St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Palayoor

St Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Palayur

St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church at Palayur
Basic information
Location India Kerala India
Geographic coordinates (10°34′57″N 76°01′55″E / 10.5825°N 76.0319°E / 10.5825; 76.0319Coordinates: 10°34′57″N 76°01′55″E / 10.5825°N 76.0319°E / 10.5825; 76.0319)
Affiliation Apostolic Era
District Thrissur
State Kerala
Year consecrated 52 AD (?)
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Independent Episcopal Church
Leadership St. Thomas the Apostle in 52 AD (?)
Architectural description
Architectural type Mix of Persian and Kerala
Completed Supposedly in 52 AD but substantially refurbished in the 17th century
Dome(s) 1

St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Palayur is located at Palayur (also spelt Palayoor), in Thrissur district in Kerala on the west coast of India. According to tradition, it was established in 52 AD by St Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ.[1] It is the oldest church in India and is called an Apostolic Church credited to the Apostolate of St. Thomas who preached and also started conversion of people to Christianity here. It was part of the seven churches that he established in India; the other six churches were established at Cranganore, Kokkamangalam, Kottakkavu, Kollam, Niranam, and Chayal (Nilackal). 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.[1][2][3]

History

Interior of the Palayur Church, the oldest Christian church in India and one of the seven founded by St. Thomas the Apostle in 52 AD.

St. Thomas traveled from Muziris (Kottakkavu or Kodungallur) and landed at Palayur by boat through the backwaters. At that time, Palayur was a stronghold of the Brahmins and also of Jews. He came to visit the Jewish merchants at Palayur at "Judankunnu" (meaning the hill of Jews) and to preach the Christian gospel. The place has since become a dry land but its historicity as a boat jetty called locally as 'Bottukulam' has been preserved as a monument to St. Thomas (see picture).[4][5]

Of the seven churches originally established by St. Thomas, only three namely, Palayoor in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur, Kottakkavu in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Major Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, and Niranam in the Malankara Orthodox Diocese of Niranam could claim continuity, while the remaining four churches have undergone several changes in their locations.[6]

It is stated that a Hindu temple that was abandoned by the Brahmins was converted into the present church. Further, as a proof of Jewish settlements existing when St Thomas arrived here in 52 AD, ruins of a synagogue could be seen near a Hindu temple, close to the church. Temple remnants in the form of broken idols, sculptures and relics of the old temple can also be seen near the precincts of the church, in addition to two large tanks near the west and east gates of the church.[7]

It is also stated that the conversion of Brahmins has resulted in such an aversion among the Nambudri Brahmins that they do not even accept cold water or tender coconut water anywhere in the vicinity of the Church. It is recorded that St. Thomas stayed 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. The Indian Postal Service of the Government of India brought out two commemorative stamps, in 1964 and 1973, in honour of the historic arrival of St. Thomas in India in 52 AD.[8]

St. Thomas was proclaimed 'The Apostle of India' by the Holy See. His skeleton remains were brought to India in 1953 by Cardinal Tisserant.[8] Furthermore, a document called ‘Grandavariola’ kept by a local Brahmin family (who had moved out from Palayur during the preaching ) testifies to the date of the gospel work of St. Thomas. The document states:

Kali year 3153 (52 AD) the foreigner Thomas Sanyasi came to our village (gramam) preached there and therby causing…[9]

Legend

Palayur St.Thomas Monument

Historical legend records that when St. Thomas landed at Palayur, he witnessed the sight of Hindu Brahmins, after their ablutions in a local tank, offering prayers by chanting mantras (the Vedic tradition of India for spiritual transformation) hymns to god in the form of Argyam or Tharpanam (water held in the palms) of water to the Sun god, a practice also said to be followed in Harappan and Persian cultures. Amused by the sight of water being thrown up by the Brahmins, from the palms of their hands, which was falling back, he challenged the Brahmins stating that the water they were offering was not being accepted by the Sun god as it was falling back into the tank. He made a deal with them stating that his God would accept the offer of water if he threw it up in the same way as they did, but water would not fall back. If he proved this then his God was superior and the Brahmins would have to embrace Christianity. He performed this miracle (summoned the Holy Trinity, completed the sign of the Cross and threw water held in his palms up into the air, which remained still in the air at a height) and with this miracle he converted a number of Brahmins and Jews in Palayur to Christianity. Thereafter he baptised the converts in a nearby water tank. The Brahmins who did not convert to the faith gave the epithet of the 'Shapa Kadu' or "Cursed Place" to Palayur and migrated to Vembanad to purify themselves.[6][10]

Although this historical legend has been told and re-told by many people in India, a verification of this legend being known outside India, produced no confirmation. A person claims to have checked the Synaxarion compiled by the Monastery of Simonos Petra on Mt. Athos, as well as an English translation of Dmitri of Rostov's 17th century Great Collection of The Lives of the Saints, which are multi-volume collections and are extremely detailed, but has not found any account of this miracle performed by St.Thomas.

