Mor Shabor & Mor Aphrohot  (9th century)

In early 9th century the Syriac fathers Mor Shabor and Mor Aphrohot reached Malankara with a group of immigrants, at the famous trade center in South Kerala, Kollam, India.  On their arrival they were accorded certain privileges and rights by the local Ruler. That they were saintly persons amply proven by the fact that there were many churches in their names which is corroborated by the records of the decisions of the 'Synod of Diamper (Udayamperoor)'. 

There is a view that these fathers were Nestorians.  This is only because, the Holy fathers were mentioned as Nestorian heretics at the Synod of Diamper convened by the Romans in 1599.  But the fact is that Nestorians too, don't recognize them as one among them. The names of these fathers do not figure in the list of Nestorian bishops sent abroad during the period, given by historian Assemani. Also Fr. Placid, the Roman Catholic historian and M. V. Paul who attempted a history of the Church of the East, do not include the names of these two Bishops in the list of Nestorian bishops who visited Malabar.  Till now, their venerated memory of these Holy fathers is being celebrated by the Syrian Orthodox Church in Malankara, India only.  While Roman Catholics disowned them and the Nestorians disclaim them, the Malankara Syrian Church had their annual festival celebrated on the 2nd October every year, in the Mor Shabor & Mor Aphrohot church at Akaparambu, in the diocese of Angamali.

According to one tradition, the Malayalam Calendar era (Kolla Varsham) started with these holy fathers who settled at Kollam in AD 825.