Ezharappallikal

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 50, 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 (North Paravur or Kottakkavu), Palayoor and Thiruvithamcode (Kanyakumari).[5] Of which Church at Maliankara/Kottakavu is considered as first church. Church at Kanyakumari was built on the land given by arachan (king) and hence the name Arappally (half church).[6]

Maliankara

Palayoor

Kokkamangalam

Kottakkavu

Niranam

Kollam

Nilackal

Thiruvithamkode

Location of Churches

Ezharappallikal

The churches are located at Kodungallur, Kollam, Niranam, Nilackal (Chayal), Kokkamangalam, Kottakkayal (Paravoor), Palayoor (Chattukulangara) and Thiruvithamcode Arappally (Travancore). The latter is considered as a half church.[7][8]

Kodungalloor Church

Kodungalloor Mar Thoma Syro-Malabar Church

The Marthoma Pontifical shrine (Kodungaloor Mar Thoma Church) is considered to be one of the first church built by St. Thomas. The church is situated on the banks of the River Periyar about 6 km from Kodungallur, in the village of Azhikode in Kerala.[9]

Palayoor Church

Palayoor St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church

St. Thomas Church, Palayoor is located at Palayur (also spelled Palayoor), in Thrissur district in Kerala on the west coast of India. According to tradition, it was established in 52 AD by St Thomas. It is one of the oldest churches in India, second only to Kottakkavu Mar Thoma Church, North Paravur and is called an Apostolic Church credited to the Apostolate of St. Thomas who preached and also started the conversion of people to Christianity here.

Kottakkavu Church

Kottakkavu Syro-Malabar Old Church

Kottakkavu Church was established by St. Thomas in North Paravur in the Ernakulam district. It is considered to be the first Church in Kerala. The second church of Kottakkavu was rebuilt in the 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.

Kokkamangalam Church

Kokkamangalam Church

Kokkamangalam Church is situated at Kokkamangalam near Cherthala in the Alappuzha district. St. Thomas sailed to Kokkamangalam where he preached the gospel for about a year. 1600 people converted to Christianity through him according to the narration in "Rampan Pattu", an ancient form of Christian folksong prevalent in Kerala. He formed a Christian community at Kokkamangalam and enshrined a cross for the faithful.

Nilakkal Church

Nilakkal Church front view

Nilakkal is a forest, almost 52 kilometres east to Ranni and near Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta district. This church area was discovered during the time of Malankara Metropolitan Pulikottil Thirumeni (then head of the Orthodox Church). For the harmony of ecumenism among St Thomas Christians, then leadership of the Orthodox church paved the way to dedicate the church for all denominations. It was a mountain route of trade between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Saint Thomas accompanied by Habban came over here and baptised 1100 people.

Niranam Church

St.Marys Orthodox Church, Niranam (Niranam Valiyapalli)

Niranam Pally is one of the oldest churches in Kerala. It is believed that the church was founded by St. Thomas, in AD 54 at Niranam near Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district. The church was reconstructed several times since then. The stones in the church show the reconstruction in 1259. On his way from Kollam, he arrived at Niranam "Thrikpapaleswaram" by sea. He converted two Hindu Brahmin families named Pattamukkil and Thayyil and two Nair families named Manki and Madathilan to Christianity. He also gave priestly powers to the members of Pattamukkil family.

It is believed to be one of the oldest churches in Kerala and thus in India as well as among the oldest ones in the world. The architecture shows striking similarities to ancient temple architecture. It was established by St. Thomas.

Kollam Church

In ancient times, Kollam was a famous harbour and trade center. According to local tradition, St. Thomas established a church near the port, which is believed to have been destroyed by the Arabian Sea. Those temporarily living near the church immigrated towards Thevalakkara(?) and constructed this holy church. Martha Mariam Orthodox Syrian Church of Thevalakkara(?) is one of the leading churches under Malankara sabha. It is situated in Karunagapally Taluk within Kollam district. Church is located five kilometers east of Chavara Kuttivattom junction and six kilometers towards west of Sasthamkotta. The historical and beautiful Ashtamudi lake south of Thevalakkara flows towards Arabian Sea.

Arappalli

Thiruvithamcode St Marys Orthodox Church (Arapalli) or Thomayar Kovil, is located in Thiruvithamcode, Tamil Nadu, India, 30 km to the south of the Kerala state border. 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 the Apostle of India, in AD 52.AD

Thiruvithamcode Thomayar Kovil (Arappally)

References

1. Hill, John (1963). "1-South India". The Rockliff New Project - Illustrated Geography - The Indian Sub-Continent. London: Barrie & Rocklife. 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. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 February 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
3. Origin of Christianity in India – A Historiographical Critique by Dr. Benedict Vadakkekara. (2007). ISBN 81-7495-258-6.
4. Fahlbusch, Erwin (14 February 2008). The Encyclodedia of Christianity. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN 9780802824172.
5. "History of Niranam Valiapally". niranamchurch.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
6. "The First Church in Tamil Nadu | Ara Palli, Thiruvithancode". Online Kanyakumari. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
7. "About Syro Malabar Church". St Joseph Syro Malabar Catholic Mission of Hudson Valley, New York.
8. "St Thomas the Apostle and His Seven and a Half Churches".
9. "Marthoma Church at Azhikode, Marthoma Pontifical Shrine | Religious sites at Muziris Heritage Area, Ernakulam". www.muzirisheritage.org. Retrieved 5 March 2016.

Further reading

• A.C. Perumalil, The Apostles in India, Patna (India), XTTI, 1971.
• George Menachery, Ed.,"The St.Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India", esp. Vol.2, 1973.
• George Menachery, Ed.,"The Nazranies", Indian Church History Classics, Vol.1, 1998, esp.books fully reproduced in it by Mackenzie, Medlycott,Farquar& many others.