Through the pages of the History....
At the St. Thomas Day celebration in New Delhi on November 18, 1955, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then Prime Minister of India Said, " St. Thomas came to India when many of the countries of Europe had not yet become Christian, and so those Indians who trace their Christianity to him have a longer history and a higher ancestry than that of Christians of many of the European countries."
Christianity took root on the Malabar coast (now Kerala) in the first century AD around Mallyankara, near Kodungallur, Kerala, India; where St. Thomas came first according to the tradition in A. D. 52. Christian faith has since flourished across the land, coexisting with other religions. There are different views regarding this supposedly historic fact. The recent remark by Pope Benedict XVI that St. Thomas had preached Christianity in 'western' India from where it spread to other parts of the country, has fuelled a debate whether or not the Apostle had come to southern India. The Christians here believe that the present Christian population have descended from the ealrly groups like Paklomattam, Shankarapuri, Kalli and Kaaliyankavu in the north and Thayyil, Pattamukkil, Manki, and Madathilen near Niranam. The Early Christians also were called "Nazaranis" (followers of Jesus of Nazareth).
Kerala is a narrow stretch of lush green territory that lies ont he southwest coast of the Indian subcontinent. Hindu legends claim that Kerala rose from the sea as a gift of God (God's Own Country). The name Kerala means " the land of coconuts". The scenic beauty of Kerala is one of the most outstanding in India. The entire land is interlaced with rivers, placid lagoons, paddy fields and coconut palms. Plantations of rubber, tea, coffee, pepper, cloves, cinnamon and other spices cover the highlands in the east, earning Kerala the nickname of "the spice coast of India'. The lure of spices attracted traders from the Middle East and Europe to the many trading ports - Calicut, Cranganore, Cochin, Alleppey and Quilon - long before the time of Christ. And it was on the trading vessel plying between Alexandria and the Malabar coast St. Thomas, the Apostle might have arrived in Cranganore/ Mallyankara, Kerala, South India in 52 A.D. together with other Jews who came to India.
There he began the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His teachings were accepted not only by those who chose to become Christians, but also by those who chose to remain Hindus. It is believed that St. Thomas established different Christian communities. As a part of of his evangelization work it is believed that St. Thomas came to Thuruthoor, a small village on the top of a hill. Thuruthoor is one of the important historic places situated on the bank of one of the tributaries of Periyar River which is running through the Diocese of Kottapuram.
This little hill, where St. Thomas' Church was built was also known as Mount Sinai by the early Jews who came to Crangannore for spice trade from Middle East. It is believed that many Jews came to this place for their prayers since this place was known as Mount Sinai. According to Early Jewish historic documents it is stated that there was a Jewish Synagogue for prayers for the merchants who came for spice trade. It is believed traditionally that St. Thomas visited this place called Sinai Mount for prayers, after landing in Musiris/ Kodungalloor. St. Thomas preached the Gospel of Jesus in this area and spread the good news to the surrounding areas. After the asassination of Apostle Thomas by a Hindu fanatic, the Christian communities established by St. Thoams flourished all over Kerala and different parts of India.
There is a well spread tradition in this locality that when St. Thomas came to this hill/ Mount Sinai he found a miraculous spring which in later years became a well, which never dries even in the scorching summer of South India. The water from this miraculous well has lots of healing stories to be told. There are so many witness stories about different healings from many ailments. People of different faith also come to have a share in this blessing which they receive by pouring water from this well.
The first church on this hill/ Mount Sinai was made with palm leaves. One miraculous and holy night people of the area (early christians) heard the bells of the church chiming and as they came to the church they saw a powerful divine aura around the head of the statue of St. Thomas.
To be continued...
Christianity took root on the Malabar coast (now Kerala) in the first century AD around Mallyankara, near Kodungallur, Kerala, India; where St. Thomas came first according to the tradition in A. D. 52. Christian faith has since flourished across the land, coexisting with other religions. There are different views regarding this supposedly historic fact. The recent remark by Pope Benedict XVI that St. Thomas had preached Christianity in 'western' India from where it spread to other parts of the country, has fuelled a debate whether or not the Apostle had come to southern India. The Christians here believe that the present Christian population have descended from the ealrly groups like Paklomattam, Shankarapuri, Kalli and Kaaliyankavu in the north and Thayyil, Pattamukkil, Manki, and Madathilen near Niranam. The Early Christians also were called "Nazaranis" (followers of Jesus of Nazareth).
Kerala is a narrow stretch of lush green territory that lies ont he southwest coast of the Indian subcontinent. Hindu legends claim that Kerala rose from the sea as a gift of God (God's Own Country). The name Kerala means " the land of coconuts". The scenic beauty of Kerala is one of the most outstanding in India. The entire land is interlaced with rivers, placid lagoons, paddy fields and coconut palms. Plantations of rubber, tea, coffee, pepper, cloves, cinnamon and other spices cover the highlands in the east, earning Kerala the nickname of "the spice coast of India'. The lure of spices attracted traders from the Middle East and Europe to the many trading ports - Calicut, Cranganore, Cochin, Alleppey and Quilon - long before the time of Christ. And it was on the trading vessel plying between Alexandria and the Malabar coast St. Thomas, the Apostle might have arrived in Cranganore/ Mallyankara, Kerala, South India in 52 A.D. together with other Jews who came to India.
There he began the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His teachings were accepted not only by those who chose to become Christians, but also by those who chose to remain Hindus. It is believed that St. Thomas established different Christian communities. As a part of of his evangelization work it is believed that St. Thomas came to Thuruthoor, a small village on the top of a hill. Thuruthoor is one of the important historic places situated on the bank of one of the tributaries of Periyar River which is running through the Diocese of Kottapuram.
This little hill, where St. Thomas' Church was built was also known as Mount Sinai by the early Jews who came to Crangannore for spice trade from Middle East. It is believed that many Jews came to this place for their prayers since this place was known as Mount Sinai. According to Early Jewish historic documents it is stated that there was a Jewish Synagogue for prayers for the merchants who came for spice trade. It is believed traditionally that St. Thomas visited this place called Sinai Mount for prayers, after landing in Musiris/ Kodungalloor. St. Thomas preached the Gospel of Jesus in this area and spread the good news to the surrounding areas. After the asassination of Apostle Thomas by a Hindu fanatic, the Christian communities established by St. Thoams flourished all over Kerala and different parts of India.
There is a well spread tradition in this locality that when St. Thomas came to this hill/ Mount Sinai he found a miraculous spring which in later years became a well, which never dries even in the scorching summer of South India. The water from this miraculous well has lots of healing stories to be told. There are so many witness stories about different healings from many ailments. People of different faith also come to have a share in this blessing which they receive by pouring water from this well.
The first church on this hill/ Mount Sinai was made with palm leaves. One miraculous and holy night people of the area (early christians) heard the bells of the church chiming and as they came to the church they saw a powerful divine aura around the head of the statue of St. Thomas.
To be continued...