ST THOMAS, THE APOSTLE AND HIS SEVEN AND A HALF CHURCHES
History makes the past come alive in the present. Knowledge about the past is essential for understanding of the present. The Syro-Malabar Catholics who are at present dispersed through different parts of the globe have very few opportunities to learn about their past history. They do not have much opportunity to relive the ancient glories in their present situation. The new generation of the Diaspora Syro-Malabar Catholics very rarely gets opportunities to go through the rare glimpses of the rich heritage of their apostolic Church. This small book is a humble attempt to make available such rare but immensely valuable cultural and religious heritages to this generation of the Syro-Malabar migrant Catholics.
Seven and a half churches built by St Thomas in South India is an essential element of the faith deposit of the Syrian Christians of Kerala. Traditions regarding the mission of St Thomas and establishment of Christian communities are kept alive in all these places even today. They are valuable reminders for us of the glorious past of our Church. Yet, it is a sad fact that a majority of the Syrian Christians of Kerala and outside are not really aware of these rich treasures of tradition and history. This book hopes to rekindle in them an interest in the ancient past of the Church and to ignite in them a flame of earnest love for the Church. It is with this hope that a short history of the Syro-Malabar Church is given towards the end. May St Thomas our apostle bless all those who go through the pages of this book. There is a bouquet of love, respect and gratitude to all those who cooperated with this noble task.
St Thomas the Apostle of India
St Thomas one of the twelve apostles of Jesus is the founder of Christianity in India. ‘You will bear witness to me to the ends of the world’ were the parting words of Jesus and the apostles took it in the literal sense. They took the Gospel of Jesus to the ends of the then world. It was Thomas who went beyond the Roman Empire and gained India for Christ. He visited both the North and south India and established Christian communities.
The name Thomas is derived from the Aramaic ‘toma’ which meant twin. When this word was taken to Greek they transcribed it as ‘tomas’ and translated it as Didymos. It shows that the word could not be the original name of the apostle who is known by it. It could just be a surname added to his original name. The Lord himself must have given this title to the apostle, just as he gave the name Peter to Simon who thus came to be called Simon Peter by various authors. In this way Thomas was added to the original name and he began to be known by this compound name. This compound name Judas Thomas is seen in all the Syriac Thomas literature. Thus Judas was the original name and Thomas was added to it. The obvious reason was to distinguish him from the other Judas, as ‘Simon Peter’ was used to distinguish him from the other Simon.
St Thomas the Apostle established Christianity in India and the Christians of Kerala always considered him as their father in faith. In Kerala among the St Thomas Christians their apostle has always been called Marthoma. These Christians have a very special reverence and respect to the name of Thomas. It is almost a passion for them. At the same time there is also a strong tradition regarding the mission of Thomas in North India, sufficiently vindicated by historical facts. This tradition narrates the story of Thomas in North India mainly in the parts of present Afghanistan, Pakistan and Punjab. These traditions are mainly enshrined in the Acts of Thomas the apocryphal book written most probably in Edessa in the 3rd century AD. It is perhaps the first written account of the mission of an apostle other than those mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. It is also the one that has been come down to the present times in its entire form.
St Thomas Christians
By the expression the Thomas Christians is meant those Christians of India who trace their origin from the apostle Thomas. This phrase was first used by Christian missionaries from Europe to describe the Christians whom they discovered in India, more especially on the Malabar Coast. The Western Christians had heard fabulous stories about the Christianity in India. When they came into contact with these Christians and interacted with them, they understood that those people have many things different from them. They found that those Christians constituted a unique community which had a very great devotion to the apostle Thomas who established their church. Thus the name Christians of Thomas was given to them. Today all Christians in Kerala except those of the Latin tradition are the descendants of the ancient Thomas Christians. It is just the vicissitudes of history of the seventeen centuries that have brought them under different churches and denominations.
By the expression St Thomas Christians are meant not only those who claim to be descendants of the converts of St Thomas, but also those who have been at different times brought to faith by the same or have become one with the same. Thus, we come to the conclusion that by the expression Thomas Christians is meant those Christians who claim to be descendants of the direct converts of St Thomas the Apostle, and the Christians who joined these groups later, and who are spread about in different parts of India and abroad.
