Prem Nazir and His Grace Stephanos Mar Theodosius (of blessed memory)- Chosen by teacher to become an actor but God set him apart to become a caring Shepherd.

His Grace Stephanos Mar Theodosius Metropolitan
(of blessed memory)

The young Punnose/Punnai’s spiritual temperament was noticed by the venerable MC Kuriakose Rambachan (who also was the young man’s spiritual guru) an wanted him to become a celibate priest. Young Punnai was very much willing and was encouraged by Rambachan to study further in English medium school after completing Malayalam Teachers Training Certificate.

While study at the English medium school, Punnai was elected the Secretary of the Literary Association. That year on the anniversary day, a drama "Snapaka Yohannan," (John the Baptist) was to be staged. The senior Malayalam teacher S. K. Nair was both the director and one of the actors. He was a good orator and artist. He was to take the role of Herodias and he compelled Punnai to act as Salome. Though Punnai tried to avoid acting, S.K. Nair prevailed upon him to do so. Moreover, it was compulsory for Punnai to act since he was the secretary of the Literary Association.

Punnai was scared to act in the drama since he knew Rambachan’s vehement opposition to drama/cinema as he considered participating in drama was against the Christian principles. Young Punnai couldn’t tell SK Nair sir about his decision to become a priest and request him to excuse him from acting as he had not even told his parents about his priestly calling. The young lad reasoned to himself that Rambachan may not likely know about the programme and since Rambachan himself had been a teacher it was unlikely that he will get angry for a school programme.

Satisfied with such reasonings, he acted in the drama. Among the main invitees was the Very Rev. Alexandrios Cor-episcopa who was the father-in-law of the Rambachan’s brother. Punnai assured himself that Cor-episcopa was quite advanced in his years and may not recognize him.

The drama was a great success. Rambachan was accompanied by the Cor-episcopa when Punnai went to see him one day. On seeing Punnai, the Cor Episcopa told the Ramban about the drama and that he (Punnai) acted the role of Salome very well. Punnai sweat profusely-he was very much worried about the response of the Rambachan. Much to his relief Rambachan only smiled and said no word of reprimand.

After a few days S. K. Nair told Punnai that their drama was in great demand and that the Headmaster of a High School in Kumarakam wanted it to be staged there on the annual day. This time, Punnai told his teacher that he would participate in the drama only if he got permission from the Rambachan.

Punnai went to Rambachan to get permission who refused it outrightly saying, "don't participate in any drama. It is not good for Christians."

Obeying his spiritual guru, Punnai backed out and S. K. Nair found out a replacement for him. The drama was staged, and it was as in the first time, a great success.

The teacher and student met after almost thirty years after the above incident. The teacher then was the head of the Malayalam department in the Madras University, a known figure in Malayalam literary circle and a member of the Film Censor Board.

Meanwhile the student climbed the spiritual ladder - becoming a deacon, then a priest and finally a Metropolitan.

Vidwan S. K. Nair become Dr. S. K. Nair and the young Punnai became His Grace Stephanos Mar Theodosius.

When His Grace visited Madras, he desired to meet his former teacher and an appointment was arranged. As soon as Dr Nair saw Thirumeni, he bent down and touched the feet of his former student. Thirumeni trying to stop him said- "Is it not the student who should touch the feet of the teacher to get his blessings? What will happen if it is in the other way?"

Dr. Nair replied, "Then I was your teacher. Now you are Bishop, and people like you are gurus to all."

While they were talking Dr. S. K. Nair referred to the drama that they staged years ago at the school in Kakuzhi. And guess who was the replacement when the young Punnai backed out? It was none other than Prem Nazir who later became one of the great actors in the world of cinema.!

Actor Prem Nazir

Dr. S. K. Nair continued, " I was confident that Your Grace would shine as an actor. When I found a great actor in You, God found in You a great Priest. Everything is the wish of God."

May the prayers and intercessions of the saintly father- Mar Theodosius be our refuge always.

