Author : Dr. M Thomas Antony
The ancient Christians of the Malabar Coast of India
are known as the Saint Thomas Christians. They are also known locally as 'The
Nasranis'. They were ecclesiastically connected to the Church of the East, also
known as the East Syrian Church which at its peak extended from Mesopotamia to
China through Arabia, India and Central Asia.. The Eastern Church was separated
from the rest of the Christendom from time of the Synod of Ephesus. This was mainly due to
political reasons but doctrinal
differences like 'Nestorianism' was also accused on the Eastern Church. The so called 'Nestorianism' seems to be a
misunderstanding due to the expression of the faith using certain ambiguous terms
in the Greek language. Dr Adrian Fortescue writes ‘we saw that Greek words used
in the Nestorian controversy are sometimes ambiguous and add to the confusion by
the fact that we are not always sure what the people who use them mean .’[i] With the works of Babai, the Great of 6th
century[ii]
and the visit of Patriarch Ishoyahb II
(628-643 AD) to Antioch in the 7th century[iii],
the doctrinal differences became reconciled,
but due to geographical and political reasons, the Church of the East continued
to be alienated from the rest of the Christendom.
Interference with the Christianity of the West
Interference with the Christianity of the West
With the Crusades in
the medieval period, the Churches in the East caught attention of the Religio political interests of the
European Christianity. Missionaries from
the Europe were sent to Babylon and the rest of the East. Their tactic was to
begin a friendly relationship with the native Churches and then subjugate them.
This resulted in divisions and revolts. Eventually,
in Babylon, the Church of the East( The East Syrian Church) was divided into
the Chaldean and Assyrian Churches whereas in Malabar, India, the Church of Saint
Thomas Christians divided into several fragments due to the interference of
multiple colonial forces.
The ancient Church at
Muttuchira in South India portrays certain
landmark monuments describing the early friendly phase and the later subjugation phase of these relationship-
the Muttuchira inscriptions and the Muttuchira Sliva.
Muttuchira.
Muttuchira is a village in the Kottayam Districtlocated
in the South Indian State of Kerala.
Muttuchira was called Nayappalli in
ancient records[iv].
According to local tradition, the Christian settlement of Muttuchira was
established in the sixth century.[v] Antonio
Gouvea, the Portuguese traveller who accompanied Alexis De Menezes, the
Archbishop of Goa, documented Menezes’
visit of Muttuchira in AD 1599. Gouvea
used the term Nayapili to denote Muttuchira.[vi] In the British Museum Sloanne MS 9907,
probably written in around 1676 AD, mentions Muttuchira Church as "the
Church of 'Spiritu Sancto' (Latin word for Holy Spirit) with the following
villages and bazars annexed: Coddi heli, Param poram, Perium paddy, Tanara chera,
Cheri Omellur, May mure, Nin dure , Herle nelha cara"[vii].
These places have been identified as Kulavely, Parampram, Thiruvanpady,
Thamarachira, Cheriomelloor, Memury, Neendoor,
and Eravimamngalakkara[viii].
Johannes Facundus Raulin[ix] in
1740s in his book 'Historia Ecclesia Malabaricae' uses the term Muttieri. Anquetil Du Perron, a
French Scholar and Orientalist in
January 1758, mentions about the Catholic church of Holy Ghost at Muttiera and
its oratory of Saint Sebastian had been burnt by the Raja of Travancore[x]. Local
tradition mentions that the Church was attacked
by the parchave or Padshaw. Paulinus De
Bartholomew, an Austrian Missionary and an orientalist who was in Kerala during
1774-1789 period also mentions about the
Holy Ghost Church of Muttiera and the oratory of Saint Sebastian.[xi]
The Churches of Muttuchira.
Muttuchira village has several churches. The main
church of Muttuchira, the Ruha D’Qudisha Forane Church compound has two church
buildings face to face with the Open air Rock Cross in the middle. The Church
on the western side of the open air Cross is the main church now. It was built
in AD 1854-58 (Kollam Era 1930-1033)[xii]
when Rev Fr Kurian Parampil was the vicar.(1859-85).[xiii]
The Church on the eastern side is the old church which was also called Ruha D'
Qudisha church but later, in AD 1925, it was renamed as Church of Saint Francis
of Assissi. It was from this church, the Pahlavi inscribed Granite Cross was discovered
in AD 1923 during renovation. This
Church was probably built in AD 1528 by Mar Denha and Mar Jacob Abuna (Mar Avu)
based on the Muttuchira Lithic inscriptions.
Another Church located on north side of the road is
called 'karottu church'- Church of Saint Sebastian, also called 'prasu palli'
with a small open air Rock Cross in front. A little away on the eastern side of
all these Churches, there is an ancient open air Rock cross and a Chapel of
Saint Anthony. There was an ancient Church in the same location dedicated to
Mar Sliva ( Holy Cross).
There is a Chapel of Saint Teresa on the western
side of the main church complex near the road.
Muttuchira Church is historically important.
Archdeacon Jacob of Muttuchira was a native of Muttuchira and was based in this
church until his death. He was buried in the Church of Saint Francis of
Assissi. He was appointed as Archdeacon by Mar Simon, the Chaldean Bishop who arrived in Malabar in 1576 AD[xiv]
during the time of Mar Abraham, as a rival. Mar Simon was sent to Rome but
Archdeacon Jacob had followers until his death in 1596.[xv]
Bishop Chandy Parambil (Palliveettil Chandy Metran)
celebrated his first Pontifical Mass at Muttuchira Church in AD 1663.[xvi]
Saint Alphonsa of India spent her early years in Muttuchira parish[xvii].
Saint Alphonsa of India was brought up in her mother's house, the Muricken family of Muttuchira.
Archdeacon Jacob of Muttuchira.
In 1576 AD, Mar Simon, a Bishop from Babylon arrived
in Kerala[xviii]
as a rival to Mar Abraham, the Chaldean Catholic Bishop who was in Kerala
already[xix].Mar
Simon was based at Kaduthuruthy and caused a schism among the Thomas
Christians. As Mar Abraham had already made certain latinisations, many
Christians followed Mar Simon. Two Franciscan Missionaries who arrived from Malacca and Macao in 1583 AD, tactically collaborated with Mar Simon and sent him to Rome[xx]. It
has been documented that Mar Simon, accompanied by a Franciscan missionary arrived
in Rome in December 1584[xxi]. He
was sent to Lisbon and kept in a Franciscan Friary and died in 1599AD[xxii]. Before
he left to Rome, Mar Simon appointed Cathanar Jacob of Muttuchira as his
Archdeacon. Cathanar Jacob was of Nadackal family[xxiii].
