The West meets the East A Study on the Interactions Between the European Missionaries and the St. Thomas Christians, 1500-1800

Rarely do we discuss the role of particular historical figures and groups, their cultural contexts, their preoccupations, their attitudes, and methodologies, in making history. But such a study will help us understand the realities behind the historical events without judging the persons and circumstances of the past and move forward by accepting and learning the lessons from the past. Based on the two worlds, two cultures, two mentalities, two methodologies, two spiritualities, and two Churches of West and East, the author is studying "why of the history" of the interactions of Western missionaries from 1500 to 1800 in the history of St. Thomas Christians. This book highlights the unspoken historical realities behind the different phases of initial cordiality, tensions, conflicts, rivalry, revolt, schism, attempts of reunion, and power-politics that happened in the history of St. Thomas Christians.