Chennai (Tamil Nadu): Celebrations during festivals offer respite to the people who were devastated by Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. And its festival time for the people in December and January starting from Christmas to Pongal, the harvest festival.
Christians are gearing to celebrate Christmas in a big way as the impact of Covid-19 has been declining for the past few months. Christmas has not been celebrated only by Christians but also people from other religions in the State.
Many think that Christianity arrived only after the entry of Britishers in the 19th Century. After Crucifixion of Jesus about 2000 years ago, his 12 Apostles embarked on a mission to spread the message of Jesus across the world. Each one headed to different parts of the world. And one among them was St Thomas. He reached Kerala in AD 52 via the sea and reached Tamil Nadu. Saint Thomas was allegedly martyred at St. Thomas Mount in Chennai in AD 72. His body was interred at a tomb in Santhome Church, Mylapore in Chennai.
Saint Thomas the Apostle
Professor Tamil Department, Amirtha Lenin says that the rights of the people living in the State were denied and they were treated differently. St Thomas and other missionaries helped these sections of the people and introduced them to education. They introduced the concept of social justice. As a result, the people were beginning to have faith in them which resulted in them embracing Christianity.
'Christianity spread in Tamil Nadu as people got back their rights'
None can deny the development of Tamil language after the arrival of Christianity and Christian missionaries in the State says social activist John Kumar of Samooga Kankaanipagam. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Christian missionaries had started 12 colleges and more than 20 schools. They have spread not only education but improved the health conditions of the people in the State.
Many scholars linked Tamil language with Christianity. Ratchanya Yaatrigam by Alfred Krishnapillai and Thempavani of Veeramamunivar are two of examples of the contribution of Christianity in development of Tamil language.
'Tamil language developed after arrival of Christianity'
There are several reasons for the growth of Christianity. Christianity contributed to the development of social justice, says Pastor Jegath Gaspar Raj. Christianity gave people education and medical facilities. Christian priests and nuns treated TB patients compassionately. Those days, there were differences among Nayaks and Fishermen. They sought the assistance of Portuguese and they assured them to help on condition of conversion. As a result, a significantly major conversion took place.
Similarly, women from Nadar community were not allowed to cover their breasts with clothes. Even after a revolt, the issue was not solved. Christian missionaries invited them to the Church assuring them they would be treated as equal. Again massive conversion took place. They embraced Christianity only to protect self-dignity and social justice says pastor Jegath Gaspar Raj.
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