pahlavi is not an evidence at all as put forward by supporters of Manichaean Cross (Kaldayavadikal of SMC and other Syriac Christian supporters).There can be any one like Manichaean also be the makers of these crosses. Since historians trace the presence of Manichaean in those places where these crosses are found, it is most probably the Manichaean behind the crosses.
Pahlavi Script as Evidence
Next argument put forward by the supporters of Manichaean Cross is based on Pahlavi script. They say that the script used by Manicheans is different and easily distinguishable. Some cases it is true where Aramaic or Sogadian influence were played a major role. Every religion in ancient times produced some exclusiveness in their practices and programs .But it is difficult to distinguish these traits when the concerned social organizations lived and thrived together. Any way, for the sake of argument let me agree with that the Manichaean Pahlavi is different or rather the script.
Which are the Pahlavi scripts?
1) Inscription Pahlavi :-
-Inscriptional Pahlavi is the earliest attested form, and is evident in clay fragments that have been dated to the reign of Mithridates I (r. 171–138 BC). Other early evidence includes the Pahlavi inscriptions of Arsacid era coins and rock inscriptions of Sassanid kings and other notables such as Kartir. This script contains 19 characters which are not joined
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Taq-e_Bostan_-_Pahlavi_writing.jpg
Next argument put forward by the supporters of Manichaean Cross is based on Pahlavi script. They say that the script used by Manicheans is different and easily distinguishable. Some cases it is true where Aramaic or Sogadian influence were played a major role. Every religion in ancient times produced some exclusiveness in their practices and programs .But it is difficult to distinguish these traits when the concerned social organizations lived and thrived together. Any way, for the sake of argument let me agree with that the Manichaean Pahlavi is different or rather the script.
Which are the Pahlavi scripts?
1) Inscription Pahlavi :-
-Inscriptional Pahlavi is the earliest attested form, and is evident in clay fragments that have been dated to the reign of Mithridates I (r. 171–138 BC). Other early evidence includes the Pahlavi inscriptions of Arsacid era coins and rock inscriptions of Sassanid kings and other notables such as Kartir. This script contains 19 characters which are not joined
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Taq-e_Bostan_-_Pahlavi_writing.jpg
2) Book Pahlavi:-
Book Pahlavi is a smoother script in which letters are joined to each other and often form complicated ligatures. Book Pahlavi was the most common form of the script, with only 12 or 13 graphemes (13 when including aleph) representing 24 sounds. The formal coalescence of originally different letters caused ambiguity, and the letters became even less distinct when they formed part of a ligature. In its later forms, attempts were made to improve the consonantary and reduce ambiguity through diacritic marks. Book Pahlavi continued to be in common use until about AD 900. After that date, Pahlavi was preserved only by the Zoroastrian clergy (plz note Book Pahlavi is not Inscription Pahlavi)
http://www.ancientscripts.com/pahlavi.html
http://www.omniglot.com/writing/mpersian.htm#mpersian
Book Pahlavi is a smoother script in which letters are joined to each other and often form complicated ligatures. Book Pahlavi was the most common form of the script, with only 12 or 13 graphemes (13 when including aleph) representing 24 sounds. The formal coalescence of originally different letters caused ambiguity, and the letters became even less distinct when they formed part of a ligature. In its later forms, attempts were made to improve the consonantary and reduce ambiguity through diacritic marks. Book Pahlavi continued to be in common use until about AD 900. After that date, Pahlavi was preserved only by the Zoroastrian clergy (plz note Book Pahlavi is not Inscription Pahlavi)
http://www.ancientscripts.com/pahlavi.html
http://www.omniglot.com/writing/mpersian.htm#mpersian
3) Psalter Pahlavi:-
Psalter Pahlavi derives its name from the so-called "Pahlavi Psalter", a 6th- or 7th-century translation of a Syriac book of psalms. This text, which was found at Bulayiq near Turpan in northwest China, is the earliest evidence of literary composition in Pahlavi, dating to the 6th or 7th century AD. The extant manuscript dates not earlier than the mid-6th century since the translation reflects liturgical additions to the Syriac original by Mar Aba I, who was Patriarch of the Church of the East c. 540 - 552.The script of the psalms has altogether 18 graphemes, 5 more than Book Pahlavi and one less than Inscription Pahlavi. As in Book Pahlavi, letters are connected to each other. The only other surviving source of Psalter Pahlavi are the inscriptions on a bronze processional cross found at Herat, in present-day Afghanistan.
http://www.omniglot.com/writing/psalter.htm
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/438346/Pahlavi-language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pahlavi_scripts
http://books.google.co.in/books?id=ELrRr0L8UOsC&lpg=PA328&ots=6kzpul3Ku4&dq=history%20of%20pahlavi%20christian&pg=PA328#v=onepage&q&f=true
4) Manichaean script.
