Exploring Kochi’s 7 Lost Worlds- A Journey Through History and Heritage with Christone Holidays ( Chapter - 1)
- May 15
- 6 min read
Updated: May 17
Theme: Uncover Kochi’s forgotten historical layers—each post explores one "lost world" tied to tours.
"Kochi’s 7 Lost Worlds: Hidden Stories Behind Your Favorite Heritage Sites"
: "You’ve seen the places—now discover the untold histories with Christone Holidays’ expert guides."
The Apostle’s Footsteps
Why Did St. Thomas Choose Kerala? The Political & Trade Secrets Behind His Arrival ?
When St. Thomas the Apostle arrived in India around 52 AD, he didn't simply drift ashore by chance. His decision to set foot in Kerala was influenced by a blend of strategic thinking, spiritual calling, and a keen understanding of the world’s trade and political landscape. Let’s explore the hidden reasons behind his historic arrival
🌍 Thriving Trade Routes: Kerala’s Global Gateway
In the first century AD, Kerala was already an international trading hub. The port of Muziris (believed to be present-day Kodungallur) was a bustling center that welcomed merchants from Rome, Greece, Egypt, and the Middle East. Pepper, spices, pearls, and ivory made Kerala immensely valuable on the world map.
St. Thomas, likely traveling with a merchant fleet from the Roman world, would have chosen Kerala because:
It had regular maritime links with the West.
The multicultural port cities offered safety and access to diverse communities.
Jewish and Persian merchant colonies were already established, offering cultural familiarity.
🏩 Political Climate: A Land of Tolerance
Kerala in the 1st century was ruled by the Chera dynasty, known for relative political stability and religious tolerance. Unlike regions under rigid imperial rule, the local chieftains and kings allowed the peaceful spread of new ideas and religions.
This made Kerala an ideal place for a missionary:
There was minimal persecution of foreign faiths.
St. Thomas could interact with local elites, some of whom are believed to have converted.
Religious plurality fostered dialogue rather than resistance.
🤝 Diaspora Connections: A Ready Audience
One of the lesser-known facts is the presence of Jewish communities in Kerala long before the time of Christ. These communities were well-integrated into Kerala's trading networks and society.
As a Jewish Christian, St. Thomas may have found:
Familiar religious and linguistic elements that eased his mission.
A welcoming audience already attuned to monotheistic teachings.
Potential support from diaspora families for his early church efforts.
⚓️ Coastal Strategy: Easy Access and Safe Passage
Early Christian missions often focused on coastal regions where trade and communication were easier. Kerala's extensive coastline, river networks, and port cities made it perfect for:
Quick and safe travel.
Establishing initial communities before venturing inland.
Networking with global merchant communities to spread teachings.
Later traditions say that St. Thomas traveled across South India, eventually reaching Mylapore in present-day Chennai, where he was martyred. But it all began in Kerala, the southern gate to India.
🙏 A Divine Calling, A Strategic Move
Though guided by divine inspiration, St. Thomas made a remarkably shrewd choice in beginning his mission in Kerala. Its unique combination of global connectivity, political openness, and religious diversity made it fertile ground for planting the seeds of Christianity in India.
Over two millennia later, the legacy of his journey lives on in Kerala's vibrant Christian communities, ancient churches, and oral traditions.
✝️ The Global Gospel Vision of St. Thomas: Apostle to the Ends of the Earth
After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, His disciples were entrusted with the Great Commission:
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” — Mark 16:15
St. Thomas, one of the Twelve Apostles, took this divine mandate to heart. While many apostles remained within the Roman Empire, St. Thomas set out farther east — beyond familiar borders — to bring the Gospel to India and Asia, making him one of the earliest global evangelists in Christian history.
🌍 A Mission Beyond Borders
St. Thomas's journey reflects more than physical travel — it was a leap of faith into new cultures, languages, and spiritual landscapes. His mission was global in scope and divine in origin.
He traveled over land and sea, from the Middle East to Persia and then to the Malabar Coast of India (modern-day Kerala).
