Church Orthodoxy in India

[Eusebius Erasmus]

Here is an excellent article from a ROCOR member in India:

“The Indian mission will be the most fruitful mission in the world!

When we decided to embark upon the Ark of Salvation—the Holy Church—many times we were told by our Anglican friends that we were making a mistake, but by the mercy of God we were happy and willing to make this mistake.

orthochristian.com

As you all know, St. Thomas the Apostle came to India and converted many to Christianity. Sadly, these Christians fell into the Monophysite heresy, becoming Oriental Orthodox like the Armenians, Ethiopians, and Copts.

I sincerely believe that Orthodoxy would be well-received in India. Western Christianity has negative associations with British and Portuguese colonialism, and Eastern Orthodoxy neatly fits into the Indian spiritual mindset, which is after all Eastern.

Anyway, the ROCOR mission in India has a Facebook page:

Orthodox Church of India - Moscow Patriarchate

Orthodox Church of India - Moscow Patriarchate. 1,610 likes · 2 talking about this. Russian Orthodox Church in India Русская Православная Церковь в Индии

www.facebook.com

For those who are interested, I would also highly recommend the book The Gurus, The Young Man, and Elder Paisios, which neatly contrasts Hinduism with Orthodox Christianity.

 

[ManojVOfficial]

Here is an excellent article from a ROCOR member in India:

“The Indian mission will be the most fruitful mission in the world!

When we decided to embark upon the Ark of Salvation—the Holy Church—many times we were told by our Anglican friends that we were making a mistake, but by the mercy of God we were happy and willing to make this mistake.

orthochristian.com

As you all know, St. Thomas the Apostle came to India and converted many to Christianity. Sadly, these Christians fell into the Monophysite heresy, becoming Oriental Orthodox like the Armenians, Ethiopians, and Copts.

I sincerely believe that Orthodoxy would be well-received in India. Western Christianity has negative associations with British and Portuguese colonialism, and Eastern Orthodoxy neatly fits into the Indian spiritual mindset, which is after all Eastern.

Anyway, the ROCOR mission in India has a Facebook page:

Orthodox Church of India - Moscow Patriarchate

Orthodox Church of India - Moscow Patriarchate. 1,610 likes · 2 talking about this. Russian Orthodox Church in India Русская Православная Церковь в Индии

www.facebook.com

For those who are interested, I would also highly recommend the book The Gurus, The Young Man, and Elder Paisios, which neatly contrasts Hinduism with Orthodox Christianity.

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) is in fact Orthodox. The Oriental Orthodox Churches are not Monophysite. They are Miaphysite.

Please review what the Oriental Orthodox Churches believe with regards to the nature of Jesus and compare to the Eastern Orthodox teachings:
1. "Chalcedonian and Coptic Orthodox; history, similarities, and differences" by Fr. Anthony Paul -

2. "Eastern Orthodox vs Oriental Orthodox - What's the Difference?" by ReadytoHarvest -

3. "The Orthodox Christian Church: History, Beliefs, and Practices" by Peter Bouteneff. He speaks about the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches in the opening chapters - https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Orth...ry-Beliefs-and-Practices-Audiobook/B0746S8WF7

4. "The Council of Chalcedon Re-examined" by Fr. V.C. Samuel. https://www.amazon.com/Council-Chal...s=chalcedon+re-examined&qid=1628144726&sr=8-1

5. "Patriarch John X of Antioch Calls for Unity with the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch" by Orthodox Cognate PAGE - https://theorthodoxchurch.info/blog...y-with-the-syriac-orthodox-church-of-antioch/

 

[infowarrior1]

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) is in fact Orthodox. The Oriental Orthodox Churches are not Monophysite. They are Miaphysite.

