The oldest church

St.Thomas Church Thiruvithancode

In olden times Thiruvithancode was the capital of Travancore Kingdom.  Thiruvithamcode Arappally (“Royal Church”); Tamil:திருவிதாங்கோடு அரப்பள்ளி; Malayalam: തിരുവിതാംകോട് അരപ്പള്ളി;), or Thomayar Kovil or St. Mary's Orthodox Church, also called Amalagiri church as named by the Chera King Uthiyan Cheralathan, was built by St. Thomas, known as the Apostle of India, in 57 AD. Thiruvithamcode also spelled as Thiruvithancode, Thiruvithankodu and Thiruvithangodu.

It is believed by the Christian communities that St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ came to India, preached the gospel and established churches in Crangannore, Palur, Paraur, Gokkamangalam, Niranam, Chayal, Kollam and Thiruvithancode and appointed prelates and priests. The Thiruvithamcode church was built in AD 63, is believed to be one of the oldest church structures in the world.

Some people have misunderstand that “Arapally” means half church (Ara means half) and the myth is propagated far and wide. But here the word “Ara” related to the word “King”. Arappalli means King’s Church; such as Aramana (King’s House), Arayal (King Tree), and Arayannam (King Bird) in the local language. The word ‘ara’ in Arapally doesn’t necessarily mean ‘half’ as is understood in the local language. Instead, it could denote a royal connection, because the Dravidian word for king, is ‘Arasan’. Thus the church could have been termed ‘Arapally’ because it was constructed and maintained with the support and patronage of local kings,” says Rev. Barsleebi Ramban.

However, there are also those who believe that Arapally is, literally, only a half church because, according to tradition, St. Thomas only established a cross here for 64 families of converted Christian who moved to the area from Mylapore, fearing persecution from rulers. St.Thomas brought them to Travancore crossing the Sahya parvatham (western ghats ) via aruvamozhy pass. When they had arrived at Travancore, the local King of Venad Imayavaramban Chera Ladan received them and offered them land and food. They accepted all the gifts but politely refused to accept vibhuthi and hence they were called ‘vibhudi dhariya chettis’ among the natives. Metropolitan Pulikotil Joseph Mar Dionysius II in his travelogue mentions that he reached Thiruvithamcode, went to a Church belonging to the TharissaiChristians.

The land of Thiruvithancode church was donated by the King of Venad, Nedum Cheralathan. Hence the church was publicly known as Arappalli (Arayan Palli or King’s Church). There are some ancient references to the church such as in the Book of Duarte Barbosa, which talks about ‘Tharusayikkal’ believed to be about Thiruvithamcode.

Among the local people this church is also known as “Thomayar Kovil” from very ancient period. Thomayar Kovil means Temple of St. Thomas. It is a common belief in the locality that it was built by St. Thomas.

Note: The church refers to the community of people rather than the structure.