ALAPPUZHA: St Andrew’s Forane Church, Arthunkal, was declared the sixth basilica of the state on Monday in the presence of Vatican’s Ambassador to India, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio.
The public meeting was inaugurated by Thiruvananthapuram Archbishop Soosa Pakiam. Archbishop of Verapoly Francis Kallarackal presided over the meeting. Alappuzha Bishop Stephen Athipozhiyil and Fr Stephen Pazhampassery also spoke.
The decree of Pope Benedict XVI, who elevated the church to basilica, was also read out in the meeting.
Lakhs of pilgrims from the state as well as from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka visit the church every year. Though the church is in the name of St Andrew, it is the St Sebastian’s feast that brought fame to Arthunkal. Every year, the feast begins on January 10 to the accompaniment of music and fireworks. The main feast is celebrated on January 20, when the statue of the saint is taken out in a procession.
The church has been a symbol of communal harmony. On January 18, as the gates of the church are opened at the early hours of dawn, thousands of devotees, including Hindu pilgrims returning from the Sabarimala temple, throng to pay their homage to the saint. Rev Fr Pius Arattukulam is the present vicar.