✝  ܒܝܬ ܐܦܪܝܡ ܢܨܪܝܐ ܕܝܪܐ

Beth Aprem
Nazrani Dayra

Guardians of the Ancient Syriac Christian Tradition

A sacred monastery and Syriac study centre at Palai Diocese, Kerala — preserving the timeless heritage of Kerala's Saint Thomas Christians through language, liturgy, and spiritual formation since 1999.

25+
Years of Heritage
2000+
Years of Tradition
∞
Living Heritage
Discover Our Mission Our Programs
Beth Aprem Nazrani Dayra campus in Kerala
Syriac Studies Centre Est. around 1999 · Kottayam
East Syriac Liturgy ceremony at Beth Aprem Nazrani Dayra
1999
Founded
✝ About Us

A Heritage Centre for Ancient Faith

✦

Beth Aprem Nazrani Dayra is a unique monastic centre and religious school located in the Kappumthala, Kattampack area of Kottayam district, Kerala — near the historic town of Kuravilangad.

Founded around 1999 by Fr. Dr. Thomas Koonammakkal, a renowned Syriac scholar and priest, the Dayra was established as a living sanctuary for the ancient East Syriac traditions of Kerala's Saint Thomas Christians (Nazranis) — one of the oldest Christian communities in the world.

Here, all worship and prayers are conducted in the Syriac language — an Aramaic dialect closely related to the language spoken by Jesus Christ. This makes the Dayra one of the rarest living expressions of apostolic Christian heritage in India.

🕊️
Monastic Centre

A place of deep prayer, silence, and Syriac Language Learning.

📖
Syriac Language School

Formal and informal Syriac language training for all.

⛪
Liturgical Practice

Living East Syriac Holy Qurbana traditions preserved.

📜
Research & Heritage

Nazrani history and Syriac manuscripts.

✝ Our Programs

What We Teach & Offer

✦

Rooted in the Apostolic tradition of Saint Thomas, our programs nurture faith, language, and liturgical identity.

🕊️

Syriac Language

Regular classes in Classical Syriac (Aramaic-based), enabling participants to read, write, and understand the sacred language of early Christianity and the original liturgical texts.

Language
⛪

East Syriac Liturgy

In-depth training in the Holy Qurbana — the ancient East Syriac Eucharistic rite — including its theology, rubrics, chants, and the movements and sacred vestments and architecture.

Liturgy
📜

Nazrani History

Comprehensive study of Kerala's Saint Thomas Christian heritage — from the Apostle Thomas's arrival in 52 AD through the Synod of Diamper, to the present living tradition of the Nazranis.

History
🙏

Spiritual Formation

Guided prayer life, meditation, and monastic spirituality rooted in the Desert Fathers tradition and the ascetic life of early Syriac Christianity.

Spirituality
🎵

Ancient Chants

Training in the traditional Syriac liturgical chants (Qala), including the ancient melodies of the Beth Gaza — the storehouse of Syriac sacred music passed down through centuries.

Music
📚

Monthly Seminars

Regular gatherings on spirituality, heritage, and Syriac studies open to students, laity, clergy, and researchers with lectures by distinguished scholars and theologians.

Seminars
Students & Youth
Lay Faithful
Clergy & Religious
Researchers & Scholars
"

To preserve the Syriac tradition is to keep alive the very breath of the Apostolic Church — the living voice of the first disciples of Christ.

— Fr. Dr. Thomas Koonammakkal, Founder

✝ Events & Activities

Upcoming Events

✦

Join us for prayer, learning, and community — all in the Syriac tradition

06 Apr

Weekly Class

Sunday Syriac Language Class

Open weekly Syriac language class for all levels — beginners to advanced. Includes reading, script, and pronunciation.

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Dayra Campus
13 Apr

Monthly Seminar

Nazrani Heritage: Saint Thomas & Kerala

A monthly seminar on the history of Saint Thomas Christians in Kerala — their origins, customs, and living tradition.

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Dayra Hall
20 Apr

Liturgy Training

Holy Qurbana Chant Workshop

Training in traditional Syriac liturgical chanting — the Beth Gazo melodies. Open to all cantors, deacons, and faithful.

4:00 PM – 6:30 PM Dayra Chapel
27 Apr

Spiritual Retreat

Day of Recollection & Prayer

A one-day silent retreat in the monastic tradition — Holy Qurbana, Lectio Divina, and guided meditation on Syriac scripture.

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Dayra Campus
04 May

Public Lecture

Syriac Manuscripts of Kerala

A public lecture on the ancient Syriac manuscripts preserved in Kerala — their content, history, and theological significance.

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Kottayam Town Hall
11 May

Annual Programme

Nazrani Heritage Day Celebration

Annual celebration of Nazrani heritage featuring Syriac drama, chant performances, paper presentations, and community feast.

All Day Event Dayra Grounds
View Full Calendar & Register
✝ Watch & Listen

Latest from Our YouTube Channel

✦

Syriac liturgy, lectures, chants, and heritage programmes — now online

Watch on YouTube
Watch on YouTube
Watch on YouTube
Watch on YouTube
Dayra Documents
✝ Our Founder

The Visionary Behind the Mission

✦

Founder · Director · Syriac Scholar

Fr. Dr. Thomas Koonammakkal

Fr. Dr. Thomas Koonammakkal is a distinguished Syriac scholar, theologian, and priest who has dedicated his life to the revival and preservation of the East Syriac Christian heritage of Kerala. Widely recognized in academic and ecclesiastical circles, he has authored numerous works on Syriac spirituality, history, and the liturgical traditions of the Nazrani community.

Under his leadership, Beth Aprem Nazrani Dayra has emerged as a nationally recognized centre for Syriac studies and a beacon for all who seek to reconnect with the living roots of Apostolic Christianity in India. His vision — that every Nazrani should know their language, their liturgy, and their history — continues to inspire hundreds of students and faithful.

"The Syriac tradition is not a museum piece — it is a living fire, passed from heart to heart, generation to generation, from the Apostle Thomas to us today."
✝ Contact Us

Get in Touch

✦

We welcome students, researchers, and all who wish to know more about our Syriac heritage programmes

Find Us

We are located in the heart of Kerala's Nazrani country.

Address

Beth Aprem Nazrani Dayra,
Kappumthala, Kattampack,
Near Kuravilangad,
Kottayam District, Kerala

Phone

+91 8848869901

Email

bethapremnazranidayra@gmail.com

Class Schedule

Regular Online Classes: 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Weekly Classes: Saturday & Sunday 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Send Us a Message

Whether you wish to enrol in a program, attend an event, or simply seek more information about our Syriac heritage centre — we would love to hear from you.

🕊️
All are Welcome
No prior Syriac knowledge needed
📖
Free Classes
Sunday Syriac classes are free
🙏
Genuine Heritage
Rooted in Apostolic tradition