വിശ്വാസത്തിന്റെ ചരിത്രവഴികൾ : History of Christianity in India പാലയൂർ പള്ളി

Описание: വിശ്വാസത്തിന്റെ ചരിത്രവഴികൾ പാലയൂർ പള്ളി
History of Christianity in India
Palayur Church, also known as St. Thomas Major Archiepiscopal Shrine is considered the oldest Christian church in India, founded by St. Thomas the Apostle in 52 AD. It is located in Palayur, near Chavakkad in Thrissur district, Kerala, and remains a major pilgrimage site for Christians worldwide.
Historical Significance: Tradition holds that St. Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, established the church after arriving in Kerala. This marks the beginning of Christianity in the Indian subcontinent.
Architecture: The church blends Kerala, Persian, and Portuguese styles. It was rebuilt between 1600–1607 under Giacomo Fenicio, a Jesuit priest.
Jewish Settlement Connection: Palayur was once a thriving Jewish settlement. St. Thomas is said to have preached here and performed baptisms in a pond that still exists as part of the pilgrimage experience.
Survival of Antiquity: Unlike other early churches destroyed and rebuilt elsewhere, Palayur Church stands as a unique surviving symbol of St. Thomas’ arrival in Kerala.
Pilgrimage Site: Devotees visit to see relics, the baptismal pond, and the shrine, making it a spiritual and cultural landmark.
Palayoor Church is not just a religious site—it is a living monument of India’s multi-faith heritage. It represents the meeting of Jewish, Hindu, and Christian traditions in Kerala, and continues to be a place of worship, history, and cultural dialogue.
The spirituality of Palayoor Church is deeply rooted in its identity as the cradle of Christianity in India, symbolizing faith, conversion, and interreligious dialogue. It is revered not only as a historic monument but also as a living center of devotion where the legacy of St. Thomas the Apostle continues to inspire believers.