75 Memoir of the Survey of Travancore, [Jan u ART 



them rising above remonstrance. The largest body of the Syrians 

 however still remained attached to their new faith, norv^as the dis- 

 cord that reigned at this period amongst the Syrian pastors, calcu- 

 lated to reclaim the remainder of the apostate flock, now so com- 

 pletely alienated that it seems most improbable they will ever return 

 to their ancient belief. The people however are of a temper that 

 might without much difficulty, be brought to acquiesce in the re- 

 union, but their priests who view the most distant approach to it 

 with alarm, would oppose with all their influence such a reforma- 

 tion.* A Code drawn up by the Syrians in 985 A. D. still conti- 

 nues to regulate the religious affairs of the Syrians, which their Me- 

 tropolitan superintends. The connection with Antioch having ceased, 

 this dignity has become heriditary, the nephew succeeds, celeba.y 

 being a necessary observance. The vicar of VeerapoUy, or rather 

 vicar general de propoganda fide at Rome, holds jurisdiction over 

 a part of the Romo Syrian and Latin christians, another portion 

 but more particularly the Catholic christians of the coast, are under 

 the spiritual controul of the bishop of Cranganore, or as he is often 

 styled vicar general of Malabar. This prelate is nominated by 

 the archbishop of Goa, but his jurisdiction in no way extends to 

 the other congregations. The Syrians may amount to about thirty 

 or thirty five thousand souls,t the Romo Syrians may be estimated 

 at perhaps double that amount, the Roman catholics composing the 

 remainder, the rites of the Syrian creed are performed in 55 churches, 

 64 are dedicated to the Romo Syrians' form of worship ; 182 conse- 

 crated to that of the Roman catholic, (Latin Ritual) making a total 

 of 30i I churches, a proportion greater probably than in most 

 European countries, and one that would indicate a wealth and de- 

 votion now unknown ; the numbers belonging to each church are of 

 course various, on the average each congregation would amount to 

 372 souls. Christianity is fully acknowledged by the chief autho- 



* The Ranee not long since directed tlie restoration of some churches 

 originally Syrian to that congregation, however just the measure may have 

 been, it created some alarm amongst the Romo Syrians, some of whose 

 pastors being rather turbulent on the occasion, it was found necessary to 

 admonish. 



+ It has not been found possible to ascertain the number belonging to 

 each particular sect. — The total amount of the christian population in Tra- 

 vancore and Cochin is 155693, to this amount may be added about 10,000 

 as the probable number of the christians in the Company's territory south 

 of the Punnany. 



t The total number of Syrian churches including Cochin, some within the 

 Company's boundary, is filty nine, those belonging to the Romo Syrians in- 

 cluding ten in the Company's district of Chowkad amount to 101 churches, 

 while the churches belonging to the Latin Ritual are enumerated 250, 

 making a total of 410 churches scattered over that portion of the western 

 coast south of the Punnany river. 



