St.Joseph's Parish Shrine Pavaratty, Thrissur, Kerala, India

Rev.Fr.Vicar
St.Joseph's Parish Shrine
P.O.Pavaratty, Thrissur, Kerala, India
Pin 680507
Ph: 91 487 2642251,
Ph: 91 487 2640251

PALAYUR

	It is at Palayur that the first Christian church got founded by St. Thomas in AD 52. So Palayur is the cradle of Holy Christian faith in India. St Thomas was one of the twelve intimate disciples of Jesus Christ. After the Ascension of Christ, they were blessed by Holy sprit in the virtues of fortitude and courage and they set out to various parts of the world to proclaim the Christian message.

St. Thomas

St. Thomas was the chosen Apostle to India. He landed at Kodungalloor, then sailed to Palayoor, went to other parts of Kerala., crossed the Western Ghats to reach Tamil Nadu and at last was blessed with Martyrdom at Parankimalai, near Chennai. The holy mortal remains had been kept at Mylapore, but later taken to Europe. A portion of his right hand bone has been handed over to the church authorities and the relic is placed at Azhikode, near Kodungallur.

The Arch-diocese of Thrissur

The Arch-diocese of Thrissur is a province of the Syro-Malabar Church of the Roman Catholic Faith. The diocese of Thrissur got elevated to the status of Arch Diocese in 1995 and the Bishop Joseph Kundukulam became the first Arch Bishop of Thrissur When he relinquished the post, Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhi became the Arch Bishop.

http://www.trichurarchdiocese.org

Syro Malabar Church

Syro Malabar Church is a self-governed church under the holy Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Faith in Kerala has three such churches: Syro-Malabar, Syro-Malankara and Latin Rites). The members of Syro Malabar Chruch are again named, "Marthoma Christians" and "Syrian Catholics". It was in 1887 that separate Syro Malabar Vicariates were granted at Thrissur and Kottayam. The Syro Malabar hierarchy was established in 1923, having Ernakulam as the Arch diocese and Thrissur, Changanassery and Kottayam as dioceses. The greatest was done in 1992, when Syro Malabar church was raised to the status of Major Archi Episcopal church.

Archbishop: Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil C.Ss.R
Born: May 29, 1927
Rel Prof: Aug 2, 1947
Ordained Priest: June 12, 1954
Ordained Bishop: January 6, 1997

Address: Archbishop’s House, P B No. 2580, Ernakulam, Kochi 682 031, Kerala
Tel: (0484) 352629, 352906, 363664
Fax: (0484) 366028, 355010
E-mail: majorbp@vsnl.com,
syromalabar@indiaatbest.com,
syromalabarchurch@hotmail.com
Web: www.archdioceseofernakulam.org