Thoma of Villarvattom
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Raja
Thoma Villarvattom was a Christian King of Villarvattom, a vassal principality of the Kingdom of Cochin
.
From historical documents it is clear that there existed an independent Christian Kingdom in Malabar called the Villarvattom. The origin of this royal family is traced to the 9th century. Christianity spread in the kingdom of Diamper under the saintly bishop Mar Sapor who occupied the Episcopal see of Quilon
. Tradition says that Mar Sapor succeeded in converting to the Christian faith the Hindu ruler of the Kingdom of Diamper. Thus originated the Christian royal family of Malabar known as Villarvattom.
In 1439, Pope Eugene IV
sent an apostolic letter through his legates to Thomas, the Villarvattom king in the following manner: "To our dearest son in Jesus the great king Thomas of India happiness and apostolic benediction. We have been often told that you and your subjects are true and faithful Christians”. Udayamperoor
(known as Diamper in Portuguese), the capital of this kingdom, was the venue of the famous Synod of Diamper
of 1599 CE. It was held in the All Saints Church in Diamper. The venue was apparently chosen on account of the place having been the capital of a Christian principality.
This Christian dynasty lasted till about the close of the 15th century. The last ruler of the li9ne iJacob Swaroopam died without a male heir. His surviving daughter was married by a prince of the Cochin royal family
who was converted to Christianity. This marriage was not blessed with any children. So the territories of the Villarvattom came to be absorbed in the Kingdom of Cochin. Consequently it was considered that the rulers of Cochin had a special responsibility for looking after the welfare of the Syrian Christians of Malabar. The Malabar Christians however preserved the royal emblems of the Villarvattom and presented this to Vasco de Gamma, when he arrived in Cochin. This was done to show their homage to the Christian King of Portugal.
Raja
Raja is an Indian term for a monarch, or princely ruler of the Kshatriya varna...
Thoma Villarvattom was a Christian King of Villarvattom, a vassal principality of the Kingdom of Cochin
Kingdom of Cochin
Kingdom of Cochin was a late medieval Hindu kingdom and later Princely State on the Malabar Coast, South India...
.
From historical documents it is clear that there existed an independent Christian Kingdom in Malabar called the Villarvattom. The origin of this royal family is traced to the 9th century. Christianity spread in the kingdom of Diamper under the saintly bishop Mar Sapor who occupied the Episcopal see of Quilon
Quilon
Quilon may refer to,* Venad, a former state on Malabar Coast, India* Kollam , Kerala state, India* Kollam district, Kerala state...
. Tradition says that Mar Sapor succeeded in converting to the Christian faith the Hindu ruler of the Kingdom of Diamper. Thus originated the Christian royal family of Malabar known as Villarvattom.
In 1439, Pope Eugene IV
Pope Eugene IV
Pope Eugene IV , born Gabriele Condulmer, was pope from March 3, 1431, to his death.-Biography:He was born in Venice to a rich merchant family, a Correr on his mother's side. Condulmer entered the Order of Saint Augustine at the monastery of St. George in his native city...
sent an apostolic letter through his legates to Thomas, the Villarvattom king in the following manner: "To our dearest son in Jesus the great king Thomas of India happiness and apostolic benediction. We have been often told that you and your subjects are true and faithful Christians”. Udayamperoor
Udayamperoor
Udayamperoor is a small town situated in Ernakulam district, Kerala, in India. It is 18 km from Ernakulam, on the Ernakulam - Vaikom road. This place, steeped in history, is a major tourist destination in the district.s.n.d.p.h.s.s is one of the leading educational institution in Udayamperoor....
(known as Diamper in Portuguese), the capital of this kingdom, was the venue of the famous Synod of Diamper
Synod of Diamper
The Synod of Diamper, held at Udayamperoor/Diamper, is a diocesan synod by which Latin usages were formally adopted by the Christians of Saint Thomas. It was convened on June 20, 1599, under the leadership of Aleixo de Menezes, Archbishop of Goa. Archdeacon George was forced to comply with the...
of 1599 CE. It was held in the All Saints Church in Diamper. The venue was apparently chosen on account of the place having been the capital of a Christian principality.
This Christian dynasty lasted till about the close of the 15th century. The last ruler of the li9ne iJacob Swaroopam died without a male heir. His surviving daughter was married by a prince of the Cochin royal family
Cochin Royal Family
The Cochin royal family were rulers of Cochin, or Kochi, India. They were also known as Perumpadapu Swaroopam or Kuru Swaroopam.-Tradition of Perumpadapu Swaroopam:...
who was converted to Christianity. This marriage was not blessed with any children. So the territories of the Villarvattom came to be absorbed in the Kingdom of Cochin. Consequently it was considered that the rulers of Cochin had a special responsibility for looking after the welfare of the Syrian Christians of Malabar. The Malabar Christians however preserved the royal emblems of the Villarvattom and presented this to Vasco de Gamma, when he arrived in Cochin. This was done to show their homage to the Christian King of Portugal.