Ancient Churches, Heritage, Nazraney Sthambams, Persian Cross, Saint Thomas Crosses - Tuesday, January 16, 2007 3:15 - 61 Comments

Ancient Churches with traditional dates of foundation & Stone Crosses of Kerala- Saint Thomas Cross, Nazraney Sthambams and other Persian Crosses

Kerala has many churches of antiquity. Many lists exist about the ancient Churches and its year of foundation. There are mainly two types of rock crosses in Kerala Churches broadly classified as St. Thomas cross and Nazraney sthambams. There are also Persian crosses in other forms such as seen in Niranam and North Paravur Churches.

This article focus on 1.) Ancient Churches of Saint Thomas Christians in Kerala with year of foundation 2) Ancient Stone Crosses of Kerala 2.1) St. Thomas Cross- Locations of the Crosses in India- About the Saint Thomas Cross 2.2) Nazraney Sthambams -Locations of the Open Air Crosses- About the Open Air Crosses 2.3) Other Persian Crosse- Kottakkavu ( Parur) Cross- Niranam Cross-Nilakkal Cross.

1. Ancient Churches of Saint Thomas Christians in Kerala with year of foundation

According to tradition Saint Thomas, the apostle established Seven Churches or communities in Kerala. These are Palayoor, Cranganore, Paravur, Kokkamangalam, Niranam, Chayal and Kollam.

It has been suggested that the inland movement of St. Thomas Christians from the initial locations started from 3rd century onwards as part of their agrarian activities to bring more forest under cultivation. This resulted in erection of several churches at inland parts. In the succeeding centuries migrating Persian Christians and some local Christians concentrated more of their activities on the coast. The native St. Thomas Christians penetrated more and more to the inland parts. The immigrants from West Asia, who settled down in India at different periods of the history got intermingled and emerged in to the mainstream Saint Thomas Christians Community.

The important churches which were erected during this period based on tradition are as follows,¹

Church locations & Events	YEAR of Foundation
Saint Thomas the Apostle at King Gondaphares in North India	c. 40 AD
Saint Thomas the Apostle lands at Cranganore	c. 52 AD
Saint Thomas the Apostle builds churches or communities ( Palayoor, Kodungaloor, Parur, Kokamangalam, Niranam, Nilackal, Kollam)	c. 52-72 AD
Martyrdom of  Saint Thomas the Apostle at Mylapore, India	July 3rd. 72  AD
Kuravilangadu  Church founded	c. 105 AD
Pallipuram Church founded	c. 290 AD
Ambazhakad Church founded	c. 300 AD
Aruvithara Church founded	c. 301 AD
North Pudukad Church founded	c. 400 AD
Puthenchira Church founded	c. 400 AD
Chambakulam Church founded	c. 427 AD
Akaparambu Church founded	450 AD
Angamali Church founded	450 AD
Mattam Church founded	c. 480 AD
Muttuchira Church founded	c. 510 AD
Kaduthuruthy Church founded	c. 510 AD
Enammavu Church founded	c. 510 AD
Udayamperoor Church founded	c. 510 AD
Edapally Church founded	c. 593 AD
Chalakudy Church founded	c. 600 AD
Mylakombu Church founded	c. 600 AD
Kolenchery Church founded	c. 650 AD
Moozhikulam Church founded	c. 650 AD
Kayamkulam Church founded	c. 824 AD
Kothanalloor Church founded	c.826  AD
Athirampuzha Church founded	c.835 AD
Kottayam Church founded	890 AD
Nagapuzha Church founded	900 AD
Manjapra Church founded	943 AD
Mavelikara Church founded	943 AD
Kadamattom Church founded	950 AD
Pazhuvil Church founded	960 AD
Arakuzha Church founded	999 AD
Nediasala Church founded	999 AD
Kottekad Church founded	999 AD
Kunnamkulam Church founded	999 AD
Kadaplamattom Church founded	10th century
Kanjur Church founded	1001 AD
Kaduthuruthy Cheriapally founded	c. 1001 AD
Pala Church founded	1002 AD
Muttam Church founded	1023 AD
Cherpunkal Church founded	1111 AD
Vadakara Church founded	1096 AD
Bharananganam Church founded	1100 AD
Changanacherry Church founded	1117 AD
Thripunithara Church founded	1175 AD
Cheppadu Church founded	c. 1175 AD
Chengannoor Church founded	c. 1175 AD
Kudamaloor Church founded	c. 1175 AD
Ernakulam Church founded	c. 1175 AD
Mulanthuruthy Church founded	1225 AD
Kothamangalam Valiapally founded	1240 AD
Karthikapally Church founded	c. 1240 AD
Kuruppumpady Church founded	c. 1240 AD
Alengad Church founded	1300 AD
Muthalakodam Church founded	1312 AD
Njarackal Church founded	1341 AD
Koratty Church founded	1381 AD
Poonjar Church founded	c. 1381 AD
Alleppey Church founded	1400 AD
Kanjirappilly Church founded	1450 AD
Ramapuram Church founded	1450 AD
Kothamangalam Cheriapally founded	1455 AD
Kudavechur Church founded	1463 AD
Elanji Church founded	1522 AD
Poonjar Church founded	1542 AD

In 1578, there were about Sixty Churches for Saint Thomas Christians in Malabar. The number of Churches increased during the course of time, and by the year 1644 there were about 94 of them.²

The Church buildings conformed to the Malabar style of architecture. The early builidings were built entirely of wood. Teak wood buildings are said to last for four hundard years as remarked by Fr. Paulinus in eighteenth century. Most of the old churches are beautifully decorated with plaster decorations, most commonly appearing the Virgin and Child. There are also crosses on various floriated designs and angles, images of male and female beings, half man, half fish, holding a ship above their heads. There are also images which has no religious significance such as man shooting a tiger etc.

The ancient Churches externally looked like non- Christian pagodas, the only distinction being the crosses that were put on the roofs and in front in the open air. The Churches also had flag staff. A flag hoisted on such a staff indicates that a feast is being celebrated in the church.³.

2. Ancient Stone Crosses of Kerala

There are two types of rock crosses in Kerala Churches broadly classified as St. Thomas cross and Nazraney sthambams. There are also Persian crosses in other forms such as seen in Niranam and North Paravur Churches.

There is a local tradition which states that Mar Sabrisho and Mar Peroz made a good number of conversions, built new churches and erected open air- crosses.⁴

2.1 St. Thomas Cross

The small interior type rock cross is called St Thomas cross or Persain Cross. These crosses are found at the following locations in India, St. Thomas Mount ( Madras), Kothanalloor, Kottayam [ 2 nos ], Kadamattam, Muttuchira, Alangad and Goa. Continue…

1. Based on the Catalogue mentioned by Pius Malekandathil – “St. Thomas Christians and the Indian Ocean “, pp 186,194-95,198-99.
   - George Menanchery- ” The Nazranis” . The list is complied with additional details.The year of foundation are based on traditional dates. [↩]
2. Joseph Thekkedath- “ History of Christianity in India” Page- 25 [↩]
3. Placid- “ The Thomas Christians” page-86 [↩]
4. A Mingana – ” Early Spread of Christianity in Indai p-508 [↩]