Kanyakumari - St. Xavier Church
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Kanyakumari - St. Xavier Church
St. Xavier Church
According to legend, Christianity arrived in South India around AD 52 through St. Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles of Christ. However, European missionaries, who arrived in the 16th century, propagated Christianity in the area. St. Francis Xavier (April 7, 1506 – December 2, 1552)was the pioneer in preaching Christianity in the present day Kanyakumari District.
St.Xavier an outstanding and dedicated priest visited the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu from Goa, he never missed the opportunity of visiting Kottar in Kanniyakumari district which was a celebrated commercial centre at that time. During his stay at Kottar, he used to worship St. Mary in the small temple. He was popularly known as “Valiya Pandaram” among the people of Kottar. While he was at Kottar, he averted the invasion of Padagas on the people of Venad which was appreciated by the king, who became closer to the Priest. In recognition of Xavier’s services, the king allotted a land to him for the purpose of constructing a catholic church at Kottar. There was already a church in 1544 in the same place, where the St. Xavier’s church stands now.
The church records show that the church was built in the year 1600 A.D. In the year 1865, the Church was enlarged and the shrine of our lady was also renovated and vaulted over. In 1930, the church was raised to the status of a Cathedral. In 1942, in commemoration of the fourth centenary of the arrival of St.Xavier in India, a beautiful tower to the saint, a grotto to Out Blessed Mother and a small shrine to St.Ignatius who sent him to India were constructed in the Cathedral premises. In 1955, the church was further extended and the chapel of Our Lady was incorporated into the enlarged church. The Church of St. Xavier enjoys a great fame as a place of miracles from early times. The annual festival is celebrated during the month of November – December lasting for 10 days.
With traditional fervor and offerings of salt and pepper, thousands joined to celebrate the feast of St. Francis Xavier in Kottar diocese on Monday. The feast acquired special significance this year as the Church celebrates 500th birth anniversary of the Saint, who pioneered Catholic mission in this region. The saint born in 1506 in Spain reached India in 1542. From his base in Goa, the saint preached in several parts of the south India including coastal regions of Tamil Nadu.
St. Francis Xavier Church Kottar is considered one of the earliest Catholic Churches dedicated to the saint. Hundreds of people, who consider themselves as descendants of those converted by the saint, join the annual feast with fervor. Following tradition originated from local culture devotes from Tamil Nadu and the neighboring Kerala joined to pull decorated car carrying the statue of St. Xavier. The people also offered salt and pepper in the church as their way of thanksgiving for favors received. Traditionally salt and pepper is the special offering at the church.
Kanyakumari - St. Xavier Church
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