St. Francis Xavier's Forane Church Velur

About

St. Francis Xavier's Forane Church, situated in the heart of Velur, Kerala, India, stands as a venerable Syro-Malabar Catholic Church with deep spiritual roots and historical significance within the Archdiocese of Thrissur. Founded in 1712 by the esteemed Jesuit priest Fr. Johann Ernst Hanxleden, affectionately known as Arnos Padiri, the church pays homage to the revered St. Francis Xavier. This Forane church has not only been a spiritual epicenter but also a mother church, giving rise to four Forane divisions over time. Additionally, Fr. Johann Ernst Hanxleden's noteworthy contribution includes the creation of the first Malayalam-Portuguese Encyclopedia, enriching the cultural and intellectual heritage associated with Velur Church. Photo by Shajupanakkal, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons