Parumala Church in Kerala

Parumala is a small stretch of land on the shores of the river “Pampa”. In the days of old, many Brahmin families were living on this island which has an area of about 4 square miles. For various reasons, in course of time these families left the place. However, as relics, we can still see the broken down basements of buildings, disused ponds etc. with the departure of the Brahmins, the place became almost wild, desolate area.

Old Church

Parumal Church is named after the great Saint, Saint Gregorious Geevarghese also known as Parumala Thirumeni. This church is at Mannar in Kerala and is a parish church of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Parumal church is the tomb church of Saint Gregorious Geevarghese.
It was in 1947 that Mar Gregorious was blessed and declared a saint by the then Catholicos of the church. The present church could accommodate about 2000 believers. It is in a circular design with a diameter of 39 meters. The church is believed to have great powers and many believers come from all parts to pray at this divine church.

New Church

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Sé Cathedral at Old Goa

This is one among the largest church in India and is located in Goa. This Cathedral is dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria. This church was built to honor the victory of Portuguese under a Muslim army, which led to the capture of the city of Goa.
Since this victory accidentally happened on the feast of St. Catherine, the cathedral was dedicated to her. The actual construction began in 1562 and was completed in 1619 and sacred in 1640. The church is 181 feet in breath and 250m in length.
On account of the rich tone of the bell in the Cathedral, it is known as the “Golden Bell”. It is known to be one of the best bells in the world and the largest in Goa. On the main Altar, there are several old paintings and it is dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria. On the right, there is a chapel, where it is believed that a vision of Christ is said to have appeared in 1919. This chapel is also known as Cross of Miracles.

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Basilica Of Bom Jesus

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is Located in Old Goa, India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The foundation stone was laid on 24th November 1594, and completed on 15th May 1605. It was raised to the status of a minor Basilica in 1946 and is considered to be one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Goa. The church is called “Bom Jesus” meaning ‘good Jesus’ or ‘infant Jesus’ to whom it is dedicated. The Basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier in Goa.

St. Xavier's quest took him to Malacca and then the Molucca Islands, Amboyna, Ternate, Baranura, and the island of Mindanao, Philippines. He met a Japanese man called Anger and baptized him in Goa. He arrived in Japan in 1549 and began preaching. After three years, he returned to Goa. Thereafter, St. Xavier left for China where he fell ill en- route. With his aggravated condition, he was offloaded at Sancian where a make shift hut had been built to shelter him. Here, he breathed his last.
It is said that the following year when the body of the saint was being transferred to Goa as per his wishes, the people were shocked to find his body fresh as ever. This was claimed to be a miracle and his body was preserved in an air tight coffin made of glass and placed inside a silver casket. Every year thousands of devotees visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus on 2nd December to see the mortal remains of the saint that is displayed publicly. Now, the practice has been stopped to prevent the body from deterioration.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is one of the richest churches in Goa and also all over India and a renowned pilgrimage site of Christians. It is covered with marble flooring and inlaid with precious stones. Except for the elaborately gilded altars, the interior of the church is simple. The church houses paintings of St. Francis Xavier. In fact the Tomb of St. Francis Xavier (1696) was the gift of the last of the Medicis, Cosimo III, the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Carved by a 17th century Florentine sculptor, named Giovanni Batista Foggini, it took 10 years to complete. The casket containing his body is made of silver. The holy relics of the saint are displayed every 10 years on the anniversary of his death.

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