St. Andrew’s Basilica, better known as Arthunkal Church, is an ancient church located in the district of Arthunkal in Alappuzha district. St. Sebastian’s Church is an ancient shrine built by the Portuguese. St. Sebastian’s feast, known as Arthunkal Vaituchaan, is celebrated here with much fervor. Ayyappa devotees in this part of the Sabarimala Darshan have visited the Arthunkal Mosque. The area was also an industrial center and had many Christians.
But because of the lack of clergy and clergy, they could not accept the sacraments, including baptism. After the visit of Vasco da Gama, some of the Portuguese missionaries who came here visited the three places. They were warmly received by the local Christians. From 1560, missionaries and native Christians sought the king’s permission to build a shrine, but he did not consent at first. The king, however, was persistent in his request, and with the help of the missionaries, he gave permission for the construction of the shrine and provided the trees with timber for his purpose.
The dedication of the shrine, built-in 1581 in the name of St. Andrew in Arthunkal, took place on the feast day of V Andrew. The first soldier was Father Gaspar Pius. He was ordained vicar of the church in 1584. Phenicia took an interest in the renovation of the church and refurbished it in stone and lime. Fenicio was loved and respected by common people and rulers. He was regarded by the people as a “European priest” and respected as a “white monk”.
The name White Monk was later changed to St. Sebastian’s. Father Phenicia died in 1632 and was buried inside the church in the presence of a large crowd. In 1640 the church was extensively and beautifully rebuilt facing the west. When transportation was limited, black stone for construction purposes was brought to Arthunkal by boats. It was during this time that the image of St. Sebastianos from Milan, Italy was erected. Arthunkal Thirunal is celebrated on the 10th of January every year. The flag to raise the feast of the day is to be brought from Pala.
