St. Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal

The largest shrine of St Sebastian in the world, the church known as Arthunkal St. Andrew's Basilica and St. Sebastian's International Shrine in Arthunkal, Alappuzha district, Kerala, India, was constructed by Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century.The grand annual feast of St Sebastian Arthunkal in January, which lasts for a month accompanied by millions of pilgrims is one of the important celebrations and major attractions in India.The feast of shrine Basilica also known as makaram perunnal. The church was rebuilt in 1584 under the vicar Jacomo Fenicio, an Italian Jesuit[1] whose devotees claim to possess powers to heal the body and mind. Devotees fondly referred to him as "Arthunkal Veluthachan", "fair skinned father". Fenicio died in 1632. Eight years after his death, the church was rebuilt again, this time reoriented to face west towards the long white-sand beach on the shores of the Arabian Sea. In 1647, a statue of St. Sebastian, struck with arrows all over his bleeding body (he was executed on the order of the Roman emperor Diocletian for embracing the Christian faith) sculptured in Milan, was brought and placed in the Arthunkal church.

St. Andrew's Basilica of Arthunkal St.Sebastian's InternationalShrine
St. Andrew's Basilica of Arthunkal InternationalShrine
St. Andrew's Basilica of Arthunkal St.Sebastian's InternationalShrine
Location in Kerala, India
9.6611°N 76.3004°E / 9.6611; 76.3004
LocationArthunkal, Kerala
CountryIndia
DenominationLatin Catholic
Websitewww.arthunkalbasilica.com
History
StatusBasilica International Shrine
Founded1584
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Designated9 July 2010
Architectural typePortuguese
Administration
DioceseRoman Catholic Diocese of Alleppey

Arthunkal St Andrews Basilica, the first Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Alleppey was elevated to the status of Basilica on 9 July 2010.[2]

Arthunkal Basilica became the first Basilica in the diocese of Alleppey and the seventh basilica in Kerala and the third basilica of the Roman Catholic Latin church of Kerala.

  • Old Church at Arthunkal
  • Front View of Church
  • Arthunkal Church during Feast

See also

References
  1. Pyrard, François (1887). The voyage of François Pyrard ... to the East Indies. I. London: The Hakluyt Society. p. 405. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  2. "Arthunkal Church Elevated to Basilica - Getaways Kerala". 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012.
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