International Journal of History

Author(s): Thomson Robi

Abstract: The Synod of Diamper (1599), convened under the Portuguese Archbishop Dom Alexis de Menezes, marked a pivotal moment in the religious and political history of Kerala. It was an effort by the Portuguese colonial powers to bring the independent Syrian Christian Church of Malabar under the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. This event not only altered ecclesiastical structures but also had profound political ramifications. The Synod reshaped the socio-religious identity of the St. Thomas Christians, leading to cultural Latinization, suppression of local customs, and a realignment of community loyalties. Furthermore, it set the stage for centuries of ecclesiastical conflict, colonial manipulation, and eventual fragmentation of Christian denominations in Kerala. This paper explores the long-term political and social implications of the Synod, analyzing how it influenced the community's integration into colonial governance, their shifting alliances, and their role in the broader socio-political landscape of Kerala.

Pages: 120-124 | Views: 2245 | Downloads: 1671

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