| Palayoor Mar Thoma Major Archiepiscopal Church | |
|---|---|
 St. Thomas Major archiepiscopal church at Palayur | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Syro-Malabar Church |
| District | Thrissur |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Major archiepiscopal church |
| Location | |
| Location |  Kerala India |
| State | Kerala |
| Geographic coordinates | (10°34′57″N 76°01′55″E / 10.5825°N 76.0319°E) |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Thomas the Apostle by tradition. Rebuilt under Giacomo Fenicio (AD 1600-1607) |
| Style | Blend of Kerala, Persian, and Portuguese architecture |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | West |
| Dome(s) | 1 |
| Materials | Lime and Mortar |
Palayur Mar Thoma Major Archiepiscopal Church, is located at Palayur (historically known as Palur), in Thrissur district in Kerala on the west coast of India.[1] According to Saint Thomas Christian tradition, the Syrian church was established in 52 AD by St Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ.[2] Saint Thomas performed the first baptism in India here, therefore this church is called an Apostolic Church credited to the apostolate of St. Thomas, who preached and also introduced Christianity to the people here.[3][4] It is part of the Ēḻarappaḷḷikaḷ (seven major churches) that he established in India, the others being at Cranganore, Kokkamangalam, Kottakkavu, Kollam, Niranam, and Chayal (Nilackal).[5][6][7] The original small church structure has been retained at the original site. But substantial improvements around it were carried out during the 17th century by Giacomo Fenicio as necessary, without sacrificing the main sanctity of the place.[8][9][10]
- ^ Logan, William (1887). "Ponnani Taluk". Malabar Manual. II: ccccxi.
- ^ Menon (1962), p. 72, 100, 611.
- ^ Sheshadri, Veena (2013). India: A to Z. Penguin UK. ISBN 9789351184263.
- ^ Limca Book of Records: India at Her Best. Hachette UK. 2018. ISBN 9789351952404.
- ^ William, Logan (1887). "The People: Religion: Christianity". Malabar Manual. I: 199.
- ^ Whitehouse (1873).
- ^ Velu Pillai, T. K. (1940). Travancore State Manual. Govt. of Travancore, Travancore. p. 664.
- ^ Menon 1962, pp. 100, 72
- ^ "About Syro-Malabar Church". Archived from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
- ^ "The Syro-Malabar Church". Syro Malabar website. Retrieved 29 September 2009.