St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India
Subtitle: Malabar Christians Apostle St. Thomas Kerala
Contributors: Chief. Ed. Indian Church History Classics, Ed. Christian Contribution to Nation Building, Ed. in Charge Deepika Indian Christian Directory, Organiser of Museums
Edition: Hard Bound
Series: yes
Publisher: The St. Thomas Christian encyclopaedia of India , Ollur, Thrissur City 680306 India
Published: Vol.2 1973, Vol. 1 1982, Vol. 3 2009
Place of publication: Trichur & Ollur
Language: eng
Description: It encompasses within a single work our present knowledge of every aspect of Indian Christianity... Its faith,liturgy,scripture....the culture,habits,trends it has given birth to its contribution to art, architecture, language, literature, music, education.. to art, philosophy, social service... every other feature of the great Christian Tradition in India... from the most distant past to the present day... from its hold on the far North to its heroic story in the far South... its origins and spread in the West and East of the subcontinent... and its successes and failures in taking the message to hitherto unapproachable areas especially under the changed Indian circumstances now obtaining.

The St.Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India is a reference work on India in general and on Indian Christianity in Particular. In addition to a wealth of statistical information and directory material, specialist essays have been contributed by hundreds of Archaeologists, Anthropologists, Artists, Historians, Educators, Biographers, Lexicographers and Researchers.
 
 
" Whatever your interest in the world of Indian Christianity you will find it in this vast word and picture library."
 
To bring together the vast store of knowledge required to fulfill the Encyclopedia's purpose, an editorial board was constituted consisting of some of the best minds in the field. In order to ensure the authenticity of each entry the editors enlisted the aid of an editorial advisory board of scholars representing the most distinguished men in the world of Christianity. 

The most brilliant authorities in India and abroad have contributed their special knowledge through hundreds of definitive articles. Whenever possible the person most closely associated with a particular subject was chosen to write upon it.
 
 
" The classic often considered as the begetter of most recent books and reference works in the field."
 
Separate articles on each Church, Denomination, Mission, State, Area , Organization, Movement, Saint, Pioneer, Missionary… Many articles on land, people, history, culture, scripture, liturgy, art, architecture, archaeology, dialogue, Indianization, evangelization, ecumenism, anthropology, sculpture, education, social service, Indology, traditions, customs, manners, world religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Islam,…

"A comprehensive word and picture gallery."

The pages of  the Encyclopedia are illustrated with vivid, on the spot photographs and paintings in glorious full colour and striking black & white reproductions, in addition to the many sketches, charts, maps, tables and diagrams.

A necessary acquisition for all theological and university libraries - Curtis Bochanyin, Divinity Librarian, University of Chicago
 
·         The STCEI, without question, fills a major qap for reference works on Indian Church History. We are eagerly looking forward to the 3rd volume. - Newland F. Smith, Librarian for Collection Development, United Library, lllnois
 
·         STCEI is a long awaited and much needed reference title for all libraries of religion and theology. It is thorough in its coverage of Christianity in India. Its articles are autographed and authoritative. Valuable too are the bibliographies accompanying most of the articles .. rich with maps, tables, and plates. A highly recommended reference tool for hard to obtain information - Kenneth O’Malley, C.P.,Library Director,Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.
 
·         A great and indispensable need of the hour - Valerian Cardinal Gracias
 
·         The authoritative articles, reproductions of ancient documents and the colour pictures will make the work very valuable
- Joseph Cardinal Parecattil
 
·         I want to commend to you a good reference book on Christianity in India . 1 know nothing better on that subject than the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India .. It is compendious and comprehensive, scholarly and ecumenical. Some of the best scholars in India and abroad have contributed. There are numerous high quality illustrations and maps .. It covers the whole ground - history, culture, customs, divisions, art, architecture, music, parish, life, liturgical vestments, Christian traditional occupations, dance and drama, institutions, statistics - the coverage is remarkable, and the reliability of the information very high ... It is a tool worth having for any library, for any scholar interested in the history of Christianity, for anyone interested in understanding India and its religious heritage - Paulos Mar Gregorios (Dr. Paul Verghese), Orthodox Theo. Coll. Principal and sometime President - the World Council of Churches
 
·         Like Veda Vyasa the Editor has brought together almost all the information that exist about Indian Christianity into an ordered whole for the first time…Antony Cardinal Padiara, the First Major-Archbishop
 
·         A wealth of essential information difficult if not Impossible to come across else where - Revue D’Histoire Eccl., Louvain, Belgium
 
·         It is a lavishly produced work, much better produced than what usually comes from India ... The whole approach is ecumenical both in intent and content - Eastern Churches Review. London, U.K.
 
·         The work is emphatically recommended - Kyrios Berlin, Germany
 
·         Each major article is written by an expert - - R. N. S., New York, N. Y.
 
·         An extra ordinary publishing achievement of lndian Christianity - USCC Bullettin. Washington, D.C.
 
·         A monumental work containing significant information - Baltimore Review
 
·         All the facts about Christian India - The Universe, London
 
·         Exhaustive, historical, sociological, liturgical, archaeological and cultural information - Ostkirchlihe Studien.Wiursburg
 
·         All these are treated with scholarly serenity by competent contributors - The Hindu. Madras
 
·         Authoritative volumes worth possessing - The Journal of Dharma
 
·         It is a big mirror in which is seen reflected a panoramic view of the historical, social, cultural and religious facets of the Christian community -  All India Radio
 
·         ...contributions are quite outstanding and even throw new light on well-known subjects - The Clergy Monthly
 
·         The most important feature of the Encyclopaedia is its pioneering probe into the antiquities of Christianity - P. Thomas
 
·         The best authorities in each denomination were invited to tell their story without the editorial cuts - - Metropolitan Mar Aprem
 
·         An exhaustive research tool that can be universally recommended - M. M. Thomas
 
·         Where governments and universities have failed the loving labour of a few individuals has triumphed - M. G. S. Narayanan in the Mathrubhoomi Weekly
 
·         Authoritative articles by Indian as well as Western authors deal with every aspect of Christianity in India - The Indian Express
 
·         It is to be respected as an extraordinary work of great importance - The Malayala Manorama
Notes: Large no. of end notes and bibliographies
Large no. of photos both B&W and full colour
Table of contents: value: Yes