Distribution of Christian population in different Indian states ^[1]

Christianity is India's third-largest religion, following Hinduism and Islam.^[1] Abrahamic religions on the whole date back about 2500 years with the arrival of Judaism,^[2] followed by arrival of Christianity around 2000 years ago.^[3] Vasco da Gama, seeking pre-existing Christian nations in India, discovered a sea route to India by circumnavigating the Cape of Good Hope^[4] which caused a major influence on both the histories of Asia and Europe.^[5] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 516 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (906 × 1053 pixel, file size: 68 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Data mapped based on this source. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 516 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (906 × 1053 pixel, file size: 68 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Data mapped based on this source. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... Hinduism (known as in modern Indian languages[1]) is a religious tradition[2] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... map showing the prevalence of Abrahamic (purple) and Dharmic (yellow) religions in each country. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... For other uses, see Vasco da Gama (disambiguation). ... The Cape of Good Hope; looking towards the west, from the coastal cliffs above Cape Point. ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ...

The 2001 census recorded over 24 million Indian Christians, comprising 2.3% of the country's population.^[1] There are three main regional concentrations of Christian population, namely in South India, on the Konkan Coast, and among tribal people in East, Central, and North-East India with the southern state of Kerala, contributing 25% of the total Christian population in India.^[1] 2001 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and also: The International Year of the Volunteer The United Nations Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations Events January January 1 - A black monolith measuring approximately nine feet tall appears in Seattles Magnuson Park, placed by an anonymous... South India is a linguistic-cultural region of India that comprises the four states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the two Union Territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry, whose inhabitants are collectively referred to as South Indians. ... The Konkan, also called the Konkan Coast or Karavali is the name given to a stretch of rugged and beautiful section of the western coastline of India from Ratnagiri to Mangalore. ... Ādivāsīs (आदिवासी), literally original inhabitants, comprise a substantial indigenous minority of the population of India. ... The Indies, on the display globe of the Field Museum, Chicago The Indies or East Indies (or East India) is a term used to describe lands of South and South-East Asia, occupying all of the former British India, the present Indian Union, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and... The geography of India is extremely diverse, with landscape ranging from snow-capped mountain ranges to deserts, plains, hills and plateaus. ... The Himalayas in Sikkim North-East India is the easternmost region of India consisting of the contiguous Seven Sister States and the state of Sikkim. ... India is a federal republic comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ...

Early Christianity in India

A set of palm leaf manuscripts from the 15th century or the 16th century, containing Christian prayers in Tamil

Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... For other uses, see Prayer (disambiguation). ... Tamil ( ; IPA ) is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamils in India and Sri Lanka, with smaller communities of speakers in many other countries. ...

Dawn of Christianity in India

The dawn of Christianity to South Asia dates back to the arrival of Saint Thomas to Kodungallur in Kerala in 52 AD and establishment of the Seven Churches.^[6] Subsequently as a carpenter he offered to build a palace for the Indo-Parthian king Gondophares,^[7] later converting the king's daughter and her newlywed groom^[8] before returning to Mylapore, Chennai in 72 AD where he attained martyrdom.^[6] Most of the sources of information on the arrival of Christianity in India are from the Acts of Thomas and a few more oral traditions recorded on documents in later centuries.^[9] Map of South Asia (see note on Kashmir). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Jude Thomas. ... , “Cranganore” redirects here. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... For other uses, see number 52. ... Seven Churches of Saint Thomas denotes the tradition amongst Indian Christians about the first seven churches established by Saint Thomas, the Apostle during his evangilisation in India between 52 AD and 72 AD.[1][2] Several lists exists on this regard one of which Thoman Parvam, a 17th century ducument... Coin of Gondophares (20-50 CE), first and greatest king of the Indo-Parthian Kingdom. ... Gondophares (Parthian: Vindapharna, lit. ... , Mylapore is one of the oldest areas within Chennai (formerly Madras), the capital of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. ... , “Madras” redirects here. ... This article is about the year 72. ... The early 3rd century text called Acts of Thomas is arguably the most Gnostic of the New Testament apocrypha, portraying Christ as the Heavenly Redeemer, independent of and beyond creation, who can free souls from the darkness of the world. ...

First Christians of India

Main article: Saint Thomas Christians

The Nasrani Menorah, the symbol of the Syrian Malabar Nasrani Christian community in South India.