The home of St Thomas Christians
Though today one uses the expression Thomas Christians in a restricted sense to mean the Christians belonging to the Oriental Eastern rites of Kerala, there are references to hold the view that people known as Christians of Thomas existed in different parts of India for many centuries. Today St Thomas Christians are seen everywhere, as the industrious and zealous Christians of Kerala, more especially those of the Eastern catholic rites, migrated to different parts of the world in search of job opportunities. Thus they are seen in USA, in Great Britain, in all other countries of Europe, and Middle and Near East. All these Christians hail from the erstwhile Malabar which was traditionally said to be the home of ancient Thomas Christians. But, there are historical proofs for the existence of Christians named after the apostle in many different parts of India besides the Malabar Coast.
Did Thomas come to India?
There are several people who doubt whether St Thomas actually came to India. Their skepticism is without reason. India in the first century AD was a well known country in the Western world. There were different trade routes that connected a few important centers of India with different cities in Europe and Middle East. When there were several possibilities for a person to travel to India which was a country well known for its riches and religions, why should not Thomas make his voyage to India if the Apostles had veritably decided to go to all parts of the world fulfilling Lord’s command to preach to the ends of the world? A whole lot of ancient literature, testimonies of several Fathers of the Church, all the traditions about the apostle in India and outside cannot go wrong when they say that Thomas is the Apostle of India. People who are not able to believe the writings of authors who were closer to the apostolic and patristic age, will not be able to believe the writings of the present scholars of Church History however convincing their arguments are. The most important evidence for the mission of Thomas in India is the existence of a community which is passionate in its claim of Thomasian apostolicity. Lingering of the traditions in several places of India even after the total disappearance of the Christian communities is added evidence. More over there are no rival claimants for the mission of Thomas to oppose the Indian mission of Thomas. All other traditions about the mission of Thomas in other places, in Persia, in China, in Socotra, are just complementary to the Indian story. They never contradict the Indian tradition, instead they just complement it. There could be only one historical conclusion: if Thomas belongs to history, he travelled to India. Only one question is enough to convince the skeptics. Why did the author of the Acts of Thomas, writing from Edessa, the city which boasted of the presence of the relics of Thomas, the city which gave rise to all other books of Thomasian literature, write that Thomas went to India?
In addition, we have several other evidences to prove the historicity of the coming of Thomas to India. The tomb of St Thomas at Mylapore near Chennai, the families who claim to have descended from the first converts of the Apostle Thomas, the tradition about the seven churches built by Thomas, the ballads and songs that describe the work of Thomas in Kerala etc are a few among them.
How did he come?
There were two possible routes to India. One was the traditional land route which was called the silk route. The other was the maritime route which was known as spice route. Thomas most probably took the maritime route from Alexandria via Berenike, Myos Hormos, Adulis, and Kane. Reaching India he first landed at Bharuch (Barygaza) and led his way via Vidisa, Ujjain, and Mathura to Taxila. From Taxila he went back to Jerusalem and then on a second voyage reached Muziris (Kudungallur in Kerala) via Socotra in 52 AD. From Kodungallur he went over to other parts of Kerala and established Christian communities. He crossed over to Coromandel Coast and preached his way through Madras and was martyred in 72 AD at Mylapore where his body was laid to rest by his disciples in the church built by himself.
Seven and a Half Churches
The most important tradition about the Apostle Thomas in Kerala is that of the seven and a half churches built by him. There are today eight churches in South India which claim to have been built by Thomas. They are Kodungallur, Kollam, Niranam, Nilackal, Kottakkavu, Kokkamangalam, Palayur and Thiruvamcodu. Among these the one at Thiruvamcodu is called half church.
Among these places Kodungallur and Niranam were great trade centers of Kerala in the first century AD. All of them had a considerable Jewish population which could have attracted Thomas to these places. All of them were either on coastal areas or on important trade routes. Still today several trials of ancient Christian presence are seen in all these places. A short journey through these places will convince one about the veracity of the traditions about the St Thomas in Kerala.
Whether St Thomas actually built churches in these places is also an interesting question. He might not have actually built any building as church. Neither was it possible in the cultural context of Kerala in the first century AD. No religious buildings had existed in Kerala at that time. In the first century AD majority of the population of Kerala were those who followed the Dravidian religions which did not have any building for worship. What they had was just kavukal where pujas were made to please different deities. Possibly St Thomas converted these kavukal into Christian places of worship by erecting crosses. Thus the statement that St Thomas built seven churches simply means that he established Christian communities in seven places.