This script was used by Manichaean to write their holy books and was developed from Estrangelo with influence from Sogadian script. It was used extensively during the early years of Manichaeism. That does not mean that the Manichean used only Manichean script.
http://www.omniglot.com/writing/manichaean.php
This script was used by Manichaean to write their holy books and was developed from Estrangelo with influence from Sogadian script. It was used extensively during the early years of Manichaeism. That does not mean that the Manichean used only Manichean script.
http://www.omniglot.com/writing/manichaean.php
Now understand these scripts and situation
respect with Manichaean crosses of south India. It is clear from above that
“Inscription Pahlavi” and “Book Pahlavi “are different. The same way “Book
Pahlavi” and “Psalter Pahlavi” are different. Psalter Pahlavi was the language
of Persian Christians and they used it starting from 6th century. It is not
surprising that they used Psalter Pahlavi for their cross inscriptions in
Heart, in present day Afghanistan . This is one of the valuable evidence
against the supporters of Manichean cross as Nestorian cross. If the said cross
were belong to Nestorians or any form of Persian Christianity it would have
been inscribed by Psalter Pahlavi script (since the very same Nestorians used
Psalter Pahlavi to inscribe the cross in Heart).
It is also noted that no scholar clearly identify the said inscription with established group of scripts. They agree that the scripts are cursive scripts some time it joined together and other times separated . Even if we identify the said inscription with Book Pahlavi , it does not prove that the cross belongs to eastern Christianity. Book Pahlavi was used by Zoroastrians, Manichaean & Persian Christians.
It is also noted that no scholar clearly identify the said inscription with established group of scripts. They agree that the scripts are cursive scripts some time it joined together and other times separated . Even if we identify the said inscription with Book Pahlavi , it does not prove that the cross belongs to eastern Christianity. Book Pahlavi was used by Zoroastrians, Manichaean & Persian Christians.
So this being the
situation, how can we attribute these crosses to Nestorians? There is no logic
or supportive evidence to prove without doubt about its origin. When we
consider the so called translations of those inscriptions along with these
linguistic realities increases the possibility of a Manichaean origin.
I have clearly stated that the usage of various forms of Pahlavi by different religions in central Asia during the 3rd to 10th century period along with respective Photo shots of scholarly works. These religions also used other languages such as Sogadian, Dari-Persian, and Uygur etc to propagate their respective religion. Please be noted that the identification based on scripts/languages may not be a correct technique when we deal with religions which are extinct or almost assimilated to other religions.
I have clearly stated that the usage of various forms of Pahlavi by different religions in central Asia during the 3rd to 10th century period along with respective Photo shots of scholarly works. These religions also used other languages such as Sogadian, Dari-Persian, and Uygur etc to propagate their respective religion. Please be noted that the identification based on scripts/languages may not be a correct technique when we deal with religions which are extinct or almost assimilated to other religions.
A real time situation
There is another real time situation also to be considered before deciding any conclusion. Why would a Manichaean convert from Zoroastrianism or any pagan Iranian religion use Manichean Estrangelo script to propagate his new found religion? Why is it applied only to Manichean church, not to other religions?
THAT IS WHY THE PERSIAN CROSSES OF SOUTH INDIA MOST PROBABLY HAVE A MANICHAEAN ORIGIN.
There is another real time situation also to be considered before deciding any conclusion. Why would a Manichaean convert from Zoroastrianism or any pagan Iranian religion use Manichean Estrangelo script to propagate his new found religion? Why is it applied only to Manichean church, not to other religions?
THAT IS WHY THE PERSIAN CROSSES OF SOUTH INDIA MOST PROBABLY HAVE A MANICHAEAN ORIGIN.
"Manichaean used cross with decoration of plants, flowers etc. because they believed Mani the Jesus or the Apostle of Jesus died on cross. They were true vegetarian and respected plants, flowers and animals. All their paintings reflect their philosophy and attitude"
ReplyDeleteHow did you know Manchaean ever used crosses?