The Syrian Malabar Nasrani people are an ethnic community in Kerala, South India. Their tradition goes back to the very beginnings of first century Christian thought and the seven churches that were established by St. Thomas the Apostle among the natives and the Jewish diaspora in Kerala. They follow a unique Hebrew-Syriac Christian tradition which includes several Jewish elements along with some Hindu customs. Their heritage is Syriac-Keralite, their culture South Indian, their faith St. Thomas Christian, and their language Malayalam. According to the Acts of Thomas, the first converts made by Thomas in India were Malabari Jews, who had settled in Kerala since the time of King Solomon of Israel. The Saint Thomas Christians are a group of Christians from the Malabar coast (now Kerala) in South India, who follow Syriac Christianity. ... This photograph was taken by me in December 2004. ... This photograph was taken by me in December 2004. ... The Nasrani people are an ethnic community from Kerala, South India, who follow the early Hebrew-Syriac Christian tradition. ... The Syrian Kuriz also known as Nasrani Menorah or the Mar Thoma sliva The Syrian Malabar Nasrani people are an ethnic group from Kerala, South India. ... South India is a linguistic-cultural region of India that comprises the four states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the two Union Territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry, whose inhabitants are collectively referred to as South Indians. ... The Syrian Kuriz also known as Nasrani Menorah or the Mar Thoma sliva The Syrian Malabar Nasrani people are an ethnic group from Kerala, South India. ...

There is a general agreement among the historians that St. Thomas, a Jew himself by birth, visited India in search of Jews settled here.

Although the Christian ideals were foreign, many Hindus embraced the ideologies of baptism because of its similarities to bathing in the Ganges, which was first mentioned in the Rig Veda, the Mahabharata, and the Devi Bhagvatam. After evangelizing in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the Apostle is believed to have been martyred at St. Thomas Mount in Chennai and buried on the site of San Thome Cathedral. Members of the Syro-Malabar Church, an eastern rite of the Catholic Church, adopted the Syriac liturgy dating from an unknown period before the 4th Century. In the 4th century, Apostle’s relics were taken to Edessa at the instance of the then Bishop of Edessa under whose jurisdiction the Kerala Church was and was later moved to Italy. The Christian community founded by St Thomas has since developed into a number of churches during the Portuguese persecution, including Syriac-rite churches in communion with the Roman Catholic, Antiochian Orthodox churches, and 'Nestorian' churches. , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... , “Madras” redirects here. ... The San Thome Cathedral Basilica at dusk San Thome Basilica is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Chennai, India. ... The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is a Major Archiepiscopal Eastern Rite Church sui iuris with historical ties to the Chaldean Catholic Church in communion with the Church of Rome. ... Syriac ( Suryāyā) is an Eastern Aramaic language that was once spoken across much of the Fertile Crescent. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Syriac Christianity is a culturally and... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Assyrian Church of the East...

The arrival of St Thomas, and the subsequent establishment of the seven and a half churches is viewed with skepticism by Western historians. However, the theory has never been discounted, and the Keralites still attribute an apostolic origin to their church. Kerala (or Keralam, കേരളം) is a state in South India. ...

Medieval Period

The Syrian Malabar Nasrani community was further strengthened by various Persian immigrant settlers. The trade routes brought with them not only riches but also stateless nations and nascent worldviews. The community was strengthened by Christian-Jewish Knanaya colonies of third century, Manichaeanism followers and the Babylonian Christians settlers of 4th Century, the 7th Century Syrian settlement of Mar Sabor Easo & Proth, and the immigrant Persian Christians from successive centuries. The Kerala Syrian Church was in communion with Syrian Church and was under the jurisdiction of Patriarch of Babylonian till the Portuguese arrival in the late 15th century. Bishops came from Syria. The Syrian Kuriz also known as Nasrani Menorah or the Mar Thoma sliva The Syrian Malabar Nasrani people are an ethnic group from Kerala, South India. ... This article is about the Persian people, an ethnic group found mainly in Iran. ... An unvelied tabernacle of a Knanaya Jewish Nasrani palli or Temple with 12 candlesticks in the background for the 12 tribes of ancient Israel. ... Manichaeism was one of the major ancient religions. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... Diocesan College, or Bishops as it is commonly known, is a private school situated in the leafy suburb of Rondebosch in Cape Town, South Africa, at the foot of Table Mountain. ...

