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, Cherthala, 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 is 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
Location	Arthunkal, Kerala
Country	India
Denomination	Latin Catholic
Website	www.arthunkalbasilica.com
History
Status	Basilica International Shrine
Founded	1584
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Designated	9 July 2010
Architectural type	Portuguese
Administration
Diocese	Diocese of Alleppey
Clergy
Bishop(s)	Rt. Rev. Dr. James Raphael Anaparambil
Rector	Rev. DR. Yesudas Kattungalthayil

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

Arthunkal Basilica became the first Minor Basilica in the diocese of Alleppey, the seventh minor basilica in Kerala, and the third minor basilica of the Latin Catholic Church of Kerala. Thumpoly pally is the church that deserves to be the second "Minor Basilica" pilgrimage church in the diocese.

Gallery

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

See also

• Arthunkal Veluthachan

References

1. Pyrard, François (1887). The voyage of François Pyrard ... to the East Indies. Vol. 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.