Indian (Syro-Malabar Church, East Syriac Rite)
The Syro-Malabar Catholic community in western North Carolina, centered in Charlotte, falls under the jurisdiction of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago. The community was supported by and worshiped at St. Matthew Church in south Charlotte for years until a permanent church for the community, St. Mary’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, was built in 2017. Holy Qurbana (Mass) is said in Malayalam.
With approximately 4 million members, the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is the second largest Church among the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the pope (after the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church).
It was founded by the Apostle Thomas, who sailed to the Malabar Coast (modern-day Indian state of Kerala) in 52 A.D. to evangelize the local Aramaic-speaking Jews. He performed miracles and founded seven Christian communities throughout south India before he was martyred in 72 A.D. in Mylapore, India.
The name “Syro-Malabar” comes from the words “Syriac,” as the church uses the East Syriac Rite liturgy, and “Malabar,” the historical name for modern Kerala where the Church is still based.
Learn more: “Syro-Malabar Catholics celebrate consecration of first church in Charlotte”