Cross is not a symbol invented by Christians. It has been used by many civilizations and religions. There are scholars who studied about the cross through the centuries. Manichaean also used cross as one of their symbols. They decorated cross with plants and fruits to show their veneration.
DeleteLet me quote from a Scholar called Yu.A.Zuyev
“””Art was obligatory and distinctive attribute of Manichaeism. It played not only aesthetic, but also an illustrative educational and a great propaganda role. Like the Turfan gallery paintings filled with Manichean contents. A.M.Belenitsky assessed from that position the Pendjikent temple wall painting [Belenitsky, 1954, p. 66-68]. The Manichean character of the material inspires to also see in a similar way a part of the Talas paintings with plant motive, intrinsic to Manichaeism. The image of a cross on ceramic tiles of walls in Talas, with stylized plant symbols in its branches, is a Manichean cross of Light. First of all it is in the plants. These are elements of Light, crucified and tied in the material world (compare, for example,Fig.2). Sometimes it is a cross of suffering Jesus. Light, ”crucified” in plants, was associated with crucified on a wooden cross Jesus. This belongs to the Christian layer of Manichaeism. A falling grape cluster reflects one of the states of Manichean dragon, described in ”Kefalaya”: ”there is one more feature at the king of dark, when to walk, he extends his extremities and walks, and when he desires, he retracts his extremities, absorbs them inside, connects them together, and falls down like a grape cluster” [Kefalaya, 32].”””
I shall explain and give more evidences in 2nd part of the article.
In my opinion there was never such as thing as a St Thomas Cross. I am not certain if Mani himself used a cross as his symbol. Maybe you can shed some light on this if there are hints that he himself did. In my opinion those are just Nestorian crosses and they were themselves syncretic and had various branches and if the MarThoma Nasranis had Manichean influences it could have come under the same banner (which as you know was the case in China) and thus under the same cross.
DeleteJews of the East Indies& Jijoy,
DeletePlz read my book UNMASKING THE SYRIACS: THE HIDDEN ORIGIN OF INDIAN CHRISTIANITY, An Archaeo-linguistic Approach - My new book on the Origin of Indian Christianity. The link is given in the latest article. You can get the book from Amazon or any leading online book seller. This article is from the early period of my research on the subject which contains only preliminary information . But the book specifically traces the origin of Indian Christianity based Archaeo-linguistic studies. In the book you can get a study on Symbol of Cross including Manichaean abd Buddhist crosses.
Jeevan Philip.
The question is not of merit but of antiquity. Whatever be its writings and origin the Malabar Christians use it as St. Thomas Sleeba. Hence if correct dates are found the antiquity of Kerala Christians can be assessed to some extent.
ReplyDeleteMangat John Abraham. Cochin
One cannot asses the antiquity of something with someone else identity. These crosses are not of any Christian origin then how can it be any evidence to the antiquity of Christianity in India!
DeleteJeevan, do you know if the Anuradhapura cross is still in situ, or has it been removed to a museum?
ReplyDeleteI have no authentic information about its current location . Let me check my files probably there may be some info .
DeleteThanks
Manichaeans considered Christ as just a son of God (a reflection of God) who followed God's orders. He is God's creation. Therefore, worshiping him is committing idolatry. In that case using a symbol widely used to represent Jesus during the time should have been prohibited by Mani. Moreover none has yet dugged up a Manichean Cross and the possibility of a Cross that could have been used by Mani is a sun cross which represents the 4 weather and seasons by the Gnostic religions at the time but not Christian
ReplyDeleteHave you heard a place called Gongzou ,China where Manichaeans and Nestorians had lived harmoniously under one leader/ Bishop/Arkagun.
DeleteI shall soon be writing a post with respect to this .
Manichaeanism was a syncretic religion heavily adopted from the local religious practices and symbols. It is very interesting to observe that the Manichaeans of Malankara was largely helped by Nestorian Bishops of 1490. Even Mar Abraham was the one who built Kaduthuruthi palli for them.
So ,if we analyse the inputs from China to Malankara the relation between Manichaean and Nestorian believers were unique. The word Archadiyokkon was probably originated from the leader of Manichaean - Archagun.
