well ecclesiastics as secular procurators, signed, subscribing them with their own hands before the whole assembly. The Synod consisted of eight hundred and thirteen persons, namely, one hundred and thirty-three priests, besides twenty deacons, sub-deacons, and others of the clergy; and six hundred and sixty procurators of the people, and other principal men of the laity, besides the inhabitants of the town of Diamper, where the Synod was held, and of several other neighbouring villages. There were likewise present the Portuguese, whose arrival from Cochin was mentioned at the beginning of the Synod. These, together with all the other magistrates of the city, are said to have assisted at the Synod, but it is not explained in what manner. It is hard to imagine what service they could render, unless to augment the prelate's train, and overawe opponents. This ceremony did not pass off quietly, some opposition being offered by several persons in the assembly, headed by the cattanar, who at the end of the second Session had endeavoured to resist the introduction of the Roman creed. A similar attempt was now made to oppose the signing of the Decrees, and the refractory persons began to assemble under the porch of the church. Menezes desired them to be called in; and, with his usual address, partly by persuasion, and partly by threats, he finally induced them all to subscribe. The Decrees being signed, the Archbishop rose up, and having taken off his mitre, knelt down before the high altar, and began the Te Deum, "with which, to the great joy, it is said, of all present, was begun a solemn procession round the church, the people, besides the Te Deum, singing some other anthems. In this A. D. 1599. CHAP. I. service, those of the Roman communion sang in Latin; the cattanars, in Syriac; and the Syrian laity, who joined in with some of their own festive songs, sang in Malayalim, or Malabar. But though their languages differed, Gouvea affirms, that they all with one voice blessed the Lord, and in their joy shed abundance of tears. Their varied praises ascended with a unity of faith, all being alike rejoiced at their having at last obtained that, which they had so long desired of Almighty God, Three persons, and One nature, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, who liveth and reigneth for ever. Amen." This historian of the Synod relates moreover, that on the present occasion there took place a remarkable miracle. A heavy rain had been falling for some days: and it did not seem likely that during such weather they would be able to leave the church. The person who carried the cross having stopped at the door, some of the Christians, who were much addicted to omens, began to say, that it was manifest that God did not approve of their union with the Portuguese. This remark, says Gouvea, was very uncalled for, as the rain had already been falling for some days. However, the speech was no sooner reported to the Archbishop, together with the hesitation of the people to move on, than he ordered the procession to go forward. When, no sooner was the cross taken from under the porch, than, marvellous to relate, the rain ceased, and the weather became the finest in the world. Not an individual was wet: no, not even the bearer of the cross, who led the procession. This miracle caused the murmurs of the people instantly to cease, and drew tears of devotion and joy from the eyes of the whole assembly." Gouvea is the only authority for this notable incident, no mention being made of it in the History of the Synod, which is authenticated by the papal authorities; nor did Menezes allude to it in his address to the people at the close of the procession. It is very unlikely that he should have been silent upon such a confirmation of his proceedings, had it actually occurred before the eyes of the whole assembly. His silence may, therefore, be regarded as no dubious proof, that the historian has given us either an invention of his own, or a rumour of the credulous multitude. He had sagacity enough to see that it would raise the credit of his hero, and please those for whom he wrote his history. After the procession, the Archbishop, returning to the high altar, read the prayer, Exaudi quæsumus, Domine, as contained in the Pontifical. He then resumed his seat upon the throne, with the mitre on his head, and his pastoral staff in his hand; and, directing his discourse to the people, said, "I give many thanks to Almighty God, the author of all good things, for the great favour that He has now vouchsafed to me, to you, and to all the faithful people of this bishopric, in permitting us to celebrate this Synod, maugre all the impediments which Satan, the enemy of souls, had created to obstruct it, by stirring up contentions and debates on purpose to separate this christian community from the union of the Catholic church, and to keep them in their old errors, as you all very well know. I do also give many thanks to God, for His having been pleased to order matters so, that this whole affair should end with so much joy, peace and concord, as you all see it does; and so much to the sorrow of infidel and idolatrous A. D. 1599. I. Instructs the Syrian in the and pro kings, and of all the other enemies of our holy He then rose up, and "with abundance of tears, gave his solemn blessing to the people. After that, the Archdeacon with a loud voice said, Let us depart in peace: to which the whole Synod answered, in the name of Christ, Amen." Thus ended this celebrated Diocesan Synod, on the 26th of June, in the year 1599. 3. Menezes then named those curates whom ecclesiastics he wished to retain about him, and twelve of Roman the oldest and most respectable of the laymen. ceremonials, Of these he selected eight, who had been most vides them useful to him in the Synod, to be his confidential advisers. He also laboured most diligently to instruct the whole of the ecclesiastics in the Similar in- practice of auricular confession, and other Roman ceremonies, now to be introduced into their church. This, however, it is confessed, he with what was re quired for the services. structions sent to those not present. found no easy task, owing to their ignorance of these customs, and of the Latin language but the Jesuits of his company assisted him, accommodating their ceremonies to the present circumstances and necessities of the church. When they were thought sufficiently instructed in these matters, the Archbishop, in fulfilment of what had been decreed, gave to each of the vicars that had been nominated to different churches, a stone altar, which he consecrated, pretending that their former altars had not been duly set apart for the service. They received also a box with the vessels of holy oils, together with directions how to use them. Each was, moreover, provided with a "Book of the administration of the Sacraments," according to the Roman forms, translated into Chaldee and Syriac; and another which contained the whole Christian doctrine in the Malabar tongue, for the instruction of children and others; a surplice also was given to each, to be used in the administration of the sacraments, this vestment having never before been in use among them. The churches were likewise furnished with corporals, vestments, frontals, cups, and whatever else was deemed necessary for the ministrations of the altar, according to the customs of Rome. Most of the churches in the diocese were without these things, the ceremonies for which they were intended being new to them till introduced by the Romanists. The prelate then dismissed the clergy; and after their departure, he sent similar instructions, and all things necessary for the new services, to the priests that had not attended the Synod. At the same time they were commanded to submit to the decrees which had been ordained, A. D. 1599. |