Jacobite vs Orthodox
Christian community in Kerala traces its roots back to the advent of St. Thomas to India in 52 AD. The Apostle started his mission in India from a place called Malankara in Kerala when about 400 Syrian Christian settlers came over to the town. From such humble beginnings, the Christian community in Kerala has grown to its present stature. However, in due course of the spread of Christianity, the church in Kerala split into different denominations such as Jacobite Syrian Christian Church and Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch. Despite having same belief about the origin of Christianity, these churches have a different perspective on the history and faith of Malankara Church.
Jacobites have historically been referred to as members of Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and all the east. Jacobite missionary activity dates back to earliest periods of Christianity and led to establishment of a branch in the Malabar region of India. The apostle Thomas is credited with laying the foundation stone for the Malabar church. The Monophysites of Syria came to be known as Jacobites, probably names after Jacob Baradai, a monk who lived in a monastery near Edessa. Some believe that the name Jacobites comes from Jacob, the biblical patriarch.
Malankara Orthodox Church is an ancient Church of India and traces its origins to as far back as 52AD when St. Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ came to India and established Christianity in the South Western parts of the country. St. Thomas established 7 churches in Kerala and appointed priests for them from 4 families.