The Archdiocese of Ernakulam

ALANGAD

Alangad is famous for many events in the history of the Kerala Catholic Church. It is the birthplace of Mar Joseph Kariattil, Ph.D., D.D., who was consecrated Archbishop of Cranganore in 1783, at Lisbon but died before he arrived in Kerala. The Mortal remains of Archbishop Kariattil, brought from Goa, were solomenly re-interred here in 1961. A remnant of the ancient glory of Alangad, a Pahlavi Cross dating back to the early centuries, was discovered by the late Msgr. J.C. Panjikaran in recent years. It was at Alangad that in 1653 soon after the Coonen Cross Oath at Mattanchery, 12 priests "consecrated" a "Bishop" (Mar Thoma I) and paved the way to schism. In 1598 Archbishop Dr. Menezes of Goa visited Alangad in 1701 Fr. Angelo Francis was consecrated Bishop here by Mar Simon, a Mesopotamian Bishop. There is a very ancient Church here (Estd. 1300 and dedicated to Our Lady).
LOCATION: 7 kilometres west of Aluva, on the way to Parur.

ALUVA The two major Pontifical Seminaries, namely St. Joseph"s Mangalapuzha and St. Joseph"s Carmel Giri, under the Oriental Congregation, are situated in this town. St. Joseph"s Seminary Mangalapuzha is built in a compound (about 40 acres) bought by Parayil Varkey Tharakan from Mr. Shetler and donated to the Archbishop of Goa to build there a Major Seminary for the training of the Syrian Catholic Priests of the Archdiocese of Cranganore. Aluva is a famous summer resort and it is now the industrial centre of Kerala.
LOCATION: Aluva is situated 23 Km. north of Ernakulam town the way to Trichur.

ANGAMALY

	Angamaly was choosen as his residence by Mar Abraham, the last Chaldean bishop to be ruled over the St Thomas Christians. It continued to be the Metropolitian residence till Archbishop Ros shifted it to Cranganore.Mar Abraham died and was buried here is St Hormis church in 1597. Fr Francis Ros was appointed Bishop of St Thomas Christians by Pope Clement VIII in 1595. History records that St Hormis Church was established in 480 A.D.
	St George" Forane Church at Angamaly attracts every year pilgrims in thousands during the principal feast. LOCATION : It is situated 33 Km. north of Ernakulam on the way to Trichur. www.angamalychurch.com

CHENDAMANGALAM

Remnants of the famous Seminary of Vaippincotta, (Estd. 1584) conducted by the Jesuits, for the training of Syrian clerics, can be seen in the premises of the ancient Church here. The church, established in 1201, was later rebuilt in Portuguese style. The historical remnants are preserved by the archeological department of the Central Government of India. Chendamangalam is an attraction for students of history and for foreign visitors. It was the seat of the king of Christians of Villarvattom. History records that Archbishop Dr. Menezes of Goa in 1528 visited vaippincotta and administered confirmation to the faithful.
LOCATION: 7 Km. north-east of Parur town which is 35 Km. away from Ernakulam.

EDAPALLY

The famous church of St. George of Edappally was founded in 503 A.D. and draws thousands of pilgrims belonging to all castes and creeds, not only during the principal feast (May) but throughout the year. Here there is a well, the water of which it believed to have miraculous curative powers. Hence many use the water with veneration. History records that a sessions of the Council of Diamper was held here. In history there is mention of the consecration of a bishop at Edappally. Edappally is famous as the headquarters of the former Edappally Raja"s.
LOCATION: situated 8 Km. north of Ernakulam on the way to Aluva.
www.edappallstgeorge.org

ERNAKULAM

It has a very ancient church (Estd. 1112 a.d. ) dedicated to Our Lady of Ports, which is now the metropolitan cathedral. It was the capital of the erstwhile Cochin State. In 1896 Ernakulam was made the headquarters of the Vicariate of Ernakulam by the Bull "quae Rei Sacre" of Pope Leo XIII. The newly built Cathedral was elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica by Pope Paul VI on 20 March 1974.

Location : Ernakulam faces the Cochin Harbour.

KANJOOR

History records that in 1591 Archbishop Dr. Menezes of Goa visited Kanjoor to study the documents in Syriac and liturgical books. There is a very ancient church dedicated to Our Lady (Estd. 1001). It attracts thousands of devotees of St. Sebastian especially during the principal feast in January. There are some ancient inscriptions as well as articles of historical value at Kanjoor. There is also a very ancient and historic grave of a Governador here.

LOCATION: 10 Km. north-east of Aluva.

KOKKAMANGALAM

It is one of the two churches in the archdiocese said to be founded by St. Thomas in 52 AD. Kokkamangalam is situated on the western shore of Vembanad lake. In the first century, this prosperous village was inhabited by Hindus. According to tradition, the Apostle performed a miracle here which brought about the conversion of several of the Hindu families. A church was erected close to the local Hindu temple. The remains of an ancient Hindu temple, with a filled up tank are seen very near to the church even today. The present church was rebuilt in 1900.

LOCATION: 5 Km. east of Cherthala on the way to Thannirmukkom and Vechoor.