In Christ,

Rincy John

Ref: The Crown and the Gift- Stephanos Mar Theodosius Saptati Publications, Publications Dept, Diocese of Calcutta, The Orthodox Church of India, Bhilai, MP, India,  1994, editor-Abraham Oommen, An Actor Incognito, Pgs 9-12

Did a syrian church exist in Kalyan in around 1750's?

There have been research studies stating the existence of St Thomas Christians in Konkan region in early centuries. In a document titled the history and report of the Orthodox parishes outside Malabar (under His Grace Alexios Mar Theodosius Thirumeni of blessed memory) an intresting history regarding the journey of the Orthodox church in Bombay is mentioned- that a syrian church existed in Kalyan as recent as 18th century. The English translation of the Malayalam text is as below and the snapshots from the publication are attached as pics:

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"After the church in Kalyan established by St. Thomas the Apostle to be used for worship by the people of this land got dilapidated (the Bombay Government records show that 200 years ago a church with Syriac literature/writings existed in Kalyan), another church was constructed again for the migrant population of the Malayalee Orthodox Christians here in the middle of the 20th century and which (this new parish) was consecrated by  His Holiness the Catholicose of the East, the successor to the throne of St Thomas in 1951*- this could not be accomplished by the older/previous congregations here. We humbly consider that St Thomas the Apostle intended us  to share the Gospel in this part of the country."

Ref: The history and report of the Orthodox parishes outside Malabar dates 15 Feb 1955. Published by the Indian Orthodox Church Mission, Madras, Pages-25,26.

*Refers to the Dadar parish/St Mary's Orthodox Cathedral Church, Dadar.

In Christ,
Rincy John

When Kurichy Bava’s prayers brought tears in the eyes of Rani Sahiba- Snippets from Bombay Orthodox Church History.

Mrs. Achamma Mathai, whose significant leadership alongwith other clergy and lay stalwarts resulted in the formation of the first parish of the Bombay Orthodox Diocese- the St Mary’s Orthodox Church at Dadar, wrote a eulogy on His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II (of blessed memory) in a souvenir published on the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of Bava Thirumeni in 1973. While fondly remembering the spiritual stature of the holy father, Mrs. Mathai shares an interesting anecdote that happened during the Dadar church’s consecration in 1951. Deeply moved by the consecration ceremony, Rani Sahiba- the wife of the Governor lamented to Thirumeni- her words are noteworthy and piercing.

His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II Bava Thirumeni at the reception organised by the Governor.

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“Even though I have lived most of my life outside Kerala, I have had the good fortune to meet His Holiness on several occasions and receive his blessings. One that stands out in memory is when His Holiness accepted the invitation to consecrate the first Orthodox Syrian church in Bombay.

The Governor of Bombay at that time was Raja Sir Maharaj Singh. His father belonged to the Kapurthala family. He was one of the earliest to accept Christianity and in doing so had to renounce his claim to the Gadi (Chair/Throne) of Kapurthala State. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur – the health minister in the first cabinet of Independent India was his sister.

Raja Maharaj Singh was a great admirer of the ancient Orthodox Church and was deeply interested in its history and rituals. It was the chief subject of conversation whenever I met him. On hearing that His Holiness the Catholicose was to consecrate the church in Bombay, he and Rani Sahiba wished to be present on the occasion.

The Service was a very impressive one. His Holiness’s personality and his rich deep voice added to the solemnity and dignity of the service. I noticed tears in the eyes of Rani Sahiba when His Holiness consecrated every door and window with the sign of Cross in Holy Moroon. They told me afterwards that they were greatly impressed by the Service. 

At the reception given by the Governor to His Holiness, the Rani Sahiba came up to him and told him it was not their fault that they were not the members of this Church. “Your church did not bring the message of Christ to the Raja”. His Holiness smiled and blessed her.