It was this Cathanar Jacob who built the old Church of Ruha D' Qudisha which
was renamed as the Church of Saint Francis of Assissi and the Church of Saint Sebastian
in Muttuchira.
Paul J Madathil, a local journalist during the
period 1925 AD gives a different version, based on the local tradition that Fr
Jacob, who was an administrator of a diocese in France or Portugal built these
churches. It has to be noted that even when Mar Simon was in custody in
Portugal, he was in constant touch with Cathanar Jacob through letters in which
Mar Simon styled himself as the Metropolitan of India[xxiv]. Archdeacon
Jacob maintained his authority even when Mar Simon was in Lisbon. He refused to
accept the Gregorian Calendar, taught his followers to recite the Chaldean
Divine Office, consecrated altars, chalices etc[xxv].
Thus, Cathanar Jacob was an Archdeacon/administrator of Mar Simon who was in
Lisbon and received regular letters and instructions from Lisbon. This might be
the reason why people later assumed that
he was an Archdeacon/administrator of a Bishop/diocese in Portugal.
Archdeacon Jacob refused to accept Mar Abraham and
continued his activities to uphold the Chaldean way of life. Archbishop Menezes
wrote to him that Mar Simon has been convicted in Rome and not in his orders
now, asking Archdeacon Jacob to submit to the Papal authority and even offered
large promises and favours.[xxvi]
Archdeacon Jacob died in AD 1596.[xxvii]
Paul J Madathil, based on the local traditions, comments that Cathanaar Jacob built the Saint Sebastian's
Church- the Prasu Church of Muttuchira and rebuilt the old Church of Ruha D' Qudisha (the Church of Saint Francis of
Assissi). Besides, he also built Churches at Kothanalloor, Elanji, and another
local Church. Paul J Madathil also confirms the local tradition that Cathanar
Jacob was buried in the Church of Saint Francis of Assissi. This information
has been confirmed by Mr Karottu C George, a local historian and a Headmaster
at Muttuchira in 1925 AD.[xxviii]
Muttuchira Lithic inscriptions.
Muttuchira lithic inscriptions are early Malayalam inscriptions- Vattezhuthu-
Nanam Monum- on a granite tablet found in Muttuchira. The 'Muttuchira inscriptions'
are inscriptions narrating about the
installation of the free standing Cross
and the Pahlavi inscribed bas relief cross-The 'Muttuchira Sliva'. The
inscriptions are on a rectangular granite slab in two sections divided by a
vertical line in between. According to Mr T K Joseph[xxix],
this inscription must be of AD1581 or later. This tablet has been the subject
of extensive research by many scholars. This granite slab was found
on the western wall of the ground floor room of the two storey building
attached to the northern side of the old Church of the Holy Ghost. The upper
story was used as the Priest's Home and the ground floor was used as the
sacristy.[xxx]
T K Joseph.
Mr T K Joseph was an eminent historian and was the
Secretary of the Kerala Society that was formed modelled on the Royal Asiatic
Society.
Mr T K Joseph examined the inscription on 25
September 1929.[xxxi]
The left half of the inscription reads-maaran echo michiyha perannittu
1528 math ee nelathu chuddamana tiliva niruthi, thampurante kalpanayal mar
thana mar avu kee varukeethu pirathiyum
kooda. Ithinte chezham porathukal desathu poyi thante marumagan mathai
pathiriyum kooda.
The right half reads- Michiyha pirannittu 1580
matham kanni njyar 13 nu mar thilivayude
perunnaalku ee mar thiliva edutha marathil pothinju niruthi, mar chemayon
methranum pathiri yakobum. kaalam ithu 18 am nu perunnalkku ee uthira kurishu
vachu. 1581 matham meenam njayar 19 am nu thukka velli azhcha naal ikaringal
thiliva niruthi.
The translation of the left half
By the command of the Thamburan (King of Kaduthuruthy ? Or is it the Lord Almighty ?)
in AD 1528 Mar Thana (Mar Denha) and Mar Avu alongwith Giwargis Padre, installed this Holy
Cross in this place. After this, Giwargis padre went to Portugal alongwith his
nephew Mathai padre. (In AD 1580, kanni
13 sunday, on the day of the feast of Holy Cross, this mar Sliba was erected covered in wood (?), by Bishop Mar Simon and
Jacob Padre. Same year, on the day of 18th
on the day of the feast, this bleeding Cross was installed. AD 1581
meenam month on the 29th friday good friday, this granite Cross was installed.)
Translation of the right half
On September 13(a syrian date), 1580 AD on the feast
of the Holy Cross, this Holy Cross was installed, covered with wood and set up
by Bishop Mar Simon and Father Jacob. The same year, on the feast of the 18th
(Dec 18th) this bleeding Cross (resembling the bleeding Cross of Mailapore) was
installed. This granite Cross was set up on Good Friday, 29th March 1581.
Mr A S Ramanatha Ayyar, the
Superintendent of Archaeology, Tranvancore State.
First section.
Line 1: Maaron
Eecho Mishi
Line 2: yha
perannitte 152
Line 3: 8
maathe ee nelathu shudda
Line 4: m
ana thiliva iru
Line 5: thi
thampurante kalp
Line 6: anayal
Maar Thana Mara
Line 7: yuu
keevarkeethu miruthi
Line 8: yum
kooda ithin
Line 9: nte
chelam porthakaal
Line10: thesathu
poo(y) thante
Line 11: marumakan
mathaai paa
Line 12: thiriyum
kooda
Second section
Line 1: Michiyha perannittu 1
Line 2: 580
mathe kanni njayir
Line 3: 13 thiyati maru tilivaade
Line 4: perunnaalkke ee maar thili
Line 5: va eduthu manthil(marthil) po
Line 6: tinje niruthi maru chema
Line 7: on mettharanum pati
Line 8: ri Yakkobum + kanni
Line 9: te 18 thiyati perunnaalke ee
Line 10: thara
kuriche vechchu + 15
Line11: 81 mathe mina njayar 2
Line 12: 9
thiyati tukkavelli alch
Line 13: cha
naal ee kkaringal tiliva
Line 14: niruthi
This is almost as read by Mr T K Joseph.
The translation of first half:
The translation of first half:
In AD 1528, a Holy Cross was installed on this land by
Mar Thana, Mar Avoo and Geevarghese miruthi (? pathiri) with the order of the
Lord. After this, along with his nephew Mathai pathiri, he went to Portugal.
Second half :
AD 1580 in the month Kanni 13 th Sunday, on the day
of the feast of Holy Cross, this Holy Cross was erected covered with (wood ?
sand?).by Bishop Mar Simon and padre Yakkob.
On kanni 18th
on the day of the feast, installed this thara cross ? Uthira kurisu- bleeding
Cross.
