404 
the doctrine of Nestorius, and acknowledged, instead of the 
Pope, the patriarch of that sect residing in Syria, for their ecclesi- 
astical supreme chief. 
“ Their number must have been very considerable in the be- 
ginning of the sixteenth century, when the Portugueze became first 
acquainted with them; since they possessed about one hundred 
and ten churches in the countries now subject to the Travencore 
and Cochin rajahs: and at this present time, after the manifold 
persecutions, oppressions, and successive revolutions that have 
almost depopulated the whole coast, they are computed to amount 
to no less than one hundred and fifty thousand souls. 
<e They are indiscriminately called St. Thome Christians, Nes- 
torians, Syrians, and sometimes the Malabar Christians of the 
mountains, by the Portugueze writers of that time, and by the sub- 
sequent missionaries from Rome. The most common name given 
to them by the Hindoos of the country, is that of Nazar anee , Ma- 
pila , and more frequently Surians, or Surianee Mapila. 
4 ‘ The Portugueze were fond of bestowing upon them the name 
of St. Thome Christians, though this appellation does not appear 
to have been, or now to be, very common amongst themselves. It 
originates probably from the chief who settled the first colony of 
Syrians on the coast, and who was, according to their tradition, 
their first bishop, and founder of their religion in these countries; 
and whose name was Mar Thome. This is corroborated by the 
curious circumstance of their giving the- name of Mar Thome to 
every ecclesiastical chief, or bishop of theirs, although his real 
name be Joseph or Abraham; not improbably in compliment 
to their first bishop and founder, for whom they have still a reli- 
