Catholic Church in Kerala

Christianity is the third-most practised religion in Kerala, accounting for 18% of the population according to the Indian census. Although a minority, the Christian population of Kerala is proportionally much larger than that of India as a whole. A significant portion of the Indian Christian population resides in the state.

The undocumented tradition of origin among Saint Thomas Christians relates to the arrival of Saint Thomas, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus at the ancient seaport Muziris on the Kerala coast in AD 52 which is in the present day Pattanam, Kerala.

The Saint Thomas Christian tradition has historically been, as recorded by scholars, that Thomas converted Brahmin families/clans including Pakalomattom, Sankarapuri,Pattamukkil at Niranam, near Niranam Church, Kaliyankal, Kalli from which many Saint Thomas Christians, particularly those from prominent families, have traditionally claimed descent.

The text describes Thomas' adventures in bringing Christianity to India, a tradition later expanded upon in early Indian sources such as the "Thomma Parvam" ("Song of Thomas"). Generally he is described as arriving in or around Maliankara and founding Seven Churches, or Ezharapallikal: Kodungallur, Kollam, Niranam, Nilackal (Chayal), Kothamangalam, Kottakkavu, Palayoor and Thiruvithamcode Arappally (a "half church"). A number of 3rd- and 4th-century Roman writers also mention Thomas' trip to India, including Ambrose of Milan, Gregory of Nazianzus, Jerome, and Ephrem the Syrian, while Eusebius of Caesarea records that his teacher Pantaenus visited a Christian community in India in the 2nd century.There came existence christian community who were mainly merchants. Other main places where churches were built are Angamaly(now) , AD300 Ambhazhakkad (a place near chalakudy) and other parts of kerala.

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