They seem to have maintained their identity for a long time in the first few centuries and later amalgamated into one patronized community known differently as Nasrani, Malankara Christians, Syrian Christians. Nestorianism is the Christian doctrine that Jesus existed as two persons, the man Jesus and the divine Son of God, rather than as a unified person. ... The Saint Thomas Christians are a group of Christians from the Malabar coast (now Kerala) in South India, who follow Syriac Christianity. ... The Saint Thomas Christians are a group of Christians from the Malabar coast (now Kerala) in South India, who follow Syriac Christianity. ...

The archaeological excavations at Pattanam show that the ancient port town of Muziris was in modern Kerala. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea calls it of “leading importance” describing it: “Muziris, of the same kingdom, abounds in ships sent there with cargoes from Arabia, and by the Greeks; it is located on a river, distant from Tyndis by river and sea five hundred stadia, and up the river from the shore twenty stadia.”^{[citation needed]} Pattanam is potentially the lost Roman port city of Muziris Paravur taluk in the southern Indian state of Kerala which was a major center of Roman trade. ... Muziris is a lost port city in the southern Indian state of Kerala, locally known as Vanchi, which was a major center of trade, especially pepper and other spices, with the Roman Empire from the 1st or 2nd century BCE to probably as late as 6th century CE. Large hoards... Names, routes and locations of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. ... Muziris is a lost port city in the southern Indian state of Kerala, locally known as Vanchi, which was a major center of trade, especially pepper and other spices, with the Roman Empire from the 1st or 2nd century BCE to probably as late as 6th century CE. Large hoards...

The South Indian epic of Manimekalai (written between 2nd and 3rd century CE) mentions the Nasrani people by the name Essanis referring to one of the early Christian-Jewish sect within the Nasranis called Essenes. The embassy of Alfred in 833 CE described the Nestorian Syrian Christians as being prosperous and enjoying high status in the Malabar coast. Marco Polo also mentioned the Nasranis and their ancient church in the Malabar coast in his writings Il Milione. Manimekalai, written by Seethalai Saathanar, is one of the masterpieces of Tamil literature and belongs to The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature. ... Nestorianism is the Christian doctrine that Jesus existed as two persons, the man Jesus and the divine Son of God, rather than as a unified person. ... Nestorianism is the Christian doctrine that Jesus existed as two persons, the man Jesus and the divine Son of God, rather than as a unified person. ... The Essenes (sg. ... Marco Polo (September 15, 1254 – January 8, 1324) was a Venetian trader and explorer who gained fame for his worldwide travels, recorded in the book Il Milione (The Million or The Travels of Marco Polo). ... A page of The Travels of Marco Polo The Travels of Marco Polo is the usual English title of Marco Polos travel book, Il Millione (The Million). ...

In the Early Modern Period

The Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica in Kerala, built in traditional Portuguese style

The Sacred Heart Church of Chandannagar (l'Eglise du Sacré Cœur), West Bengal, reflects typical French architecture

Portuguese missionaries, who reached the Malabar Coast in the late 15th century, made contact with the St Thomas Christians in Kerala, and sought to introduce among them the Roman (Latin) Rite. Since the priests for St Thomas Christians were served by the Eastern Christian Churches, they were following Eastern Christian practices at that time. Throughout this period, foreign missionaries also made many new converts to Christianity. This led to the formation of Latin Catholics in Kerala. Latin Catholics in Kerala today comprises the St Thomas Christians who accepted Latin (Roman) Rite, found mostly in central Kerala, and the Christians converted by Portuguese influence and other missionary work, found mainly in the southern parts of Kerala. Image File history File links Kochi. ... Image File history File links Kochi. ... The Santa Cruz Basilica, a church in Cochin, Kerala built originally by the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558, was spared by the Dutch conquerors who destroyed many Catholic buildings. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... Image File history File links The_Sacred_Heart_Church_Chandannagar. ... Image File history File links The_Sacred_Heart_Church_Chandannagar. ... , Chandannagore Strand: A unique place along the bank of Ganga Chandannagar, formerly known as Chandernagore or Chandernagar (French: Chandernagor), (Bengali: ) is a small city and former French colony located 30 kilometers north of Kolkata, in West Bengal, India. ... , West Bengal (Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Poshchimbôŋgo) is a state in eastern India. ... Malabar Coast, Kerala Bekal Fort Beach, Kerala The Malabar Coast also known as the Malabarian Coast, is a long and narrow south-western shore line of the mainland Indian subcontinent. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ...

