Ēḻarappaḷḷikaḷ
Ēḻarappaḷḷikaḷ or Ezharappallikal (pronounced [eːɻɐɾəpːɐɭːikɐɭ], Malayalam script: ഏഴരപ്പള്ളികൾ, English: seven and a half churches), are the seven major churches or Christian communities of Saint Thomas Christians across Malabar region of India, that are believed to have been founded by Thomas the Apostle in the first century.
These were at Maliankara (Kodungallur), Kollam, Palayoor, Kottakkayal (North Paravur or Kottakkavu), Kokkamangalam, Niranam and Nilackal (Chayal).
[7] The Church of Malabar was discovered by the Portuguese in 1501, and they record that upon arrival in the region in AD52, St Thomas converted King Chozha Perumal of Meliapor by dragging a large log ashore that elephants had been unable to move.
In the 4th century the Church of St Thomas was in decline, so large group of Christians from Edessa emigrated to Malabar.
They were led by Mar Joseph, Metropolitan of Edessa, and Knai Thoma, a merchant who had previously visited Malabar and found the Christian community there in need of support.
[11][12] The seven churches are located at Kodungallur, Kollam, Palayoor, Kottakkavu (Paravoor), Kokkamangalam (South Pallippuram), Niranam and Nilackal (Chayal).
[6] Kodungallur is known in various names such as Muziris, Muchiri, Muyirikkode, Shengala, Shinjli, Makottai, Mahadevarpattanam and Cranganore.
The Church at Kodungallur rose to prominence after the fall of the Christian community in the Coromandel Coast, especially Mylapore.
[13] Francisco Roz, the first latin Archbishop of Saint Thomas Christians, describes Cranganore as the most ancient episcopal see in India.
Pierre du Jarric gives part of a letter by James Fenicio, a Jesuit missionary in the Zamorin's territory.
The stone church which I began two years ago [enclosing, apparently, within it the primitive building] had risen to the height of the windows.
At this stage no one would dare to pull down the old wooden building, fearing to be struck down by sudden death: it stood surrounded by the walls of the new erection, but after I had prayed and removed their timidity, the old structure was pulled down, and the new building stood out in such fine proportions that the Hindus, the Mahomedans, and the Jews flocked to see it.Kottakkavu Church was established by St. Thomas in North Paravur in the Ernakulam district.
[7] Nilakkal is a village, roughly 52 km (32 mi) east to Ranni and near Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta district.
It is believed by the Christian communities in Kerala that the historic Thiruvithamcode Arappally, also called Amalagiri church as named by the Chera King Uthiyan Cheralathan, was built by St. Thomas, known as the Apostle of India, in AD 52.St.
Oral tradition says that while travelling through Malayattor, faced with hostile natives, he fled to the hilltop where he said to have remained in prayer and that he left his footprint on one of the rocks.
According to the tradition, during his journey, St. Thomas requested the local king for a place to pray and preach the gospel in the eastern regions.
Later, disciples of the Apostle constructed a church at the site to serve the growing community of believers who were converted by St.
It is believed that St. Thomas visited Irapeli and converted a prominent families into Christianity and laid a cross on the banks of the Meenachil River.