A Journey Through Seven and a Half Churches
1.Kodungallur
Kodungallur is situated in the Malabar Coast in South West India, in the present state of Kerala. This city was a famous emporium of trade in the first century AD, when it was known as Muziris which is mentioned in all the ancient writings. Pliny, Periplus etc speak of it as a great city thriving in commerce of spices and cotton. There was even a temple dedicated to Emperor Augustus at Muziris according to the Table of Peutingeria. The ancient Tamil poem Silappatikaram speaks of the large Yavana ships lying anchored at the harbour of Muziris. Pliny described it as primun emporium Indiae, the first port of India. It was known in Ramayana as Muchiripattanam, in Tamil texts of the first centuries as Muchiri, in the Jewish Copper Plate Grants as Muyirikotta and during the second Chera Empire as Mahodayapuram and Mahodyapattanam. Foreign travellers and writers used to call it Muziris. Situated on the banks of the river Periayr it once remained as the synonym of India’s splendour and fame. It was a cosmopolitan city inhabited by people from different countries of the world. It was also home to different religions that reached India from outside. The port of Muziris or Kodungallur was destroyed in the flood of 1341. St Thomas church that existed here when the Portuguese reached Kerala was destroyed by the Muslims in their fight against the Portuguese for the control of trade in Kerala ports. Yet there remain many Christian monuments that remind us of the apostolic origin of Christianity in Kerala.
Tradition
St Thomas who reached Kodungallur in 52 AD after having preached the Gospel for a brief time travelled to Mylapore in the Coromandal Coast which at that time belonged to the Chola Kings of South India where as Kodungallur was the capital of the Chera Kings. (There are some traditions according to which the Apostle first reached Mylapore and then travelled to Kodungallur). It is said the apostle made a voyage to China from Mylapore and returned after a few years. While he was preaching at Myalpore Keppa the Son-in-Law of the King Cheraman Perumal reached there and requested him to come back to Kerala. Thus he reached back Kodungallur with Keppa and preached the Gospel, converted and baptized several Brahmins. Maliekal Thomas Ramban was one among them. There have been priests in all generations of this family and this Thomas is said to be the author of Song of Thomas Ramban (Rambanpattu). Thomas maintained good relationship with the Jews of Kodungallur and gave baptism to forty Jewish families. A synagogue and temple were turned into Christian churches.
We shall make a brief survey of the main Christian monuments in and around Kodungallur.
St Thomas Shrine, Azhikode
The greatest attraction to the pilgrims at Kodungallur is the Marthoma Shrine situated very close to the Boat Jetty of Azhikode on the banks of the backwaters which offers a splendid view. The shrine built after the model of St Peter’s, Vatican is a real treat to the eyes. It was constructed and run by the CMI Congregation in 1953. In the same year a relic of St Thomas, a part of the arm of the Apostle, was brought from Ortona, Italy and placed in the shrine by Cardianl Eugine Tisserant, the then Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. It is honoured with great devotion by thousands of pilgrims who come here every day. A light and sound show depicting the mission of Thomas in India is another great attraction at Marthoma Nagar, Azhikode. The pilgrims are also offered opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the sprawling backwaters by a ride on one of the boats arranged for the same.
St Mary’s Church, Sringapuram
St Mary’s Church established in 1954 belongs to the diocese of Irinjalakuda. It was reconstructed in 2004. All efforts have been made here to relive the fond memories of the visit of Thomas the Apostle in this place. The Church itself is constructed in the ancient architectural style of Kerala. A grotto is constructed in front of the Church to commemorate the arrival of Thomas at Kodungallur. Events connected with the life of Thomas are beautifully depicted in side the church on the side walls. In front of the church just near the entrance the words are written, “Kodungallur church was founded by St Thomas the Apostle in AD 52. He came here, proclaimed the word of God and established Kodungallur church. It is the first among the seven churches and the cradle of Christian faith in India”. There is also a stone tablet with the following inscriptions, “St Thomas, an apostle of Jesus reached here in AD 52. He preached the Gospel and erected a cross here”.
St Thomas chapel, Maliankara
Maliankara is the place where according to tradition Thomas disembarked in Kerala. It is at present a small village near Moothakunnam. There is a small chapel constructed on the banks of the river Periyar close to the Maliankara Bridge. The Latin diocese of Kottapuram owns this church. There is a huge cut out St Thomas on the side of the Road close to the bridge. The words “The Maliankara church built by St Thomas in AD 52” are written in big letters in three languages. There is another inscription inside the chapel erected by Cardinal Tisserant. Standing in front of the chapel one actually gets the feeling that it is here that St Thomas disembarked.