With the Papal bull Romanus Pontifex the patronage for the propagation of the Christian faith in Asia was given to the Portuguese. The Portuguese colonial government in Goa supported the mission in India with incentives for baptized Christians. They offered rice donations for the poor, good positions in the Portuguese colonies for the middle class and military support for local rulers^[10]. Papal bull of Pope Urban VIII, 1637, sealed with a leaden bulla. ... The Romanus Pontifex[1] is a papal bull written January 8, 1455 by Pope Nicholas V to King Afonso V of Portugal. ... For other uses, see Goa (disambiguation). ...

Early Roman Catholic missionaries, particularly the Portuguese, led by the Jesuit St Francis Xavier (1506-52), expanded from their bases on the west coast making many converts. Portuguese missionaries sought to convert the entire Hindu population of Goa. Seal of the Society of Jesus. ... In traditional Christian iconography, Saints are often depicted as having halos. ... Saint Francis Xavier (Basque: San Frantzisko Xabierkoa; Spanish: San Francisco Javier; Portuguese: São Francisco Xavier; Chinese: 聖方濟各沙勿略) (7 April 1506 - 2 December 1552) was a Spanish pioneering Roman Catholic Christian missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order). ... 1506 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Events April - War between Henry II of France and Emperor Charles V. Henry invades Lorraine and captures Toul, Metz, and Verdun. ... This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ...

As a result of Portuguese incentives many converted Indians were opportunistic Rice Christians, who even practiced their old religion^[10]. This was seen as a threat to the immaculateness of the Christian belief. St. Francis Xavier, in a 1545 letter to John III of Portugal, requested an Inquisition be installed in Goa. However, it was not installed until eight years after Francis Xavier's death. Opportunism is a term used in politics and political science. ... John III, King of Portugal KGF (Portuguese: João III pron. ... This article is about the Inquisition by the Roman Catholic Church. ...

During the Goa Inquisition under the Portuguese, Hindus were forced to convert and many Hindus in Goa who refused or were suspected of practicing heresy were burnt alive in public. St. ...

Modern-day Goa has a substantial Roman Catholic population; around 30% of the population is Roman Catholic. The undecayed body of Saint Francis Xavier is still on public view in a glass coffin at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa. “Catholic Church” redirects here. ... The Basilica of Bom Jesus. ... For other uses, see Goa (disambiguation). ...

Beginning in the eighteenth century, Protestant missionaries began to work throughout India, leading to the growth of different Christian communities. In 1793 William Carey, an English Baptist Minister came to India as a Missionary. He worked in Serampore, Calcutta, and other places as a missionary. He started the Serampore College. He translated the Bible into Bengali. http://www.wholesomewords.org/missions/giants/biocarey2.html. He worked until his death in 1834. For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... William Carey (August 17, 1761 – June 9, 1834) was an English missionary and Baptist minister, known as the father of modern missions. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Baptist is... Two Mormon missionaries A missionary is traditionally defined as a propagator of religion who works to convert those outside that community; someone who proselytizes. ... Serampore, India, is a pre-colonial town on the right bank of the Hoogli River in the Hooghly (Hughli) district of West Bengal. ... This article is on Calcutta/Kolkata, the city. ... Serampore College is a Christian Seminary located in India. ... This Gutenberg Bible is displayed by the United States Library. ...

Anthony Norris Groves, Plymouth Brethren missionary came to India in 1833. He worked in the Godavari delta area. He worked in India until his death in 1852. Mormon missionaries, including Hugh Findlay, arrived in Bombay and Pune in the early 1850s, but did not meet with success. Anthony Norris Groves (February 1, 1795 - May 20, 1853), has been described as the father of faith missions. He launched the first Protestant mission to Arabic-speaking Muslims, and settled in Baghdad, now the capital of Iraq, and later in southern India. ... The Brethren are a Christian Evangelical movement that began in Dublin, London, Plymouth, and the continent of Europe in the late 1820s. ... Two Mormon missionaries A missionary is traditionally defined as a propagator of religion who works to convert those outside that community; someone who proselytizes. ... Godavari river map The Godavari River, adjacent to the town of Kovvur This article is about Godavari River in India. ... Hugh Findlay, born in 1822 in New Milns, Ayrshire, Scotland, was one of the first two Mormon missionaries to enter India. ...

