Celebration in remembrance of St. Thomas

During the festival, one can witness a huge number of people swamped in petitions carrying wooden crosses of different sizes and wandering up a slop. The entire town is decked up and prepares itself to welcome these travelers who have come from various places. This intriguing sight can be witnessed at the St. Thomas Church. The church is situated at Malayattoor. The festival is celebrated in the period of April and the Malayattoor Perunnal or the Malayattoor Feast falls on the Sunday after Easter. It is believed that St. Thomas was one of the ten witnesses of Jesus Christ.

It is said that He had arrived on the Kerala drift at Muziris, Kodungalloor Port in 52 C.E., and it was he who constructed the Malayattoor Church. After building the church, It is said that he withdrew himself to the slopes of Malayattoor and implored or beseeched the Lord. the people belonging to the place believe that The Golden Cross at Kurishumudi was shaped when St. Thomas stooped on a stone and marked the stone with a cross. Another highlight or focus point of the slope is the lasting impression and the signs of knees that are engraved on the stone which is said to belong to St. Thomas. This slope sanctuary has over the years, developed into one of the most well-known and famous areas of explorer focuses because of St. Thomas. in India, itself and a large number of enthusiasts and believers gather in this church during the festival and also year-round to get his blessings and favors.

St Thomas church in Malayattoor is one of the eight international shrines in the world. It is located in Malayattoor Angamaly, in the Ernakulam district of Kerala in south India.

The Church Is visited by devotees from all over the world. St. Thomas, the Apostle was the one who took the initiative to begin the Christian community in Kerala. the Vatican has designated The church here as one among the eight International shrines in the world. It is believed that St. Thomas landed in Kerala he held prayer at the place where the church is now located.

According to the legend, it is believed that while traveling through Malayattoor St. Thomas was faced with hostile natives and in an attempt to escape, he fled to the hilltop where he is said to have remained in prayer. And whilst in the midst of his prayer, he left his footprint on one of the rocks. It is also believed that when he was praying, he touched a rock from which blood poured.

According to the legends, it is believed that St. Thomas used to make the Sign of the Cross on the rock and whilst kissing, it would pray at Kurisumudi. People say that a miraculous golden cross appeared where he prayed.