The Syrian Christians of Kerala trace their origin from the time of St. Thomas, the apostle. He first came to India in about AD 46 and then again to Malabar in AD 51-52 where he founded seven churches. They form about one-fifth of the country`s total Christian population and theirs is one of the most ancient Christian communities in the world.

Before the coming of the Europeans, their chief vocation, apart from agriculture, was trade and commerce. Moreover a large part of Kerala`s trade in pepper and other commodities was probably in the hands of Syrian Christian merchants.

There is a strong conservative streak in these Christians and some traditional practices and patterns of behaviour are still adhered to by many. A typical Syrian Christian wedding is an elaborate affair and is arranged by the elders, the girl`s people making the proposal to the boy`s. The wedding takes place in the Syrian Christian Church.

The most important holy days are Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The former in Malayalam, means the `Friday of Sorrow` and the church service held is a symbolic representation of the entire drama of Christ`s suffering and crucifixion. The Easter service, which ritually tells the story of the resurrection, is more important than Christmas.

Syrian Christians have taken a leading part in the educational, medical and industrial development of Kerala. A large proportion of the schools and colleges in Kerala are run by them. The women have been among the earliest Indian nurses. Their teachers and professors have distinguished themselves all over India and they have also served in a significant way in the armed forces.

The Syrian Christian clergy have Catholics at the apex, with ten bishops, known as metropolitans, for ten dioceses. There may be as many as a hundred churches in one diocese, the total number of priests being about one thousand. Entrance is after the pre-university level. The training is given at the M.D. Seminary, Kottayam, where the course lasts for four years. B.D. degree has to be obtained from the Serampore University.

The bishop is usually chosen from among the celibate priests or monks but a layman can be elected provided he obtains the B.D. degree and goes through the state mentioned earlier. The Patriarch of Syria generally consecrates the Catholics though he has no jurisdiction over the Church, which is Indian and independent.