It is known from the historical evidences as well as from the living traditions  of the people that St. Thomas, the apostle, landed on Nov. 21,  52 A.D. at Kodungallur, adjacent to Azhicode, then known as Musiris, in Kerala. After sharing his deep faith experience  with the people of India, St. Thomas himself is believed to have formed seven Churches  or Christian communities here in Kerala, the first one being Kodungallur itself.

            Kodungallur lost its ecclesiastical significance and commercial prominence due to the attack of Tipu  Sultan and the development of Cochin port in the place of the ancient harbor, Musiris. But its historical importance was rightly acknowledged when the late Eugene Cardinal Tisserant, the then Perefect of Oriental  Congregation solemnly brought the bone of the right arm of the  apostle from Ortona in Italy and enthroned  it in the present Pontifical Shrine which is built in the model of St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. This second landing of St. Thomas to India was on Dc. 6, 1953. From that great day onwards, the Shrine has been attracting pilgrims  from all over the world irrespective of caste and creed who come to venerate that hand which longed to touch the wounds of the risen Jesus Christ.

            Situated on the beautiful banks of river Periyar, this Shrine which can be rightly called the Cradle of Christianity in India, is both a living symbol of the unity of Indian Christianity and a perennial source of the faith experience to the Christians of Kerala who proudly address themselves as St. Thomas Christians, after the name of their Father-in-Faith. The holy relic was entrusted by the Holy See to C.M.I. Devamatha Province, Thrissur. C.M.I. Fathers of Marthoma Ashram attend to the needs of the pilgrims and they run a hospital specialized  in mental health.