If he was alive today it would gladden his heart to see how much the membership of the church had grown in Bombay…His Holiness spoke of efficacy of prayer, prayer not merely as a supplication but as time of meditation which brought you closer to God. Giving you strength and courage to overcome the weight of cross that each of us is called to bear. On one occasion he advised us to hold tightly onto the holy Mother. She is the best mediator to ease our suffering and sorrows…

May the Church through the prayers of His Holiness become a still greater instrument of service, peace and goodwill.”-   Mrs. Achamma Mathai- Bava Thirumeni, A Guiding Light Forever (Kaalam Cheyutha Parishudha Geevarghese Dwidhiyan Catholica Bava Thirumanassile Janmashathabdhi Smaragu grantham; Malankara Sabha Special, 1973 July edition, Book 28, Issue 9, Pg 160-163)

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May the prayers of the holy Theotokos and all the saints help us during these testing times.

In Christ,

Rincy John

“you are afraid of my future but you are not sure of God’s power.”- Pampady Thirumeni’s tireless service during the plague epidemic.

In the last post we saw the saintly Alvares Thirumeni’s humanitarian efforts in caring for the afflicted when Panjim was hit by cholera epidemic in 1878 and 1885. His Grace Kuriakose Mar Gregorios, fondly known as Pampady Thirumeni, served those who were plagued with the epidemic which hit Kunnamkulam in 1935.

Kunnamkulam, a stronghold of Orthodox Christians, was affected with killer disease, plague in 1935. People, mostly engaged in business, had their houses on both sides of the main road and the place was generally known as Kunnamkulam Angady (market). The forefathers had designed the Angady in the shape of the cross.

As the houses were close by, the epidemic sowed vast disasters easily. It is said that one of the rats, which was affected by plague in Tamil Nadu, was trapped in the goods loaded to a shopkeeper in Kunnamkulam. The plague attacked the shopkeeper first and he died. Thereafter the plague affected large number of people; men and women died in large numbers. Doctors and specialists certified that it was plague. Preventive vaccination centres were opened in certain areas.

People were frightened and all alike started prayers. When His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II Catholicose heard about it, he was very much upset and in great agony. Pampady Thirumeni at the same time came to Old Seminary (where the Catholicose was staying) and came to know about the disaster. His Grace immediately volunteered to go to Kunnamkulam and informed His Holiness about his decision. He also made preparations for the journey. Hearing this, many who loved Thirumeni requested and tried to persuade him not to go to Kunnamkulam where the killer disease was already tormenting people.

His Grace told them confidently: “you are afraid of my future. But you are not sure of God’s power. That’s why you are trying to hinder me from going to Kunnamkulam.” Lots of faithful on hearing the news reached there. Pampady Thirumeni told them all: “My beloved, you all must know God’s power and ability. I am going on my own. Nobody has compelled me. The faithful of Kunnamkulam are also my beloved people. So be courageous and hopeful. You all must pray for our brethren of Kunnamkulam.”

Like a true caring shepherd who didn’t leave his sheep in times of distress, Pampady Thirumeni along with Paramel Kuriakose Semmassen, set for the journey to Kunnamkulam. Many tried to discourage him; “Let me die if God wills so”, was the response of Thirumeni.

When Thirumeni reached Thrissur Railway Station, some faithful came there trying to persuade Thirumeni to drop the idea of going to Kunnamkulam. But nobody could stop Thirumeni. When he reached the boarder of Kunnamkulam, he raised his Sleeba, made the sign of the Cross and blessed the town. The residents of Kunnamkulam could feel a sort of heavenly power filling that area with the arrival of the saintly father amongst them.

As soon as His Grace arrived at the Church situated in the center of the town, he announced to the thousands of faithful “I have come to this place to live with you and to die with you. If you are in need of any sort, I shall do my best. You must observe a fast of three days and must have prayers with fasting. God Almighty will drive away this killer disease.” Upon his initiative one of the Church buildings was converted into a plague hospital and it was handed over to the government health department. His Grace visited the patients there several times daily and prayed for one and all. All people firmly believed that God wouldn’t forsake them as long as this saintly father was with them.

