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| St.Mary's O.S.Church, India AD 53. stati.panorama.com |
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| Thiruvithamcode Arappally Facebook.com |
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| Thiruvithamcode Arappally tripadvisor.com |
Thiruvithancode, (Thiruvithancode), a small town in the Kanyakumari district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is about 20 km from Nagercoil, and 2 km from Thuckalay. This town is famous for St Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church (Thiruvithamcode Arappally), which is believed to have been established by St. Thomas in the first century AD, along with seven other churches (Ezharappallikal) in Kerala. Thiruvithancode was then part of Travancore state and soon after India's independence, it became part of Tamil Nadu state.
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| indiatimes.com |
The entrance to the church was built in the 20th Century and there are three main parts constructed in the 17th century.
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| indiatimes.com |
Renovation of the Thiruvithamcode Arappally at Rs. 1 crore was funded by the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, which maintains it. There is a museum located within the heritage centre adjacent to it, which houses ancient coins, a mill stone, and gifts to the church such as a 15th century wooden table.” The .The church was proclaimed an international St Thomas Pilgrim .Centre in 2007.
The church, where daily prayers are conducted, mirrors the aesthetics of traditional Hindu temples – replete with a Sreekovil i.e. sanctum sanctorum or innermost chamber where deity’s idol is enshrined, and a mandapam (foyer)
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| St.Mary's O.S.church, bp.blogspot.com |
According to Isaac Arul Dhas of Scott Christian college, Nagarcoil,TN (2010), though the Saint Thomas tradition of Indian Christianity cannot be verified as historical, there was a tradition of Thomas traveling to India from the west at least in the 3rd century (Acts of Thomas), and there is an independent confirmation of the existence of a Christian church in India from the 6th century.
Hence, Kerala and the bordering areas in Tamil Nadu on the east along the state line have the distinction of being one of the oldest seats of Christian communities in the world. Subsequently, St.Thomas moved across other parts of India for the purpose of missionary work. Subsequently he attained martyrdom in in St. Thomas Mount, a suburb of Madras city (now Chennai) where his relics are enshrined.
Hence, Kerala and the bordering areas in Tamil Nadu on the east along the state line have the distinction of being one of the oldest seats of Christian communities in the world. Subsequently, St.Thomas moved across other parts of India for the purpose of missionary work. Subsequently he attained martyrdom in in St. Thomas Mount, a suburb of Madras city (now Chennai) where his relics are enshrined.
The Indian natives had close relationship with the minority community and the local rulers were helpful to the evangelists for building churches, etc. Roman Catholicism was first introduced to India by Portuguese, Italian and Irish Jesuits in the 16th century. After the arrival of Portuguese preachers from Portugal there developed a big crack between the natives and the evangelists / preachers. Religious persecution and suppression of native religion - Hinduism began on a large scale in Goa and part of Kerala by missionaries like St. Xavier.
The Goa inquisition was a dark chapter in the European colonial history in India and the evangelists had let lose an orgy of violence against the natives including already converted Christians in the name of purification of Christianity. Consequently, the Christian missionaries from Europe earned the ire of the local chiefs and rulers. It took a while for the later missionaries to earn the good will of the natives and the rulers.
Thiruvithamcode Arappally or Thomaiyar Kovil built by St. Thomas is also called Amalagiri church, named by the Chera King Uthiyan Cheralathan. Being one of the world’s oldest churches still daily prayers are being held and the old tradition is being maintained. Reposted with modification from
Thiruvithamcode Arappally or Thomaiyar Kovil built by St. Thomas is also called Amalagiri church, named by the Chera King Uthiyan Cheralathan. Being one of the world’s oldest churches still daily prayers are being held and the old tradition is being maintained. Reposted with modification from
Isaac Arul Dhas, `Kumari Mannil Christhavam`(Tamil), Scott Christian College, Nagercoil, 2010,ISBN 978-81-8465-204-8 , Page:7
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Mary%27s_Church,_Thiruvithamcode
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/121518164.cms?utm_sourcet ..