His work planted Christianity not through conquest, but through dialogue, service, and love.
His efforts represent a bridge between the early Church and the Eastern world, long before colonial missions began.
🕊️ Gospel Through Relationships, Not Empires
Unlike later missionary movements tied to empire and colonization, St. Thomas’s evangelism was deeply relational. He entered into the lives of local people:
Preaching the Good News to Hindu scholars, Jewish merchants, and local rulers.
Living among the people and understanding their cultures before sharing Christ.
Forming local Christian communities, known today as the St. Thomas Christians or Nasranis of India.
⛪ The Seven and a Half Churches: Seeds of a Living Faith
One of his greatest legacies in India is the establishment of the Ezharappallikal — the “Seven and a Half Churches” — along the western coast of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
These churches were not just places of worship, but centers of Gospel life where communities gathered, learned, prayed, and served together in the name of Christ.
👉 Explore more: Christone Holidays – Seven and a Half Churches : christoneholidays.com/seven-and-half-churches-ezhara-pallikal.
🔥 A Martyr for the Message
St. Thomas's Gospel work ultimately led him to Mylapore (in present-day Chennai), where, according to tradition, he was martyred for his faith. His blood was spilled, but his mission bore fruit — Christianity took root in India centuries before it did in many parts of Europe.
🌏 A Legacy of Global Evangelism
St. Thomas reminds the Church today that the Gospel is not bound by geography, language, or culture. His mission to the East proclaims that:
The Gospel belongs to all nations.
True evangelism listens before speaking.
Christ's message is universal — crossing deserts, seas, and centuries.
The Enduring Legacy of St. Thomas in Modern Christian Identity Across Asia
St. Thomas the Apostle’s arrival in India over 1,900 years ago marked the beginning of one of the world’s oldest Christian traditions outside the Middle East and Europe. His legacy continues to shape the faith, culture, and identity of millions of Christians across Asia today.
🕊️ The St. Thomas Christians: A Living Tradition
In Kerala and other parts of India, the communities descended from St. Thomas’s early converts are known as St. Thomas Christians or Nasranis. This group:
Maintains ancient liturgical traditions, blending Eastern Christian rites with Indian culture.
Is part of multiple churches, including theMalankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Syro-Malabar Catholic Church & Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.
Represents a vibrant, deeply rooted Christian presence that predates European missionary activity by over a millennium.
🌏 Influence Beyond India
The spiritual and cultural imprint of St. Thomas Christians extends beyond India:
Middle Eastern and Persian Christian traditions influenced their liturgy and theology, forming a unique East-West synthesis.
They became a bridge for Christianity’s expansion into Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and even parts of Southeast Asia.
Today, diaspora communities in Europe, North America, and the Gulf countries keep this ancient heritage alive globally.
📜 Cultural Contributions and Interfaith Harmony
St. Thomas Christians have contributed richly to:
Literature, music, and architecture that reflect a blend of Indian and Christian elements.
Promoting peaceful coexistence and dialogue among diverse religious groups in India.
Their heritage is a testimony to how faith can flourish in harmony with local customs and traditions.
🔥 Modern Challenges and Renewal
Like many ancient communities, St. Thomas Christians face:
The challenge of maintaining identity amid globalization and migration.
Efforts to engage younger generations with their history and faith.
Renewal movements that seek to balance tradition with contemporary life.
🙏 St. Thomas’s Enduring Inspiration
Across Asia, St. Thomas’s journey inspires:
Missionaries and believers to cross cultural and geographical boundaries.
Church leaders to emphasize dialogue, respect, and unity.
Christians everywhere to remember the Gospel’s call to bring hope to all corners of the world.
✨ Walk in the Footsteps of St. Thomas! ✨Discover how St. Thomas the Apostle brought the light of the Gospel to India, founding the historic Seven and a Half Churches that still inspire millions today.
Uncover the stories, spirituality, and heritage that shaped Christianity in Asia — only with Christone Holidays.
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