In the following video New Star Brass Band, Brahmavar, Udupi district of Karnataka presents “Axirvad Zôddlølo’ in honour of St. Roche Lopez Noronha (1847-1936). The trumpet solo is by Winston Suares, the troupe leader. Who is this St. Roche L. Noronha? To know him you must read the following brief historical note:
Konknnis (Konknni speakers) migrated from Goa to coastal Karnataka and Kerala from 13th century onwards for various reasons. Catholic Konknnis migrated from Goa to Coastal Karnataka 1570 onwards. They were under the Goa Archdiocese and served by the clergy of Goa. Goa archdiocese was under the jurisdiction of Padroado, namely, the Portuguese King or queen appointed the bishop and supported the maintenance of the clergy.
Brahmavar is a small town located in the Udupi district in the State of Karnataka in India. The town is 13 kilometres away from Udupi. In the year 1678, a Roman Catholic Church dedicated to Our Lady of Milagres was established in Kalyanpur by the Padroado Missionaries who were under the authority of the Portuguese king or queen. The Church was destroyed by Tippu Sultan in 1784, but was reconstructed in 1806.
In 19th century a few prominent Catholics residing in Mangaluru city wrote to Propaganda Fide of Vatican and complained that diocesan priests from Goa have neglected and not rendering their service to local Catholics who are inhabitants in Coastal Karnataka. Rome intervened and segregated the Coastal Karnataka areas from the jurisdiction of Padroado and brought them under the Propaganda Fide and began to appoint bishops and priests. Local Catholics who were used to the clergy from Goa, wanted to be under the Padroado jurisdiction. But finally, most of the parishes accepted the jurisdiction of Propaganda Fide.
The power struggle between Portuguese missionaries and Propaganda Communities had its effects on Brahmavar. The majority of the people supported the Portuguese Missionaries and the Padroado Community. They strongly opposed the Propaganda Fide and Pope. Those who supported the Propaganda Fide built Mount Rosary (1856) Church, which is only one kilometre away from the Milagres Church of Kalyanpur.
In 1886 a Concordat was signed between the Papacy and the Portuguese King by which the Milagres Church of Kalyanpur became part of the Propaganda Fide. Brahmavar Christians petitioned both the Pope and the Portuguese King to reconsider the decision, but Rome did not reply favourably. A number of Catholic families who were in favour of Padroado jurisdiction felt that the response from Rome was not at all satisfactory and it was an insult to them. As a result, many families of the Milagres Church, under the leadership of Fr Roche Lopes Noronha, protested against the Roman Catholic hierarchy. Later, Fr. Roche too was disowned by the Archdiocese of Goa.
Brahmavar Orthodox Church is a split faction from the Catholic Church formed under the leadership of Fr Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares (1836-1923). Fr. Antonio Alvarez who was a Roman Catholic priest of Goa at the time, opposed the Vatican policies and interference of the Government in Church administration. His pro-Independence periodicals which were also critical of the Roman Catholic Church were banned. He was excommunicated. He left the Church with some hundreds of Konknni speaking Catholic families from Goa, who were settled in the vicinity of Brahmavar, and joined the Malankara Orthodox Church. He understood the situation in Brahmavar and organised the discontented believers. Fr. Antonio Alvares was ordained as the first Orthodox Metropolitan of Goa, Ceylon and Greater India in 1889 A. D. by Paulose Mar Athanasius and Geevargheese Mar Gregorios of Parumala at the Orthodox theological seminary, Kottayam in the state of Kerala.
A new Church was built for the split group in Brahmavar. Fr Noronha was influenced by Fr Alvarez and he was very well attracted towards the teachings of the Orthodox Church. Fr. Noronha was given the leadership of the Brahmavar Orthodox Church, which had a membership of 4,000 families. In the year 1889 on Easter Day Fr. Noronha celebrated the Holy Mass in the newly built Orthodox Church. The split group of Brahmavar Konknni community has come into existence since then as a part of the Indian Orthodox Church. Presently, they are under the Brahmavar diocese. During my boyhood they were labelled as schismatics by the local Roman Catholics.
