Acts of Apostle Thomas

Palayoor is near Guruvayoor/Kunnankulam
VII CHINA EVANGELIZATON : M. M. NINAN
Palayur was the stronghold of the Namboodiri Brahmins. Ruins of an ancient Jewish Synagogue are still
visible the Church. “When Thomas came to the great Brahmin centre of Palayur, a leading Brahmin
Gramam (Village) among the 64, he came across some Brahmins doing the Pithru Yajna or Pooja to the
manes or ghosts of deceased ancestors. They were throwing water into the air (Tharpan) while reciting
manthras. The Apostle learned from them the meaning of this ritual and remarked: ‘If your performance is
acceptable to the gods they could keep the water suspended in the air without allowing it to fall again and
again’. “The Brahmins said that this was unthinkable as it was opposed to the laws of nature. Then Thomas
asserted that the One true God he worshipped could do it, and he proceeded to perform a miracle on condition
that the Brahmins accept his faith if he is successful. The Apostle, invoking the Holy Trinity, made the
sign of the Cross and threw a handful of water up into the sky. After reaching a particular height the water
stood still in the air, the particles glittering like diamonds. Looking down the Brahmins could see the cavity
made by the removal of the water still there in the pond. Most of the witnesses were baptised on the spot.
However those Brahmins who did not accept the faith called the place ‘Shapa Kadu’ or Cursed Place and
left the place immediately promising to take the next bath only at Vembanattu, unpolluted by the new faith.
Even today, true to the oath taken by their ancestors, the Brahmins do not eat or drink in the vicinity of
Palayur or Chowghat (Shapa Kadu).”
Syrian Christians traditionally believed that the four Brahmin families Kalli, Kaliyankal, Sankarapuri &
Pakalomattam were converted at this place.
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