Thiruvithamcode Arappally (St. Mary's Church),
Thiruvithamcode, Kanyakumari
Thiruvithamcode
Arappally is located at Thiruvithamcode in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. Thiruvithamcode
Arappally is also called as Royal Church or Thomayar Kovil or St. Mary's
Orthodox Church or Amalagiri Church. This Church is cute and quaint,
almost hidden amid the coconut groves and lotus ponds of this charming border
village near Thuckalay, a short drive from the National Highway that connects
Thiruvananthapuram and Kanyakumari. It is the existing oldest church
structure in the World.
Legends
As per
local folklore, In Mylapore, Christians were persecuted by Chola Kingdom. Hence
64 families mainly from Brahmin Vellala Chetty community who had accepted
Christianity, with the help of St. Thomas, fled to Venadu. St. Thomas brought
them to Travancore crossing the Western Ghats (Sahaya Parvatham) through Aralvaimozhi Pass. The King of Venadu,
Imayavaramban Cheralathan received them and offered for them food and land. But
when they were offered Vibhuthi, they refused it.
The King
also gave 64 houses for them built on 64 fragments of land. He also gave
another 24 cents of land for worship. It is said that St. Thomas only kept a
cross on that place and church was built later. It has been noted in in ancient
Tamil poems by Thachilayar who mentions that King Imayavaramban Cheran made “Kadavul Mana” meaning House of the
Lord. Also, he is mentioned as Santor
Puravila meaning Protector of Saints. Santor is derived from the
Latin word, sanctus which means holy.
And
hence it can be assumed that Santor mentioned is about Christians. In later years, the Christians from Thiruvithamcode migrated do different parts
of Travancore for business and also to escape from fatal diseases. In 1825,
there was a great epidemic of Cholera in Kerala which took the lives of many.
Also, many people had to leave from one place to another place. Many people
from Thiruvithamcode migrated to Kollam, Kundara, Kadambanad, Adoor, Chathannur
etc. which were Christian areas.
History
It is
believed by the Christian communities in Kerala that the historic
Thiruvithamcode Arappally, also called Amalagiri church as named by
the Chera King Uthiyan Cheralathan, was built by St. Thomas, known as the Apostle of India, in 63 AD. It is now declared an international St.
Thomas pilgrim center. In 53 A.D., the disciple of Jesus Christ, St. Thomas
came to India and seven and a half Churches. He built Churches in Kodungalur,
Kollam, Niranam, Chayal, Kokkamangalam, Kottaikavu, Palayur which are all
situated in Kerala. In 63A.D., he built a Church for St. Mary at Manikramam in Thiruvithamcode.
Only this church built by him is called as Half Church (Ara Palli), since the
height of the church is less. But many people have many views about this Ara Palli.
According
to one part of people says Ara Palli is misunderstood as Half Church (Ara =
half). Because “Ara” is related to the word “King” in local language. As in
words such as Arasan = King, Aramana = King’s house (Palace), Arayal = King
Tree (banyan tree), Arayannam = King bird. Hence Ara Palli / Arayan Palli =
King’s Church. As long back, Thiruvithamcode was the Capital of Travancore. The
land where the church is situated is donated by the King. Hence the name as
“Ara Palli.
According
to a historian, the original church was built under the patronage of King. The
present church has been built in the site of the original church. The church
has been rebuilt at least five times but keeping the style of the original
church. Around 80 years back, the ruins of this church were found by the late
Rev. Fr. Koottumkal Geevarghese Ramban, who restored the church to its present
glory.
This
church has many names like St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Thomayar Koil, Amalagiri
and Ara Palli. This church is under the control of Indian (Malankara) Orthodox
Church. In 16th December 2007, The Catholicose of the East Baselios Marthoma
Dydimos I proclaimed this church as St. Thomas International Pilgrim Centre.
It is
said that during the 1940’s, this church was tried to be converted as a Hindu
temple due to the resemblance of a Hindu temple. Some believe that it was Hindu
shrine which was converted into a Church. But there was a cross curved on a
pillar which stopped the issue. According to believers, this cross was
carved by St. Thomas himself. The Church’s alter, baptism basin, incense burner
is believed to be from Portuguese.
There are
some ancient references to the church such as in the Book of Duarte Barbosa,
which talks about ‘Tharusayikkal’ believed to be about Thiruvithamcode. Also,
the canons passed at the famous Synod of Udayamperoor in 1599 show that a group
of Christians living in Thiruvithamcode were in dire need of a priest and that
there was urgent need to reconstruct the church.
The
Church
This
church is 45ft in length, 15ft broad and 10ft in height. This church is
constructed fully with granite stone. It claims to be the world's oldest church
that still has daily prayers. The church has three main parts built in the 17th
century and a 20th-century entrance hall. Its walls are built of locally
quarried stone, chiseled with a multi-tipped chisel, a technique known in
Kerala and possibly introduced there by foreign contact in the 16th century. First
up is the foyer. Carved onto the granite architrave (the door frame) are what
appears to be two kneeling angels in front of an object which could be a
chalice.
Tucked
in an alcove inside the antechamber is an old world baptismal font, made of
granite, and said to be as old as the church itself. Right in front of the
font, on what is the southern wall of the sanctum, is a cross. It is believed
to have been carved by St. Thomas himself. Just outside, adjacent to the
western exit of the antechamber, he pointed out the remnants of an ancient
stone trough where it is said that priests washed their feet before entering
the church. Then, there is the well near the church and according to legend,
the well was dug at the time of St. Thomas and also it has never dried up.
The
present church is reputedly built on the site of the original church. Since
then, it may have been rebuilt at least five times but the native style of the
original church seems to have been faithfully maintained. Adjacent to the
church is the newly built St. Thomas Pilgrimage Centre, which also function
under the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The church today is maintained by
the Malankara Orthodox Syrian
Church. Catholicose of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, Baselios Marthoma Didymos I proclaimed the church as an international St.
Thomas pilgrim center on 16 December 2007.
Connectivity
Thiruvithamcode
Arappally is located at about 250 meters from Thiruvithamcode Bus Stop. Thiruvithamcode is located at 3.5 Kms from Thuckalay, 13 Kms from Marthandam,
6 Kms from Eraniel, 6 Kms from Azhakiyamandapam, 6 Kms from Padmanabhapuram, 10
Kms from Colachel, 13 Kms from Thiruvattaru, 16 Kms from Nagercoil, 40 Kms from
Kanyakumari and 60 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. If enroute on NH 47 towards
Kanyakumari, take a right at Azhakiyamandapam to Thiruvithamcode. If coming
from Madurai / Kanyakumari, at Thuckalay Main bus stand take a right to reach
Thiruvithamcode. Nearest Railway Station is located at Eraniel and Nearest
Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.