Thirumeni used to live in the attic of the St Lazarus Orthodox Church (Old Church, Kunnamkulam) and used to offer fasting and prayers. He would undertake prayerful procession through the streets of Kunnamkulam chanting hymns especially the hymn of St Ephrem- ‘Daivame Anugrahikka, apeksha kaikollanname..” . Pampady Thirumeni used to visit houses of the affected ones, without distinctions of caste or creed, and prayed for them. Such homes received the healing touch.

Pampady Thirumeni stayed in Kunnamkulam for about a month and half – praying and fasting for his beloved sheep and returned only when the situation was in control. When the news came to the King of Cochin, he expressed his desire to meet the saintly father. A royal reception was arranged by the King on Thirumeni’s arrival. After the reception, His Highness requested Pampady Thirumeni to bless him and his entire family. Thirumeni blessed the king and the royal family. Thirumeni was presented with a small packet in royal silk when he was about to leave. When Thirumeni asked what it was, it was stated that it was gold. Thirumeni thankfully returned the present and said “Kindly utilize this wealth for the poor. If so, it will be considered as a gift for me.”

May we intently seek the intercessions of Pampady Thirumeni and may his prayers help us in these times of tribulations.

Lord have mercy!

In Christ,

Rincy John

Ref: Jose Kurian Puliyeril (edited), Pampady Thirumeni (Biography of H.G. Kuriakose Mar Gregorios Metropolitan), Fr. Damien of Malankara Church, Pg 44-47.

‘By his hands he collected even the stools from choleric’- Bishop Alvares’s tireless service during cholera epidemic.

As the world grapples with COVID-19 scare let us seek refuge in the prayers and intercessions of our saintly fathers especially His Grace Alvares Mar Julius Metropolitan of blessed memory and His Grace Kuriakose Mar Gregorios Metropolitan of blessed memory, who tirelessly served the people of Goa and Kunnamkulam respectively when deadly plague affected these lands.

In 1878, Panjim and nearby places were afflicted with a deadly cholera which created much havoc in the lives of common people. The medical facilities were limited and in many cases the patients were disowned by their near and dear one in fear of being contaminated with the disease.

Padre Alvares’ conscience did not allow him to be a mute spectator. Though it was known to him that he could contract the disease, the young priest fearlessly treated the sick. He took those patients who did not have any shelter to his house and treated them. There were some who were too sick to be treated in the house. He took them wherever possible to give better treatment. During those days the main mode of transport was the horse which wasn’t available all the time. The roads weren’t proper either. Carrying the sick on the shoulder was the usual norm. Since the disease was contagious Padre Alvares didn’t get much help from others- there were instances where he would carry the dead bodies on his shoulders and buried them as per their desires so that the dead would atleast get a decent burial.

A eulogy by one of his well-wishers in a newspaper stated Bishop Alvares’s selfless charity works thus:

“Hero in sacrifice. He did not hesitate for a moment in the most predicaments to sacrifice his life- not only in treating the living but also in burying the dead. At the Ourem Road where he had his asylum- the asylum was his heart, he washed the wounds that human eyes couldn’t see or imagine. In his hands he collected the spittle/sputum-which was death itself. By his hands he collected even the stools from choleric and cleaned the sick. On his shoulders he carried the cadavers to bury them, so that no dead body of a human being should remain to be rotten or eaten by animals.”

While delivering a speech on the occasion of the translation of Alvares Thirumeni’s relics on 23-09-1927, a prominent Goan native- Mr J.J. da Cunha said thus about the great humanitarian bishop:

“Some individuals of the past are still living. They have seen with their own eyes that in the biggest scourges that have devasted the population of our friendly land. He always placed himself in the forefront, helping the sick without thinking about fatigue and dangers to his life- a life full of sacrifices and of love for his neighbours. Always ready at anytime to help those attacked by cholera, small pox and bubonic plague whom he administered medicines and consoled with his anointing words, thus able to save many- some who were even abandoned by their own family with the fear of being contaminated with the disease. The germs of cholera, small pox or the bubonic plague never frightened him. Those whom he could not save with medicines, he would comfort them on their death bed by inculcating hope and courage in them to face death. There are instances when after their death he carried their dead bodies on his shoulders till the cemetery for their burial.” (Note: Mr Da Cunha was buried behind the tomb of Alvares Thirumeni per his wish).