Unfortunately it was the Nestorians of post 1490 AD renamed Malankara Moopan position as Arkadiyokon.
Dear Mr. Phhilip
ReplyDeleteI've read this post this with interest. Would you be kind enough to share any further information you may have on the '1490 Nestorians' who you say introduced the title of Archdeacon to Malabar?
best wishes
Sarah
Plz read this
Deletehttps://jeephilip.blogspot.com/2011/06/evolution-of-episcopacy-in-malankara.html?showComment=1331142824062#c8346733476569214324
Would you kindly share any further information you may have on your statement that the title of Archdeacon was introduced from the time of the 'Nestorians of 1490' onwards?
ReplyDeletewith many thanks
Dear Sarah ,
DeleteWhich is the first reference regarding Arkidiaoqon /Archdeacon position in Malankara church history ?
LETTERS OF MAR TIMOTHY I(779-823):- This letter has been reported by IBN-AL-TAIYIB a Nestorian monk, writer, philosopher, priest in his book “Fiqu an-Nasraniya” (around 1049).Based on E. R Hambye’s “Some eastern Evidences” Dr.Mundadan argue that the letter is clearly addressed to Malankara church and Arkn, their so called Arkidiaoqon.
We are particular about the second letter of Mar Timothi(779-823)which addressed to one “ARKN” which is claimed as the abbreviation of the Syriac Arkidiaqon borrowed from Greek.
We all know that the position called Archdeacon mean head of deacons or Shimshonos as far as history of Orthodox Church concerned with a little exception of Coptic orthodox where some times laity also gets this position. The letter which said to have been written to ARKN of India (Which India?) by Patriarch Timothy according to A.M. Mundadan””some canonical abuses that had crept into the Christian community of India, especially in the matter of Ordination of Metropolitans, bishops, priests and deacons”” (see the patriarch discusses these issues with head of Shimshonos-and do we used to select Metropolitans, bishops, priests and deacons?).If any body is kind enough to call him a proxy of Bishop should tell me why would Malankara Nazranies be ruled by a position (Role & Meaning) which is unheard in all Christendom ?
Another point to be noted here is the practice of Coptic Orthodox Church appointing laity as Archdeacon. If we read this along with Malankara church’s earlier connections with Copts, its practices such as consecration by twelve Kahnoosas gives us an entire different possibility. The said Arkn may be of Coptic origin and the Timothy becomes an imposter like in the case of Roman pope and Jordan catallani. This practice of stealing sheep is not a new thing in the world of Christendom (especially by Romans)!!!! But chances are rare since the Arkidiaoqon itself a 13/14th century invention in Malankara.
There is another possibility that the Arkagun - the leader /Bishop of Manichaeans referred in Manichean book of Kefalia may also have influenced Nestorians of 1490 since they had a strong connection with Manicheans of Qungzou, China.
Will substantiate when I write the second article on this subject .
Thanks .
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ReplyDeleteCame to this blog while on a reading Mesopotamian civilization, church history and Church fathers, inspired by books Jesus of Nazrath by Pope benedict xvi. thought about the controversy of cross - as a Kottayam RCSC we were the nucleus!- and just googled. seeing some what recent comments thought i would put mine too.
ReplyDeletei agree with Jeevan that the marthoma cross is (more likely) to be Manichean than Persian christian.
Remember Nestorian church differed from Universal church only in Christology at the time of split.
Nestorians(after bishop Nestorius of Constantinople) are Church of the East, whose present-day representatives are the Assyrian Church of the East, the Ancient Church of the East, the Chaldean Syrian Church, and the Chaldean Catholic Church after it spilt from Universal church during first council of Ephesus.
As Jeevan suggested both Nestorian church and Manicheans cohabited in Sasanian empire and spread to same areas
Dear Unknown ,
DeleteThanks for your comment , Nestorians, as my recent understanding/study force me to suggest that they were more of a Gnostic sect than Proto- Orthodox .I shall substantiate it when I write the second part of this article .
In the same vein i think if nestorians and early kerala Christians lived together probably only a visiting monk
ReplyDeletecould tell the difference! ”And in this realm is laid the body of the Blessed Thomas the Apostle. His church is FILLED WITH IDOLS, AND BESIDE IT ARE SOME FIFTEEN HOUSES OF NESTORIANS; THAT IS TO SAY, CHRISTIANS, BUT VILE AND PESTILENT HERETICS””
What i think is Kerala Christianity was a avial of several eastern churchs and Manichaen symbols (which itself was influenced by eastern Christianity) with cross could have been easily mistaken as christian
True, But Kerala Christianity has very recent origin and please do not misunderstand Malankara Nazranies with the western Christianity (including Syriac Christianity).It is injustice to call Malankara Nazranies as Christians .
