Giwargis of Christ
George of Christ (Template:Lang-syr, George of Christ) (died c. AD 1585), also spelled Geevarghese of Christ was an Archdeacon (Arkkadyakon) and hence the leader of the Saint Thomas Christian community of India. 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 Marth Maryam Church Angamaly[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 13 January 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 Church are viz. "Hell" , "Last Judgement", also of mural paintings of the Bishops and the Archdeacon.
Givargis of Christ died in Angamaly. He was buried in the St Mary's Church Angamaly. His brother Yohannan was Archdeacon (1585–93) and another brother Jacob became Archdeacon in 1596.[1]
See also
- Mar Abraham
- Christianity in India
- Church of the East
- India (East Syrian Ecclesiastical Province)
- Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church
- Syrian Malabar Nasrani
References
- ^ a b Abraham, Cherian Tinu. "PAKALOMATTAM AYROOKUZHIYIL - Ancient Christian family from Kerala , India spread all over the world .Malayali Brahmin Nampoothiri Royal Tharakhan Syria Syrian Christians Suriyani Arattupuzha Arapurakal Kulathumkal Kadavana Kurudamannil Vadakkanethu".
- ^ Language of religion, language of the people: medieval Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Ernst Bremer, Susanne Röhl Page 401
The Indian Church History Classics, Vol. I, The Nazranies (1998) and the Thomas Encyclopaedia Vol. II (1973).