Ezharappallikal

Maliankara
Palayoor
Kokkamangalam
Kottakkavu
Niranam
Kollam
Nilackal
Thiruvithamkode
Location of Churches

Ezharappallikal or Seven and half Churches are the seven Churches or Christian communities across western coast of India founded by Thomas the Apostle in the first century.[1] According to Indian Christian traditions, the Apostle Thomas arrived in Kodungallur (presently in the Indian state of Kerala) in AD 52, established the Eight Churches and evangelised in present-day Kerala and Tamil Nadu.[2][3][4] Many of these churches built near Jewish settlements. These were at Maliankara (Kodungallur), Kollam, Niranam, Nilackal (Chayal), Kokkamangalam, Kottakkayal (Paravoor or Kottakkavu), Palayoor (Chattukulangara) and Thiruvithamkode (Kanyakumari).[5] Of which Church at Maliankara is considered as first church. Church at Kanyakumari is a small church and hence called Arappally (means Half Church).[6]


Ezharappallikal

Kodungalloor Church

Kodungalloor Mar Thoma Syro-Malabar Church

The Marthoma Pontifical shrine (Kodungaloor Mar Thoma Church) is considered as first church built by St. Thomas. The church is situated on the banks of the River Periyar is located about 6 km from Kodungallur, in the village of Azhikode in Kerala.[7]

Palayoor Church

Palayur Church is located at Palayur (also spelt Palayoor), in Thrissur district in Kerala. The original small Church structure has been retained at the oldest site. But substantial improvements around it were carried out during the 17th century by Reverend Fenichi, as necessary, without sacrificing the main sanctity of the place.

Palayoor Syro-Malabar Church

Kokkamangalam Church

Kokkamangalam Church which holds a midway position among the seven churches founded by St. Thomas. A portrait of St. Thomas is venerated here and was brought from the Carmelite Monastery Mannanam in 1897 by "Albhutha Mathai", pursuant to a revelation. This portrait is mounted in a decorated waft of great artistic value.

Kokkamangalam Syro-Malabar Church

Kottakkavu Church

Kottakkavu Church is church established by St. Thomas. The second church of Kottakkavu was rebuilt at 9th century. The third church, was built in 1308. Pope Gregory XIII raised the altar of this church to the status of privileged altar in 1575.

Kottakkavu Syro-Malabar Old Church
Kottakkavu Syro-Malabar New Church

Niranam Church

Main article: Niranam Church

Niranam church is believed that the church was founded by St. Thomas. The church was reconstructed several times since then. The stones in the church shows the reconstruction in 1259.

Niranam Church

Kollam Church

In ancient time, Kollam was a famous harbour and trade center. According to local tradition, St.Thomas established a church near port is believed to have been destroyed by the Arabian Sea.

Nilackal Church

Nilackal is a forest, almost 52 kilometres east to Ranni and near Sabarimala. It was a mountain route of trade between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Saint Thomas accompanied by Habban came over here and baptised 1100 people. Today there exist the Nilackal St. Thomas Church, Ecumenical center trust and the cross established by Saint Thomas the apostle

Thiruvithamkode Church

Thiruvithamcode Arappally or Thomayar Kovil, is located in Thiruvithamcode, Tamil Nadu, India. It is believed by the Christian communities in Kerala that the historic Thiruvithamcode Arappally, also called Amalagiri church as named by the Chera King Uthiyan Cheralathan, was built by St. Thomas, known as theApostle of India, in 63 AD

Thiruvithamkode Church (Arappally)

References

  1. ↑ HILL, JOHN (1963). "1-SOUTH INDIA". THE ROCKLIFF NEW PROJECT - ILLUSTRATED GEOGRAPHY - THE INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT. LONDON: BARRIE & ROCKLIFF. p. 28.
  2. ↑ Stephen Andrew Missick. "Mar Thoma: The Apostolic Foundation of the Assyrian Church and the Christians of St. Thomas in India" (PDF). Journal of Assyrian Academic studies.
  3. ↑ Origin of Christianity in India – A Historiographical Critique by Dr. Benedict Vadakkekara. (2007). ISBN 81-7495-258-6.
  4. ↑ Fahlbusch, Erwin (2008-02-14). The Encyclodedia of Christianity. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN 9780802824172.
  5. ↑ "History of Niranam Valiapally". niranamchurch.com. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
  6. ↑ "The First Church in Tamil Nadu | Ara Palli, Thiruvithancode". Online Kanyakumari. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
  7. ↑ "Marthoma Church at Azhikode, Marthoma Pontifical Shrine | Religious sites at Muziris Heritage Area, Ernakulam". www.muzirisheritage.org. Retrieved 2016-03-05.

Further reading

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