Thus Kodungallur and its environs offer to the visitors and the pilgrims a few glimpses into the historical remnants of the ancient Christian community at Kodungallur and a few vestiges of the traditions of Apostle Thomas.
2. Kollam (Quilon)
Kollam, also known as Quilon or Desinganadu, is the place which takes the credit for being the hub of India’s cashew trading and processing industry. Affording an impeccable blend of scenic surrounding, tradition and hospitality, Kollam is often referred to as the dreamland of Kerala. It is considered as one of the oldest ports on the Malabar Coast and has long been drawing the attraction of international countries. The town served as the leading spice market in medieval and modern times. The name of the place that is Kollam, is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit word Kollam meaning pepper. The present town area is believed to have been built by a Syrian merchant, Sapir Iso, in the 9th century A.D. Kollam in South Kerala had been a great hub of international trade. While Muziris belonged to Chera Kings in the first century AD Kollam belonged to the Pandiyan King. It is the place where the river Kallada which originates from the Western Ghats joins the sea. Kollam was connected through backwaters with Kodungallur and Palayur in the north. The present church with the Thomas tradition belongs to the Kollam Latin diocese.
Tradition
From Maliankara Thomas went in the direction of Kollam. There should have been trading boats sailing to Kollam from Muziris and the Apostle might have boarded one of these boats. When the apostle reached there the most important people were the trading class called chettiars. Thomas baptised several of them. Several people from other communities also received baptism from the apostle. The apostle constructed a church for them. People from nearby places like Kallada, Mannadi, Enaar, Pattazhi also became Christians. A few people who resisted the preaching of Thomas left this place and went to live at Nanchinadu. Thomas preached the Gospel at Kollam for one year. He baptized almost 1400 people. A miracle also is reported to have been performed by the apostle here. The preaching and the resulting conversion had created jealousy among a few people towards the apostle. They plotted against him. An unmarried woman had given birth to an illegitimate child. The enemies used this as a chance to defame the apostle. They forced the woman and her parents to name the apostle as the father of the child. When the case was brought before the village assembly, the apostle asked the child who its father was. The new born child pointed its fingers to a man in the crowd and told that he was its father. The man then confessed his crime and people believed in the apostle.
Port Kollam Church
The Church of Our Lady of Purification or Port Kollam Church is situated at the place where St Thomas established the first church at Kollam. The present church does not boast of antiquity. Yet, attempts have been made to keep the traditions alive. The present church is situated on the sea shore. There existed a church here till 9th century which was destroyed by the waves of the sea. The remains of this church can be seen even today a few hundred meters from the sea, when the waves recede, according to the local people.
Marthoma smruthimandapam (St Thomas Shrine and reliquary)
The marthoma smruthi mandapam is built outside the Church, on the side of the road to commemorate the arrival of Thomas at Kollam. The relic of the Apostle is placed here for veneration. The story of the arrival of Thomas at Kollam and the various miracles he performed are inscribed on the walls of the shrine. The verses from Rambanpattu which describe the beginning of Christian community at Kollam also are written down. The ancient history of the church of Kollam also figures in the mural writings.
Out side the shrine on the compound wall of the church are narrated the traditions about the seven churches of Kerala. Though its legibility is on decline, one has to appreciate the efforts made to relive the traditions of the Apostle at Kollam.
3. Niranam
Niranam is a village in Central Travancore region in Kerala, India. It was a port in ancient Kerala, on the confluence of the Manimala and Achankovil River. It is almost 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Tiruvalla in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala. It is situated five kilometres east on the Thriuvalla-Mavelikkara Road. The ancient port city of Kerala called Nelcynda, the second in Kerala after Muziriz, is equated with Niranam by many people. Recent studies showed that Nakkida a small village now at the confluence of rivers Achankovil, Pampa and Manimala was the ancient Nelcynda. This Nakkida is just a few kilometres away from Niranam. There was a canal which was navigable in the ancient days running through Niranam. This canal called Kottechal is still extant but is in disuse. It is believed that St Thomas disembarked at Niranam at a place called Thomathukadavu of this canal.
