SocialImpact of Synod of Diamperon Kerala Christians and Society

The Synod of Diamper was started a new phase in the history of St.ThomasChristiansof Kerala. It is probably the most famous episode in Indian Church History famous not as a model of an ecclesiastic assembly, but for the extra-ordinary nature of the same. Nobody could have dreamt of such an assembly under the Portuguese or Padroado1auspices with the intention of introducing several changes and innovations in the customs, manners and devotional practices of the ancient church in India. At last in the year 1599, in the heyday of Portuguese supremacy, the powerful Portuguese Archbishop Menezes of Goa came in person to Kerala, toured all the parishes, brought pressure on locals and held the famous or rather infamous Synod of Diamper2by which the Syrians were brought under the See of Goa.”3The decrees of the Synod of Diamper were elaborately discussed by several historians.4They touched almost all aspects of the Christian life social, religious, and political. The Synod condemned all errors, which had crept into their earthly life. The decrees of the Synod honored all saints and their relics. The decrees clearly gave an idea about the condition of the St.Thomas Christians before and after the Synod of Diamper.5When all is said the fact remains that the decrees of the Session brought about far-reaching changes in the socialand religious life of Kerala Christians.