The festival of Arthunkal St. Andrew’s Basilica Church, a major Christian pilgrim centre in the district, began on Thursday.
The 17-day-long feast of the 16th century Catholic Church built by Portuguese missionaries was inaugurated by Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram Latin Archdiocese M. Susaipakiam by hoisting the festival flag.
Church rector Fr. Stephen Pazhambasseril said more than two lakh pilgrims were expected to visit the church during the course of the festival. The St Sebastian’s statue will be kept in front of the church altar on January 18 at 5 a.m.
Religion no bar
The festival will conclude on January 27 with a procession of the Saint’s statue taken out to the beach. Sabarimala pilgrims too visit the church during their pilgrimage. It is widely believed by devotees that Lord Ayyappa and St. Sebastian are brothers.
The festival celebrated every year on January 27 attracts a lot of people from near and far. Arthunkal Church was elevated to the status of Basilica in July 2010.
It is the first Basilica of Alleppey diocese and the seventh Basilica in Kerala. The church is also the first parish in Alleppey diocese.
Arthunkal Feast
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