Nasrani Messiah: The Epic Journey of the Lost Tribes of Israel on the Malabar Coast
About this audiobook
Nasrani Messiah: The Untold Story of an Ancient Jewish-Christian Legacy
For centuries, a unique Jewish-Christian community thrived around the ancient city of Nineveh, preserving Israeli customs, traditions, language, and worship. Known as Nasranis, followers of Jesus the Nazarene, their identity became etched in history through the Arabic letter "ن" (Noon)—a symbol of resilience in a turbulent world.
Nineveh, once the grand capital of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires, was where the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel were exiled. Centuries later, many of these exiled Israelites embraced the radical teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, forming a distinct community that upheld its Judaic heritage while adopting the Christian faith. Across the ocean, along the lush Malabar Coast of southwestern India, another group, the Nasranis of Malabar, emerged, mirroring the same customs, religious traditions, and language of devotion.
Based on 12 years of extensive research, Nasrani Messiah draws from hundreds of historical sources, including ancient manuscripts in English, Aramaic, Arabic, and Portuguese. The author combines meticulous fact-checking, immersive fieldwork, and first-hand experiences living among Nasrani communities to present an unparalleled ethnogenetic study.
This book explores how the Nasranis preserved their Jewish-Christian identity, maintaining traditions such as Pesaha (Jewish Passover), endogamous practices, and liturgical rites in Syriac and Aramaic—all despite Portuguese suppression at the Synod of Diamper, where they were labelled "Sabbath-keeping Judaizers."
Blending history, genetics, culture, and theology, Nasrani Messiah challenges conventional Christian narratives and examines the Nasranis' connections to the Lost Tribes of Israel. With groundbreaking genetic research, the book reveals how modern DNA evidence links Nasrani ancestry to these ancient Israelite exiles.
The author, an experienced journalist, presents these findings in an engaging and accessible narrative. Enhanced with maps and visuals, this book is more than a historical analysis—it is a gripping journey through the forgotten heritage of one of the world’s most intriguing religious communities.
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About the author
Santimon Jacob is an accomplished journalist, whose career spans several decades and traverses multiple continents. His journey in journalism began at a regional newspaper in South India shortly after he completed his university studies. His passion for storytelling and global events took him to the heart of some of the world’s most significant moments, including Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, where he was one of only three print media journalists from India accredited by the UK-US Coalition Forces to report from conflict zones in Iraq.
Eager to deepen his expertise, Santimon pursued advanced studies in journalism at Nottingham Trent University, further honing his craft. His career highlights include a distinguished tenure as a principal correspondent in the Vatican and Rome, where he provided in-depth coverage of pivotal international events.
An intrepid traveller and author, Santimon has visited over 50 countries, including some of the world’s most turbulent regions, such as Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Israel, and Palestine. These experiences have informed his insightful and thought-provoking works, including four previously published books.
Santimon currently resides in England with his wife, Dr. Sindhu Joy, where he continues to explore the intersections of history, identity, and global affairs.
