Wikipedia

Port Kollam Church

Our Lady of Purification Church also known as the Port Kollam Church is a historic Roman Catholic church near Kollam Port in Kollam district of Kerala. According to ecclesiastical tradition the church was established by Thomas the Apostle in 52 CE along with six other churches in Kerala and these churches together are called Ēḻarappaḷḷikaḷ.[1][2][3][4] The church follows Latin Rite and is in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon.[3]

Our Lady of Purification Church
Port Kollam Church
Our Lady of Purification Church is located in Kerala
Our Lady of Purification Church
Our Lady of Purification Church
Location in Kerala, India
8°52′52″N 76°34′3″E / 8.88111°N 76.56750°E / 8.88111; 76.56750
LocationKollam, Kerala
CountryIndia
Language(s)Malayalam
DenominationRoman Catholic
TraditionRoman Rite
MembershipApprox. 5200
History
FoundedCE 52
Founder(s)Thomas the Apostle
DedicationOur Lady Of Purification
Other dedicationThomas the Apostle
Relics heldThomas the Apostle
Mother Teresa
EventsThe feast of presentation (February 2)
Feast of Saint Thomas (July 3)
Assumption of Mary (August 15)
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Specifications
Bells1
Administration
DistrictKollam
ArchdioceseArchdiocese of Trivandrum
DioceseDiocese of Quilon
ParishPort Kollam
Clergy
ArchbishopThomas J. Netto
Bishop(s)Paul Antony Mullassery
Vicar(s)Fr. Jackson James
Assistant priest(s)Fr. Akhil

History edit

Tradition holds that in AD 52, Thomas the Apostle travelled to Kerala's coast.[5][6] For people who were baptized by Thomas to worship, a church was built in Kollam between CE 52 and 78. However, Violent sea erosion destroyed this church. The believers built a second church for worship with the King of Kollam's approval, but it was also destroyed by sea erosion. The ruins of the second church are still visible in the sea during low tides. The name "Pallikallu" given to it by the local fishermen literally translates as "the stone of the great church". A group of local divers retrieved a rock from the submerged church ruins in February 2021, and it was then installed in the church as a symbol of the community's unwavering faith.

 
A piece of Pallikallu (Stone of great church)

The Pope John XXII designated Kollam (Quilon) as the first diocese in India in 1329 and there was a church called Kollam church before the arrival of the Portuguese in the sixteenth century.[7][8] Later, the Portuguese constructed a number of additional churches in the area, leading to the renaming of Kollam Church as "Port Kollam Church". The Port Kollam parish was also blessed by the visit of Francis Xavier as part of his missionary activities along the Malabar coast.[9][10][11] A new church, constructed in 1912 and dedicated to Our Lady of Purification, stood for more than 70 years, and at the end of the 20th century, a reconstruction plan was started to build the church present today. The foundation stone for the reconstruction was blessed by Pope John Paul II in Thiruvananthapuram on 8 February 1986 during his Apostolic Pilgrimage to India.[12] The church was finally blessed on 23 January 1993 by the Bishop of Kollam, Joseph G. Fernandez.

 
The foundation stone of Port Kollam Church blessed by Pope John Paul II.
 
The inaugural Stone of Port Kollam Church

Liturgy Timings edit

Weekly Liturgy Schedule
Day Time Liturgy
Sunday 6.00 am
7.30 am
9.00 am		 Mass
Mass
Mass for Children
Monday 6.30 am
5.00 pm		 Mass
Mass + Novena to Thomas the Apostle
Tuesday 6.30 am Mass
Wednesday 6.30 am Mass
Thursday 6.30 am Mass
Friday 6.30 am Mass
Saturday 6.30 am Mass + Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Annual Events edit

Along with other universal festivities of Christendom, three great feasts are revered and fervently observed in the church each year by the faithful.

Feast of Our Lady of Purification edit

 
The flag that was flown in observance of Our Lady of Purification's feast day in 2007.