In 1581 in the month meenam 29th on the day of Good Friday,
installed this granite Cross.
This granite slab inscriptions talk about events that
happened in AD 1528 along with 1580 and 1581. We can understand that in AD
1528, a cross was installed on the ground by two Bishops Mar Denha and Probably
Mar (Jacob) Abuna[xxxii]
along with Geevarghese, with the order of the Lord ? King ? God ? ( All the celebrations of the Thomas
Christians begin with the phrase- 'With the order of the Lord Isho Mishiha'-
example- Pukdanakon- Pukdane da Mishiha in the Holy Qurbana, similar phrases
are seen in the order of marriage also). This could be similar, with the order
of our Lord, this Cross was placed in this land by Mar Denha and Mar Aboona,
along with Geevarghese, who left for Portugal with his nephew Mathai pathiri. This
could mean that they blessed the land in preparation to build a church there. They
might have received permission from the local King.
The term pathiri used here is very interesting, as
at such an early period of contact with the Portuguese, did the Saint Thomas
Christians use the term Padre instead of the traditional term Cathanaar ? Was
this Geevargese a foreign padre ? If he was a foreign padre, then his name
would have been George rather than Geevarghese, a rather syriac name. Or, what
we are reading as pathiri could be something else. The travel to Portugal means
the Saint Thomas Christian community was in good friendship with the Portuguese
Missionaries.
The second half is about events in AD 1580-81
period. In Line 1-6, it says, on Kanni 13 Sunday, on the day of the feast of
the Holy Cross, this Holy Cross was erected and covered with wood ? sand-
(marathil-manthil). Or is it something else that we read as marathil/ manthil ?
Is it talking about placing the Pahlavi inscribed Cross on a wooden frame ? or
it may mean that the Pahlavi cross was covered with the new wooden 'raredos' (rathaal)
which was taken down in AD 1923 when the Sliva was rediscovered.
Line 6-8 talks about presence of Bishop Mar Simon
and Yakkob. We know that Mar Simon in AD 1581 was the Chaldean Bishop who
arrived in AD 1576 as a rival to Mar Abraham. His Archdeacon was Cathanar Jacob,
who was a native of Muttuchira. We have to assume that this part of the
inscription is talking about Mar Simon and Archdeacon Jacob of Muttuchira.
Lines 8-14 :On Kanniite 18- could be a Syriac month
for December 18- on the day of the feast of Holy Cross, installed this thara
kurichu. (There are a few interpretations for this ee thara kurishu. Initially
it was considered thara- metal, or pithala- brass or chithra- ornamental. The
researchers initially thought it was mentioning about the bell metal cross of
Muttuchira. But later, Mr T K Joseph came up with the reading uthira kurishu
meaning ruthira kurishu- bleeding cross.). It has to be noted that, here,
instead of Tiliva (Sliva) as used before, the inscribers are using the word 'kurish'
which came from Portuguese language. The inscribers have used both 'Sliva' and 'kurish'
here.
This slab is a very important monument in the Nasrani history. It narrates the
installation the crosses in Muttuchira, both the free standing granite cross
and the uthira kurishu- replica of bleeding cross- the Saint Thomas Cross. This
is agreeing with the witnesses of early Portuguese writers and other sources
that the Mar Thoma Sliva was the only religious symbol adorned in the altars of
our Churches before the arrival of the Portuguese Missionaries. It shows a
number of points to show a close collaboration with the foreign missionaries-
usage of the word cross instead of Sliva, usage of the word padre instead of
cathanaar, and the event of two Priests travelling to Portugal. These denote
the friendly phase of the relation of Saint Thomas Christians with the Western
Missionaries.
Muttuchira Sliva.
An ancient Pahlavi inscribed granite Cross was
discovered at Muttuchira Church in AD 1923. This was a granite tablet with a 'bas relief'
Cross and resembles the 'miraculous Cross of Mailapore' in the design, with a round arch and the
steps and a floral arrangement in the bottom like a lotus and a descending dove
on the top but unlike the Mailapore Cross, it has no pillars or dolphins on the
sides. It is about 2 feet 8 inches in length with 2 feet wide and about 5
inches in thickness. There found on the outer edge, inscriptions in two lines
that had been mutilated and a few
letters are visible on the left side for about 24 inches in length. The outer
line of inscription has been confirmed as Pahlavi as in all the rest of the Pahlavi
inscribed crosses of South India- the 'Mar Thoma Sliva'. The inner line of
inscriptions are illegible.[xxxiii]
They could be ornamentations rather than inscriptions.
The inscriptions on Muttuchira Sliva.
The Muttuchira Sliva bears Pahlavi inscriptions
around the round arch edge on a narrow belt. But the belt of the tablet on
which the inscriptions were made was badly mutilated but only a a length of 24
inches from the left upright limb escaped the damage.[xxxiv]
There is another smaller belt runs inside this outer belt with some illegible
inscriptions. Mr B T Anklesaria identified this inscription also as Pahlavi and
deciphered the inner inscription as 'Lord Messiah the supreme...' while the outer inscription as similar to the rest
of the Pahlavi inscribed Crosses of South India[xxxv].
Professor F C Burkitt of the Cambridge University comments that the outer
inscription that remains reads as "The Syrian who cut this".
Professor Burkitt also comments that the inner inscription could be Syriac but
due to the mutilation of the stone and reading from a photograph, he could not
confirm anything[xxxvi].
Systematic mutilation of the inscriptions
?
On the rediscovery of this 'sliva' in 1923 AD, Paul
Madathil wrote that at the time the wooden 'raredos' (rathaal)was pulled down,
only not more than one span of the inscription was damaged.[xxxvii]
H Hosten
commented about this as follows. "If only one span was damaged, it
would follow that the rest of the damage was carried out systematically with a
view to do away with the inscription and the decoration at the foot. It will be
an evil day for Malabar Archaeology and history when such methods can be considered
proper, whatever the intension may be or the cause to be benefitted. The cause
to be benefitted might be the theory of Nestorianism....[xxxviii]"
Discovery of the Sliva.
The accidental discovery of this Cross was reported
by eminent personalities of the time like Mr A S Ramanatha Iyyer,
Superintendent of Archaeology, State of Travancore[xxxix],
Mr T K Joseph[xl]
an eminent historian, Mr Paul Madathil[xli], a
local journalist, Rev Fr Jacob Murickan, a former Vicar of the Ruha D' Qudisha
Forane Church at Muttuchira, Rev Fr.
