Malayattoor is one of the most prominent Christian pilgrim centers in Kerala. St. Thomas the Apostle established the church here, which has been designated by the Vatican as an International Shrine. The hilltop church is located 10km away from the town of Kaladay. ... St. ... Alternate meanings: See Apostle (Mormonism), The Apostle (1997 movie) The Twelve Apostles (in Greek απόστολος apostolos = someone sent forth/sent out, an emissary) were probably Jewish men (10 names are Aramaic, 4 names are Greek) chosen from among the disciples, who were sent forth by Jesus of Nazareth to preach the...

Historically, St. Thomas is believed to have landed in Kerala at Kodungallur (Cranganore) in AD52. While travelling through Malayattor, faced with hostile natives, he fled to the hilltop where he is said to have remained in prayer. According to beliefs, during prayer, he touched a rock, upon which blood poured from it. ... Cranganore (modern day Kodungallur) was a famous and prosperous sea-port in the southern Indian state of Kerala, about 38 km from the present day Cochin. ... Cranganore (modern day Kodungallur) was a famous and prosperous sea-port in the southern Indian state of Kerala, about 38 km from the present day Cochin. ...

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. Its common for the pilgrims going up to Kurisumudi to ceaselessly call out "Ponnum Kurishu Muthappo, Ponmala Kayattom", meaning "O Patriarch of the Golden Cross! Climb we shall, this golden hill!" Easter is the most important religious holiday of the Christian liturgical year, observed in March, April, or May to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead after his death by crucifixion (see Good Friday), which Christians believe happened at about this time of year around AD 30-33. ... A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars intersecting each other at a 90° angle, dividing one or two of the lines in half. ...

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 which serves as the parish Church now. Political leader and Rationalist E.V.Ramasami Naicker also known as Periyar was revered as a great leader by Billions of Tamils. ...

Links

http://www.malayattoorchurch.org