Tradition
The Apostle turned towards Niranam from Kollam. At Trikpaleswar near Niranam there was a Hindu temple and several Brahmin families lived there. Four main nambudhiri families, namely, Pattamukku, Thayyil, Manki, Matathilan, received baptism from the Apostle in the near by Nerkadavu. The other Brahmin families who did not receive baptism left this place after having collected the documents of their possessions and entrusted them with a Nayar chief called Kaimal. He is thence forward called Niranam Pettikaimal. After having erected a cross and consecrated a place for worship, the apostle went to Chayal (Nilakkal). While he was at Nilakkal the enemies uprooted the cross of Niranam and threw it in the river. The cross floated over the water for some day and reached on the side of the river. The apostle when he got news of it came and erected the cross in the place where it was discovered. He built a church also in that place. The present St Mary’s Church is said to stand in that place. Thomas gave baptism to 1400 people in this place. Before going away he appointed Thomas as the Ramban at Niranam.
Thomathukadavu
Thomathukadavu is situated two kilometres away from Niranam on the banks of Kottechal. It got this name as it is the place where the Apostle landed at Niranam. A person standing at this place will be automatically taken back into the history of two thousand years. The main attraction here is the ST Thomas ecumenical Art gallery built to commemorate the arrival of the Apostle at Niranam. Events connected with the life and ministry of Thomas are depicted in this gallery.
St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Church, Niranam belongs to the Orthodox Church. Above the main gate of the Church these words are written down. “St Mary’s Orthodox Church, Niranam founded by St Thomas in AD 54”. There is a big stone cross in front of the church. It is really very old. It is one among the most ancient stone crosses of India. This church itself is built on the site where the Apostle established the first church of Niranam. The present church is said to the fourth one at this site. On the walls of the church these words are inscribed on stone. “St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church Niranam, founded in AD 54 by St Thomas the Apostle of India. This the fourth building was consecrated by His Grace Vattasseril Geevargheese Mar Dionosius, Malankara Metrapolitan on 2nd Kumbam 1087 M.E/14 February 1912 AD”.
Smrudimandir
Outside the church on the right side there is a pilgrim centre called Smrudimandir. It is built to commemorate the name of the Apostle Thomas. The relic of the Apostle brought from Mosul is kept in it. Many artefacts connected with the history of the church of Niranam are displayed here for the pilgrims.
Jerusalem Marthoma Church
On the other side of the river is situated Jerusalem Marthoma Church, built by those Marthoma Christians who got separated from St Mary’s Church in 1906. A beautiful gate is constructed in front of the church and these words are inscribed on one side of it. “This gate is constructed to commemorate the arrival of St Thomas the Apostle of Jesus Christ. According to traditional belief he landed at Thomathukadavu which is 1.5 kilometres away from here and lived here for several months. He preached the Gospel around the temple of Trikpaleswaram. He gave baptism to those who received the Christian faith at Nerkadavu and erected a cross there. It is at this place which was blessed by the Apostle by erecting the cross that the Jersualem marthoma Church was established in 1906”.
A cross which was discovered while digging for the foundation of the church is still kept buried under the foundation. These words are written on a stone tab on the side of the church. “This church is traditionally believed to be one of the seven churches founded by St Thomas in Kerala in AD 52 and that the stone cross laid by him lies buried in this room”.
4. Nilakkal (Chayal)
Nilakkal is the forth place where the Apostle Thomas established a Christian community. It is situated on the Eastern part of Pathanamthitta district in the reserved forests of Sabarimala four kms away from the great Hindu pilgrim centre. It is a table land on the side of the river Pampa close to Vadasserikara-Chalakayam road. Nilakkal was an important trade centre frequented by traders in the first century AD. It fell in the route that led to Tamil Nadu from the ports on the Arabian Sea. The remains of a deserted and devastated city, including remains of an ancient church were visible even before some twenty five years. Now this place is abandoned in the thick forest which has been considered as the garden of Lord Ayyappa.
Tradition
It was from Niranam that the Apostle Thomas walked to Nilakkal. He spent almost one year when news came to him that the enemies had removed the cross of Niranam. Accordingly he went back to Niranam and arranged for the reinstallation of the cross and establishment of the church. Returning to Nilakkal he continued his preaching and was able to baptise several Brahmins and people of other castes. He established a church for them at Nilakkal before going to Kokkamangalam.