Contemporary situation

A Roman Catholic Church in Kochi.

The total number of Christians in India according to the 2001 census was 24.08 million (2.40 crores), or 2.3 percent of the population.^[11] About 70% of Indian Christians in 1991 were Roman Catholics, including 300,000 members of the Syro-Malankara Church and 3.5 million (35 lakh) of the Syro-Malabar Church. In January 1993 the Syro-Malabar Church and in February 2005 Syro-Malankara Church were raised to the status of major archiepiscopal churches by Pope John Paul II. The Syro-Malabar Church is the second largest among 22 Eastern Catholic Churches who accept the pope (Bishop of Rome) as the "visible head of the whole church". Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (960x1280, 231 KB)Source: http://flickr. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (960x1280, 231 KB)Source: http://flickr. ... “Catholic Church” redirects here. ... Kochi ( ; Malayalam: []); formerly known as Cochin) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. ... The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church is a Major Archepiscopal sui iuris Eastern Rite Roman Catholic Church in communion with the Roman Catholic Church, with historical links to the Syrian Catholic Church. ... A lakh (Hindi: लाख, Urdu: Ù„Ú©Ú¾, Bengali: , Tamil : இலட்சம்) is a unit in the Indian numbering system, widely used both in official and other contexts in Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. ... The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is a Major Archiepiscopal Eastern Rite Church sui iuris with historical ties to the Chaldean Catholic Church in communion with the Church of Rome. ... In the Roman Catholic Church, a major archbishop is an Eastern Rite hierarch who has the same jurisdiction in his sui juris particular church that an Eastern rite patriarch does, but whose episcopal see is less prestigious than a patriarchal see. ... Coat of Arms of Pope John Paul II. The Letter M is for Mary, the mother of Jesus, to whom he held strong devotion Pope John Paul II (Latin: , Italian: Giovanni Paolo II, Polish: Jan PaweÅ‚ II) born   []; 18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005) reigned as the 264th Pope of... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Pope (from Latin... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Pope. ...

Most Protestant denominations are represented in India, the result of missionary activities throughout the country. The largest Protestant denomination in the country is the Church of South India, since 1947 a union of Presbyterian, Reformed, Congregational, Methodist, and Anglican congregations with approximately 2.2 million (22 lakh) members as of 1995. A similar Church of North India had 1 million (10 lakh) members. (These churches are in full communion with the Anglican Communion.) The Mar Thoma Church, which derives from the Syrian Orthodox Malankara Church, numbers 1 million and is in communion with the Anglicans, but not a full member. There were about 1.3 million (13 lakh) Lutherans, 473,000 Methodists, and 425,000 Baptists as of 1995. Oriental Orthodox churches of the Malankara and Malabar rites totaled 2 million (20 lakh) and 700,000 members, respectively. Pentecostalism, another denomination of Protestantism, is also a rapidly growing religion in India. It is spreading greatly in northern India and the southwest area, such as Kerala. The largest indigenous Pentecostal church in India is the India Pentecostal Church of God (IPC). Another prominent group is the Brethrens. They are known in different names Plymouth Brethren, Indian Brethren, Kerala brethren etc. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Presbyterianism is a tradition shared by a number of Christian denominations which is most prevalent within the Reformed branch of Protestant Western Christianity. ... -1... Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation indepedently and autonomously runs its own affairs. ... For other uses, see Methodism (disambiguation). ... Anglicanism commonly refers to the beliefs and practices of the Anglican Communion, the churches that are in full communion with the see of Canterbury. ... 1995 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Church of North India has united various denominations and missions and orders in India. ... Full communion is completeness of that relationship between Christian individuals and groups which is known as communion. ... Main article: Anglicanism The Anglican Communion is a world-wide affiliation of Anglican Churches. ... Lutheranism is a major branch of Protestant Christianity that identifies with the teachings of the sixteenth-century German reformer Martin Luther. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Baptist is... 1995 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The term Oriental Orthodoxy refers to the churches of Eastern Christian traditions that keeps the faith of only the first three ecumenical councils of the undivided Church - the councils of Nicea, Constantinople and Ephesus. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Pentecostal can... Protestantism encompasses the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated with the doctrines of the Reformation. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... The Indian Pentecostal Church of God (IPC) is the largest indigenous Pentecostal movement in India, with its headquarters at Hebron, Kumbanad, Kerala-689547 India. ... The Brethren are a Christian Evangelical movement that began in Dublin, London, Plymouth, and the continent of Europe in the late 1820s. ... The Indian Brethren is a Christian religious movement, a constituent of the larger group known as the Plymouth Brethren. ... The Kerala Brethren are a subgroup of the larger Christian movement known as the Open Brethren. ...

