www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West Questions on the Malankar Church

I would assume that he would celebrate the Liturgy according to our Syriac rite. Since bishops usually have a deacon/priest/archdeacon as a secretary in our tradition, it is possible that he can celebrate the Liturgy according to our tradition, which requires a deacon (minor or major orders) for the celebration of the Liturgy. If he didn't have such a secretary, I'm sure there are Syriac students at the Vatican; I know there are Malankar students, and that's almost the same thing, only Indian. They could always help. So while I can't say anything for sure, I would assume he does.

thanks for your answer.

Dear Catholicos Mor Ephrem,

Forgive me a sinner.

I understand that the Mar Thoma Christians of India distinguish themselves by simply wearing the sari on another shoulder?

Is this correct? If so, which shoulder and what is its significance?

Alex

Dear Alex,

God forgives.

The term St. Thomas Christians is a generic term for all of us whose "Christian lineage" goes back to the Apostle. The problem with saying "Mar Thoma Christians" is that that is the name of a Protestant group which split from the Orthodox.

Now, neither "Mar Thoma Christians" nor many of the other denominations of St. Thomas Christians identify themselves by wearing the sari differently. There is a group that does practice this; if I'm not mistaken, it is the Malabar Catholics.

When a sari is wound around a woman, there is a particular fold done in the front, where a few folds are arranged in front and are tucked into the waist. It makes for a nice effect. From what I've heard (I've never seen anyone dressed like this before), the Malabar Catholic women make this same fold and tuck it into the waist, but in the back. All else is the same.

I could be wrong, as I've never seen this done, but this is what I've always thought was the case.

Also, last week you asked about the Nineveh fast. If you go to http://sor.cua.edu/Liturgy/Feasts/Nineveh.html you will read a nice summary of it.

Dear Catholicos,

You are a wealth of excellent information and thank you for sharing it with us!

One further question, since I have you here , what kind of prayer beads do Syriac Christians use, if any? I'm not thinking of the Rosary, but any other kind?

Are there Indian Christians who adopt the Asian 108 bead set?

Forgive me a sinner!

Alex

Dear Alex,

Syriac Christians have their Liturgy, their customs, etc. Prayer beads aren't among them, sadly. Everything I know about prayer ropes, the Jesus prayer, and other traditionally Eastern practices that I didn't learn from my own people I learned among the Byzantines, Orthodox and Catholic.

I know precious little about Syriac monasticism, whether ancient or modern. They of all people would use prayer beads, probably, but I don't know if they do.

For the Syrian who wants to develop or take up devotions that are Eastern or could be Eastern and not specifically liturgical, he has to look to the Latins and the Byzantines, for within the Syrian tradition, if these things are practiced or used, they are our best kept secret, and still secret after all this time.

Needless to say, things like the Rosary and the Jesus prayer I've picked up from those Chalcedonians...nice people, I tell you, very nice.

Forgive me, a sinner.