Present situation
The ancient place called Chayal (Nilakkal) is today a deserted place. Remains of the Thomas tradition lie buried in the thick reserve forest. Vestiges of ruined church and houses are hidden in the dense forest and people have no access to the place especially after the controversies in 1983 which resulted in the establishment of the present church of Nilakkal. The reason for the abandonment of Nilakkal is said to be the attack of Vakrappulikal and perumpaatakal which would mean the wild animals like tiger and cheetah. There is also an opinion that they meant the armed robbers who used to come frequently in groups and plundered the people and their properties. In any case it is true that the people who inhabit places like Kanjirappilly, Vadasserikkara, Erumeli, Chotti, Ranni etc are the descendants of those who once lived at Nilakkal.
St Thomas Ecumenical Church
To satisfy the seekers of tradition and history there is a small church at Nilakkal in the midst of the dense forest: To maintain the memory of the apostle, a church in the forest after St Thomas, the first ecumenical church in world. It was built in a place given by the government of Kerala as response to the desire and demand of the Christians of Kerala for a church in the place where their apostle had erected the cross. It was consecrated on 8 April 1984 by bishops of eight churches belonging to the St Thomas tradition. Thus this church remains today as a symbol of ecumenical relations among these churches. All efforts have been made to make Nilakkal an attractive pilgrim centre.
5. Kokkamangalam
Kokkamangalam is the fifth place where St Thomas established a Christian community in Kerala. It is a village in the Alappuzha district of Kerala. It is situated midway between Cochin and Kumarakom. It is on the western shore of Vembanad Lake, 5 km east of the town of Cherthala, which is the nearest railway station.
Tradition
The next place where St Thomas established a church was Kokkamangalam. Here he converted many Brahmins and Nairs. People of neighbouring Pallippruam also received baptism from the Apostle. He put up a cross at Kokkamangalam and opened a place of worship and appointed Maliekal Thomas Ramban to look after the welfare of the community. He worked in the area for one year and converted nearly 1600 people. When the Apostle left Kokkamangalam some miscreants threw the cross into the backwaters. After floating down the stream it came to rest near Pallippuram. A woman who came to cut grass happened to strike at the cross and blood began to flow from it. The frightened woman ran to the village and told the people about it. They came and erected the cross there very solemnly. Later a small church was built there. Even today this place is called as Mattel Kurisu.
St Thomas Church
This church belongs to the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly. The Relic of Apostle St. Thomas enshrined here was brought from Ortona in Italy by Pope John Paul II in November 1999. Special Novena prayers are held on Friday evenings to venerate the Relic. Devotees who aspire for jobs in foreign countries seek the intercession of the Apostle here. A replica of the Kokkamangalam cross can be seen on the side wall of the church.
The seven storied lamp burning in front of the Relic denotes the integration of seven Christian Communities founded by the Apostle. Pouring coconut oil in this lamp is a sacred practice here.
The principal feast of Kokkamangalam is the “Puthunjayar Thirunal” which is observed on the first Sunday after Easter. Thousands of people irrespective of caste and creed participate in the feast. The celebration begins on Thursday and concludes on Sunday. The colourful procession of the feast is a special attraction.
The feast of July 3 “Dukrana” marking the martyrdom of St. Thomas is also celebrated with great devotion. Offerings of “Pachor Nercha” are distributed among the devotees.
The “Thiruseship Prathishta Thirunal” celebrated on every 13 November commemorate the enshrining of the Relic attracts people from India and abroad.
Kokkamangalam Cross
The chief attraction here is the replica of the cross of St Thomas. This beautiful cross erected on the banks of the Vambanad lake is an exact replica of the original cross now kept at Pallippuram. These words are inscribed on it: “The cross that Apostle Thomas erected by his hand in the soil of Kokkamangalam in AD 52 restored in Kokkamangalam in the year 2002, which was the 1,950th anniversary of St Thomas’ arrival in Kerala and founding of Christian community in Kokkamangalam”. The cross had been reinstated in the same shape of the cross that St. Thomas raised at Kokkamangalam and now preserved at church in Pallippuram. The foundation of the Cross is having seven faces. Six of them had been depicted with the images of six other churches which Apostle founded in India and in the seventh face illustrates a lamp which symbolizes the faith in Christ which the land received from St. Thomas.
Marthomamargam
Behind the church, on the banks of the lake is constructed the marthomamargam, the St Thomas way, a small footway for the pilgrims to go around meditating on the different events in the life of the Apostle. Lively images built en route are help the pilgrims to get a glimpse of the mission of Thomas in Kerala.