During the twentieth century, the fastest growing Christian communities have been located in the northeast, among the Khasis, Mizos, Nagas, and other hill tribes. Today Christians are most prevalent in the northeast (secessionist movements in a few states such as Nagaland are demanding an independent Christian-majority entity), and in the southwestern states of Kerala and Goa. Indian Christians have contributed significantly to and are well represented in various spheres of national life. They are currently chief ministers of the states like Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya, and they were chief ministers earlier of Kerala, Manipur, Goa, and Chattisgarh. In the powerful election committee of the ruling Indian National Congress party, they take four out of twelve places. The Khasi are a tribe in Meghalaya, India and in parts of Bangladesh, who call themselves Hynniew trep (which means the seven huts in the Khasi language). ... This article is about the Mizo people. ... Naga people The Naga people of about two and half million are found in Nagaland, parts of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. ... , Nagaland   is a hill state located in the far north-eastern part of India. ... For other uses, see Goa (disambiguation). ... “Andhra” redirects here. ... , Nagaland   is a hill state located in the far north-eastern part of India. ... , Mizoram   is one of the Seven Sister States in northeastern India on the border with Myanmar. ... , Meghalaya   is a small state in north-eastern India. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... , Manipur   (Bengali: মণিপুর, Meitei Mayek: mnipur) is a state in northeastern India making its capital in the city of Imphal. ... For other uses, see Goa (disambiguation). ... Chhattisgarh (छत्तीसगढ़), a state in central India, formed when the sixteen southeastern districts of Madhya Pradesh gained statehood on November 1, 2000. ... Indian National Congress (also known as the Congress Party and abbreviated INC) is a major political party in India. ...

See also: List of notable Indian Christians

. ...

Hindu-Christian Conflict

Historically, Hindus and Christians have lived in relative peace since the arrival of Christianity in India from the early part of the first millennium. The arrival of European colonialists brought about large scale missionary activity in South India and North-East India. Many indigenous cultures were converted to Christianity. Sometimes they were voluntary, and other times they were violent and forced. The Goa Inquisition was an example of forced conversions imposed on Hindus, Muslims, and Jews in India. Image File history File links Unbalanced_scales. ... Shortcut: WP:NPOVD Articles that have been linked to this page are the subject of an NPOV dispute (NPOV stands for Neutral Point Of View; see below). ... South India is a linguistic-cultural region of India that comprises the four states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the two Union Territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry, whose inhabitants are collectively referred to as South Indians. ... The Himalayas in Sikkim North-East India is the easternmost region of India consisting of the contiguous Seven Sister States and the state of Sikkim. ... St. ...

Hindus who converted to Christianity typically retained their social customs, including caste practices.^[12] Aggressive proselytizing by Christian missionaries under British rule was a cause of resentment among Hindus and Muslims in the 19th century, who felt that their cultures were being attacked.^{[citation needed]} This was one of the causes of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the British Raj.^{[citation needed]} Also, many Christian ideals prompted reform movements within the Hindu society in the 19th century, the most notable being the Brahmo Samaj, which was influenced by British Christian Unilateralism.^{[citation needed]} Also, Indian Christians have retained Hindu customs and practices, and have combined Hindu customs with Christianity to achieve a unique brand of Indian Christianity. For instance, many Christians in India celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali.^[13] This form of syncretism has been a source of frustration among the more radicalized and Eurocentric Christian missionaries who wanted a stronger brand of Christian Exclusivism among Indian Christians.^{[citation needed]} For the most part, Indian Christians rejected religious exclusivism and have chosen to coexist with Hindus in peace. In some parts of India, Christians are stratified by sect, location, and the castes of their predecessors. ... Combatants Indian Patriots, Rebellious East India Company Sepoys, 7 Indian princely states, deposed rulers of Oudh and Jhansi, Indian civilians in some areas. ... Anthem God Save The King The British Indian Empire, 1909 Capital Calcutta (until 1912), New Delhi (after 1912) Language(s) Hindustani, English and many others Government Monarchy Emperor of India  - 1858-1901 Victoria¹  - 1901-1910 Edward VII  - 1910-1936 George V  - 1936 Edward VIII  - 1936-1947 George VI Viceroy²  - 1858... Hinduism is going through a phase of regeneration and reform through the vehicle of several contemporary movements, collectively termed as Hindu reform movements. ... Brahmo Samaj is a social and religious movement founded in Kolkata, India in 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. ... This article is about the festival. ... Eurocentrism is the practice, conscious or otherwise, of placing emphasis on European (and, generally, Western) concerns, culture and values at the expense of those of other cultures. ...

