Gospels deal with the life of Christ and the religion is centered on the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God. It is believed, that "Jesus sacrificed his life as a ransom for many". Four books about the life of Jesus became New Testament and the Christian theologians rely heavily on the Gospels.
Christianity slowly spread to Syria, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor and Egypt. Over a few decades, this religion gained enormous popularity and it became dominant by the 4th century. Missionary work and colonization, led to the spread of Christianity to Indian sub continent, America, Australasia, Sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world. The Christian preachers' work, as taught by Christ's teachings, centered around the ideology of serving others; Christians established health centers, churches, educational establishments, orphanages and shelters for the homeless. Jesus had 12 disciples or Apostles who were responsible for taking the Gospels across the globe to preach Christianity. St. Thomas, one of the disciples of Christ arrived in India in AD 52 and reached the western Malabar coast to spread Christianity among the natives
The misconception that Christianity was introduced to India after the arrival of Europeans towards the end of 1400s still persists. It was in AD 52 the Apostle St. Thomas brought Christianity to India and as part of his zealous missionary work he established Seven and Half Churches (in Malayalam: Ezharappallikal) that is actually Eight Churches across the western coast (coastal Malabar) of India in the land now called Kerala. St. Thomas arrived in Kodungallur and established the Eight Churches and evangelized in present-day Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Many of these churches came up near Jewish settlements where Jewish community had been living there for some time engaged in trades. These were 01. Ezharappallikal at Maliankara (Kodungallur), 02. Kollam, 03. Niranam, 04. Nilackal (Chayal), 05. Kokkamangalam, 06. Kottakkayal (Paravoor or Kottakkavu), 07. Palayoor (Chattukulangara) and 08 Thiruvithamkode (Kanyakumari). Among them the one at Maliankara is considered as first church. The Church near Kanyakumari was a small one, Arappally means Half Church.
St. Thomas lived in India for 17 years: 4 years in Sindh (now in Pakistan), about 6 years in Malabar Coast and 7 years at Mylapore in Tamil Nadu where he was martyred. His Mortal remains are in St.Thome Church in Mylapore, Chennai. The Indian Postal Service of the Government of India brought out two commemorative stamps, in 1964 and 1973, in honor of the historic arrival of St. Thomas in India in 52 AD.
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| TalentShare.org |
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| patheos.com/blog |
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| Thomas, disciple of Christ landed in Kodungallur on Nov. 21, 52 A.D www.mala.co.in |
01. Mar Thoma Church, Kodungaloor
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| Maliankara Church,en.wikipedia.org |
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| Kodungaloor Mar Thoma Churchalamy.com |
The Marthoma Pontifical shrine (Kodungaloor Mar Thoma Church) is believed to be the first church built by St. Thomas in AD 52. Located about 6 km from Kodungallur, in the village of Azhikode in Kerala on the banks of the River Periyar, it is one of the ancient places of worship in the world.
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| Palayoor Church, Kerala nativeplanet.com |
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| Palayoor Church, Kerala. en.wikipedia.org |
Located at Palayur (also spelt Palayoor), in Thrissur district in Kerala was also originally a small church still retaining the oldest structure. The credit goes to Rev. Fr. Fenichi who made vast improvements to the church during the 17th century without compromising on the main sanctity and heritage value of the place.
St. Thomas traveled all the way from from Muziris (Kottakkavu or Kodungallur) and landed at Palayur by boat through the backwaters. Palayur, also known as Bottukulam because of the historic location of boat jetty, was then a stronghold of the Brahmins of Kerala Nambudri and also of Jews. He visited the Jewish merchants at Palayur to preach the Christian gospel. The place is preserved as a monument to St. Thomas (see picture).
It is believed that an abandoned Hindu temple once used by the Brahmins was converted into the present church. There is also valid proof that Jewish settlements existed when St Thomas arrived here in 52 AD. The ruins of a synagogue could be seen near a Hindu temple.
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| Palayoor church interior, en.wikipedia.org |
03. Kokkamangalam Church:
Occupying a midway position among the seven churches founded by St. Thomas, the Kokkamangalam Church holds an important place. Here a portrait of St. Thomas is held in great veneration and it was brought from the Carmelite Monastery Mannanam in 1897 by "Albhutha Mathai", pursuant to a revelation. This portrait is carefully mounted in a decorated waft of great artistic value.
04. Kottakkavu Church:
Established by St. Thomas has two churches more. Mar Sabor and Mar Proth, who came from Persia to Malankara in the 9th century built and managed over a number of churches in Malankara, following the tradition of Saint Thomas Christians. The second church of Kottakkavu was rebuilt in 9th century. After their demise, they were remembered as saints and their name was given to this church. The existing old church - the third church, was built in 1308. Pope Gregory XIII raised the altar of this church to the status of privileged altar in 1575. The second church of Kottakkavu was rebuilt at this time. Kottakkavu Sliva, a Persian Cross engraved on granite stone by Mar Sabor and Mar Proth, is preserved in the chapel in front of the church.