Miraculous Picture
Inside the church is kept and venerated a miraculous picture of St Thomas. This picture is said to have been brought here by a certain Mathai who is known here as adbhuthamathai (Miracle Mathai). The story narradt is as following. The said Mathai was an ardent devotee of Thomas. While he was praying Thomas appeared to him and told him that there was a picture of him in the monastery at Mannanam and Mathai could go and get it. Accordingly Mathai went there but the prior of the monastery denied of the existence of any picture and laughed at Mathai. However Mathai was not ready to give up and resolved not to leave the monastery until he got the picture. On the fourth day when the prior opened his Bible a picture fell from it and it was a picture of Thomas holding a mattam (a scale of the carpenter) in his hand. It was given to Mathai who happily brought it to Kokkamangalam church.
6. Kottakkave
Kottakkavu or North Paravur, is a town in Ernakulam district. It is an old and growing municipality. Parur is considered as the gateway to Malabar. Paravur is the capital of Paravur Taluk in Ernakulam district. Though considered a part of Kochi for all practical purposes, the town is 17 km away from Edappally in city of Kochi. The ancient seaport of India Muziris is located in Pattanam village 3 km away from town. It is a northern suburb of Kochi City. Paravur once was the capital of the Chera Kings of Kerala. It was at that time known as Vanchi, Thiruvanchikulam etc. The Paravur Taluk lies in the flat delta region of the Periyar River and cut by several canals, which have resulted in the formation of many islands.
Tradition
The Apostle now came to Paravur or Kottakkavu the capital of the Hindu Kingdom of that name. It was on occasion of the great Hindu feast of the temple that the Apostle arrived here. The idol of the temple was being taken out in procession on an elephant and the devotees who took part in the procession numbered thousands. Some people in the procession recognising the preacher of the new religion abused him and threw stones at him The Apostle prayed for Divine assistance and soon a thunderstorm broke out, the lighting killing the elephant and some of the priests. The idol lay on the ground broken to pieces. When the confused crowd turned to the Apostle for his assistance in putting the matters right, the Apostle asked for some water, which when brought, he blessed with the sign of the Cross and sprinkled over the motionless bodies of the priests and the elephant, invoking the Holy Trinity to restore them back to life. The priests and the elephants immediately rose to their feet and discarding the idol listened to the Apostle. The priests got converted along with many in the crowd. In all 1770 persons were received by the Apostle in to Christianity at Paravur.
St Thomas Church
Kottakavu St Thomas church belongs to the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese. The relics of St Thomas is kept and venerated in this Church. Just behind the Church is the old church. It is supposed to be the third church building at Kottakavu. It is now converted to a permanent adoration chapel. Beyond the old church one can see remains of some ancient structures which is claimed to be part of the old wall which encircled the fort of Kottakavu at the time of St Thomas. A few yards away from it one can see the pond where the Apostle baptised his first converts.
7. Palayur
Palayur is situated in Trichur district of Kerala just two kilometres away from the Hindu temple city of Guruvayoor. It is said to be one of the thirty two Brahmins villages established by Parasuraman in Kerala.
Tradition
When Thomas came to the great Brahmin centre of Palayur, he came across some Brahmins doing the pitrhuyanja or pooja. They were throwing water into the air(tharpanam) while reciting mantras. The Apostle learned from them the meaning of the ritual and remarked. ‘If your performance is acceptable to the gods they could keep the water suspended in the air without allowing it to fall down again and again’. The Brahmins said that it was unthinkable as it was opposed to the laws of nature. The Thomas asserted that the One true God he worshipped could do it, and he proceeded to work a miracle on condition that the Brahmins accept his faith if he is successful. The Apostle, invoking the Holy Trinity, made the sign of the Cross and threw a handful of water up into the sky. After reaching a particular height the water stood still in the air, the particles glittering like diamonds. Looking down the Brahmins could see the cavity made by the removal of water still in the pond. Most of the witnesses were baptised on the spot. Out of forty Brahmin families thirty received Baptism on that day. The rest of them except a family called Orumanayoor left Palayur after cursing the place and so it is still called shapakadu (Chavakad). Even today, true to the oath taken by their ancestors, the Brahmins do not eat or drink in the vicinity of Palayur or Chavakad.
St Thomas Church
Following the migration of the Hindu Brahmins from Palayur, the Church was built incorporating the old Hindu temple, which was deserted. The church, as built, was thus a fusion of Hindu architectural style in respect of ornamentation with a Persian Church plan. The roof of the church raises like a tower above the nave. The approach or entrance is like a Hindu style mandapa (in Indian architecture it is a pillared outdoor hall or pavilion for public rituals.