Please review what the Oriental Orthodox Churches believe with regards to the nature of Jesus and compare to the Eastern Orthodox teachings:
1. "Chalcedonian and Coptic Orthodox; history, similarities, and differences" by Fr. Anthony Paul -

2. "Eastern Orthodox vs Oriental Orthodox - What's the Difference?" by ReadytoHarvest -

3. "The Orthodox Christian Church: History, Beliefs, and Practices" by Peter Bouteneff. He speaks about the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches in the opening chapters - https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Orth...ry-Beliefs-and-Practices-Audiobook/B0746S8WF7

4. "The Council of Chalcedon Re-examined" by Fr. V.C. Samuel. https://www.amazon.com/Council-Chal...s=chalcedon+re-examined&qid=1628144726&sr=8-1

5. "Patriarch John X of Antioch Calls for Unity with the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch" by Orthodox Cognate PAGE - https://theorthodoxchurch.info/blog...y-with-the-syriac-orthodox-church-of-antioch/

If the Holy Fire lights for the Oriental Orthodox. Then they are the real deal. But if not then there is something wrong.

 

[iop890]

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) is in fact Orthodox.

Do you accept Chalcedon then?

 

[ManojVOfficial]

If the Holy Fire lights for the Oriental Orthodox. Then they are the real deal. But if not then there is something wrong.

The faith isn't based on Holy Fire. Check the Nicene Creed.

 

[infowarrior1]

The faith isn't based on Holy Fire. Check the Nicene Creed.

One of the good indications of Orthodoxy is God honoring said Orthodox Christian with the regular annualized miracle at the Holy Tomb of Christ.

It is one crucial barometer at least in Orthodoxy of God's Holy presence, work and favor in regards to that Church.

And the lack of affirmation and rejecting of Jesus Christ being Truly Man and Truly God at the same time somehow caused God to depart his grace from the people that rejected it.

For he who preaches a different Gospel. Let him be Anathema as the Scripture says.

It may be one reason why the Armenians despite the Turks attempt to destroy them weren't avenged. In the same way the Tsar and his family was avenged:

The Sixth Proof of God

While I am not much of a religious person, there is one particular argument for His existence that I find to be rather convincing*. Those who wage war on God are unmade by God. And their descendants, too. The idea that He is humane, or fair to individuals, is a modern conceit. The Old Testament...

www.unz.com

Unless that miracle is a pious fraud which hasn't been decisively proven so far.

 

[DanielH]

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) is in fact Orthodox. The Oriental Orthodox Churches are not Monophysite. They are Miaphysite.

Please review what the Oriental Orthodox Churches believe with regards to the nature of Jesus and compare to the Eastern Orthodox teachings:
1. "Chalcedonian and Coptic Orthodox; history, similarities, and differences" by Fr. Anthony Paul -

2. "Eastern Orthodox vs Oriental Orthodox - What's the Difference?" by ReadytoHarvest -

3. "The Orthodox Christian Church: History, Beliefs, and Practices" by Peter Bouteneff. He speaks about the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches in the opening chapters - https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Orth...ry-Beliefs-and-Practices-Audiobook/B0746S8WF7

4. "The Council of Chalcedon Re-examined" by Fr. V.C. Samuel. https://www.amazon.com/Council-Chal...s=chalcedon+re-examined&qid=1628144726&sr=8-1

5. "Patriarch John X of Antioch Calls for Unity with the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch" by Orthodox Cognate PAGE - https://theorthodoxchurch.info/blog...y-with-the-syriac-orthodox-church-of-antioch/

If the Oriental Churches are truly Miaphysite then there is no reason aside from stubbornness for them not to rejoin the Orthodox Catholic Church and accept Chalcedon. Everything else is just beating around the bush. Orientals always say "we have an identical faith!" but refuse to rejoin that mother Church with an "identical" faith.

Back on topic to the main purpose of this thread, yes I believe India is ripe for the harvest so to speak and Orthodox evangelism there would go a long way.

 

[HKBhusal]

I sincerely believe that Orthodoxy would be well-received in India. Western Christianity has negative associations with British and Portuguese colonialism, and Eastern Orthodoxy neatly fits into the Indian spiritual mindset, which is after all Eastern.

Interesting topic and observation, coincidentally I met an Indian family visiting my parish recently that practices Orthodoxy (having been catechized and converted), so concur.

 

[Eusebius Erasmus]

From St. Paisios:

"The Indian people have spiritual depth, and they're spiritually restless. They don't fill their heart with nuts and bolts. They yearn for God, but they're in deception -- the devil deceives them and cripples them. If the Indians came to know Christ, they'd make great spiritual progress."