It was the experience he gained while treating the cholerics, that on the next outbreak of the epidemic in 1885, he published a booklet on “Directions for treatment of Cholera” in Portuguese, which he translated in English for publication in Colombo when he visited the island nation eleven years later.

Almost 50 years before Mother Teresa came to India and initiated a life of caring for destitute, Bishop Alvares cared for the downtrodden and castaways without having much moral, social, physical and financial support.

May we intently seek the intercessions of Alvares Thirumeni and may his prayers help us in these times of tribulations.

Lord have mercy!

In Christ,

Rincy John

Ref:

1) George Kurian, Saint Alvares Mar Julius (A life history), St Mary’s Orthodox Church, Ribander, Goa Pg 69-71.

2) Carmo Azevedo; ‘Public life in Goa’ (1867-1887); Patriot and Saint- The Life Story of Bishop Mar Julius –I Pg 21, 22, Panjim 1988

Mid-lent/ Commemorating King Abgar of Edessa

The liturgical calendar of the Indian Orthodox Church not only steps into a very solemn milestone in the Lenten journey, i.e. the mid-lent, it also commemorates a king who was praised by our Lord for believing in Him without having seen Him. The Church historian Eusebius records this tradition in his work- ‘Church History’.

King Abgar or Abgarus ruled Edessa with great glory but he was afflicted with a terrible disease and no cure seemed in sight. He heard of Lord Jesus Christ and how people in one voice attested to the miracles and signs Christ did for the needy. King Abgar felt that only Christ could heal him of the infirmity, hence he sent his messenger to Christ with a plea to heal him of his disease. However, Christ didn’t comply with the king’s request immediately but promised through a personal letter that after His Ascension, one of His disciples would come to the king and cure him of the illness. Under divine inspiration, after Christ’s Ascension, one of the seventy evangelists- St Thaddeus was sent to Edessa to King Abgar. King Abgar’s illness was healed and through the preaching of St Thaddeus, the king and his subjects accepted the Christian faith.

Some legends also state that while responding to the king’s messenger, Jesus Christ used a face-cloth which miraculously bore the image of His face. The face-cloth was sent to King Abgar together with the letter and ofcourse with a promise that one of Christ’s disciples would be sent soon to him.

Below is the correspondence between King Abgar and Lord Jesus Christ as recorded by the Church historian Eusebius:
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Copy of an epistle written by Abgarus the ruler to Jesus, and sent to him at Jerusalem by Ananias the swift courier:

“Abgarus, ruler of Edessa, to Jesus the excellent Saviour who has appeared in the country of Jerusalem, greeting. I have heard the reports of you and of your cures as performed by you without medicines or herbs. For it is said that you make the blind to see and the lame to walk, that you cleanse lepers and cast out impure spirits and demons, and that you heal those afflicted with lingering disease, and raise the dead.

And having heard all these things concerning you, I have concluded that one of two things must be true: either you are God, and having come down from heaven you do these things, or else you, who does these things, are the Son of God. I have therefore written to you to ask you if you would take the trouble to come to me and heal the disease which I have. For I have heard that the Jews are murmuring against you and are plotting to injure you. But I have a very small yet noble city which is great enough for us both.”

The answer of Jesus to the ruler Abgarus by the courier Ananias:

"Blessed are you who hast believed in me without having seen me. For it is written concerning me, that they who have seen me will not believe in me, and that they who have not seen me will believe and be saved. But in regard to what you have written me, that I should come to you, it is necessary for me to fulfill all things here for which I have been sent, and after I have fulfilled them thus to be taken up again to him that sent me. But after I have been taken up I will send to you one of my disciples, that he may heal your disease and give life to you and yours." (Ref: Eusebius, Church History-Book I, Chapter 13 (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II, Vol. 1, ed Philip Schaff)

Wishing a blessed season of fasting and repentance!

