Malayattoor church

Kurisumudi is a mountain at Malayattoor that has become famous after the visit of St. Thomas one of the apostles of Jesus.
Location : The nearest towns are Kalady and Angamaly, both are around 10-15kms from Nedumbassery Airport, Kochi. It is 1269 ft above sea leavel.

St. Thomas landed in India in AD 52 at Kodungalloor, an ancient port. He spent 20 years in India for missionary work. He received hostility in many places and had to flee to this hill top for protection. In AD 72 he died a martyr’s death in Chennai.

It is believed that St. Thomas knelt on a rock here and signed a cross with his finger. He prayed for a long time and a golden cross emerged at this point. The tribal people were attracted by the splendor of the cross. They struck the spot with their rude weapons and to their surprise saw blood emitting from the cross. They ran to the valley and reported this to the locals. They went up to pray and got many miracles. Thus began the pilgrimage to Kurisumudi.

The Feast at Kurisumudy is on the first Sunday after Easter and the Octave on the following Sunday. People visit this pilgrim centre all through the year but they come in large groups during season of Lent. The number of pilgrims go up during the holy week especially on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. A lot of devotees come to the shrine carrying crosses and walking hundereds of Kilometers. Some of the crosses weight more than 75 Kilograms. When the piligrims climb the mountain they chant "Ponnin Kurisu Mala Muthappo Ponmalakayattam" that has almost become a manthra of those who climb.
As reparation for their sins pilgrims climb the hill with prayers on their lips. The climbing is done as a vow. They come after fasting and penance.