Kerala

Alappuzha

India

<p>Arthunkal Church is situated in the small fishing village named Arthunkal in Cherthala Taluk of Alappuzha District in Kerala, India. The official name of the church is 'Arthunkal St. Andrew's Basilica’, this is the first church in Alappuzha that got elevated to the status of basilica on 9th July 2010. This is also the 7th basilica in Kerala and 3rd basilica of Roman Catholic Latin church of Kerala. The church was believed to be built during 16th century by the Portuguese missionaries.</p><h3>History of the church</h3><p>Existing from the 16th century onwards, the church has seen many vicars and many renovations. The small church that was first constructed out of coconut and palm leaves now stand huge, made of granites, as a architectural marvel.</p><h4>The first church built by the Portuguese missionaries</h4><p>It is believed that the Portuguese missionaries who came along with the Vasco da Gama built the church. At first, the chapel was believed to be built at the location in 1569 with coconut and palm leaves. Which was then dedicated to St. Thomas as there were a lot of followers for St. Thomas around the area during that period. Later in 1581, father Gasper Pious SJ who belong to the Jesuit missionaries built a church there as per the request of the local Christians with the permission of the King of Kochin, Veera Kerala Varma. After the church’s &nbsp;completion, it was then dedicated to St. Andrew- the apostle.</p><h4>The time of Father Jacomo Fenicio S.J.</h4><p>In 1584 Father Jacomo Fenicio S.J. took charge of the church. He initiated the building work of the new church with stone and lime. The new church took around 7 years to complete. Post the construction he was transferred to other church and later came back to Arthunkal in 1619. He again did the reconstruction of church that year. He was also known as the second apostle of the east and died in the year 1632. His tomb is still buried in the altar of the old church.</p><h4>The statue of saint Sebastian brought from Milan</h4><p>It was in 1640 father Fonsaco who took that charge from Fenicio reconstructed the elevation of the church facing west. It was during this period the a statue of St. Sebastian, struck with arrows all over his bleeding body (he was executed on the order of the Roman emperor for embracing the Christian faith) sculptured in Milan, was brought and placed in the Arthunkal church.</p><h4>Beyond 18th century and the present church</h4><p>During the 18th century the church was taken over by the Carmelite missionaries from Jesuit missionaries. St. Chavara Kuriakose Elias was ordained by Reverent Dr Staballini at Arthunkal Church on 29 November 1829. In the second half of 19th century, father Gasper Bylon de Mariatoris Kaithavalappil was appointed as the vicar- the first local priest to take charge of the church. Before his appointment, in 1910, the foundation for the present church was laid by then vicar- father Vincent Das Navis. It took 60 years to complete the church is granite.</p><h3>Exploring Arthunkal church and its premises</h3><p>The church is situated in a vey calm and serene atmosphere, standing tall with its beautiful architecture. The architecture style of both the churches are that of of medieval European. Both the old and the new churches are a marvel to look at from inside and outside, although they contradict each other on the exterior colour. The new church is dark coloured while the old one looks limestone white. Inside the churches, huge chambers with paintings and decorations along with the quietness sets a peaceful environment.</p><p>Near to the church is the Arthunkal beach with its fishing boats and white shimmering sands ready to explore.</p><h3>Myths, beliefs, and major offerings</h3><p>The church has many beliefs and myths associated with it. It also plays a great role in promoting religious harmony in the region due to its association with the Hindu devotees of Sabarimala pilgrimage.</p><h4>Veluthachan who performed miracles</h4><p>Father Jacomo Fenicio S.J. who was the vicar in 15th century was much loved by the devotees. Most of them believed that he is a god man .They used to call him “Veluthachan” which in English referred as "fair skinned father”. It is believed that he performed a lot of miracles during his time, and his tomb which is maintained in the old church is worshipped with candles by the devotees.</p><h4>Hindu devotees from Sabarimala Pilgrimage</h4><p>There is also a wide belief that the god Ayyappa who is the deity of Sabarimala Ayyappa Swamy temple and the St. Sebastian are brothers. That is believed to be the factor behind the visit of thousands of Hindu devotes after Sabarimala pilgrimage to the church. The devotees remove the Halocarpus bead chains that they wear during their fasting period of Sabarimala Pilgrimage in front of the church altar before heading back to their homes.</p><h4>Cures to illness and offerings to the church</h4><p>The church is believed to be a place of resolution for many agony’s by the devotees. The issues ranging from family and civil problems to mental and physical issues.it is mainly believed that this is a paces were mentally disordered get cured after they offer their prayers for a certain time period. Many also come here to express their gratitude for fulfilling their prayers.</p><p>Majority of the devotees make offering in the form of cash to the church. Other major offering is ‘Nirangu nercha’ which is held during the annual festival. For this the devotees crawls on their knees from the beach to the church which is roughly a kilometer. ‘Urulu nercha’ is another famous offering which is normally practiced by the Hindu devotes in temples. This offering involves the devotees to is roll from the beach instead of crawling. Ambu nercha is another kind of offering in which devotes will hold the offering material (Ambum Villum: bow and arrow) in hands to fulfil their prayers.</p><h3>The annual St. Sebastian’s feast</h3><p>The church is widely famous among the people for the annual holy festival known as St. Sebastian’s feast. The feast is held in a mass scale from 10-27 January every year, with huge fanfare and devotion from the believers. Thousands of people from and outside the state participate in the event. The main attraction of the feast is the procession of the St. Sebastian’s statue in a well decorated palanquin from the church to the beach and back.</p><p>The procession is on 18th, and after the procession the statue of St Sebastian is safely kept in a glass locker in church premises. 20th January is the final day of the feast and the church authorities conduct mini feast called ‘Ettam perunnal’ on the 8th day after the main feast. Many devotees comes for the feast to perform different kinds of offerings.</p><h3>Getting to Arthunkal church</h3><p>Arthunkal Church is located in Arthunkal Village of Alappuzha District in Kerala State in Southern India. The Nearest small town is Cherthala (7Km) and the large town is Alappuzha (21 km). The church lies in a coastal town near to national highway 47 that connects Mangalore to Trivandrum, there are many buses from either sides- that is from Ernakulam and Alapuzha that goes through the church area.</p><p>Major railway stations nearby are in Alappuzha and Ernakulam, from both the places there are buses plotting through Arthunkal.</p>

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St Andrew's Basilica Church

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