In Christ,

Rincy John

Bombay as seen through the eyes of St Gregorios of Parumala.

The month of March this year marks the 125^th anniversary of the visit of the entourage of the saintly fathers led by St Gregorios of Parumala (Parumala Thirumeni), who on their way to the Holy Land, set their foot in Bombay and were in the city for approximately two weeks. Thirumeni’s travelogue mentions that they arrived in Bombay during the Malayalam month of Kumbham (21) i.e. March 03, 1895. It is during this time that they happened to visit the St Peter’s Armenian Church at Colaba. Below are some extracts from his travelogue concerning their stay in Bombay.

Thirumeni was mesmerized with this city; he first explains the harbor scenery and the ships that adorn it. In Thirumeni’s words:

“We never saw such a big and beautiful city anywhere else during our journey. The Bombay harbor has prime importance in the whole India. As the city projects into the sea, it is surrounded on three sides by the sea. Ships can enter the bay, which is always very deep. The bay is divided into different segments, so that ships could be anchored in each of these segments, near the coast and safe from tempests raging in the sea. Each of these segments is protected by strong bunds. On both sides of these bunds there are roads wide enough for vehicles to ply. Ships can enter through rivers, and there are iron bridges across the rivers. These bridges could be lifted by machines when ships enter or leave the bay. Ships lie so close to the coast that it is possible to get into them with the help of a ladder. Sometimes one could get into the ships using just a plank……The sea is aglow with the lights of these ships during the night. When you look at the masts and chimneys of these ships from a distance, it may look like a forest with trees whose crests have been cut off!”

Mumbai is known as the land of skyscrapers in India and it was true 125 years back as well. Thirumeni’s keen eye for details is noted in the way he describes his ‘Bombay discoveries’. He says:

“The city is full of gigantic buildings. It is rather impossible to see single storeyed buildings except in villages outside the city.  Most of the houses have four to six floors. Some even have seven floors. Granite is used for the construction of buildings. The majority of the houses have verandahs for each floor. The painted railings for the verandahs are made of iron. Most buildings are terraced. People of our state who have not seen such big buildings and embellishments may look at them with wonder. On the top of each building there are architectural decorative works of pinnacles, railings, flowers or crosses and domes. It is an extremely beautiful sight to see buildings adjacent to each other and in rows. The houses have their names inscribed on them in golden letters for identification. These houses are distinguished by marble pillars, marble floors and costly household articles. Apollo Hotel, High Station (Victoria Terminus), General Hospital, Victoria garden etc. are amazing constructions. What was referred to as ‘garden’ is actually a museum which was a gift to the Queen made by David Sazoon. Though this zoo does not house as many birds and animals as in the zoo in Trivandrum, the building is certainly magnificent.

High Station (Victoria terminus) is the major railway station. The enormous building is famous for its architecture. A building in front of this can accommodate 16 trains at one time…nearby there is a silk factory and many cotton mills in the city.  There is no space here to give a detailed description of the shops in the city.

The roads are wide. There are numerous tram-carriages drawn by horses which provide cheap access to any place in the city, any time of the day…..there are footpaths and also granite pavements on both sides of the road.

Pipe water is made available in houses for drinking and bathing purposes. The lamps in important places are lit by electricity. There are number of telegraph offices and the telegraph facilities even in big shops. The inhabitants of this city are mostly Hindus, Muslims or Parsis. There are also Christians and Jews.”

Victoria Terminus now CST

And finally, Thirumeni speaks of the presence of clergy and church for a small Armenian Orthodox Christian community and like a loving shepherd wishes that a parish would have been developed for our community had there been a church and a priest. A quarter century later, through the Triune God’s immense grace and the mighty intercessions of the saintly fathers, the Bombay diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church has numerous parishes to cater to the spiritual needs of the faithful.

