St. Thomas Church Malayattoor
St. Thomas Church Malayattoor, is a parish in the Major Archdiocese of Ernakulam – Angamaly, belonging to the Major Archiepiscopal church of Ernakulam – Angamaly which is also called Syro-Malabar church.
St. Thomas Parish belongs to Malayattoor-Neeleeswaram Gram Panchayat in Aluva Taluk, Ernakulam District The first church was established in AD 700 on the banks of the river Periyar. The parish church or the first church established on the banks of the Periyar was founded in the name of Saint Thomas. The church was established with the aim of fulfilling the spiritual needs of Christians in Malayattoor as well as the pilgrims who came to Kurishumudi. The famous golden cross at Malayattoor Church was crafted in 1736. According to the description in the chuch’s inventory of movable items, the cross is adorned with 104 banyan leaf – like designs (alilakal), 10 bells (manikal),4 spikes (kathirukal) and a 27 – inch tall silver plate, along with copper flowers (chembu malarukal and gemstones). Excluding these decorations the cross itself is made of 8.5 carat gold weighing 2 panam (a traditional unit of weight) valued 295 rupees at the time. This cross continues to be displayed during the feast rituals of Malayattoor Church and holds a position of special reverence.
During 1923 – 1924 renovation activities were conducted in the church under the leadership of Hon. Vadasseriyachan. The inner side was beautified with a special type of brick and, the alter and other places were beautified with special colors. Pope Saint John Paul II said in the order given on June 21, 2005 that those who are unable to climb the mountain due to physical disability can visit the St. Thomas church of Malayattoor Thazhathe palli and get complete indulgence.
The facilities of the old church seemed to be inadequate and considering the increasing number of pilgrims, the idea of a new church was conceived. On January 1, 1999, His Eminence Major Arch bishop Mar Varkey Vithayathil laid the foundation stone for the new church. The church, which was completed under the leadership of Fr. John Theckanath, was consecrated on 15th January 2012 by His Excellency Major Archbishop Mar George Alencheri. A new ceiling was done to make the new church more beautiful and it was blessed on 22nd March 2024 by the Vicar Rev. Fr. Jose Ozhalakattu.
St. Thomas Pilgrims Church
St. Thomas, also called Didymos, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, had done his missionary work in Mesopotamia, Media, Persia, Bactria and Ethiopia, and embarked for missionary work at Malyankara in Kodungalloor, Kerala in AD 52.
Many were converted to Christianity through the preaching of the word and miracles. The tradition is that after a missionary journey in Tamil Nadu (Pandya Rajya), the apostle returned to Kerala via Malayattoor and preached the gospel in Malayattoor. Malayattoor became a holy land because of the missionary work done by St. Thomas in Malayattoor. When there was no positive change in the apostle’s preaching of the gospel, the apostle climbed the nearby mountain and prayed. During the prayer, The Virgin Mary appeared and blessed St. Thomas. The vision and blessing of the Holy Mother infused the apostle with divine spirit and new strength. St. Thomas came down to the mountain and boldly preached the gospel again and baptized many people and formed the Christian community
A few centuries later, hill tribes who came to the top of the mountain to hunt saw a golden aura on the side of the rock and poked it with their weapon. As the punctured area became blood-colored, they got scared and went down the hill and informed the people at the foot of the hill. Christians living in Palayur, Paravoor, Kodungallur and other places came in groups to the top of the mountain to see the miraculous phenomenon. The Malayattoor mountain which became holy with the touch of the feet of Saint Thomas and the apparition of the Virgin Mary, the Golden cross that appeared on the mountain, and the belief in the invisible presence of the saint, made the place prominent pilgrim center for the Marthoma Nasranis.
Kurisumudi, perched at an elevation of 1269 feet above sea level, is a natural wonder that captivates the heart of all who behold it. Rising majestically against the backdrop of the Sahya Mountain ranges, Kurisumudi presents a truly mesmerizing sight. The expansive beautiful rock surface atop Kurisumudi coupled with the steep cliff plunging nearly 1000 feet to the east and the lust northern mountain ranges rising in cascading steps, form a breath taking panorama that powerfully proclaims the infinite majesty of the creator.
