St. Thomas Christians' encounter with the caste system in South India

St. Thomas Christians are a community of Indian Christians who trace their origins to the apostolic mission of St. Thomas in South India. The community is known for its unique blend of Indian and Christian traditions, which developed over centuries of interaction with the local culture. However, one of the most significant challenges that St. Thomas Christians have faced in their history has been the caste system, which has been a source of oppression and discrimination for many Indians. This has resulted in an imbalance in the St Thomas Christians’ social praxis as some members of the community began to question the validity of the caste system and its compatibility with Christian teachings, while others continued to embrace the caste system, seeing it as an essential part of their culture. Today, the St. Thomas Christians continue to grapple with the legacy of the caste system. This lecture examines the scandalous history of St Thomas Christians’ encounter with the caste system. Dr. Jobymon Skaria is an adjunct lecturer at St Patrick's Pontifical University whose research applies postcolonial approaches to the Hebrew Scriptures. He recently published, 'Dalit Theology, Boundary Crossings and Liberation in India: A Biblical and Postcolonial Study' (London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2022). His articles include "Golah Politics Unmasked" and "Judean Reception of Elisha Narratives". Dr. Skaria is also an ordained priest in the St. Thomas tradition of the Oriental Orthodox Church.