St. Xavier’s Cathedral, also known as the Nagercoil Catholic Church, is a historic Roman Catholic cathedral located in the city of Nagercoil in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, India. The church is named after St. Francis Xavier, a Jesuit saint and missionary who is known for his work in spreading the Gospel in the region of Tamil Nadu.
St. Francis Xavier, a Jesuit missionary from Spain, arrived in Goa in May 1542 and then traveled to Cape Comorin (now known as Kanyakumari) in October of that year on a missionary tour to Travancore. During this tour, a group of dacoits (bandits) attacked Travancore and the local forces were unable to combat them successfully. However, Xavier chased the marauders away from the village of Vadasery by raising a Crucifix and shouting at them. The Raja of Travancore, who was grateful for Xavier’s assistance, showed him special regard and gratitude.
In the village of Kottar, Xavier had a house and a small church. Legend says that the heathens set fire to Xavier’s house, but when they saw him on his knees praying devoutly and unaffected by the flames, they were struck with awe. To mark the spot, a cross was put up and was believed to have miraculous powers. From that time on, a lamp has been kept burning perpetually in the church built on that spot, and even Hindus make vows and pour oil there, believing in the miraculous powers of the cross.
Many devout Catholic pilgrims from British India, Ceylon, and Malacca come to the annual festival at St. Xavier’s Church in Kottar, which takes place around December each year, to witness the miracles that are said to occur there. Christianity was introduced to Travancore by St. Thomas in 52 AD, and the original church in Kottar, which still stands today, was built by St. Francis Xavier between 1542 and 1550. Later, the Bishops of Cochin constructed a larger, more ornate church that was endowed with precious ornaments and utensils gifted by the kings of Portugal.
The remains of the Christian martyr Devasahayam Pillai were buried in front of the high altar of St. Xavier’s Church in Kottar in January 1752. St. Xavier’s Church is not only one of the oldest churches in the region of Southern Travancore, but it is also the oldest cathedral church in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kottar, located in the present-day Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. There are three other dioceses in the area that were established later.
The church is a popular place of worship for the Catholic community in Nagercoil and the surrounding region, and is visited by a large number of devotees throughout the year. The church is also a popular tourist destination, and is known for its beautiful architecture and peaceful atmosphere.
In addition to its religious significance, the St. Xavier’s Cathedral is also an important cultural and historical landmark in Nagercoil. The church has played a significant role in the history