Structure

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).[11]

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 Tipu Sultan's invasion of Kerala in the 18th century, the church was destroyed by fire. Thereafter it was re-built.[6]

Festival

A major festival that is held every year at the venue of the church, which lasts for two days, has a striking similarity to the Hindu festival held at Trichhur (district town 28 kilometres (17 mi) away from the church) on the same days, with lot of fan fare of pageants, orchestra and pyrotechnics. During the lenten season, the popular festival celebrated is called the 'Palayur Mahatheerthadanam' or Great Pilgrimage conducted under the auspices of Archdiocesan, when thousands of devotees, without caste distinction, participate in the festival.[6]

The interior of St. Thomas Church, Palayoor
Interior of the Palayoor Church Another view inside the Church

Visitor information

The Palayoor church is well connected by road, rail and air services network. Palayoor is at a distance of 28 kilometres (17 mi) from Thrissur on the State Highway. It is on Thrissur - Chavakad route, via Pavaratty. By train, it is on the Thrissur - Guruvayur broad gauge line - at a distance of 24 kilometres (15 mi). From Guruvayur, the Hindu temple town, the church is3 kilometres (1.9 mi) by road. Nedumbasserry International Airport is only 80 kilometres (50 mi) from Palayoor.[7]

Important places to visit near the church precincts are: the Boat Jetty (Bottukulam) where St Thomas landed at Palayoor; the Thaliyakulam -the pond where St Thomas baptized the local people; the replica of Chinna Malai (small hill of Mylapore - Chennai) where St. Thomas attainted martyrdom in 72 AD, the historical remnants of old Hindu Temple; 14 scenes from the life of St Thomas sculpted in granite; the Jubilee Door in front of the entrance of the main hall of the Church (depicts various important Biblical events, carved in Burmese teak); and the historical museum where many objects of archaeological, historical and artistic value are displayed (includes the vessels and articles used by St. Thomas during his stay here).[1][6]

Bibliography

Notes
  1. 1 2 3 Gazetter 1986, pp. 38, 623
  2. ↑ "About Syro-Malabar Church". Retrieved 2009-09-29.
  3. ↑ "The Syro-Malabar Church". Syro Malabar website. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
  4. ↑ Cheriyan pp. 38, 40
  5. ↑ Varhhese 2006, pp. 254, 470–471
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Palayoor Church of St. Thomas Thrissur Kerala India". Retrieved 2009-09-29.
  7. 1 2 Church (1969)
  8. 1 2 "Overview". Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  9. ↑ Kurikilamkatt 2005, pp. 173, 183
  10. ↑ Menon 1962, pp. 72, 100, 101
  11. ↑ Church 1969, p. 93
References
  • Cheriyan, C. V. (1973). A History of Christianity in Kerala, from the Mission of St. Thomas to the arrival of Vasco Da Gama (A.D. 52-1498) (1973 ed.). Kerala Historical Society.  - Total pages: 163
  • Church History Association of India (1969). Indian Church History Review, Volume 3 (1969 ed.). Church History Association of India. 
  • Kerala Gazetteer (1986). Kerala District Gazetteers: Trichur, Kerala, Volume 7 (1986 ed.). Superintendent of Govt. Presses. 
  • George, V. C. (1972). Apostolate and Martyrdom of St. Thomas (1972 ed.). Kottayam Dt., Fr. Joseph Vadakkekara.  - Total pages: 193
  • Kurikilamkatt, James (2005). First voyage of the Apostle Thomas to India: ancient Christianity in Bharuch ... (2005 ed.). Asian Trading Corp. ISBN 81-7086-359-7.  - Total pages: 264
  • Menon, A. Sreedhara (1962). Kerala District Gazetteers: Trichur (1962 ed.). Superintendent of Govt. Presses. 
  • Varhhese, Theresa (2006). Stark World Kerala (2006 ed.). Stark World Pub. ISBN 81-902505-1-5.  - Total pages: 816
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