Joseph Pediyekkal[xlii]
who was the vicar of the Church in Athirampuzha and former Vicar of Muttuchira
Church 1912-1915, Mr V C George[xliii],
a local historian, Mr Karottu C George of Muttuchira-Malayalam novelist and a Headmaster
at Muttuchira., Mr George P Murickel[xliv], a
local historian and journalist.
Mr Paul Madathil who had written an article in the
local vernacular news paper, reported a detailed account of the discovery. The
Cross was found in the old Church which was dedicated to Ruha D' Qudisha, being
renovated and rededicated to Saint Francis of Assissi in AD 1925 period. This old church is still present dedicated to
Saint Francis of Assissi in front of the main Church opposite to the open air
rock cross situated east to west with the altar on the east end.
The old Church stood east west with the 'madbaha' (altar) on
the east. It had three 'madbahas', a central main altar and two side altars.
The Pahlavi inscribed cross was found built into the wall of the northern altar
at a height of about 7 feet from the floor, when the wooden 'raredos' (rathaal)
was taken down as part of renovation. The 'raredos' was built over a wooden
frame covering the Pahlavi inscribed cross. This may be what the Muttuchira
Lithic inscription of AD 1580 describes as 'marathil pothinju' meaning covered
with wood.
Rev Fr. Joseph Peediyekkal, a former vicar of
Muttuchira Church (1912-1915), reported that "The Persian Cross is said to
have been covered over by a wooden framework. It was on this framework, an
altar was erected and thus the cross lay buried for many years under the altar
wall, till it was recently discovered on the occasion of the rebuilding of the
Church"[xlv].
Mr A S Ramanatha Iyyer, the then Superintendent of
Archaeology of the State of Travancore visited the Church on learning about this discovery,
reported in Travancore Archaeological Series that " I was told that this
church was originally called the Church of the Holy Ghost (Syriac Ruha D' Qudisha)
and that it was proposed to rechristen it on completion (of renovation) as the
Church of Saint Francis of Assissi. The tablet Cross (Pahlavi inscribed bas
relief cross on granite) appears to have been brought hither from centuries ago
from another old church which had probably existed elsewhere nearby and it was
found in the foundation of the altar of this chapel, when the flooring was
raked up during the repairs "[xlvi]
It seems that Mr Ramanatha Iyyer gives a little bit
different version of the finding. He has
visited the site and did investigations. He seems to be a Tamil speaking man,
as he has deciphered the 'vattezhuthu' inscriptions in Tamil and also use Tamil
pronunciation for Muttuchira- 'Muttusira'.
There could be an element of language barrier behind this slightly different
version stating that the cross was found on the foundation when he floor was
raked up. Two tombs were found when the floor was raked up which has been
reported by Mr George P Murickel and also Rev Fr Pediyekkal. Neither Mr. Murickel
nor Mr.V C George give an exact description of the discovery.
It seems that Paul Madathil's version could be right
as he was a native and might have been present when the discovery was made or
definitely confirmed with witnesses, as he reported that there were many
witnesses.
The Muttuchira Lithic inscriptions describes about
setting up of this church and the cross in AD 1528 and 1581.Therefore, this
church in the name of Ruha D' Qudisha which became the Church of Saint Francis
of Assissi was founded in AD 1528. It also talks about setting up of the 'uthira
kurishu'- bleeding Cross- the Mar Thoma Sliva in AD 1581 and also of another
granite Cross- Karingal tiliva- most probably an open air rock cross.
This means, after about 53 years of the building of
the church, they found the ancient Pahlavi inscribed Cross and installed it on
the side altar. Where did that come from
?
The origin of the Pahlavi Inscribed
Cross- the Mar Thoma Sliva.
Mr Ramanatha Iyyer reports that this Cross was
brought to this church from another ancient church nearby. This could have been
a local tradition of that time. So, there was another much older church nearby.
There are several possibilities.
1 The Church of the Ruha D' Qudisha which was renamed
as Church of Saint Francis of Assissi was the first ever church of Muttuchira.
The local
tradition says they had an ancient church founded in 6 th century AD. Setting
up of a Cross on the ground by two
Bishops as described in the Muttuchira Lithic inscriptions could be the
blessing of the ground for a new Church. That means their ancient Church was
not in this property. The local tradition states that the ancient Church was a
little east of this property at a place 'Kurisummoodu' means 'near the cross'
where there is still an ancient open air cross. The Chapel of Saint Anthony is
also in this place.
If this was a brand new church that was built in
1528 AD, the Cross could have been brand new or brought from elsewhere. Could
be from a nearby place or from far away places like Kodungalloor as the
Kottayam valiya palli crosses. Here, there is no local traditions to support
this theory.
2 The construction in AD 1528- 1581 was a
renovation/ demolition and reconstruction of an old church. Then this Cross could have been from the old
church.
3 There was an ancient church at Muttuchira and for
some reasons, they built a new church nearby and brought the old cross here. This
is what Mr Iyyer reports in his article in Travancore Archaeological series vol
7 part 2.[xlvii]
Mr George P Murickel reports that 'it is supposed that the cross was taken to
the church from a certain part of Muttuchira itself where now stands the chapel
of Saint Anthony.[xlviii]
Now, it is clear that there was another ancient
Church at Muttuchira where now stands the Chapel of Saint Anthony ! Rev Fr
Jacob Muricken , the Vicar of Muttuchira Church at the time enlists a number of
Churches and chapels around Muttuchira Church[xlix].
He confirms that there was a chapel on
the eastern side of the main Church at Muttuchira and the Church of Saint
Francis of Assissi which stands in front
of the main Church, dedicated to Saint Anthony but the old name was Holy Cross.
Therefore, there was an ancient Church dedicated to
Holy Cross- Mar Sliva at Muttuchira which was demolished and renamed as the Chapel of Saint Anthony. Mr George P
Murickel also reports that the 'pahlavi inscribed cross' was taken from this
chapel of Saint Anthony.
Ancient Mar Sliva Church of Muttuchira.
Now, the picture is clear. The most ancient Church
at Muttuchira was a Mar Sliva Church where the Pahlavi inscribed Cross- Mar
Sliva was placed. In AD 1528, a new Church was built at the eastern side of the
present Church complex dedicated to Ruha D' Qudisha and the Pahlavi inscribed Cross was installed
in the altar in AD 1581. Later at some time, the church was renovated and a new
wooden altar- 'raredos' (raathaal) was built over the Pahlavi inscribed cross.
This could be what the Muttuchira Lithic inscription describes as 'marathil
pothinju' in AD 1581. The local faithful renovated the old Ruha D' Qudisha
Church and renamed it as Church of Saint Francis of Assissi in AD 1925.During
this renovation, the Pahlavi inscribed Cross was accidentally found. By this
time, the present day Ruha D Kudisha church was already built and the Pahlavi
inscribed cross was placed on the inside of the facade of the Church[l]. Now,
this Cross has been placed on the side altar of the main Church at Muttuchira.
