New Delhi: India has several famous churches which will celebrate Christmas on December 25 to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The country has some of the oldest churches in the world, and St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church, also known as the Palayur Mar Thoma Major Archiepiscopal Church, is believed to be oldest church in the land. The origin of the church goes back to pre-medieval times and is one of the most celebrated churches in India.
It is commonly believed that the Portuguese introduced Christianity in India during the 15th century and later the British propagated it in the 17th century. However, Christianity arrived in India way before that timeline, at around 52 AD through St Thomas, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus and he possibly built the oldest church in India.
St. Thomas Church in Palayur: A church that goes back to ancient times
Also known as Palayur Mar Thoma Church, it is located at Palayur in Kerala’s Thrissur district. The Saint Thomas Christian tradition states that St Thomas established the church in 52 AD. In India, Saint Thomas performed the first baptism at that place.
Hence, the church is known as an Apostolic Church as St Thomas preached and also introduced Christianity to the people in Kerala. St Thomas established seven major churches in India and it is one of them, with the others being at Kokkamangalam, Cranganore, Kottakkavu, Niranam, Kollam, and Nilakkal. The original site has the small church structure which St Thomas established. In the 17th century, Giacomo Fenicio made substantial additions but did not sacrifice the main sanctity of the place.
The establishment of the oldest church in India
The Saint Thomas Christian tradition states that St Thomas traveled from Kodungallur and came to Palayur by boat through the backwaters. Palayur, at that time was dominated by the Brahmins and also by the Jews. At Palayur, Thomas was visiting the Jewish merchants and intended on preaching the Christian gospel.
Legends states that when Thomas arrived at Palayur, he saw Brahmins performing ablutions in a local tank. They were offering prayers and throwing water from their palms. Thomas challenged them that he could make the water stay in air for sometime and reportedly performed the miracle. In Palayur, he converted many people to Christianity.
He baptised the converts in a nearby water tank which is now called the “Thaliyakulam” and is known as the “Birthplace of Christianity in India”. It is believed that St Thomas founded seven churches in India and only three of them, the one in Palayur, the Kottakkavu Church and the one in Niranam have claimed continuity. The other churches established by St Thomas have undergone several changes.
The structure of the Palayur Mar Thoma Church
The church was reportedly built in a place where there was an old temple and thus, it has many symbols of the Indian architecture. The church was a fusion of Hindu architectural style when it came to ornamentation with a Persian church plan. The church has a tower and the entrance is like a mandapa in the Indian architecture. An Italian missionary named Giacomo Fenicio constructed a new church around the old church. After it was built, the locals, who were sentimental about the old church agreed to demolish it. However, the original altar which St Thomas consecrated is still retained.
St. Thomas Church in Palayur, Kerala, claims the title of India’s oldest church, established around 52 AD by St. Thomas the Apostle. This Apostolic church, a blend of Indian and Persian architecture, showcases a rich history. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
