Home > Resources > On-line Exhibits-The Lotus and The Cross

6.   Free-standing Cross and Pedestal, Church at Udayamperur (Diamper)
Date unknown: circa 1599, but possibly based on pre-Portuguese models
Near Cochin (Ernakulam), Kerala, India
Ricci 6  KP India 06 308

Udayamperur or Diamper was famous for the synod convoked there in 1559 by the Portuguese Archbishop of Goa, Alexis de Menezes. This synod attempted to Latinize the ancient Syrian Churches of South India and to bring them under the authority of Rome. This resulted in the burning of books written in Syriac, the earliest liturgical language used both in India and China, and the disparaging of local Christian traditions.

Today, some of the Kerala Christian communities owe allegiance to Rome, while others are either independent churches or retain their links with their mother churches in Syria and Iraq.