Dr. George Kurukkoor speaks on Palackal Thoma Malpan

It was heart-warming to hear Dr. Kurukoor mentioning the name of my collateral ancestor, the saintly Palackal Thoma Malpan (1780-1841), in connection with the preservation of the Syriac heritage in Kerala. The Malpan was one of the zealous priests in the community, who stood up to the Portuguese missionaries in their attempts to replace Syriac with Latin. The Malpan encouraged the study of Syriac and collection and codification of manuscripts. The Seminary that he started at Pallippuram was envisioned as a place to preserve the Syriac heritage. His disciples eventually would become leaders in the St. Thomas Christian community that stayed in communion with Rome. One of his disciples, Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara would assist him in founding the first religious congregation for men in India. The Congregation, which is presently known as the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, used to be at the service of Syriac Christianity in Kerala. The first printing press with facility for printing Syriac texts belonged to this Congregation.

Dr. Joseph J. Palackal
New York
6 June 2017

• AP 102a - Fr. Sylvester Puthussery speaks about Palackal Thoma Malpan
• AP 106 - " Palackal Thoma Malpan, the founder of the TOCD [CMI] Congregation "
• AP 258 - Palackal Thoma Malpan Anusmaranam. Pallippuram.
• AP 270 - A glowing tribute to our heavenly Patron, Palackal Malpan. Jose Kuriedath, CMI.