“Though there are only five Armenian families, they have a priest and a church. The church is rich enough to give decent salary and allowances to the priest…if our community had a priest and a church here, it would have developed into a good parish. On Sunday we visited the Armenian Church- there was no Eucharistic service that day. Because the congregation was so small that they did not conduct service on every Sunday. The architecture of the church is same as that of a Syrian church.”

May the prayers of St Gregorios of Parumala and St Dionysius Vattasseril be a refuge for us.

In Christ,

Rincy John

(Ref: Oorsalem Yathra Vivarannam- Mar Gregorios Geevarghese, Sophia Books, Kottayam, pgs 13-17/ A Journey to Jerusalem- Pgs 44-48)

Emperor Akbar/Mughal Empire’s Orthodox Christian connection.

Emperor Jehangir with a portrait of St Mary

The city of Agra is synonymous with the Taj Mahal, however unknown to many, there exists in this city (as also in some other Indian cities like Kolkata, Chennai, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Surat and Mumbai) the reminiscences of the Armenian Orthodox Christian community who made India their home.

India hasn’t been an alien nation for Armenians. It is believed that the Armenians first came to Indian in around 2000 BCE as faithful allies along with Semimaris, the warrior queen of Assyria, who had invaded India. They have also believed to come to India as auxillary elements in the army of Alexander of Macedonia. By 7^th century their settlements appeared in Kerala and were known as ‘The Merchant Princes of India’.²

However, in the northern part of this country they were, as their chronicler Mehsorvb Jacob Seth calls, the birds of passage who came all the way from the land of Ararat of Biblical fame to purchase spices and fine muslins for which India was famous for. It was the Mughal emperor Akbar who invited them to settle in his province. The first notable Armenian there was a merchant called Hakob (Armenian-Jacob), originally from Aleppo. He settled in Agra upon the invitation of the Mogul emperor Akbar in 1560, serving in the Mogul court. Soon a small Armenian community was established in Agra, where it built a church in 1562.³

Akbar was aware that Armenians were a religious race of ancient Christians and would not settle in a place where they could not freely exercise the practice of their religious duties. (In the early 4th century, the Kingdom of Armenia became the first state to adopt Christianity as a state religion. Saint Gregory the Illuminator is the patron saint and first official head of the Armenian Apostolic Church).

The Armenian tradition very strongly propounds that Akbar had a Christian wife -an Armenian lady named Mariam (the Armenian nomenclature for Mary)- Mariam Zamani Begum. Henry George Keene (1781–1864), an East India Company employee and a historian mentions, also quoted in Seth’s works- “Besides the daughter of Amber, Akbar subsequently married at least two other foreign ladies, an Armenian and a princess of Marwar. Preserving unmolested in their palace their chapels and chaplains, these ladies would necessarily have their share in promoting the catholicity of Emperor’s mind and predisposing him to regard with favor Hindus and Christians” ( A Sketch of the history of Hindustan- From The First Muslim Conquest To The Fall Of The Mughol Empire, London, 1885, Pg-98).

However, the accepted viewpoint amongst Indian scholars is that Begum Maryam was the daughter of Raja Bihari Mal and mother of Jehangir (popularized in tradition as Jodha Bai).

Fr Hosten SJ’s findings, based on the assessment of two historical paintings assessed by (which was published in the Statesman, 14 Nov 1916), points the lady in the paintings to the Christian wife of Akbar. Mehsorvb Seth further comments that the lady in the paintings alongwith having Armenian features rather than European, wears a plain cross rather than a crucifix for a crucifix is never worn by an Armenian Christian. An Orthodox Armenian Christian wears a plain gold or silver cross.

Akbar’s court had several notable Armenian Christians- one of them Mirza Zul Qarnain who was an adopted son of Akbar. Zul Qarnain grew up in the palace and was one of the favorites of the Emperor. The records of the Jesuit fathers who visited Akbar’s court state that Akbar would be seen at the window with the young Zul Qarnain in his arms. The young boy had worn a cross around his neck which Akbar kissed and made the boy kiss too before the public gaze.

