Arthat St. Mary's Cathedral

Arthat St Mary's Orthodox Cathedral
Arthat St Mary's cathedral
Basic information
Location	Arthat, Kunnamkulam, India
Geographic coordinates	10°37'58"N - 76°3'29"E
Affiliation	Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
District	Thrissur
Province	Kerala
Country	India
Year consecrated	AD 52(Apostolic era.)
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Cathedral
Website	http://arthatcathedral.org/
Architectural description
Architectural type	Church
Architectural style	Kerala Architecture
Direction of façade	West

Arthat St Mary's Orthodox Cathedral aka Arthat Valiyapally also called Paloor-Chattukulangara Church is an ancient church located in Arthat village of Thalapilly Taluk, one mile south of Kunnamkulam town, Thrissur, Kerala, India. This church is also known as Chattukulangara pally. It is believed that this church is the most ancient church in this region and is one of the Seven and Half church founded by St Thomas Apostle in AD 52.It should be noted that this church did not participate in the Synod of Diamper. During the invasion of Tippu Sultan the church was arsoned and later reconstructed.

The tradition states that St Thomas came to a region near present-day Kunnamkulam called Paloor or Judakkunnu (Yahuda kunnu) where Jews were colonized. He preached gospel to the Jews and many were converted to Christianity. The Jewish Synagogue in that area was later converted to a Christian church. This church was known as Chattukulangara pally.

When St Thomas came to Judakunnu (Jew hill), there occurred a water scarcity in that area at that time. People were in great distress and they appealed to St Thomas for help. He whipped on the land on the top of the hill and there appeared a spring of fresh water. This was later called Chattakkulam. (ml:ചാട്ടക്കുളം ) and the church near to it came to be known as Chattakkulangara pally.

After the Synod of Diamper, Aleixo de Menezes made a visit to Arthat Church whom didn't attend the Synod and submitted to Menezes. His visit was to allure and subjugate Arthat Church to the Latin leadership. However the native people strongly opposed it and loudly shouted to express their protest.

In 1789 Tippu Sultan attacked and arsoned this church. It is said in folklores that Tippu's army killed a priest in the Altar room of this church and the blood spilled over there. Since it was considered impure, some part of the Altar was cut and removed. Hence this church was also called as Vetti muricha pally(ml:വെട്ടി മുറിച്ച പള്ളി ) or cut altar church. Even now the Altar of this church remain distinct from other churches.

After the Coonan cross oath, those who made allegiance to the Roman Catholic church wanted to take over the church to their fold and because of the dispute the church was closed for a while. In 1805 with the request of the Puthenkoor Syrians, the then King of Cochin, Sakthan Thampuran himself came to Arthat church to resolve the problem. Both parties agreed for a lucky draw. In the lucky draw the main church and buildings were gone to the Puthenkoor Syrians and the Stone cross of the church gone to the Pazhayakoor Roman Catholics.