St. Antony's Church, Azhagappapuram, Kanyakumari
St.
Antony's Church is located at Azhagappapuram near Kanyakumari Town in
Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. St. Antony's church stands in the middle of Azhagappapuram.
History
A
Malayananchan from the Hindu Nadar community that moved in here after the
Mudaliars era, had become a prominent figure. His eight sons were known as the
Eight mavericks. In the period 1700–1740 Malayananchan converted to
Christianity and was baptized by the Vadakankulam parish priest, Paranjothi
Nathar; he was re-christened as Swamiadian. Malayananchan built with his own
money a thatch-roofed church, dedicating it to St. Antony. As he believed he
had been cured of a serious ailment by divine grace, he donated his land
surrounding the church, where the primary school was later built. The sepulcher
of his eldest son still stands intact at the eastern frontier of Azhagai (Oor
Nadar Kallarai).
Azhagai
village grew as settlers started gradually moving in. The existing church land
was acquired in the mid-nineteenth century. Vadakankulam parish priest Soosai
Gregory Nathar and the people constructed the church in two phases. In those
days, the areas falling to the west of the Western Mountain range, were called Kollam diocese and those
located on the eastern side of the mountain, Thiruchi diocese. Azhagappapuram
was under Thiruchi diocese. During the period 1730 to 1830, the
village was in Anakarai parish; during the period from 1830 to 1910, it was
merged with Vadakankulam parish.
This
village was named after Azhagappa Mudaliar, a famous Mudaliar who lived in here
early, in recognition of his meritorious services to Azhagai. The Mudaliars and
others did many freelance jobs for their livelihood. They are known to have run
mini-weaving operations. However, apparently due to lack of adequate income to
make ends meet, they are believed to have moved away from Azhagai. With the
construction and opening of the Pechiparai dam in 1910, water started flowing
across this plain through Thovalai canal, greatly affecting Azhagai and its
inhabitants. Agriculture became the backbone of the area's economy.
Azhagappapuram Parish:
In the 1910,
on May 23, the then parish priest of Azhagai, Fr. Pappai, upgraded the Primary
school to Middle School. In the year 1921, keeping in view the increase in
population, Azhagappapuram became an exclusive parish. Fr. Stanislaus Raja
became the first Parish priest. Rajakrishnapuram was attached to Azhagappapuram
parish in 1921. In the same year, St. George's church at Thirumoolanagar was
blessed and that village was merged with Azhagai parish. When Tuticorin diocese
was established in the year 1923, Azhagappapuram parish was brought under it.
St. Theresa’s Statue:
Wishing
to build a small church for St. Theresa, Fr. Dharmanathar (Jan 1926 Dec 1930),
started construction work with the fistful of rice he received from the people
of Azhagai. Fr. Thairiyanathar continued with the construction work (July 1931
July 1934). The finishing touches were given by Fr. Mariadhas. The saint's
statue was crowned by the Vadakankulam senior parish priest, Innasiyar. The
school had to shut, but was reopened by Fr. Mariadhas. By then a cholera
epidemic started taking a heavy toll
of the population of Azhagai. Fr. Mariadhas ensured speedy supply of medicines.
It is believed that after the inception of St. Theresa’s statue, cholera
vanished from the face of Azhagai.
Festivals
St. Antony's Festival:
The
Vadakankulam parish priest used to come to Azhagai every year in June for the
St. Antony's festival during the period June 4 to 13, when he also took care of
various affairs of the church and the community.
Kanikai Matha Festival:
On
February 2, 1851 Fr. Martin started the Kanikai Matha festival. Thereafter, the
Vadakankulam parish priest started visiting Azhagai twice a year for the two
festivals. In 1908, Fr. Gousanal of the Jesuits Order established Holy
Communion at Azhagai church. In 1910 Azhagappapuram
was brought under the jurisdiction of Kootapuli parish.
Connectivity
The
Church is located at about 9 Kms Kanyakumari, 9 Kms from Suchindram, 17 Kms
from Nagercoil and 88 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. The Church is located at
about 500 meters from Bus Stop. Azhagappapuram can be reached from Kanyakumari
and Suchindram by road. National Highway 7 passes nearby. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Kanyakumari (8 Kms). Nearest Airport is located at
Thiruvananthapuram.