It is quite interesting to note that there was an
ancient Church dedicated to Mar Sliva at
Muttuchira with an ancient Sliva. As recorded by early Portuguese writers, this
Sliva might have been kept in the 'madbaha' as we have seen recorded in
Kodungalloor, Mailapore, Kumarimuttam, Alengad and Kollam.
The Madbaha adorned with only the Mar
Thoma Sliva- the ancient tradition of Malabar.
Before the arrival of the European Missionaries, in the
Churches of Saint Thomas Christians, the 'madbaha' was adored with only
a plain cross. These plain Crosses were all in the model of the Pahlavi
inscribed granite Crosse of Mailappore- the Saint Thomas Crosses. This has been
witnessed by many authors, mostly the early
Portuguese writers.
1.Duarte Barbosa. 1514 AD
Duarte Barbosa was a Portuguese traveller who came
with Cabral in AD 1498. He continued exploring the South India and wrote a book
narrating the description of Malabar and
the coromandel coast of South India in AD 1517.
Barbosa describes the tradition of Crosses in the 'madbaha' of the
Churches of Saint Thomas Christians. Barbosa confirms that these Crosses were
plain Crosses. Barbosa narrates clearly
about Crosses in the Churches at Quilon and Kumary muttam near Cape
Comorin.
2 Antonio Gouvea 1599AD
Antonio Gouvea accompanied Archbishop Alexis De
Menezes during his visits to the Churches of Saint Thomas Christians. He clearly
documented that all of the Churches of Saint Thomas Christians were adored
with plain crosses like that of miracle of S. Thomae.[li] The
accounts of Gouvea clearly witnesses two points about the ecclesiastical milieu
at the time period before the infamous synod of Diamper- Saint Thomas
Christians used Mar Thoma Sliva- Saint Thomas Crosses only in their 'madbaha'
when the Portuguese arrived and the native Christians called these Crosses as 'Saint
Thomas Crosses'.
Gouvea uses
the term 'Cruz de Sam Thomae' meaning Crosses of Saint Thomas. According to Rev
Dr Pius Malekkandathil, the Portuguese documents with the term 'Sam Thome' is usually used to
denote Saint Thomas the Apostle and 'S
Thomae' is used to denote City of Saint Thomas means Mailapore. Therefore, Gouvea
really meant it as Crosses of Saint Thomas[lii]. It
does not mean that these Crosses were erected by Saint Thomas the Apostle but could
mean these are the Crosses of the Christians of Saint Thomas. Gouvea also
mentions about the traditional belief of the local Christians that the Cross at
Cranganore in front of which Archbishop Alexis De Menezes celebrated a solemn
mass was placed there by Saint Thomas the Apostle himself.[liii] As
we know that the custom of venerating the Cross was started in the later period
only, this oral tradition could be a retrojection of later developments to the
Apostolic times.
3 Joseph, the Indian Cathanar 1503 AD
Joseph, the Indian Priest who visited Rome and
Venice in AD 1502 gave a narration to the signoria of Venice about the religio
cultural, political and even geography of South India. Joseph's narrations were
published in different European languages. These accounts are probably the
first native witness recorded in the history about the Saint Thomas Christians
and South India.
Joseph narrated that the Saint Thomas Christians had only plain
crosses in their churches, no statues. They also had a Cross on the courtyard
of the churches[liv].
Joseph was mentioning about the tradition of Crosses only in the madbaha (altar)
and also about the standing Crosses of the Churches of Kerala.
Other antiquities of Muttuchira.
Tomb stones.
Mr Paul Madathil reported that there were two tombs
in the old church-the Saint Francis Church. They were found when the floor was
dug up. They were below the basements of the north and south walls of the
altar, symmetrically placed, at a depth of 4 feet from the basement. Mr Paul
commented that these tombs could be older than the walls and may not be
directly under the wall.[lv] Rev
Fr Peediyekkal commented that those tombs were of Father Jacob ( Archdeacon
Jacob) and his mother.[lvi]
Inscriptions at Muttuchira-List of H
Hosten.
Rev Henry Hosten reports of 9 lithic inscriptions
found from Muttuchira Church.
1 Inscription of events of AD 1828
2 Inscription
of events of AD 1580-81 Both these are
on a single stone that we have already discussed.
3 Granite slab inscribed in AD 1593 says on sunday
7th dhanu 769 KE, the soul of Fra Chacko was taken, Amen. ( TKJ 20/09/1926)
4 Inscribed in AD 1628 Kollam Era 803
5 unknown of
Kollam Era ?804
6 AD 1630 Kollam
Era 806
7 AD 1642-43
Kollam Era 818
8 AD
1660 Kollam Era 835
9 unknown Kollam
Era ?*48
There are many others also, many are seen built into
the wall of the Church of saint Francis of Assissi as supports for the beams[lvii].
Inscriptions of Muttuchira- List of A S
Ramanatha Ayyar.
Inscription on the pedestal of the open
air rock cross in front of the main Church.
Line 1: Mishiyha
perannitte 1623 lu kaalam sesare
Line 2: thu
kollam ...thu kanni jnayar karinkal
Line 3: kurishu
iruthi kalluve....ithu maathu than ....kanakku pe...)
Translation- After
the birth of Mishiha, 1623 period-
?sesare this is Kollam Era ......in the month Kanni sunday, this granite was
erected. Stone ?....in the account of mathu.... [lviii]
Some other inscriptions.
Rest of the inscriptions are funerary inscription
but many letters and words are illegible. Examples of readings of the
fragments which are legible are[lix],
1 kallar veli mathuven kuriyathinte alam mayi
thampurante managunathaale eduthukku-
2 Kollam... matham mithine jnayaru uyirine kongade
le adappu kuriathinu nallavazhi cheythu
3 kumbhu..nu palehan thareerhu mariathinte alam meyu
thampurante managunathaale eduthu
4 kollam...nu makaram yu mathu ee aype ittere alame
nallame eduthu.
5 kollam...maruthu meena matham ....hale kanakkin
vanthasemi alachanaal kadapurathe eliza anamale yadu neram nallavzhikke
edakoodi.
Crosses found in Muttuchira.
Cross No 1: The
Pahlavi inscribed granite bas relief Cross- The Muttuchira Sliva.
Cross No 2: The open air Rock Cross in front of the
main Church- The Ruha D' Qhudisha Forane Church at Muttuchira. It has an
inscription in the pedestal beginning with KE 799 (AD 1623-24)[lx]
Cross No 3: The miniature bas relief cross on the
base of the base of the Cross No 2 in
the design of Muttuchira Sliva.
