Autocephaly: Lit. “the state of self-heading”. The natural property of an ecclesial body which is an independent and self-subsisting jurisdiction, with its Synod possessing the spiritual power to consecrate its Primate.

Bava: Primate, or a non-native Syriac prelate (archaic).

Catholicos: Primate of an Eastern ecclesial body, overseeing an independent jurisdiction. Also known as Catholicos-Patriarch, as a Catholicate's functions are similar to that of a Patriarchate's.

Edavaka: Parish, or diocese (archaic).

Granthavāri: Household or temple history in Travancore, typically written as an annal.

Kalpana: Pastoral circular or encyclical, issued by a prelate.

Kasheesha: Priest, typically a monastic priest (archaic).

Kathanar: Priest, typically a married vicar.

Malankara: Southern region of the Western Ghats and its ecclesial communities. May have been the name of a historical coastal village near modern-day Ernakulam. Also spelled Malayankara, Maleyankara, Maleyamkara, and Maliamkara.

Malpan: Revered scholar, theologian, and philologist who is authorised by the Church as a formal teacher.

Maphrian: Syriac counterpart for Catholicos. Also known as Maphrian-Catholicos or Maphrian-Patriarch.

Padiyola: Formal and collective decree, typically written on a strip of talipot palm leaf.

Puthenkur: Misnomer for the Miaphysite Orthodox of Malankara, in contrast to Pazhayakur, which refers to the Old Uniates (i.e. Syro-Malabar).

Ramban: Ordained priest-monk (hieromonk), typically a learned monk who is also a recognised spiritual figure. Note that not all priest-monks in Malankara are rambans.

Stathikon: Written credential of confirmation issued to a bishop by the Primate. Also spelled sthathikon, stathicon, and sustathikon.

Yogam: Popular assembly or gathering.