出典:Wikipedia
出典:『Wikipedia』 (2011/06/29 04:19 UTC 版)
It is believed by the Christian communities in Kerala that the historic Thiruvithamcode Arappally (Royal Church), also called Amalagiri church as named by the then Chera King Udayancheral, was built by St. Thomas, the Apostle of India in 57 CE in the name of the Holy Mother Mary at Thiruvithancode in present day`s Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu. This is believed to be one of the oldest church structures in the world.However the Sangam Literature or any other ancient Tamil documents never mentioned the existence of Christianity in ancient Tamil Nadu and Kerala.Christianity was not a known religion to Dravidians until the arrival of European missionaries in the 14th century such as Jordanus. Historically there is absolutely no evidence that King Perum Chottu Udiyan Cheralathan praised by poet Muranjiyur Mudinaganar in Patiṟṟuppattu had any Christian association.