Thousands of followers of all faiths and religions flock to the feast of Our Lady of Purification (പരിശുദ്ധ ശുദ്ധീകരണമാതാവിൻ്റെ കോൺഫ്രിയ തിരുനാൾ മഹോത്സവം), which is celebrated annually from January 23 to February 2.[13] The legend behind this celebration is that, in accordance with the Old Testament, a mother would bring her son to the Temple 40 days after his birth in order to present herself for purification and to present the child to God (Leviticus 12). When Jesus was a newborn, Joseph and Mary took him to the Jerusalem Temple where they offered Him to God as an offering (Luke 2:22–40). So, every year a feast is held to remember this occasion. As a result, the Holy Mother in this occasion is also known as Kanikka Mathavu (കാണിക്ക മാതാവ്).
The Church will be illuminated and decorated with vibrant lights beginning with a ceremony to hoist the flag on January 23 to announce the start of the festival. During the festive days, religious discourses such as Bible conventions and special prayers will be held. On February 1, there will be a large procession (പ്രദിക്ഷണം) that will cover most of Port Kollam, and people will decorate the streets with Mother Mary statues in a lovely backdrop that has been enhanced with candles, lights, and flowers. A special ritual takes place on the feast day (February 2). Women with their newly born babies (below 2 years) come to the church and submit them before Saint Mary as an offering.[13]

Feast of Saint Thomas edit

Tradition holds that on July 3, AD 72, at Chennai's St. Thomas Mount, Thomas the Apostle was speared to death.[14] Every year on July 3, the Port Kollam Church commemorates this martyrdom by celebrating Thomas the Apostle's pilgrimage feast (വിശുദ്ധ തോമാശ്ലീഹായുടെ തീർത്ഥാടന തിരുനാൾ).[15] On the eve of the feast day, there is a procession carrying the relic of Thomas the Apostle covering places beyond the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Port Kollam parish. On the feast day, a jubilant holy mass is conducted, and most commonly, the mass will be a pontifical mass led by a bishop. The rededication of the relic on the altar and the subsequent lowering of the raised flag mark the conclusion of the feast.

 
The flag hoisting ceremony for the feast of Saint Thomas (July 2022).

Feast of Assumption of Mary edit

The feast of the assumption (പരിശുദ്ധ കന്യകാമാറിയത്തിൻ്റെ സ്വർഗ്ഗാരോപണ തിരുന്നാൾ മഹോത്സവം) is fervently observed in the Port Kollam church on August 15 each year. The celebration of Assumption Day commemorates the doctrine that Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, was believed to have had both her body and soul taken up into heavenly glory at death. Flag hoisting, special liturgies, and a prayerful procession are all part of the Assumption celebrations. It's interesting that India's independence day and the feast of assumption both fall on the same day. The Flag of India's colours will be used to usually decorate the altar with flowers.

Relics edit

Thomas the Apostle's remains were sent to a number of locations after his death, but the majority of them were eventually interred in the Basilica di San Tommaso in Ortona, Italy.[16] In 1958, Jerome M. Fernandez, the then Bishop of Kollam, brought the relics of Thomas the Apostle from Ortona, Italy, and placed them in the Bishops' House of Quilon Diocese. On June 30, 2006, this relic was taken from the bishop's house and, after a devout reception from various parishes along the coastal region, it was finally enshrined in the altar of the Port Kollam church.
The altar of the Port Kollam church also holds a relic of Mother Teresa.

Shrines edit

Within the church's premises, there are two shrines. The oldest shrine is dedicated to Friday devotion to 'Ecce Homo' (Kaiketty Easho, കൈകെട്ടി ഈശോ). This shrine's statue was delivered to this parish in 1806. On Fridays, a large number of people gather to pray for all of their intentions. Devotees have shared testimonials of the miracles they have experienced through Kaiketty Easho. The new shrine dedicated to Saint Thomas was consecrated in 2006 by the then kollam bishop, Stanley Roman.