In more contemporary periods, Hindu-Christian amity is sometimes challenged by partisan politics and extremism from both communities. Christian missionary activity among lower-caste Hindus has created groups of Crypto-Christians, particularly among Dalits. Unfortunately, among catholics, discrimination against Dalit Christians remain strong among certain sections of the Catholic Church in certain regions, perpetrated by upper-caste Christian clergy in India.^[14][15] As a response, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has successfully converted several Indian Christians back to Hinduism.^[16] As a response to allegedly aggressive missionary activity four Indian states (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu mainly) have passed laws restricting or prohibiting religious conversion.^[17] This has created some resentment in the Indian Christian community. Crypto-Christianity commonly refers to the secret practice of the Christian religion, usually while attempting to camouflage it as another faith or observing the rituals of another religion publically. ... In South Asias caste system, an untouchable, dalit, or achuta is a person outside of the four castes, and considered below them. ... In some parts of India, Christians are stratified by sect, location, and the castes of their predecessors. ... The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP; World Hindu Council in Hindi), is a Hindu nationalist organisation in Bharat, an offshoot of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. ... Two Mormon missionaries A missionary is traditionally defined as a propagator of religion who works to convert those outside that community; someone who proselytizes. ... , Rājasthān (DevanāgarÄ«: राजस्थान, IPA: )   is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area. ... , Madhya Pradesh (abbreviated as MP)   (HindÄ«: मध्य प्रदेश, English: , IPA: ), often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. ... , Himachal Pradesh   (Panjabi: ਹਿਮਾਚਲ ਪਰਦੇਸ਼,(Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश, IPA: ) is a state in the north-west of India. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Religious conversion is the adoption of a new religious identity, or a change from one religious identity to another. ...

In October 2002, the governor of Tamil Nadu issued an ordinance aimed at preventing people from converting to Christianity, on the grounds that such conversions occur due to fraud. The accused may be sentenced to up to three years in jail if convicted of such a crime. The majority of instances of controversies with Christians in India do not involve the native Saint Thomas Christians or the Latin Rite Roman Catholics or the ecumenical Church of North India and Church of South India but evangelicals, Fundamentalist Christians, and others.^[18] This ordinance was reportedly later repealed. Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... The Saint Thomas Christians are a group of Christians from the Malabar coast (now Kerala) in South India, who follow Syriac Christianity. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... The word ecumenical comes from a Greek word that means pertaining to the whole world. ... The Church of North India has united various denominations and missions and orders in India. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Evangelicalism, in a strictly lexical, but rarely used sense, refers to all things that are implied in belief that Jesus is the savior. ... Fundamentalist Christianity is a fundamentalist movement, especially within American Protestantism. ...

In July, 2006, BJP-dominated Madhya Pradesh government passed legislation requiring people who desire to convert to a different religion to provide the government with one-month's notice, or face fines and penalties.^[19] In August, 2006, Chhattisgarh State Assembly (also BJP-dominated) passed similar legislation requiring anyone who desires to convert to another religion to give 30 days' notice to—and seek permission from—the district magistrate.^[20] BJP could mean one of Indias largest political parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party British Journal of Photography British Journal of Psychiatry British Journal of Pharmocology This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... , Madhya Pradesh (abbreviated as MP)   (HindÄ«: मध्य प्रदेश, English: , IPA: ), often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. ... , Chhattisgarh (Chhattisgarhi/Hindi: छत्तीसगढ़, IPA: )  , a state in central India, formed when the sixteen Chhattisgarhi-speaking southeastern districts of Madhya Pradesh gained statehood on November 1, 2000. ... BJP could mean one of Indias largest political parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party British Journal of Photography British Journal of Psychiatry British Journal of Pharmocology This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