DeleteLet me add that i was surprised by Khachkar cross of Armenia and how similar its to marthoma cross with or without dove at the top
ReplyDeletehttps://theculturetrip.com/europe/armenia/articles/the-khachkar-a-cornerstone-of-armenian-identity/
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/cross-stone-khachkar-armenia-yerevan-1063471331
Change the bottom to look like lotus and you get Mathoma cross!
Khachkar crosses are comparatively a modern craft and has nothing to do with this Manichaean crosses.
DeleteAnd this in my opinion is how Mani got his cross (from Wiki with reference). Read the first sentence.
ReplyDeleteOther than incorporating the symbols and doctrine of dominant religious traditions, Manichaeism also incorporated the symbols and deities of indigenous traditions, in particular the Hindu deity Ganesha into its fold, demonstrated by the image available in the article, "Manichaean Art and Calligraphy" by Hans-Joachim Klimkeit. Mani was claiming to be the reincarnation of the Buddha, Lord Krishna, Zoroaster and Jesus depending on the context in which he was carrying out his preachings. Such strategic claims fostered a spirit of toleration among the Manichaeans and the other religious communities and this particular feature greatly assisted them in gaining the approval of authorities to practice in different regions along the Silk Road.[25]
Thanks , I shall be detailing about the similar crosses and possible reasons . Manichaeaism was more of a syncretic religion and adopted many things from the region they survived . The very similarity also can be found in Nestorianism and they(Manicheans and Nestorians) survived under one Bishop in Guangzhou,China.
DeleteThank you ,Dious.
ReplyDeleteThe church at muttuchira do not resemble any of the picture of crosses mentioned in the article. It does have some inscriptions but apart from that its just a plain cross without any form of decoration. What makes it a manichean cross ?
ReplyDeleteIt is just a copy nothing else.
DeleteYour answer doesn't answer my question. Being a copy of another cross doesn't make it Manichean and there is a reason behind making copies of this cross.These crosses have significant importance in the life of st.Thomas Christians and there worship. Enough research has been done on these crosses already and the argument of it being Manichean was already refuted. I think you are spending time and effort on things which are already researched.
DeleteThis article explains the details based on linguistics and literature concerned with the subject . Have you ever visited the Muttuchira Cross and investigated it ? It is just a copy without any details . I have read almost all studies of Persian Crosses of South India and none of these studies consider the linguistic and script part of it except some are dealing with translations .
DeleteAny way my detail book on the subject expected to be published by May 2020, which will include further more evidences from most modern studies.
Thanks
I come from Muttuchira and I have seen the cross more times than you ever will be if that's what concerns you. Enough studies have been done on the Manichean claim that you are doing now long back and all these points are disproven. You are just wasting your time on this one.Instead of publishing what you learn from the most modern studies, visit the places and do a field study and history of the crosses and come up with your own analysis if your really care about the St. Thomas Christian History in Kerala
DeleteThanks for your suggestion and probably you should be more concerned with what's going on with Persian cross studies than talking about your proximity to a particular cross. I have visited these crosses many times cross checked elevated claims of respective groups. Also have gone through almost all papers available with the subject. Do please post your logical arguments based on some credible studies if any other wise there is no use.
DeleteThanks again .
The quilon syrian copper plates/Tharisaraplly plates contains signatures in pahlavi language signed by christians. So does that suggest they are manicheans the same way it's suggested that pahlavi language across these crosses means they are manicheans
ReplyDeleteIt is not the language only makes it Manichaean rather the script,symbolization , usage(place ,position) in old churches etc.
DeleteRegarding the Tharissapalli cheppedu , it also contains Square Hebrew and Koofic Signatures . The content of the plates clearly suggests it belongs to a Palli which was later found to be Thevalakkara Palli.The names of witnesses also suggest a multi ethnic ,linguistic trade guild .
My first book on Persian Crosses of South India is expected to be out in three months time ,which will be providing more scientific evidences based on latest research findings.
Thanks.