List of Parish Priests edit

Year Name of the Priests
1879–1886 Fr. J. Alleluia B. V. Louza
1886–1894 Fr. B. Gonsalves
1894–1903 Fr. Haveriar
1903–1905 Fr. Augustin
1905–1907 Fr. Mary Ephraem Gomes
1907–1908 Fr. Dominic
1908–1909 Fr. Franciscus X Periera
1909–1910 Fr. Marcelline Mendez
1910–1917 Fr. Antony Fernadez
1917–1920 Fr. M. Koiparambil
1920– Fr. E. Dias
1920–1925 Fr. G. J. Arooja
1925–1929 Fr. Bernard Ben Fernandez
1929–1934 Fr. G. J. Arooja
1934–1939 Fr. Bernard Ben Fernandez
1939– Fr. Morris
1939–1941 Fr. B. Fernandez
1941–1946 Fr. Seraphine
1946–1952 Fr. A. J. Comeons
1952–1956 Fr. Marian Dominic
1956–1967 Fr. Valerian Fernandez
1967–1969 Fr. Christopher Morris
1969–1974 Fr. S.S. Netto
1974–1979 Fr. Abraham Joseph
1979–1983 Fr. Richard Fernandez
1983–1988 Fr. Jose Puthenveedu
1988–1990 Fr. Richard Fernandez
1990–1993 Fr. Silvie Antony
1993–2002 Fr. Lazar S. Pattakadavu
2002–2006 Fr. James Puthenpura
2006–2011 Fr. Alphonse S
2011– Fr. Prem Grehary
2011– Fr. Lawrence Abel
2011–2013 Fr. Sephrin K.B.
2013–2016 Fr. George Mathew
2016–2018 Fr. Vincent Machado
2018–2021 Fr. Xavier Lazar
2021–2022 Fr. Shani Francis
2022– Fr. Jackson James

List of Presidente edit

Year Name of Presidente Place Name of Procurador
1951 Antony Cruz Planther Pallipurayidom J. Isaac
1952 Joseph Kurusappan Kaikkara Viscri Anthomy
1953 Joseph Thambi Kaikkara Janees Zarocky
1954 Manual Francis Vadakkupuram Thomas Lewis
1955 Jusa Augustin Kaikkara Augustin Peter
1956 Anthony Cruz Marcelle Vadakkupuram Anthony Joseph
1957 Pichapetty Joseph Sangam Purayidom Joseph Sebasthy
1958 Thomas Pancruz Kaikkara Rocky Joseph
1959 Janis Sebasthy Vadakkupuram Gracian Antony
1960 Thomas Louis Kaikkara Thomas Julian
1961 Janis Philip Pallipurayidom Philip Joseph
1962 Kurishuvareeth Marian Poor Colony Marian Stephen
1963 Thomas Julian Kaikkara Joseph Sebasthy
1964 Kurishu Anthony Kaikkara Sebasthy Muthayya
1965 Kurishupilla Pawel Kaikkara Sebasthy Jacob
1966 Jusa Sebasthy Kaikkara Augustin Alexander
1967 Jusa Angel Kaikkara Angel Carlos
1968 Jusa Augustin Kaikkara Vareethkutty George
1969 Rocky Joseph Kaikkara Pancruz Isaac
1970 Dominic Isteph Sangam Purayidom George Isteph
1971 Agustin Peter Kaikkara Agustin Clement
1972 Joseph Albert Kaikkara Albert Joseph
1973 Silvester Joseph Kaikkara J. Saltreek
1974 Sebasthy Joseph Depo Purayidom Sebasthy Simon
1975 Francis Simon Vadakkupuram Francis David
1976 Anthony Joseph Pallipurayidom Vareeth Joseph
1977 Ambrose Thomas Pallipurayidom Simon Francis
1978 Sebasthy Stephen Depo Purayidom Leons Gabriel
1979 Planther Laboy Pallipurayidom Francis Stephen
1980 Francis David Fishermen Colony Sebasthy Nazareth
1981 A. Martin Kaikkara T. Jacob
1982 Gabriel Barnabas Depo Purayidom Sebasthy Antony
1983 Albert Joseph Kaikkara Pancruz Carmayas
1984 Silvester George Vadakkupuram Sebasthy Pious
1985 George Antony Vadakkupuram Antony Norbert
1986 Anthonypilla Antony Kaikkara Antony Peter
1987 S. Mathiyas Fishermen Colony S. Clement
1988 Isteph Stephen Vadakkupuram Stephen Antony
1989 Janis Isaac Pallipurayidom Jose James
1990 Nicolas George Kaikkara Nicolas Franklin
1991 Thomas Sebastian Kaikkara Sebastian Ansel
1992 T. George Depo Purayidom Elias Francis
1993 Laboy Paul Depo Purayidom Francis Hillary
1994 Antony Julian Kaikkara Peter Joseph
1995 Thomas Jacob Kaikkara M. Ansel
1996 Isteph Lawrence Vadakkupuram Lawrence Augustin
1997 Marian Alex Kaikkara Sebasthy Johnny
1998 Simon Alphonse Fishermen Colony Simon Bosco
1999 Francis Stephen Fishermen Colony Stephen Sunil
2000 Antony Francis Manual Joseph
2001 Simon Francis Francis Joseph
2002 Janiskutty Cyril Fishermen Colony Cyril Sunil
2003 Leons Gabriel Depo Purayidom Barnabas Samson
2004 Ernest David Fishermen Colony Donbosco David
2005 Francis Hillary Johnny Sajan
2006 Simon Raymond (Jerald) Vadakkupuram Johnny Samson
2007 Joseph Peter Kaikkara Stephen Julian
2008 Simon Cyril Thomas Cyril
2009 Martin Ansel Jacob David
2010 Johnny Leons Johnny Job
2011 Augustin Lawrence Augustin John
2012 Isaac John Gilbert John Gilbert Jithu
2013 Martin Ambrose
2014 Antony Manian Benchamin Clement
2015 Simon Bosco Vadakkupuram Alphonse Ashwin
2016 Ansel Joseph Peter