 

[Kiwi]

I remember visiting the shrine of St. Thomas in my visit to Chennai. Chennai being a very different spiritual atmosphere to most other states, and one I felt was more "open" to Christianity given its history.

Though I loved visiting India, and the people left a really great impression on me, it is surely a country of contradictions. It was no more apparent than when I visited this sacred place. There were Hindu gods displayed everywhere, and I believe for sale, all on the same grounds as the shrine. Not out of the ordinary, as they see Christ as just another god, but it was very disheartening to witness.

 

[nagareboshi]

I remember visiting the shrine of St. Thomas in my visit to Chennai. Chennai being a very different spiritual atmosphere to most other states, and one I felt was more "open" to Christianity given its history.

Though I loved visiting India, and the people left a really great impression on me, it is surely a country of contradictions. It was no more apparent than when I visited this sacred place. There were Hindu gods displayed everywhere, and I believe for sale, all on the same grounds as the shrine. Not out of the ordinary, as they see Christ as just another god, but it was very disheartening to witness.

That is very interesting and disheartening indeed. It reminds me of the Hebrews who knew about the God of Abraham but considered Him “just another god” and bundled him with various other spirits. I wonder which is more offensive, to deny that God exists entirely or to associate Him with others who are inferior? God willing, the Hindus with their extremely rich philosophical tradition can come to know the truth.

When St. Antony preached to the Greeks, he did not say “the Greek gods do not exist” but rather engaged directly with the stories of Zeus and pointed out that the true God should not commit fornication and other human sins. Perhaps this reasoning, comparing God against gods, could be fruitful with Hindus as well.

 

[JYLewis]

I know their was a mission in 2018 and 2019 from ROCOR to convert quite a few churches in the area and several former protestant pastors began to go to seminary in Philippines so do you have any more recent updates?

 

[corneliucodreanu]

Here is an excellent article from a ROCOR member in India:

“The Indian mission will be the most fruitful mission in the world!

When we decided to embark upon the Ark of Salvation—the Holy Church—many times we were told by our Anglican friends that we were making a mistake, but by the mercy of God we were happy and willing to make this mistake.

orthochristian.com

As you all know, St. Thomas the Apostle came to India and converted many to Christianity. Sadly, these Christians fell into the Monophysite heresy, becoming Oriental Orthodox like the Armenians, Ethiopians, and Copts.

I sincerely believe that Orthodoxy would be well-received in India. Western Christianity has negative associations with British and Portuguese colonialism, and Eastern Orthodoxy neatly fits into the Indian spiritual mindset, which is after all Eastern.

Anyway, the ROCOR mission in India has a Facebook page:

Orthodox Church of India - Moscow Patriarchate

Orthodox Church of India - Moscow Patriarchate. 1,610 likes · 2 talking about this. Russian Orthodox Church in India Русская Православная Церковь в Индии

www.facebook.com

For those who are interested, I would also highly recommend the book The Gurus, The Young Man, and Elder Paisios, which neatly contrasts Hinduism with Orthodox Christianity.

Indian Christian here. I am a protestant but looking to leave this heresy and convert to Orthodoxy, and so have been doing some research.

From what I gather the original church of St. Thomas, the Malankara Church, does not accept Chalcedon. I am planning to meet a priest to discuss this, but the main problem that I see with the Malankara Church is that it is very localized only to a particular state in India called Kerala. So for a non-Keralite like me it's impossible to join this Church since the entire liturgy is based in the local language, which I do not understand.

I have seen the page of this ROCOR mission in India was considering it, however a few things put me off. For starters, the article you have cited is full of lies & rubbish. There is absolutely no Hindu persecution of Christians in India right now; there is also no widespread "conversion" of Christians to Hindusim. In fact it is the other way round: there are thousands of fly by wire pentecostal / evangelical pastors, who receive funding from dubious NGO channels (mostly mega churches + open society foundation type organizations), and who are openly, and on a pretty large scale, converting Hindus to Protestanism, especially in South India, and planting mega churches everywhere. They are quite leftist in their ideology and behave like typical minorities, demanding all sorts of perks and benefits (for e.g church income is tax free) from the state while decrying non-existent majority "persecution". A lot of Hindus now see through their b/s and the fakeness of their conversions, and naturally get angry, and this is what this Clement Nehemiah fellow calles Hindu "fundamentalism". Being sick and tired of seeing these lies from these evangelicals, I was hoping he would have a more realistic approach to the situation, but it is quite disappointing to see the same sort of lies coming from him. I have also seen a video of his on his facebook page, where he shows you how he is to be greeted with a kneel and a kiss on his hand, as though he is some sort of elder or saint. Quite pompus, if I may say so.

