St George Syro-Malabar Basilica, Angamaly

The Thomas Christians of Kerala have been Christian for nearly 2,000 years. While Europe was burning martyrs and suppressing heretics and splitting into denominations, the Nasrani community of Kerala was singing the Qurbana in Aramaic, maintaining their faith, trading with the Arab world, and living as a distinguished religious minority in Hindu kingdoms that respected their learning and their commercial ability. They were Christian before Christianity was cool, before it was powerful, before it was European. They will be Christian after all those things have passed.

My Lord and my God — the first creed of the first doubter who became the first Apostle of India. Thomas saw and believed. He then carried what he saw to the Malabar coast and planted it in the soil of Kerala. I stand in the tradition he planted. Let me honour the depth of the root. Let me be as faithful as those who have kept this faith for 2,000 years, through everything that has been thrown at it. My Lord and my God. Amen.

Established in 450 AD, the St George Syro-Malabar Catholic Basilica is the second oldest of the 26 minor basilicas in India. The very ancient Angamaly Basilica is located at the centre of the Syro-Malabar Catholic heartland. The first Syrian Catholic Archdiocese was established here on 29 August 1567.

Early History

The original church was located on the banks of the River Maanjally, where it stood until the fag end of the 19th century. A boat jetty attached to the church existed in those days. Remnants of laterite stone which formed part of the original Angamaly church were identified by an archaeological team in 2001.

The Attack by Tippu Sultan

St George’s church, which is one of the three ancient churches in Angamaly, came under attack by Tippu Sultan in November 1789. Two thousand of Tippu’s troops entered Angamaly by destroying the Nedumkotta fort, which had been built to resist such an attack. All three of the ancient churches were razed to the ground. Parts of the laterite foundation remain to this day and can be seen in the church grounds. Only the walls, which were five and a half feet thick, survived the onslaught. The façade of the destroyed St George church was left intact until 2005, after which it was demolished for further development of the property.

Architecture

St George Syro-Malabar Catholic Basilica is one of the largest basilicas in India. Sprawled over 24,000 square feet of space, the basilica can accommodate about 8,000 persons at a time. A huge altar of about 2,000 square feet is designed for up to 50 priests to celebrate mass. Sixteen of the windows surrounding the central dome are decorated with images of the Apostles. The main area has sixty-four windows which are adorned with depictions from both Testaments.

Pilgrimage

The present Angamaly basilica was rebuilt and consecrated on 31 December 2006. St George Forane church was accorded well-deserved recognition by Pope Benedict XVI, who on 24 June 2009 elevated it to the status of Basilica.