United Christians of St Thomas

United Christians of St. Thomas a body of East Indian Roman Catholics, chiefly found in Travancore, at the southern extremity of India. In 1599 the Synod of Diamper. (Udiamperoor) compelled the ancient Church of St. Thomas Christians to conform to the Church of Rome, conceding to them a modern Syrian rite. In 1653 nearly all fell away, but were soon after induced in great numbers to return, chiefly by the labors of the Barefooted Carmelites. At present more than one half are of the Latin rite, but a portion retain the Oriental rite. They are chiefly in the vicariate apostolic of Verapoli (Latin rite), reported in 1868 as having 295 priests and 233,000 members. SEE THOMAS (ST.), CHRISTIANS OF.