Marthoma Pontifical Shrine, Thrissur

The Marthoma Pontifical Shrine is located in the village of Azhikode in Thrissur, Kerala. The church lies on the banks of the River Periyar and is part of the Muziris Heritage Project. The Marthoma Pontifical shrine is built to replicate the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and covers over 3500 sq. ft. The significance of this church is that it was the very first church set up the apostle St. Thomas in Kerala and it was followed by six others. The legends surrounding the church speak of how St. Thomas came here in 52 A.D and is believed to have settled in Kerala and later his bones where brought from Italy and where placed in the shrine for worship. The MarthomaSmruthiTharangam Mansion built in the Indo-Persian style depicts the life of St. Thomas. When tracing the roots of Christianity in India, this shrine is said to have been the source of the spreading of the belief. This shrine is one of the major Christian pilgrim centers that are frequented by thousands of devotees worldwide.