Gallery edit

  •  
    The Statue of Our Lady of Purification at the altar of Port Kollam church
  •  
    The Altar of the Port Kollam Church
  •  
    The view of the Altar from the Main Entrance
  •  
    The Christ the King statue in front of the Port Kollam church (Donated by Mr. Manuel Fernandez in 1945)
  •  
    Every year on Good Friday, Port Kollam Church's renowned Pieta is on exhibit.

References edit

  1. ^ William, Logan (1887). "The People: Religion: Christianity". Malabar Manual. I: 199. ISBN 9781976845260.
  2. ^ "St Thomas the Apostle and His Seven and a Half Churches".
  3. ^ a b "Parish details of Diocese of Quilon".
  4. ^ "Religious Places Kollam". Kerala me.
  5. ^ Fahlbusch, Erwin; Lochman, Jan Milic; Bromiley, Geoffrey William; Mbiti, John; Pelikan, Jaroslav; Vischer, Lukas (14 February 2008). The Encyclopedia of Christianity, Vol. 5. ISBN 9780802824172.
  6. ^ "The Surprisingly Early History of Christianity in India".
  7. ^ "HISTORY & HERITAGE".
  8. ^ "Diocese of Quilon".
  9. ^ The life and letters of St. Francis Xavier. London, Burns and Oates. 1886. p. 246.
  10. ^ Travancore: A Guide Book for the Visitor. London: Oxford University Press. 1933. p. 245.
  11. ^ "St. Francis Xavier's Gifts to Kerala".
  12. ^ "Apostolic Pilgrimage to India".
  13. ^ a b "Feast Of Our Lady Of Purification". dtpc Kollam.
  14. ^ The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, Fifth Edition Revised. US: Oxford University Press Inc. 14 April 2011. p. 418. ISBN 978-0199596607.
  15. ^ "Annual Feast Of St.Thomas, Our Lady Of Purification Church". Kerala tourism.
  16. ^ "Relics of the Apostle St. Thomas". Atlas Obscura.
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