The Early Christians of Malabar/Malankara were called Syrian Christians. Malankara means Mala (Mountain) and kara (land) , meaning mountain country. The early church flourished on this mountain country were called Malankara Church.
It has always been a matter of interest to scholars and commoners that how this church was established ; when this church was established and who established this church. This has always been a matter of controversy. Let us look into the matter.
When was this Malankara Church Started and who started it ?
There are no recorded evidences about the the early church of Malabar/Malankara. According to oral legends , some Syrian merchants migrated to Malankara(Kerala) from Mesopotamea(Iraq) in 3rd century CE. They were called Syrian Christians by the locals. They were given high status in the society.It is believed that they kept their own ethnic identity until the arrival of Portuguese.There are no evidences of any church in Malankara in Apostolic times.
Theory No:1
St.Thomas the Apostle of Jesus Christ, after preaching in the middle eastern countries , sailed to Kerala and started a church and later moved to Coromandal (Mylapore)coast and martyred by the Brahmans. In 15th century, the Portuguese dug out a Persian Cross inscribed with some verses in Pahlavi from this place.
Theory No:2
The second legend says that a Syrian/Assyrian merchant called Thomas of Cana came to Malabar and started a church
Theory No:3
Mar Thomas a person from Persia came to Malabar ans started a church. He is described as a Manichean a follower of Mani
We will look into these theories in the next step
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