Book Answers Questions on Pre-Portuguese Christianity in Goa Written by NT Network Tuesday, 17 November 2009 01:38
The new book, Apostolic Chris-tianity in Goa and the West Coast was recently released during the novena of Venerated Father Agnelo at Pilar. This work is not only historical but has spiritual dimensions, stated Professor and Head, Department of Philosophy and Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences at the Goa University, Dr A V Afonso on the occasion. Affirming that this booking is a path breaking study he further said that this book is a must-read by historians as well as lay people. The book is the fruit of a strenuous research of Father Cosme Jose Costa who discovered the St Thomas Cross in the village of Agasaim bore the Pahlavi script of the 7th century AD providing evidence that Christianity existed in Goa and the West Coast of India long before the arrival of the Portuguese in 1510. Against the common misconception that Christianity was introduced in Goa by the Portuguese, the pages of this book will take the reader to trace the presence of Christianity in Goa most probably from apostolic times. This is a period when Christianity was brought to India, immediately after its birth and even before its spread to other parts of the then known world, including Europe and even Rome. This research work also helps to understand the ancient roots of Goa, with the background of the millennial history of India, its contacts with the West, the ancient trade routes, the rulers and dynasties and all that led to the development of the complex Indian civilization, to which the Konkan was part. Dr A V Alponso, besides teaching Philosophy at the Goa University, CPIR has also taught at the University of Mumbai and other colleges that run under the Mumbai University for over three decades. Of late, he has edited a very comprehensive volume on Indian Christianity for the Centre for Studies in Civilizations, New Delhi, under their project of History of Indian Science, Philosophy and Culture, a project sponsored by the Government of India. The author is a member of the Society of the Missionaries of St Francis Xavier (Society of Pilar), and Professor of History of the World and of the Church at the All India Mission Seminary, Pilar. He has set up the Pilar Seminary Museum which projects the 2, 000-year-old history of the place. He has also written several books and contributed several research articles at history seminars and periodicals. Life and Achievements of Bl Joseph Vaz, A Missiological Conflict between Padroado and Propaganda in the East and Heritage of Govapuri are his other important publications. http://www.navhindtimes.in/buzz/5197-book-answers-questions-on-pre-portuguese-christianity-in-goa