Cross No 4: Brass Cross. This was a silver coated
brass cross used in processions. There was no inscriptions but had decorations
on the surface. This cross was melted off in 1919 AD.[lxi]
Cross No 5: Wooden
Cross apparently present on the 'raredos' of the old Church (presently Saint
Francis Church in front of the Main Church) behind which, the Muttuchira Sliva
was found in AD 1925. This Cross has been destroyed.
Cross No 6: Open
air Cross found in Muttuchira Angadi near the Saint Anthony's Chapel
Cross No 7: Open air Cross near Saint Sebastian's
Church.
Churches and Chapels in Muttuchira.(Rev
Fr Jacob Murickan's numbering system)
Church no 1:
Old name- Church of Ruha D' Qudisha. New name-
Church of Saint Francis of Assissi. Probably built in 1528 AD according to the
Muttuchira inscriptions.
Church No 2:
The main Church of Muttuchira today, the Ruha D' Qudisha
Forane Church, Muttuchira where the Muttuchira Sliva has been recently
installed. This was built probably in 1859-1885.[lxii]
Church No 3:
Saint Sebastian's Church- also called 'Prasu Church'
with a small open air Cross in front.
Chapel a- Old name Mar Sliva, new name Saint
Anthony's. There is a masonry open air Cross- Cross No 6.
Chapel b Saint Teresa's or Flower of Jesus.
Conclusion.
Muttuchira Church is an ancient Church in Malabar.
The very first Church of the Christian settlement in Muttuchira was Mar Sliva
Church at Muttuchira situated somewhere near the Kurisummoodu where the
Muttuchira Sliva was adored in the altar. The Muttuchira Sliva was taken from
this Church and placed in the newly built
Ruha D' Qudisha old Church- the Church of Saint Francis of Assissi in
the esatern side of the present Church complex probably in 1580AD. Later,
during renovations, the Muttuchira Sliva was neglected and a new raredos
(rathaal) was built over it. In 1923 AD, during the renovations, the Sliva was
accidentally rediscovered, but the then authorities tried to mutilate the
inscription for fear of accusations of Nestorianism. It was again
neglected and replaced in the new Ruha D'
Qudisha Church in a very unimportant place- back side of the wall of the facade
in a corner, probably because of the interests of the Archaeological Department
of the then Government of Travancore. Now, this invaluable monument of Saint Thomas
Christians has been placed in a side altar of the main Church. Thus, the
Muttuchira Sliva, the Pahlavi inscribed Cross is an invaluable monument of the
Christian community that was the symbol of veneration of the ancient Christian settlement of Muttuchira.
Muttuchira inscription is another landmark monument
which is an evidence of the initial friendly and collaborative relations of the
Church of Saint Thomas Christians and the Western Missionaries. It also
narrates installation of the Mar Thoma Sliva in the altar and the open air Rock
Cross.
Covering the Muttuchira Sliva with a new 'raredos' (rathaal) is an evidence of subjugation by the
missionaries to take away our age old traditions and to wipe out our ancient
Syriac Christian heritage and force the
community to conform with the Roman rite.
It is glad
to see that the neglected Muttuchira Sliva has been placed in a much honourable
place, on the side altar recently. The Christian community has a duty to
protect and preserve their ancient monuments. There is scope for setting up a
Museum for portraying these very important
monuments and to do further investigations to study about the inscribed
tablets built into the wall of the Church of Saint Francis Assissi and others still unearthed.Credits.
Thanks to Mr Mathew Mailapparampil for suggestions and language corrections.
Thanks to Mr Sandeep Thomas and Mr Mebin John for local information, help for field study and to provide a few pictures.
Thanks to Mr R Sivalingam, my colleague for helping with translation of a few documents from Tamil language.
Picture credits.
Title picture of the Muttuchira Sliva has been taken from Travancore Arcaheological Series.
The black and white picture of Muttuchira Lithic inscription has been taken from Kerala Society papers.
[i] ADRIAN
FORTESCUE, The Lesser Eastern Churches,p 84. Even though Fortescue does not
accept that the accusation of nestorianism
on nestorius and his party was not correct but admit that there was
significant contraversy related to the Greek language terms and phrases that
were translated into syriac where the y used
more or less the equivalents in Syriac. (All Nestorians say there are
two knume in our Lord. That is their formula : two kydne, two knume, one
parsufd. The question, then (just as in the case of
hypostasis) , is what they mean
by their knuma. If it means merely a real, individual nature (as opposed to a
universal concept) , they agree with us ; if it means what we mean by person, their phrase two knume
is pure Nestorianism).
[ii] JOHN THOPPIL,,Christology in the
East Syrian Tradition, in East Syrian Theology, an Introduction, Ed Pauly
Maniattu, pp261-162
[iii] W.A.WIGRAM, An introduction to
the History of Assyrian Church, 1910, LONDON, p 97. Patriarch Iso yahb II
(628-643 AD) in Antioch made the
following appellation of the faith of the Church of the East that 'our belief in a Christ who, as Perfect Man,
was consubstantial with us; - and who, as Perfect God, was consubstantial with
the Father, in one "Personalitas"
[iv] T K JOSEPH, letter dated
03/10/1926 cited in H Hosten, Antiquities of Sam Thome and Mailappore, p348.
Antonio Gouvea uses both terms 'Nagapilli and Ignapilli/Ignaperi in his Jornada. Rev Dr Pius Malekandathil
explains that field study confirms a small bridge nearby is still called
Nagpili bridge. Rev Dr Pius identifies Ignapilli as Elanji using the method of
phonetic corroboration.Ignapilli is Ijna pilli, Ijni or Ejni could be an abreviation of Elanji. But Gouvea states
it was Ignapilli where Cathanar Jacob, the Vicar General of Mar Simon, the
schismatic Bishop lived which was
actually Muttuchira. Also, the Church in Ignapilli was dedicated to Holy
Spirit which is Muttuchira, not Elanji unless the Church in Elanji changed its
name later. Therefore, the name Ignapili used by Gouvea could be Muttuchira
itself. Jornada also give approximate distances. On the first visit to
Muttuchira from Kaduthuruthy, Gouvea says almost half a league . On the second
visit, Archbishop Menezes visited Ignapilli from Kuravilangadu and from
Ignapilli, he went to Kaduthuruthy which Gouvea states almost a league away.
These are approximate distances, but Elanji seems more far away. Muttuchira to
Kaduthuruthy is only 2 km while Elanji is about 14 Km away from Muttuchira.