There have been some instances of violence between Hindu Nationalists groups and Christians. Human Rights groups like Human Rights Watch allege that there is large-scale violence being perpetrated by Hindutva Hindu Nationalists against Christians^[21]. Human Rights Watch Banner Human Rights Watch is a United States-based international non-government organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. ... For Veer Savarkars book Hindutva, see Hindutva. ... Hindutva (Hinduness, a word coined by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in his 1923 pamphlet entitled Hindutva: Who is a Hindu? ) is used to describe movements advocating Hindu nationalism. ...

There have been sporadic instances of violence between Hindu Nationalist groups like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Christians, although they have also worked together in many enterprises. For instance, the Hindu Nationalist group Sewa Bharati has collaborated with relief groups, such as the Catholics Bishops Conference of India to conduct relief operations in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. Activities included building shelters for the victims, providing food, clothes, and medical necessities.^[22] Also, some Christian priests have come out in support of the RSS. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (Hindi: , English: ), also known as the Sangh or the RSS, is a Hindu nationalist organization in India. ... The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake,[1] was a great undersea earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC (07:58:53 local time) December 26, 2004 with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. ...

The Government of the state of Tripura has uncovered evidence to support the assertion that the Baptist Church of Tripura has been supporting the terrorist group National Liberation Front of Tripura, a violent separatist group that has attacked and killed Hindus in the region and that has banned Hindu festivals by force.^[23] The Tripura Baptist Christian Union is the largest protestant church body in the Indian state of Tripura. ... The National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) was formed in December 1989 for the purpose of seceding from India in order to create an independent state of Tripura. ...

Other Fundamentalist Christian militant groups include sections of the Nagaland Rebels (1947-present), active in predominantly Christian state of Nagaland in Hindu majority India. They were involved in several bombings in 2004. Nagaland Rebels There are several separationist groups operating in Nagaland, in eastern India. ... , Nagaland   is a hill state located in the far north-eastern part of India. ...

Muslim - Christian Conflict

Muslims in India who convert to Christianity have been known to be subjected to harassment, intimidation, and attacks. In Kashmir, a Christian convert named Bashir Tantray was killed, allegedly by militant Islamists in 2006.^[24] This article contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

A Christian priest, K.K. Alavi, who is a convert from Islam, recently raised the ire of his former Muslim community and has received many death threats. An Islamic terrorist group named "The National Development Front" actively campaigned against him.^[25] NDF poster in Alappuzha, calling for solidarity with Palestine National Development front, abbreviated as NDF, is an organisaiton in Kerala, India established in 1993, focusing on socio-enonomical issues of minorities giving a focus to Kerala Muslims, Dalits and Other Backward Classes in Kerala. ...

References

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See also

• List of notable Indian Christians
• Caste system among Indian Christians
• Buddhism and Christianity
• Goa Inquisition
• List of cathedrals in India
• List of Roman Catholic missionaries in India
• List of Protestant missionaries in India
• History of Pentecostalism in India

. ... In some parts of India, Christians are stratified by sect, location, and the castes of their predecessors. ... Parallels between Christianity and Buddhism have been noted across the ages by scholars but are now being more widely appreciated as individuals search accessible Buddhist scriptures in ancient and modern languages. ... St. ... The following is a list of cathedrals in India. ... Roman Catholic Missionaries in India St Thomas the Apostle Jordanus John De Marignolli (Giovanni de Marignolli) Roberto de Nobili St. ... This is an incomplete list, which may never be able to satisfy certain standards for completeness. ... // The history of Pentecostalism in India began in the ministry of a Brahmin woman who was converted to Christianity. ...

External links

• Directory of Pastors in INDIA and their Ministries
• Christianity in Kerala
• Nasrani Syrian Christians of Kerala Forum
• Christians of Kerala
• Christianity in India
• Christians of Kerala
• A History of the Church of England in India
• Catholic encyclopedia - entry on India
• Mid-India Christian Mission
• Churches In India
• Christian Pilgrimage sites in India

• http://www.syrianchurch.org/MalankaraChurch/DEFAULT.HTM