 

[corneliucodreanu]

I remember visiting the shrine of St. Thomas in my visit to Chennai. Chennai being a very different spiritual atmosphere to most other states, and one I felt was more "open" to Christianity given its history.

Though I loved visiting India, and the people left a really great impression on me, it is surely a country of contradictions. It was no more apparent than when I visited this sacred place. There were Hindu gods displayed everywhere, and I believe for sale, all on the same grounds as the shrine. Not out of the ordinary, as they see Christ as just another god, but it was very disheartening to witness.

I see India as a land bearing the fruits of millenia of demon worship (to me it appears as though these gods that Hindus worship are basically Nephilim). It is very heartbreaking to see, because a lot of my Hindu brothers I see around, are very decent, well meaning people, genuinely seeking God, but centuries of this ritualistic demon workship has them enslaved to sin, filth and wicked corruption.

 

[Eusebius Erasmus]

Indian Christian here. I am a protestant but looking to leave this heresy and convert to Orthodoxy, and so have been doing some research.

From what I gather the original church of St. Thomas, the Malankara Church, does not accept Chalcedon. I am planning to meet a priest to discuss this, but the main problem that I see with the Malankara Church is that it is very localized only to a particular state in India called Kerala. So for a non-Keralite like me it's impossible to join this Church since the entire liturgy is based in the local language, which I do not understand.

I have seen the page of this ROCOR mission in India was considering it, however a few things put me off. For starters, the article you have cited is full of lies & rubbish. There is absolutely no Hindu persecution of Christians in India right now; there is also no widespread "conversion" of Christians to Hindusim. In fact it is the other way round: there are thousands of fly by wire pentecostal / evangelical pastors, who receive funding from dubious NGO channels (mostly mega churches + open society foundation type organizations), and who are openly, and on a pretty large scale, converting Hindus to Protestanism, especially in South India, and planting mega churches everywhere. They are quite leftist in their ideology and behave like typical minorities, demanding all sorts of perks and benefits (for e.g church income is tax free) from the state while decrying non-existent majority "persecution". A lot of Hindus now see through their b/s and the fakeness of their conversions, and naturally get angry, and this is what this Clement Nehemiah fellow calles Hindu "fundamentalism". Being sick and tired of seeing these lies from these evangelicals, I was hoping he would have a more realistic approach to the situation, but it is quite disappointing to see the same sort of lies coming from him. I have also seen a video of his on his facebook page, where he shows you how he is to be greeted with a kneel and a kiss on his hand, as though he is some sort of elder or saint. Quite pompus, if I may say so.

That’s unfortunate, but don’t let one man’s failings put you off the truth of Orthodoxy. God keep you!

 

[corneliucodreanu]

That’s unfortunate, but don’t let one man’s failings put you off the truth of Orthodoxy. God keep you!

Oh absolutely not! I am well on my way into Orthodoxy. Even though the Malankara Church is most probably monophysite, it's the only option we seem to have in India, so I will most probably end up worshipping there. One very demoralizing thing though, is this is this Church's complete surrender to the covid scam. Unlike ROCOR and some Greek Parishes which are strongly opposed to these satanic covid mandates, this church seems to be meekly complaint everywhere.

 

[Eusebius Erasmus]

Oh absolutely not! I am well on my way into Orthodoxy. Even though the Malankara Church is most probably monophysite, it's the only option we seem to have in India, so I will most probably end up worshipping there. One very demoralizing thing though, is this is this Church's complete surrender to the covid scam. Unlike ROCOR and some Greek Parishes which are strongly opposed to these satanic covid mandates, this church seems to be meekly complaint everywhere.

Please, try your best to find a proper Orthodox Church. I think you'll be much more content.

 

[DanielH]

Please, try your best to find a proper Orthodox Church. I think you'll be much more content.

