Here is a list of some of the
most notable Christian religious places in Kerala:
Churches Founded by St. Thomas
(Ezharappallikal)
According to tradition, St.
Thomas the Apostle established seven churches, known as the
"Ezharappallikal" (seven and a half churches), which are:
- St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church, Palayur
(Thrissur): This is considered one of the oldest
churches in India, believed to have been founded in A.D. 52.
St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church, Palayur (Thrissur) - St. Mary's Forane Church, Kottakkavu
(North Paravur, Ernakulam): A historic church with a
legacy dating back to the Apostle's time.
- St. Thomas Church, Kokkamangalam
(Alappuzha): Located near Cherthala, this church is
believed to be another of the original seven.
- Niranam St. Mary's Orthodox Church
(Pathanamthitta): One of the oldest Christian worship
places in the world, with a history linked to St. Thomas.
- St. Thomas Church, Kodungallur (Thrissur):
The first church founded by St. Thomas on the Malabar Coast.
- St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Kollam
(Kollam): Another one of the original seven
churches.
- St. Thomas Church, Nilakkal
(Pathanamthitta): The remains of this church are a
historical site.
The "half church" is
often identified as the St. Mary's Church, Thiruvithamcode, which is
located in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, but has strong historical ties to
Kerala's Christian heritage.
Other Significant and
Historical Churches
- St. Francis Church (Kochi):
Dating back to 1503, this is the oldest European church in India. It is
historically significant as the burial site of explorer Vasco da Gama for
a period before his remains were moved to Portugal.
- Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica (Kochi):
A magnificent basilica in Fort Kochi with beautiful Gothic and
Indo-European architecture.
- Our Lady of Dolours Basilica (Thrissur):
Also known as Puthanpally, this is one of the largest and tallest churches
in India and the third-tallest in Asia.
- St. Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal
(Alappuzha): This church, built by Portuguese
missionaries, is home to a famous statue of St. Sebastian and is a major
pilgrimage center.
- St. George's Forane Church, Edappally
(Ernakulam): One of the oldest and most revered Roman
Catholic churches in Kerala, known as a place of miracles.
- Malayattoor St. Thomas Syro-Malabar
Catholic Church (Ernakulam): Situated on Malayattoor
Hill, this is a major pilgrimage site believed to be a place where St.
Thomas prayed.
- St. Alphonsa's Church (Bharananganam,
Kottayam): This church is a significant pilgrimage
site as it is the burial place of St. Alphonsa, the first Indian Catholic
saint.
- St. Mary's Forane Church, Kuravilangad
(Kottayam): An ancient church with a tradition that
Mother Mary appeared here, which makes it an important pilgrimage site.
- Vallarpadam Church (Kochi):
This church is a national shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Ransom and is a
popular pilgrimage site, particularly for seafarers.
- St. George Orthodox Church (Puthuppally,
Kottayam): An international pilgrimage center for
the Georgian Orthodox community.
- St. Joseph's Monastery, Mannanam
(Kottayam): This monastery is the burial place of St.
Kuriakose Elias Chavara, an Indian Carmelite priest who was canonized as a
saint.
#KeralaChristianity#ChristianHeritage#GodsOwnCountry#KeralaChurches#MalabarChristianity#StThomasChristians