An Italian missionary built the new church around the small old teak wood church after taking due permission from the locals who were not only superstitious but also sentimental about retaining the old Church. However, after the church was fully completed and after the priest had delivered a proper sermon, the local people agreed to demolish the old wooden structure, which resulted in the Church looking elegant. The original altar consecrated by St. Thomas is still retained. But during Tippu Sultan’s invasion of Kerala in the 18th century, the church was destroyed by fire. Thereafter it was re-built.
Today the Palayur Church is the greatest pilgrim centre in the archdiocese of Trichur. Traditions of Thomas are most vividly kept alive in this church. In and around the church there are many monuments that attract the attention of the pilgrims and tourists alike. The first attraction in the church is a cross where it is read, “St Thomas the Apostle founded a cross here”. Inside the church on the left side near the altar lye covered with iron grills the remains of the ancient church.
Other attractions
St Thomas Historical Museum is the most important of them all. Remnants of the ancient temple which was turned into the church are collected and displayed in the museum. Many other things connected with the history of Christianity are displayed in the museum. Next attraction is Thaliyakulam which is said to be the pond where the Apostle worked the above said miracle and converted and baptised the Brahmins. Then you have the Boatkulam, which is supposed to be the place where the apostle landed at Palayur. The water in this pond reaches here through a natural canal from the river Chettuva.
8. Thiruvamcodu
St Thomas church Thiruvamcode is the half church built by St Thomas. It is situated in Tamil Nadu. One can reach this church travelling two kilometres to the right from Azhakiyamandapam on the Trivandrum-Kanyakumari road. If the claims are true it is the oldest existing church building in India. It is called ‘arappally’ in Malayalam (ara= half, pally=church, ie half church). In this sense it could mean a half finished church. The real meaning is something else. ‘ara’ in Tamil language means king. In this sense arapally means the church of the king. The church at Thiruvamcode was built at the place donated by the King and with the stones given by him.
Tradition
St Mary’s church Thiruvamcode today belongs to the Syrian Orthodox Church. They have put together their best to preserve the antiquity of the church and its traditions. It is said that St Thomas came here from Mylapore. He came here along with sixty four Christian families who were persecuted on the Coromandel Coast. They settled down at Thiruvamcode. It is said that the Hindu sage Thiruvalluvar met the Apostle here. Impressed by the words and deeds of the Apostle, Thiruvalluvar reported to the King of the arrival of these people. The King was pleased with the preacher of the new religion and donated almost three hundred acres of land to the Christians and also allowed the apostle to construct a church at that place. The present church here was built by the apostle with the stones that the King gave to him.
St Mary’s Church
The most important attraction at Thiruvamcode is the small stone church which still proclaims its antiquity and uniqueness. The place and the church have all the ingredients to prove ancientness and apostolicity. It is perhaps the oldest existing church building of India. The stones used to build the church are exceptionally huge and very ancient. On one of the stones there is a small cross carved out of it. The baptismal font kept outside the church also is very ancient. Everything in around the church proclaims the antiquity of this church.
III. Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
Founded by the apostle Thomas in his second missionary journey in India, the Syro-Malabar Church is one of the sui-juris Catholic Churches in India having Major Archiepiscopal status. The Church, with 4.5 million faithful, has five Archdioceses and fifteen dioceses within the state of Kerala, twelve dioceses outside Kerala, and one in Chicago, USA. At present there are fifty bishops from the Syro-Malabar Rite working in Kerala and outside: thirty-one serving in Syro-Malabar dioceses and nineteen serving in other dioceses and apostolic offices. There are about 7000 Syro-Malabar priests working in India and outside. Moreover, 2300 seminarians of the Syro-Malabar Rite are studying in the various seminaries of India. There are about 36,000 religious sisters from the Syro-Malabar Rite working in India and other countries. The Church which has grown to its present status through various vicissitudes of history has been witnessing to the true missionary nature of the Church in its fullness. Among the 22 Oriental Catholic Churches the Syro-Malabr Church, numerically the second one, is the most vibrant and missionary Church. Being the inheritor of a missionary spirit of St Thomas the Apostle and the East Syrian Church, this Church shares almost 70% of the missionary responsibility of the Indian Church. People have very often wondered about the reasons for this unparalleled missionary enthusiasm in this Church. This unparalleled missionary zeal is bequeathed to it by its founder St Thomas the Apostle and the great missionary Church of the yesteryears, the East Syrian Church.
