| abstract | - The Saint Thomas Christians remained in communion with the Assyrian Church of the East until their encounter with the Portuguese in 1498. With the establishment of Portuguese power in parts of India, clergy of that nationality, in particular certain members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), attempted to Latinize the Indian Christians. The Portuguese started a Latin diocese in Goa (1534) and another at Cochin (1558) in the hope of bringing the Thomas Christians under their jurisdiction. In a Goan Synod held in 1585 it was decided to introduce the Latin liturgy and practices among the Thomas Christians. In the Synod of Diamper of 1599 the Portuguese Archbishop, Don Alexio de Menezes, succeeded in appointing a Latin bishop to govern the Thomas Christians. The Portuguese Padroado was extended over them. The Portuguese refused to accept the legitimate authority of the Indian hierarchy and its relation with the Assyrian East Syrians. At the synod held in Diamper in 1599, the Portuguese Archbishop of Goa imposed a large number of Latinizations. The Church of Malabar came under a forced communion with Rome. From 1599 up to 1896 these Christians were under the Latin Bishops who were appointed either by the Portuguese Padroado or by the Roman Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith (Propaganda Fide). Every attempt to resist the Latinization process was branded by them heretical. Under their indigenous archdeacon, the Thomas Christians resisted, but the result was disastrous.
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