Syro-Malabaric Rite

The Syro-Malabaric Rite, also called the Malabar Chaldean Rite, is the Indian usage of the East Syriac Rite. It is currently employed in the Syro-Malabar Church, an Eastern catholic church of East Syriac Rite based in India. It originally developed as the rite of the Saint Thomas Christians of South India, who were part of the Church of the East, incorporating indigenous cultural elements into the East Syriac Rite. It was widely latinized following the Portuguese conquest in the 16th century. The Catholic Church officially began efforts to restore the ancient liturgy in the latter half of the 19th century. Since the last half of the 20th century there is an ongoing conflict between those who call for complete restoration of the pre-16th century rite and those who argue for a reformed Indianized rite or a brand new form of liturgy.