KORATTY

Here is a very ancient church dedicated to Our Lady (Estd. 1381), popularly called "Korattymuthy". This is a renowned Marian Pilgrim Centre. It is called also the Lourdes of Kerala. For the principal feast celebratede on Sunday following 10th of October, pilgrims from all over Kerala and Southern states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh flock here. The Rosary village constructed adjecent to the church attracts thousands of devotees of Koratty Muthy everyday. Fifteen Mysteries of Holy Rosary depicted in the beautifully constructed statues erected in the small chapels built around the architecturally designed lawn and garden can certainly lead us in to deep meditation on the Holy Rosary.A combination of Indian, Roman and Byzentine cultures can be seen in the construction of these

chapels. Other attrections of the Rosary Village are the statue of "Pieta" with the musical foundation, the entrance picturising Jesus praying on the top of the rock in "Padmasana" and the
"Menorah" of Jewish traditions. Moreover the prayer "Hail Mary" is written in fifty languages, Indian, and foreign to creat a homely atmosphere. It stands as the symbol of national unity, religious amity and yniversal brotherhood.
LOCATION: 33 Km. north of Ernakulam, on the way to Trichur and a little north west of Koratty railway station. www.korattymuthy.com

KOTTEKKAVU (N.PARUR)

"Parur-Kottekkavu" said to be established by St. Thomas in 52 A.D. is situated very near to Cranganore where the Aposte landed in India. Here there was a Hindu temple around which there was a Brahmin colony. These Brahmins were converted by the Apostle and the temple, the massive wall of which can still be seen, was changed into a Catholic church. A few granite monuments are preserved here. Bishop Francis Ros was buried in the sanctuary of the existing old church, situated just behind the new one. History records that prior to the Synod Diamper, Archbishop Meneze Goa made a visit to Parur to Study the orthodoxy of the Syrian Christians in these areas.

LOCATION : 35 Km. north of Ernakulam, and 15 Km. west of Aluva. www.kottackkavuchurch.org

Koonammavu: At Koonammavu, there was a monastery (not to be confused with the present CMI monastry) in which Blessed Kuriakose Chavara spent his last years. The other important institution is the Carmelite Convent which was founded and directed by Bl. Chavara and the missionary Leopold.
LOCATION: Situated between North Parur and Varapuzha.

MALAYATOOR KURISUMUDI INTERNATIONAL SHRINE

Many parts of Kerala had the privilege of being trodden by the Holy Apostle St. Thomas and there are many shrines dedicated to him. The most notable of these shrines in Kerala is Malayattoor Kurisumudi near Kalady the birth place of Sankara charya, the great Hindu Philosopher. Vatican erected Malayattoor Kurisumudi as an International Shrine and it was officially annunced by H.E. Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil on 24th April 2004. Lakhs of pilgrims of all castes and creeds, even from outside India, visit Kurisumudi throughout the year especially in summer season. The chief festival is on the first Sunday after Easter. It is traditionally believed that St. Thomas used to make the sign of the Cross on the rock, kiss it and pray at Kurisumudi and later on, a miraculous golden cross appeared at that particular spot. The pilgrims going up to Kurisumudi ceaselessly call out the Saint"s name thus giving testimony to their deep faith in him. "PONNUM KURISU MUTHAPPO, PONMALA KAYATTOM." This Shrine was elavated to the status of an Archdiocesan.

Shrine by His Grace Archbishop Mar Varkey Vithayathil on 4th Sept. 1998. There is also a very ancient Church in the name of St Thomas (Estd. 900) at Malayattoor on the bank of Periyar River and it is the parish Church now.
LOCATION: About 15 Km. north east of Angamaly. www.malayattoorkurisumudy.in

PALLIPPURAM

There is a very ancient Church dedicated to Our Lady of Assumption which is said to be established in 52 AD. It is traditionally believed that the cross that St. Thomas erected at Kokkamangalam, not far from here, happened to be thrown away into the vembanad lake by fanatics. But the cross safely floated over the surface of the lake and reached "Mattel" a small island, adjacent to Pallipuram. The miraculously found cross was solemnly taken by the people and a small Church was built to commemorate the event. In later years the cross was taken over to Pallippuram Church and it is preserved there today : At Pallippuram there was a seminary, for the training of the Syrian clerics, the remnants of which can be seen even today. Some of the ancient paintings about Our Lady"s Assumption are of great attraction for visitors to this place.
LOCATION: About 13 Km. north of Cherthala on the way to Arukutty. Pallippuram is on the western shore of Vembanad, opposite to Vaikom.

Puthenpally: At Puthenpally the Spanish Carmelites conducted a Seminary from 1866 to 1932. In 1932 that seminary was shifted to Mangalapuzha. The remnants of the old seminary can be seen even today at Puthenpally.
LOCATION: situated in between North Parur and Varapuzha.

UDAYAMPEROOR (DIAMPER)

Udayamperoor where the historic Synod convoked by Dom Menezes, Archbishop of Goa (1599) was held (13 priests and 660 lay leaders for 7 days attended in 8 session) is a place of great historical importance. Prior to that, in 1591 Archbishop Menezes ordained 38 priests here. There are a number of granite monuments preserved on the walls of the church. The historical granite cross at which 4 priests can concelebrate holy mass is a monument of great attraction.
LOCATION: about 16 Km. to the south Ernakulam on the way to Kottayam.

VECHOOR

There is a very ancient Church at (Kuda) Vechoor (Estd. 1463) dedicated to Our Lady, popularly called Vechoor Muthiamma". It is a famous pilgrim centre. The feast falls on 8th September and thousands of pilgrims flock there from all parts of Kerala. A picture of Our Lady, which is believed to be a replica of the one painted by St. Luke, is kept here.
Location : Situated 45 Km. South of Ernakulam on the way to Kottayam through the Eastern Coast of Vembanad.