[v] Rev Dr XAVIER KOODAPUZHA, Mar
Thoma Nasrani sabha Vijnana Kosham (Malayalam book), Oriental Institute of
religious studies, Vadavathoor, Kottayam, 1999, p 752
[vi] PIUS MALEKKANDATHIL, Jornada of Dom Alexis De Menezes:A
Portuguese Account of the Sixteenth Century Malabar, LRC Publication
Cochin,2003, p 198, 438.
[vii]
H HOSTEN, Antiquities of Sam Thome and
Mailappore,1936, p 347 British Museum Sloane MS 9907 fol 17v 18r-18 v1
[viii]
H HOSTEN, Opus cit p 348. These pleases have been identified by Mr T K Joseph
with the help of Mr Karottu C George. Coddi heli could be Kulaveli-a small
track of land comprising the Christian street in Muttuchira. Kulaveli has
become a family name also.
Pram
poram could be Parampram- a village east of Muttuchira street.
Perium
paddy could be Tiruvampady, a village a mile north of Muttuchira.
Tanara
chera could be Thamarachira, a village south of Muttuchira.
Cheri
Omellur could be Cheriomelloor usually called Omellur, a village 2 miles south
east of Muttuchira.
May
mure could be Memury, is 3 miles south of Muttuchira, near Manvettom.
Nin
dure could be Neendoor, 2 miles south east of Memury.
Herle
nelha cara could be Erennalakara- Eravi mangalakara
[ix] JOANNES FUCUNDUS RAULIN, Raulin Historis Ecclesiae Malabaricae cum Diamperitana Synodo, Rome, 1745,p 428 cited by PIUS
MELEKKANDATHIL, Jornada of Dom Alexis De Menesis: A Portuguese Account of the
Sixteenth Century Malabar, LRC Publications Cochin, 2003 p 199
[x] ANQUETIL DU PERRON, Zend Avesta,
t1, pt1, Paris 1771, p clxxxxvi cited by H Hosten, Antiquities of Sam Thome and
Mailappore, p348.
[xi] PAULINUS DE BARTHOLOMEW, India
Orientalis Christiana, Roma,
1794,p 267.cited by PIUS MALEKKANDATHIL, Jornada
of Dom Alexis De Menesis: A Portuguese Account of the Sixteenth Century
Malabar, LRC Publications Cochin, 2003 p 199
[xii] H HOSTEN Opus cit p351 citing
Rev Fr JOSEPH PEEDIYEKKAL, letter dated 02/11/1925
[xiii] XAVIER KOODAPUZHA, Opus cit p
752
[xiv] JOSEPH THEKKEDATHU, History of
Christianity in India Vol II p 50 citing a letter of Fr Dionysio S J dated 23
January 1577, Josephus Wicki, Documenta Indiaca, X p 834.,
[xv] JOSEPH THEKKEDATHU, opus cit p51
citing Gueseppe Beltrami, La Chiesa caldea p 91
[xvi]BERNARD THOMAS, Keralathile Mar Thoma Christianikal,
vol II, Mannanam, 1921,malayalam,p 117.
It was on the third day of his Episcopal consecration which was on 01
February 1663.
[xvii] JAMES PULIURUMPIL, The Early
Christian Settlements in Kerala, p158
[xviii] JOSEPH THEKKEDATHU, opus cit p
50 citing a letter of Fr Dionysio dted 23 January 1577 in JOSEPH WICKY,
Documenta Indica, x P 834.
[xix] Mar Abraham received pallium from Pope Pius IV as Archbishop of
Angamali. In 1555 AD, the then Chaldean catholic Patriarch mar Abdisho , the legitimate
Canonical head of the saint Thomas Christians of Malabar sent two Bishiops to
malabar- mar Joseph Sulaka and Mar Elias, the Apostolic visitor of the Chaldean
Catholic Patriarch in malabar alongwith two Maltese Dominicns Bishop Ambrose
Buttigeg, the Papal Nuncio for the East and Fr Anthony sahara. Even with the presence
of the Papal Nuncio, the group was arrested by the Portuguese in Goa in
November 1555 and the two Chaldean Bishops
kept in detention in a Franciscan Monastery in Bassein, near Bombay. With the
intervention of the Papal Nuncio, the Bishops were set free in 1558 AD. By this
time, mar Abdisho, the Chaldean cathol.ic patriarch sent mar Abraham to Kerala
who arrived in 1557 AD. Later, Mar Abraham was arrested in 1558, deported to
Lisbon but on the way, when the ship anchored in Mozambique, he escaped and
arrived in Mosul .Later, Mar Joseph was also arrested by 1562 AD and sent to
Portugal. He was cleared all the accusations on him by Cardinal Hernry in
Lisbon and returned to Kerala. Again in 1567, mar Joseph was arrested and sent
to Rome in 1568 to test his orthodoxy.
In rome, he was cleared again but died in Rome in 1569. Mar Abdisho, the Chaldean
catholic Patriarch sent Mar Abraham again to Kerala, but through Rome from
where, he received his pallium and three recommendation letters from Pope Pius
IV to 1 Chaldean Catholic Patriarch, 2 Archbishop of Goa and 3 Bishop of
Cochin. In these three letters, Pope Pius IV explicitly and unambiguously
confirms the jurisdiction of the Chaldean catholic Patriarch over the saint
Thomas Christians of Malabar. The Pope advised the Chaldean Patriarch to
divide the Saint Thomas Christians of
Malabar into two dioceses and appoint
Mar Abraham as the Archbishop of Angamali. The Pope also advised Archbishop of
Goa and Bishop of Cochin that Chaldean Catholic Patriarch is in full communion
with the Pope and warned the Archbishop of Goa
it will be detrimental to the Pope himself and the Apostolic See , if he
would hinder the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Chaldeans in Malabar.( Rev Dr
Paul Pallathu, Were the Saint Thomas ChristiansNestorians at the time of the
Synod of Diamper in 1599?, Ephrem's theological Journal, Vol 5 March 2001 pp35-70.
[xx] JAMES HOUGH, The History of
Christianity in India vol I p 286
[xxi] JOSEPH THEKKEDATHU, opus cit p
51 citing Fr Achilles Meersman, The Ancient Franciscan Provinces in India
1500-1835, 1971 p 302
[xxii] JOSEPH THEKKEDATHU opus cit p 51
[xxiii] H HOSTEN, opus cit p 352 citing
letters from Mr T K Joseph and letter dated 02/11/1926 of Rev Fr Peediyekal, a
former vicar of Muttuchira Church.
JAMES
HOUGH,History of Christianity in India vol I
p 420
[xxiv] JAMES HOUGH Opus cit p 287.
These letters were found by Archbishop Alexis De Menesis and sent to the
General inquisition of Portugal.
