Archelogical Heritage
Church
‘Church’, in common parlance, means a building used for public Christian worship. It may even be a particular Christian organization, typically one with its own clergy, buildings, and distinctive doctrines. But this is not the biblical understanding which is more a body of believers than anything else. The word ‘church’ comes from the Greek word ekklesia which means ‘an assembly’ or the ‘called-out ones’.
For all Christian believers, the church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head. The ‘body of Christ’ is composite concept, its two constituents being : (1) the universal church consisting of all those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as they believe that they obtained Salvation through faith in Him; and (2) the local church with a body of believers attached to it. The members of the universal church should seek fellowship with local believers for learning and practicing their faith through a local church.
Origin of Christians in Kerala
It is believed that Christianity was introduced to Kerala by Thomas the Apostle, who visited Kerala in 52 AD to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Although the exact origin remains unclear it is widely believed that Christianity in Kerala is almost as old as Christianity itself and it spread in India even before it did in many other countries. Some historians argue that Christianity was brought into Kerala by Thomas of Cnana (Cnanai Thomman), who was a trader and who landed in Kodungallur by 345 AD from Syria accompanied by a large group of Christian believers. There is a small section of the present day Christians in Kerala who consider themselves as the pure descendents of those came with Thomas of Cnana. On the other hand there is a larger section of believers who claim direct descend from, those who were originally converted by Apostle Thomas from Indians. There were also conversions to Christianity during subsequent periods and through the efforts of missionaries. The advent of the Portuguese in the 16th century gave a boost to the growth of Christians in Kerala under Roman Catholic missionaries, the most significant one being St. Francis Xavier. As several European missionaries also came to Kerala the non-Catholic Christian population also grew both in number and diversity. Today, Christianity is Kerala’s third-largest religion. According to the 2001 census, the number of Christian population of Kerala was 60,57,427.
CHRISTIANS OF KERALA – UNITY IN DIVERSITY
INTRODUCTION
The Christian community of Kerala is composed of the several Denominations. Generally, it can be viewed under three major groups: Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant. The Catholics have four sub-groups, namely: Roman Catholics (Latin), Syro-Malabar Catholics, Syro-Malankara Catholics, and the Cnanaya Syrian Catholics. In the second major Christian group, namely the Orthodox, there are different sub-groups. They are the Jacobite Orthodox Syrian Church, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, the Chaldean Syrian Church, and The Cnanaya Syrian Orthodox Church.
In the third major group of Christians in Kerala, namely the Protestants, there have been ever so many sub-groups. Some of them were in due course of time got united as the Church of South India (CSI), their parallel in the North being the Church of North India (CNI). The CSI is a predominant Church denomination in Kerala. There is also the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church which is a sub-group of the Protestants who consider themselves as a ‘reformed’ section of the Orthodox Syrian Christians of Kerala. There is also the St. Thomas Evangelical Church of Kerala, a division formed out of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Christians. In the case of fourth major group, namely, the Pentecosts, there are innumerable members and numerous subgroups. The Indian Pentecost Church and the Ceylon Pentecost Church are among the popular ones. The table given below will make the picture clearer.
Christian churches are differentiated on the basis of their doctrines and practices. Two broad classes according to these are the Episcopal churches and the Evangelical churches. The former has a hierarchical order of Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, etc. while the latter class has only Ministers and Pastors. All the Catholic churches, the Orthodox Churches and the Anglican, the Marthomite and CSI are Episcopal churches. In the case of practices also there are differences in their liturgies, prayers, and even in some aspects of faith and worship. Thus, the Christians in Kerala are a population with a wide diversity but a cardinal unity.
CHURCH ARCHITECTURE
The general concept on the design of churches is based on the three crucial periods in the life of Jesus Christ – i.e. (i) the Baptism, (ii) the Public Life, and (iii) the Crucifixion. Liturgically these are expressed in (i) the Baptismal Font (ii) the Pulpit and the Altar, and (iii) the Tabernacle. This concept was clearly adopted in the design of early Christian churches. Later, churches became a general space in which various elements were met together. The church architecture of Kerala go evolved from the Christian immigrants from Syria and the missionaries of European settlers. But, during the early period some of the temples worshipped by the Hindu converts might have been used as churches. The historical references to the incident of Vasco-da-Gama entering a temple at Kozhikode by mistaking it as a church, and the old relics of Hindu temples kept at Palur church, are some of the examples to cite. Earlier church buildings had only a rectangular hall. Later the sanctuary (madubaha) and nave (haikala or palliyakom) were included. Gradually, church buildings were done following the Kerala style of architecture. The Kadamattom Church in Kolencherry of Ernakulam district is one of the oldest churches in Kerala, built in Kerala style.
Syrians who had migrated to Kerala had brought some of the West Asian conventions in church architecture. Consequently churches have begun to be built in a distinct architectural style. Another visible change in church style took place from the period of the Portuguese in India who adopted Roman and Gothic styles. The first church that built in that new style was the St. Francis Church, Cochin, which is considered as a model for the later construction of churches. However, modern architectural trend shows new plans and structural shapes in designing a church complex. Even then the Orthodox and Jacobite churches mostly adhere to their traditional designs only.
CHURCH COMPLEX
Unlike temples of Kerala, there is no standard layout for the churches of Kerala. Many are designed according to their traditions. Mostly they have some common features. Generally, a church complex has religious structures such as granite cross, sthambhas, baptismal font, altar, alcoves for icons, belfry, drum house, church pond, kurusupally, cemetery, etc.
Nave’ is a long central part or main body of a church that extends from the entry to the ‘chancel’ (the space around the altar).
Altar and Pulpit
‘The Holy Mass’, the most sacred of all the performances in a church is staged at the Altar. It is here that the priest(s) stand(s) and perform(s) and celebrates the Mass. Pulpit is the raised stand beside the Altar where the priest stands to preach to the community. The Altar and the Pulpit usually covers the entire eastern part of madubaha. Sacred objects intended for rituals are kept on a cup-board at the back side of the Altar duly decorated with icons or other carvings. ChancelChancel is part of church near the Altar. Vestry/Sacristy
Vestry/Sacristy is the room near to chancel where priests put on vestments .
Roopakkodu is alcoves (a small area formed by part of the wall being hollowed) for keeping statues and icons of saints. It could even be in a wooden gopuram with or without glass sides.
The baptismal fonts are basins used for carrying out be sacrament of Baptism.
Belfry (Bell tower)
Belfries or bell towers were simple structures in the past, but now it has gained height. Bell towers contain bell or bells that ring to inform the time of worship, to call together people for special events, etc.Kottupura (Drum House)
Kottupura is a small structure with railings around platform for housing musicians.Oottupura (Dining hall)
As in the Hindu temples, Oottupura is a dining hall for holding Sneha Virunnu (Cordial feast).Natakasala (Theatre)
Some churches, especially St.Thomas Churches have Natakasala or theatre.
Ayudhappura (Armoury) and Vedippura (gun powder stores)
Some of the churches have Ayudhappura where weapons were used in olden days. During festivals fireworks are inevitable in churches. Discharge of pop-guns (Kathina vedi) is also usual. To keep the provisions for pop guns and fireworks, most churches have a Vedippura (gun-powder store).
Kurusupally
Kurusupally or Nerchappally is a small chapel built in front of the church on the road side where devotees can offer cash or candles.
‘In addition to the above, the sacred pond (Pallikulam) and a cemetery are also found attached to certain churches