Yes, this. It's also important to find a good community in these times. Spiritually you would be better off with a proper Orthodox Church, and even materially it would be better to not be part of a community bought into the covid madness.

 

[Eusebius Erasmus]

A story from the Church of India -- Moscow Patriarchate (from their Facebook page):

Miraculous story of Philip
Philip is one of the Orthodox believers of Indian mission. Last month while he was working in the field, a snake bit him. Philip was very calm, he trusted in Christ. Without panicking, finishing his work he went home, took bath and applied sanctified oil to his leg where the snake bit him. Had lunch and then went to hospital. Philip had neither pain nor any adverse effect on him. He calmly told the doctor what happened and doctor gave him some injections and Philip returned home. In Philip's village another man was bitten by the same kind of snake a few days ago. That man immediately had his leg swollen and painful. He was immediately admitted to the village hospital, but his conditioned worsened and he was transferred to city hospital, his condition kept worsening and last when we heard about him, the city hospital was preparing to transfer him to another city. But our Philip didn't suffer anything! This event reminded us of the event that happened to apostle Paul when a snake bit him but he remained unharmed and it was wonder for local people. Philip's fellow villagers also marveled at the miracle happened with Philip and Philip always gives testimony of Christ before all.
Another event happened with same Philip. This story is old. Once his cow fell ill. She didn't eat anything, couldn't stand for long time, use to fall down over and over again. Villagers advised Philip to call the sorcerer to heal his cow, while some advised him to call veterinary doctor. Philip rejected sorcerer because he knew it was against our faith and he rejected veterinarian because it will take long time for him to reach his village. He decided instead to give his cow sanctified water and he did the same. He made his cow drink sanctified water and also applied it on her stomach. Within 10 minutes, says Philip, his cow became completely normal and started eating. Villagers were shocked to see this miracle. Philip told them all that Christ healed his cow and villagers also said your Jesus is really powerful, we never saw such a thing.
Do you see friends how simple faith works wonders and how God is merciful.

 

[corneliucodreanu]

Indian Christian here. I am a protestant but looking to leave this heresy and convert to Orthodoxy, and so have been doing some research.

From what I gather the original church of St. Thomas, the Malankara Church, does not accept Chalcedon. I am planning to meet a priest to discuss this, but the main problem that I see with the Malankara Church is that it is very localized only to a particular state in India called Kerala. So for a non-Keralite like me it's impossible to join this Church since the entire liturgy is based in the local language, which I do not understand.

I have seen the page of this ROCOR mission in India was considering it, however a few things put me off. For starters, the article you have cited is full of lies & rubbish. There is absolutely no Hindu persecution of Christians in India right now; there is also no widespread "conversion" of Christians to Hindusim. In fact it is the other way round: there are thousands of fly by wire pentecostal / evangelical pastors, who receive funding from dubious NGO channels (mostly mega churches + open society foundation type organizations), and who are openly, and on a pretty large scale, converting Hindus to Protestanism, especially in South India, and planting mega churches everywhere. They are quite leftist in their ideology and behave like typical minorities, demanding all sorts of perks and benefits (for e.g church income is tax free) from the state while decrying non-existent majority "persecution". A lot of Hindus now see through their b/s and the fakeness of their conversions, and naturally get angry, and this is what this Clement Nehemiah fellow calles Hindu "fundamentalism". Being sick and tired of seeing these lies from these evangelicals, I was hoping he would have a more realistic approach to the situation, but it is quite disappointing to see the same sort of lies coming from him. I have also seen a video of his on his facebook page, where he shows you how he is to be greeted with a kneel and a kiss on his hand, as though he is some sort of elder or saint. Quite pompus, if I may say so.

God has a way of humbing vain babblers like myself, and has brought me back to this very same ROC (my bad it's not ROCOR) mission, that I was criticising, to get baptized. I take back every word I said about the priest Fr. Clement who runs this mission, and sorely repent of being so quick to judge him without even knowing or understanding his side of the story. He is am excellent priest, a great spiritual guide and extremely based.

I got baptized and chrismated by him a few days back, and partook of my first Eucharist. Glory to God, for answering my prayers and leading me into the Church. I feel humbled & may I never every be so quick to judge every again. Lord have mercy!