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| Palayoor Churchen.wikipedia.org |
04. Kottakkavu Church:
Established by St. Thomas has two churches more. Mar Sabor and Mar Proth, who came from Persia to Malankara in the 9th century built and managed over a number of churches in Malankara, following the tradition of Saint Thomas Christians. The second church of Kottakkavu was rebuilt in 9th century. After their demise, they were remembered as saints and their name was given to this church. The existing old church - the third church, was built in 1308. Pope Gregory XIII raised the altar of this church to the status of privileged altar in 1575. The second church of Kottakkavu was rebuilt at this time. Kottakkavu Sliva, a Persian Cross engraved on granite stone by Mar Sabor and Mar Proth, is preserved in the chapel in front of the church.
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| Kottakkavu Old Churchen.wikipedia.org |
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| Kottakkavu New Churchen.wikipedia.org |
05. Niranam church,Kerala::
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| Niranam church, kerala..alamy.com |
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| Niranam church, kerala. niranamchurch.com |
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| Niranam church, Kerala. Alamy,com |
Founded by St. Thomas in AD 54 had been rebuilt several times since then for various reasons and the stones in the church suggest that the reconstruction took place in 1259. This Malankara Orthodox Church under the Niranam Diocese of the Indian Orthodox Church, is one of the oldest ones in Kerala.
The present building, supposedly the fourth, was built in 1912 and renovation was done in the year 2000. There are five altars at Niranam church, the main altar, the central one, is in the name of Saint Mary. This is used for regular services of the church. To the front of the main altar are two smaller altars; the one in the north is in the name of St. Thomas.
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The majestic granite cross at the right side of the entrance is a silent reminder of the early history of this place of worship and lots of people come and worship the Holy Cross. It has been there since 1259 (thirst renovation). Special feasts are conducted annually(10th May) in memory of Mar Thoma II and Mar Thoma V whose mortal remains are buried in the church. Feast of Martyrdom of Saint Thomas - 21 December is yet another famous one.
In ancient time, Kollam was a famous harbor and trade center. According to local tradition, St.Thomas also built a church near the port , but it was destroyed during the temporary transgression of the Arabian sea. The foundation stone of the present church (Port Church or Our Lady of Purification Church) was blessed in 1986 by His Holiness Pope John Paul II.
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| St.Thomas Church, Nilakcal, Kerala.keralacatholicchurches.blogspot.com/ |
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| Front view of Ecumenical Church, Nilakkal.en.wikipedia.org |
07. Thiruvithamkode Church:
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| Thiruvithamcode Arappally church,Tamil Nadu en.wikipedia.org |
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| Thiruvithamcode Arappally church,Tamil Nadu,en.wikipedia.org |
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| Thiruvithamcode Arappally,TN, commons.wikimedia.org |
Thiruvithamcode Arappally or Thomayar Kovil, located in Thiruvithamcode, Tamil Nadu, India was built by St. Thomas, now known as the Apostle of India, in 63 AD. The Christian communities in Kerala believe that the historic Thiruvithamcode Arappally, also called Amalagiri church was named by the Chera King Uthiyan Cheralathan. It is one of the world's oldest churches
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| Thiruvithamcode st. Mary's church. .justdial.com |
that still has daily prayers and it has three main parts built in the 17th century and a 20th-century entrance hall. India's oldest church is yet to undergo reconstruction. Thiruvithamcode is a small panchayat town located in the Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu. It is about 20 km from Nagercoil town and 2 km from Thuckalay.
n ancient times,
08. Kollam church, Kollam, Kerala: The ancient church built by St. Thomas close to the port on the coastal area later faced destruction owing to rough sea condition. The families that lived near the chuchr moved over to Thevalakkara and had a church built - Martha Mariyam Syrian Orthodox Church, main church near Kollam. It is just 5km east of Chavara Kuttivattom junction.
Tit-bits:
Arappallikal:
Among the churches mentioned above, the ones at Thiruvithamkode, Malayattoor, and Aruvithura are referred to as Arappallikal, meaning either as Half churches or Royal churches.
Thiruvithamkode St. Mary's church, Tamil Nadu:
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| St. Mary"s church, Thiruvithamkode,TN maps123.net |
This historic St. Mary"s church built in AD 52 by St. Thomas is in Tamil Nadu close the Kerala - TN border (just 30km) The Chera king Uthiyan Cheralathan called it Amalagiri church. It also goes by the name of Thomayar Kovil.
Malayattoor Church:
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| Malayattoor Church, Kerala upload.wikimedia.org |
was established by St. Thomas on the coastal area to cater to the needs of the local Christian community. the belief has been that St Thomas fled to a near-by wooded area to escape of some natives who were against conversion. While in prayer here Thomas touched a rock upon which blood poured. There is no record to prove this incident.
St. George's Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Aruvithura, Kerala
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| St. George's church, Aruvithura, kerala.en.wikepedia.org |
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 established by St. Thomas in Kerala ){kind=link}