The little known Brahmavar Orthodox Community has a very special status in the history of the Malankara Orthodox Church. The Indian Church which for centuries had been confined within the boundaries of Kerala obtained a national outreach when the former Roman Catholic Priest, Antonio Alvarez from Goa and his community united with the Mother Orthodox Church and he received episcopal consecration as Metropolitan of the Diocese of Ceylon, Goa and India (Malabar excluded).
Fr. Alvarez was the first person to reunite with the Orthodox Church from the Roman Catholic Latin Rite in India. He devoted most of life serving leprosy patients and poor sections of society but he also fought a brave war to protect the Orthodox faith irrespective of the opposition inflicted on him and his followers by the Roman Catholic Church. Sadly, he died in reduced circumstances and was buried in Sant Inez, Panaji, cemetery, without receiving either an Orthodox Christian funeral or the traditional burial accorded to an Orthodox prelate. Today he is regarded as the hero of the Reunion Movement in India. Later his relics were recovered and moved to St Mary’s Orthodox Church at Ribandar, Panaji in 1979 under the direction of His Holiness Mar Thoma Matthews I, Catholicos of the East.
Fr. Noronha was born in Goa in 1850. After completing basic education, he joined the Rachol Seminary in Goa, having been awarded a scholarship. After completing his seminary education, he was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on 12 March 1881 by Bishop Thomas De Almeda. He served as the assistant vicar of Salvador do Mundo Church. Later Fr. Noronha became the Vicar of Ribandar Church and finally reached Brahmavar, where he was united with the Orthodox Church.
Fr. Noronha was a multi-functional personality. He was a great educator, a spiritual father, writer, and social reformer. Joining the Orthodox Church gave Padre Noronha great trouble. He was always threatened by the Roman Catholic Church but he was very much loved by the Brahmavar residents. He was very particular and strict about the Orthodox faith, especially the prayers and sacraments. He encouraged many people to participate in prayers through house visits. On many occasions the Catholic Church tried to entice Brahmavar Orthodox Christians to join the Roman Catholic Church by offering them rosaries, pictures of saints and other valuable gifts, but Fr. Noronha successfully blocked all attempts and confirmed his flock in the Orthodox faith.
He showed great vision in establishing educational institutions, and founded a school which was the first basic educational institution in Brahmavar. The school attracted many students irrespective of caste, creed or sex. Fr. Noronha provided great relief for many people who suffered from different kinds of diseases and treated many people, providing them with food and shelter. Hundreds found relief under his care.
Towards the end of his life, he suffered from diabetes. The Roman Catholic community tried to force him to come back to the Roman Church. Two years before his death it is recorded that a cross appeared on his back and on 23 July 1936 Fr. Roche Noronha died. He was buried at St Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral in Brahmavar. It is reported that a large number of people, especially non-Christians, have received blessings by his intercession after his death and even today many still seek favours at his tomb.
Fr. Alvares and Fr. Noronha who were both excommunicated by the Catholic Church in Goa, now have become the heroes and saints of the Malankara Orthodox Church and their feasts are celebrated!! Those who are considered as villains in one community, are recognised as heroes in their new community. History has many such examples. Saul who was an ardent Jew who hated and persecuted the Christians of the first century has become St. Paul and the great saint of the Christians.
Brahmavar Orthodox Christians have a number of peculiar characteristics with regard to their culture, tradition, life style and prayer habits. Along with the orthodox feasts (Perunnal), they also celebrate the memorial feast of Metropolitan Julius Alvarez (September 23) and Fr Noronha (July 23). All Orthodox prayers have been translated into Konknni and Kannada languages. There are two feasts which are celebrated as part of the Latin tradition, Memorial service of All Saints (1st November) and memorial service of All Souls (2nd November). The person who sponsors a major feast is known by the name ‘Sirginth’. He wears special dress and carries an artistic metallic stick during the procession.
Due to marriage relationships many Malankara Orthodox Church members have returned to the Roman Catholic church. Today there are around 850 Orthodox Christian families surviving in Brahmavar diocese of the Malankara Orthodox church. Their religious services are conducted in Konknni and Kannada. They have married clergy. But they have to marry before their diaconate. However, the bishop is chosen from the celibate priests only. Due to historical and ego problems the Konknni Catholics of Brahmavar area got divided into Roman Catholics and Malankara Orthodox Christians!!!
Pratap Naik, SJ
09 July 2021
