St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church, Malayattoor

The St Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic International Shrine, Malayattoor (or Malayatoor Church) is one of the eight international shrines in the world, situated in Malayattoor Angamaly, Ernakulam district of Kerala, India.

St Thomas International Shrine
St Thomas International Shrine, Malayattoor, Angamaly
St Thomas International Shrine
Location of Malayattoor International Shrine, Angamaly in Kerala.
10.216°N 76.509°E / 10.216; 76.509
LocationMalayattoor Angamaly, Ernakulam, Kerala
CountryIndia
DenominationSyro-Malabar Catholic (International Shrine)

The Malayatoor Church attracts many devotees from not just India, but from all over the world. St. Thomas the Apostle was the one who took initiative to begin Christian community in Kerala later found. The church here has been designated by the Vatican as one among the eight International shrines in the world.[1][2] It is believed that St. Thomas held prayer at the place where church is situated when he landed in Kerala. The hilltop church is located 15 km away from the town of Kalady. Malayatoor and Kodanad villages are located on the opposite banks of the Periyar river with unspoiled and rustic views of the surroundings.

History

St. Thomas is believed to have landed at Kodungallur (Cranganore) in Kerala in AD 50. In AD 62, St. Thomas returns to Malankara coast via Malayatur where he establishes ‘the half church’ (a small Christian community dependant on the Church of Maliamkara).

Oral tradition says that while travelling through Malayattor, faced with hostile natives, he fled to the hilltop where he said to have remained in prayer and that he left his footprint on one of the rocks. According to beliefs, during prayer, he touched a rock, upon which blood poured from it.

The chief festival is on the first Sunday after Easter. It is traditionally believed that St. Thomas used to make the Sign of the Cross on the rock, kiss it and pray at Kurisumudi. The story has it that a miraculous golden cross appeared at that particular spot. Pilgrims going up the hill to call out incessantly "Ponnum Kurishu Muthappo, Ponmala Kayattom", meaning "''O Patriarch of the Golden Cross! Climb we shall, this golden hill!''"

This Shrine was promoted to Archdiocesan status by Major Archbishop Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil on 4 September 1998. There is also a very ancient Church in the name of St Thomas (Estd. 900) at Malayattoor on the bank of Periyar River which serves as the parish Church at present. The annual festival of this church is known as 'Malayatoor Perunal' and it is celebrated in the months of March–April.

Kurisumudi

Kurishumudi (Hill of the holy cross) is a mountain at Malayattoor, has its fame as a place visited by St. Thomas, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ. Jesus gave a mandate to his Apostles to go out to the whole world and to proclaim the Good News. Thomas set out to India and landed at Kodungalloor in AD 52. A hostile reception was given and his life was in danger. He was forced to flee to the top of the mountain and had spent days in the abode of God. In deep anguish and agony, St. Thomas prayed to the Lord and he made a sign of the cross on the rock. The Mother of Our Lord, Blessed Mary, appeared to console and strengthens him. He descended from the top hill and continued his journey to Mylapoore in Tamil Nadu. Later on the hunters went to the mountain for hunting. While they stayed in the night they saw a glittering sign of cross on the rock. Out of curiosity they struck there with their rude weapons. To their surprise blood gushed out. They ran to the valley and told the locals. They went to the mountain and while they prayed there they got many miracles. This is the humble beginning of Pilgrimage to Kurishumudi

  • Ponnum Kurishu
  • Kurishumudi church
  • ST. Thomas Church, Kurishumudi

Golden Cross

Kurishumudi is where one can find the Golden Cross believed to have formed when St. Thomas knelt on a rock and signed a cross with his finger. He remained there praying for a long time, and ultimately a golden cross appeared on the spot.

Footprints of St Thomas

One of the most curious sights at the mountain was the permanent footprint and the marks of knees of St. Thomas imprinted on the rock. At present, the natural footprint is not there but instead there is a man-made footprint (A replica) made by the Church.

The ancient chapel struck by the elephants

An ancient chapel at Kurishumudi, was attacked by tuskers in the past when it used to be surrounded by thick jungle. Deep tusk marks can still be found on the back wall of the chapel.

The miraculous water spring

A well, situated near the ancient chapel at the top of the mount is believed to be the spot from where St. Thomas quenched his thirst during his time of prayer. Feeling thirsty, he struck the rock from which fresh water started flowing. Pilgrims consider the water in the well to possess divine power to heal ailments.

With its recent recognition by Vatican as an international pilgrim centre, this famous shrine at Malayattoor dedicated to St. Thomas would be extending its healing touch and spiritual bliss to more visitors and for those who come to enjoy its serenity.

Tourist information
Shrine information

St. Thomas founded churches in different places in Kerala including Kollam, Kodungalloor, Nilakkal, Niranam, etc. One can easily seek spiritual happiness and satisfaction amidst the calm and serene locales surrounding Malayatoor. In fact, this center is the most popular and largest St. Thomas shrine in India. It is a popular tourist center and many people throng this place to have a look at this magnificent church. It is a must visit while traveling to Cochin.

Every year on the first Sunday after Easter, thousands of pilgrims throng to this shrine to seek holy blessings. The church has been decorated with beautiful carvings, designs and paintings that depict the life of Jesus Christ. There are facilities for confession and adoration also in this church. The church also has an ancient pond that was used for baptism purposes and a traditional pulpit that is considered to be of much historical significance.

Mass Timings

There is a Holy Mass daily at 7:30 AM. On Sundays and Feast days there are two services - 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM.

The main feasts celebrated are:

  • Puthunajayar - First Sunday after Easter
  • Dukrana - July 3. Feast of St. Thomas
  • Exalation of the Holy Cross - September 14.


How to reach Malayattoor Church
By air

The Cochin International Airport is at a distance of 15 kilometers from here.

By rail

The Angamaly railway station is at a distance of 17 kilometers from Malayattoor, but since most trains do not stop at Angamaly you can get down at the next railway station Aluva (Alwaye)as most of the trains halt there.

By road

Malayattoor Church is easily reachable from anywhere in Kerala and Cochin as the place is well connected by a wide network of roads. To get to Malayatoor driving down on the NH47, one will have to take a diversion towards Kalady from Angamaly and drive all the way up to Kalady town which will take about 10 minutes. Then take a left towards Malayatoor. Folks driving down from Ernakulam / Cochin can drive up to Angamaly and take the same route or take the left towards Kalady after Cochin International Airport on the NH47. The latter route is shorter but the time taken will be a little more due to the small roads one will have to drive in.

There is a new bridge from Kodanad to Malayatoor which makes it easy for people coming from the eastern side like Kothamangalam, Munnar etc. They can take the turn at Kuruppampady towards Kodanad and reach Malayatoor in 20 minutes by car. People coming from Perumbavoor can take the Vallom - Kodanad road to access the same bridge to reach Malayatoor in less than 20 minutes.

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See also

References
  1. "International and National Shrines". gcatholic.org. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  2. "The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Malayattoor church festival held". hindu.com. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
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