Way of Life

Author: Rev. Fr. Jacob Mathew, Ph.D.

In the Syriac Christian tradition, two foundational terms shape our understanding of vocation and way of life: ‘ʿOlmo’ and ‘Dayro’.

ʿOlmo (ܥܠܡܐ) means the world, not in a negative sense, but just life lived within society: family, work, relationships, and public responsibility.

Dayro (ܕܝܪܐ) refers to a monastic community, a monastery or nunnery, where monks or nuns live an ordinary life under a rule.

From these arise two descriptive terms:

• Dayroyo: one who lives in a Dayro—a monk or a nun
• ʿOlmoyo: one who lives in the ʿOlmo—the world

When ʿOlmoyo entered Malayalam through East Syriac pronunciation, it became “Almāyan.” Crucially, this term has nothing to do with ordination.

In the original Syriac understanding, Almāyan does not mean “non-clergy.” It simply means one who lives in the world rather than in a monastery.

The later habit of using Almāyan to mean “non-ordained person” is essentially a result of the Roman Catholic influence, shaped by the Western assumption that the priesthood is typically tied to a monastic or celibate life. That framework does not belong to the Syriac tradition.

In fact, within the Syriac ecclesial worldview, it is perfectly accurate and historically normal to speak of an “ʿOlmoyo Kohono”: A priest who lives in the world.

I am precisely that: an Almāya Priest who does not live in a Dayro but serves God and the community while remaining fully embedded in family, society, and the world.

Regarding priestly titles:

• Kohono (ܟܗܢܐ) means priest
• Kashisho (ܩܫܝܫܐ) also means priest (literally “elder”)

Through East Syriac pronunciation, these terms entered into Malayalam usage as Kahana and Kassissā, both referring to ordained priests.

A ‘Ramban’ is a monk with a full monastic profession, a complete ‘Dayaroyo.’ In fact, a Ramban need not be ordained either. He can be a fully non-ordained person, but will wear the monastic schema or a ‘Masnapsa’.

Long story short:

• Almāyan ≠ layperson
• Almāyan = one who lives in the world
• Priesthood and monasticism are distinct vocations
• A priest may be Dayroyo or ʿOlmoyo
• Both are fully authentic in the Syriac Christian tradition

This distinction is not merely linguistic—it reflects a deeply incarnational theology that affirms that holiness exists not only behind monastery walls but also within the ordinary rhythms of worldly life.