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| St. Thomas the Apostle of India | |||
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 t is traditionally believed that St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ came to India in A.D. 52 and established Christaianity all over India. In Kerala, first of all, he landed at Kodungalloor (Cranganore), the capital of the Chera Empire.
The St. Thomas Church at Palayoor is the oldest church in India. It was built by St Thomas - the Apostle in A.D.52. St. Thomas, the Apostle arrived in A.D.52 at Kodungallur with Jewish merchants for the propagation of Christ's message and through the sea route reached Palayoor in 52 A.D. and built the Church here. This famous Palayoor pilgrim centre is at Chavakkad, near Thrissur.
St Thomas, one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ landed in Muzris (Kodungallur), the famous ancient ports on the West Coast of India during the year 52 A.D. He founded seven Churches on the Kerala coast in the following places: Palayoor, Kodungallur (Maliankara), Quilon (Kollam), Kokkamangalam, Niranam, Nilakkal, and Paravoor. The present St Thomas Archdiocesan Shrine, Palayoor is believed to be the first Christian Church established on the Indian soil..Throughout Kerala, one can find Christian families that are proud to claim descent from ancestors who were baptized by Apostle Thomas. 
St Thomas Traveled from Kodungallur through the backwaters and reached at Vanchi Kadavu (Boat Jetty) of Palayoor. This Boat Jetty in Palayoor still exists in the form of a large pond, which is called Bottukulam. A replica of the boat in which St Thomas traveled and his life size statue is the main attractions of Bottukulam.
The Miracle at Thaliyakulam: One of the miracles performed by St Thomas in Palayoor was in Thaliyakulam. One day when the local people were having their morning snanam (bath) at Thaliakulam, St Thomas saw the people throwing water in the air as a ritual, which was called "Tharpanam". He was fascinated in their act and himself took some water in his cupped hands and thrown it into the air. Legend has it that the water remained in the air in the form of roses. Most of the people who saw this miracle believed in Christ and were baptized by St Thomas. He was martyred in 72 AD, by spearing, on the 'Big Hill' (later called St. Thomas' Mount), about 14 km from Madras. His body was brought to Mylapore (Chennai/Madras) and was buried in a holy shrine. The original grave at Mylapore is still on view in the nave of the Roman Catholic Cathedral reconstructed and completed in 1896. An ancient cross of stone marks the place where his body rested before its translation to Edessa (Greece) in 394 AD. From there, later on they were taken to Chios, an island in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Turkey, and later still to Ortona in Italy (almost directly east of Rome on the Adriatic) where they now repose. Profile: St. Thomas an Apostle of India. He was ready to die with Jesus when Christ went to Jerusalem, but is best 
remembered for doubting the Resurrection until allowed to touch Christ's wounds. Preached in Parthia, Persia and India, though he was so reluctant to start the mission that he had to be taken into slavery by a merchant headed that way. He eventually gave in to God's will, was freed, and planted the new Church over a wide area. He formed many parishes and built many churches along the way.
How to reach: Palayoor is a part of Thrissur District and is located on the west Cost of Kerala, India. By road it takes 28 Km to reach Palayoor from Thrissur. It is on Thrissur - Chavakad route, via Pavaratty. To travel by train catch Thrissur - Guruvayur train (24 Km). From Guruvayur to Palayoor take a bus or a taxi/auto rikshaw (2 Km). Nedumbasserry International Airport is only 80 Km from Palayoor. | |||