[xxv]
JACOB KOLLAMPARAMBIL, Archdeacon of All India, 1972, p96. It has to be noted that Chaldean Pontifical
allows Archdeacon to consecrate altars without using Holy oils.
[xxvi] JAMES HOUGH, Opus cit p 294-295
[xxvii] JACOB KOLLAMPARAMBIL, Opus cit p
96 citing Antonio Gouvea, Jornada do Arcebishopo de Goa....Coimbra, 1606, ff
9v-11v
[xxviii] H HOSTEN, Opus cit p 352. Paul
Madathil wrote an article in the vernacular News Paper Malyala manorama
'Muttuchira and its Persian Cross'.
[xxix] Mr T K Joseph was an eminent
historian and a versatile scholar and teacher. He was the secretary of the
Kerala Society that was founded in 1927 by the scholars in Trivandrum modelled on
the Royal Asiatic Society. He has published several articles and books and was
the Editor of the prestigious journal 'Kerala Society Papers' which is a
vauable resource for students, researchers and scholars.
[xxx] Letter of Rev Fr Joseph
Peediyekkal dated 02/11/1926 addressedd to Rev Henry Hosten SJ, cited in
Antiquities of sam Thome and Mailappore, H Hosten, 1936 p350 foot note 2
[xxxi] T K Joseph, Notes by TK Joseph
to the article by Rev H Hosten, The saint Thomas Christians of Malabar (AD
1490- 1504) Kerla Society Papers series 5 p253.
[xxxii] Mar Jacob who arrived in Kerala
in AD 1504 with Mar Denha, Mar Jahballaha and Mar Thomas. Mar Jacob has been
mentioned as Aboona in the letters of saint Francis Xavier.Mar Jacob died in AD
1549.
[xxxiii] A S RAMANATHA AYYAR, Travancore
Archaeological Series Vol VII, Part II 1930 p 75
[xxxiv] A S RAMANATHA AYYAR, Muttusira
Inscriptions, Travancore Archaeological Series,Vil VII p 75
[xxxv] A S RAMANATHA AYYAR, Opus cit p
75-76
[xxxvi] F C BURKITT, A Further note on
the Pahlavi Crosses, Oxford Journal of Theological studies, 1929,os XXXI
(1):pp47-48
[xxxvii] PAUL J MADATHIL, Letter dated
28/10.1925 to MR T K JOSEPH cited by H HOSTEN, opus cit pp351-352 foot note 5
[xxxviii] H HOSTEN, opus cit pp351-352 end
note 5
[xxxix] H HOSTEN, Antiquities of Sam
Thome and mailappore, 1936, p 341. Letter from
Mr A S ramanatha Iyyer dated 16 September 1925
[xl] H HOSTEN, Antiquities of Sam
Thome and Mailappore, 1936 p 342. Letter by Mr T K Joseph to Rev H Hosten dated
11 October 1925
[xli] H HOSTEN, Antiquities of sam
Thome and Mailappore, 1936, p 351- Letter by Mr paul madathil dated 28 October
1925 to Mr T K Joseph.
[xlii] H HOSTEN, Antiquities of sam
Thome and Mailappore, 1936 p 345 letter from Fr pediyekkal dated 02 November
1926
[xliii] H HOSTEN, Antiquities of sam
Thome and Mailappore 1936 p 344 letter from Mr V C george to MR T K Joseph,
dated 19 October 1925
[xliv] H HOSTEN, Antiquities of sam
Thome and Mailppore 1936 p 344 Article
of Mr George P Murickel dated 21 October 1925 sent to the Catholic Herld of
India, calcutta forwarded to Rev H
Hosten by the Editor of Catholic Herald of India on 29 October 1925 which was
due to be published in the Catholic Herald of India but the paper ceased
publication on 28 Otober 1925
[xlv] Rev Fr JOSEPH PEEDIYEKKAL,
Letter dated 02/11/1926 cited by H HOSTEN, Opus cit p345 foot note 2
[xlvi] A S RAMANATHA AYYAR, No 52,
Muttusira inscriptions, Travancore Archaeological series vol VII part II 1930
p75
[xlvii] A S RAMANATHA AYYAR, No 52,
Muttusira Inscriptions, Travancore Archaeological series Vol VII, part II p 75,
[xlviii] H HOSTEN, Antiquities of sam
Thome and Mailppore 1936 p 345 - Article
of Mr George P Murickel dated 21 October 1925 sent to the Catholic Herld of
India, calcutta forwarded to Rev H Hosten
by the Editor of Catholic Herald of India on 29 October 1925 which was due to
be published in the Catholic Herald of India but the paper ceased publication
on 28 Otober 1925
[xlix] H HOSTEN, Opus cit p 351
[l] H HOSTEN, Antiquities of Sam
Thome and nMailappore, 1936 p 346 Article of Mr george P Murickel to The
catholic Herald of India, calcutta dated 21 October 1925 forwarded to H Hosten
by the Editor of Catholic Herald dated 29 october 1925.
[li] PIUS MALEKKANDATHIL, Jornada of
Dom Alexis De menezes: A Portuguese Account of the Sixteenth Century Malabar
LRC Publications, Kochi, 2003, pp 244-245
[lii] PIUS MALEKKANDATHIL, Jornada of
Dom Alexis De Menezes:A Portuguese account of the Sixteenth Century Malabar,
LRC Cochin,2003, p 245 foot note 190.
[liii] PIUS MALEKANDATHIL opus cit p
216
[liv]ANTONY VALLAVANTHARA, India in
1500 AD, pp 166-167, 231
[lv] PAUL MADATHIL, Letters dated
28/10/1925 and 07/11/1925 cited by H Hosten, Antiquities of Sam Thome and Mailapore,
p345 foot note 2
[lvi] JOSEPH PEEDIYEKKAL, Letter of
Rev Fr Peediyekkal dated 24/11/1925 cited by H Hosten,Antiquities of sam Thome
and Mailappore, p 345 foot note 2
[lvii] H HOSTEN Opus cit p 345 foot
note 3
[lviii] A S Ramanatha Ayyar, Opus cit p
78
[lix] A S Ramanatha Ayyar, opus cit
p78
[lx] H HOSTEN, Opus cit p348
[lxi] H HOSTEN Opus cit p 346 citing T
K Joseph, letters of Rev Fr Joseph
Peediyekkal and Mr Paul Madathil.
[lxii] XAVIER KOODAPUZHA Opus cit p 752.
Rev Dr Koodapuzha has recorded that the first church was at Kurisummoodu in 6th
century. In the 7th century, a new Church was built at the eastern side of the
present Church complex, at the site of the Church of Saint Francis of Assissi.
In the 9th century, the Church was attacked by Mugalans. In 13th century, it
was rebuilt.