Akbar and his son Jehangir had great reverence for the Cross. Once the Jesuits solicited Emperor’s protection, to which he replied- “What would you have? See! I have more crosses on my palace than you have in your churches”.

Akbar’s son Jahangir once rebuked an Armenian for not wearing a cross on his head or on his breast.

Akbar’s adopted Christian son- Mirza Zul Qarnain grew up to be the Grandee (Amir) of the Mughal court through his merit. He was also a singer and poet of repute. Mirza Zul Qarnain was a philanthropist par excellence and he took great interest in the spiritual needs of the Christian subjects ensuring there is a presence of Armenian Orthodox priests (some of these priests are buried in the Agra Martyrose Chapel cemetery). So impressed were the Jesuit fathers from Goa who visited the Mughal court that they termed Zul Qarnain as the ‘pillar of Christianity in India’. Lady Juliana was another Armenian Christian and a doctor in the Mughal Court. 

About an hour’s drive from Agra is Fatehpur Sikri which was founded by Akbar in 1570 as a thanks offering for the birth of son (Salim, later Emperor Jehangir) obtained through the prayers of the famous Sufi saint-Shaikh Salim Chisti. Adjoining the Emperor’s palace is the residence of his christian Queen.

Amongst the majestic ruins of Fatehpur Sikri lies the Buland Darwaza or the High Gate, erected by Akbar in 1601 to commemorate his victory in the Deccan. It is the highest gateway in India and across the front of this gate is the following inscription- “Jesus, on whom be peace said: the world is a bridge, pass over it, but build not thereon. The world endureth but an hour, spend it in devotion”.

It is strange that Akbar, who was well acquainted with the teachings of Christ could have ascribed the above teaching to Jesus however the emperor seems to direct the readers to the thought-“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal”. St Matthew 6:19-20

It is interesting to note that one of the Queen’s relatives built the St Peter’s Armenian Church in Colaba, Mumbai which was visited by St Gregorios of Parumala and St Dionysius Vattasseril (the Fr Geevarghese Vattasseril Malpan) enroute to Holy Land pilgrimage. Owing to diminishing Armenians in Mumbai and that it shouldn’t be closed forever, this church has opened its doors for the faithful of the Malankara Orthodox Church to celebrate Divine Liturgy. One of the Armenian members Mrs. Zabel Joshi is the mother of the Hindi film actress Ms. Tulip Joshi.

Perhaps inter-religious marriages amongst the ruling class wasn’t a big deal and would have been a means of securing political mileage during those times. However, it is improbable to think that an Emperor of Islamic faith, though very benevolent to other religions, would show great interest in the learning of the Holy Scripture, reverence to the cross and have a child brought up in the palace nourished spiritually in the religion of his birth whom the Jesuits named as ‘father of Christianity in (northern) India’ had there not been an important woman behind the scenes- this woman being the Emperor’s Queen and foremost an Orthodox Christian woman. Though she is grossly under-researched by historians, her legacy lives on.

Oh, and by the way- Happy International Women’s Day in advance!

In Christ,

Rincy John

P.S: This article does not provide a comprehensive account of the major historical aspects of the Armenian christian community in India. You can read the books below for more information.

References: 

1) Mesrovb Jacob Seth, Armenians in India from the Earliest times to present day, Calcutta.
2) B. S. Ahloowalia, Invasion of the Genes Genetic Heritage of India, Eloquent Books, Pg 155, © 2009
3) Razmik Panossian, The Armenians- From Kings and Priests to Merchants and Commissars, C. Hurst & Co. (Publishers) Ltd,  Pg 80, 81, Copyright © by Razmik Panossian, 2006
4) Vasundara R-A Forgotten Church and Community: Meet Mumbai’s Last Surviving Armenian, Zabel Joshi, at https://www.idiva.com/career/advice/meet-mumbais-last-surviving-armenian-zabel-joshi-and-her-forgotten-church/15100671 (Accessed 06 March 2020)
5) Image courtesy: https://www.theheritagelab.in/christian-art-india/