St. Mary's church, Alangad, established in 1300, had witnessed many important events in the history of the Kerala Catholic Church. Alangad is the birth place of Mar Joseph Kariattil, Ph.D., D.D., who was consecrated as the first native Archbishop of Cranganore in 1783 at Lisbon and died in 1786 at Goa on his way back to Kerala.

The mortal remains of Archbishop Kariattil, brought from Goa, were solemnly re-interred at St. Mary's Church, Alangad in 1961. A Pahlavi Cross dating back to the early centuries, a remnant of the ancient glory of Alangad, was discovered by the Servant of God Msgr. J.C. Panjikkaran in 1931. In 1599 Archbishop Dr. Menezes of Goa, who convoked the Synod of Diamper, had visited Alangad. There was an 'Apparition' of Blessed Virgin Mary at St. Mary’s church in 1599 while Archbishop Dr. Menezes was at Alangad. In 1653, soon after the Coonan Cross Oath at Mattancherry, 12 priests together "consecrated" a "Bishop" (Mar Thoma I) at Alangad which paved the way to schism. In 1701, Fr. Angelo Francis was consecrated as the Vicar Apostolic of the Vicariate of Verapoly by Mar Simon, a Mesopotamian Bishop at St. Mary’s Church, Alangad. Together with the new church, a very ancient church (Estd. 1300 and dedicated to Our Lady) is also preserved here. LOCATION: 7 k.m. west of Aluva, on the way to Paravur North.

Aluva has got a place in the global map of the Catholic Church with the erection of St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary Mangalapuzha, Aluva in 1932. St. Joseph's Seminary Mangalapuzha is built in a compound (about 40 acres) bought by Parayil Varkey Tharakan together with the Syrian Catholics from Mr. Shetler and later donated to the Archbishop of Goa for the construction of a Major Seminary for the training of the Syrian Catholic priests of the Archdiocese of Cranganore in 1865. Aluva is famous because of other ecclesiastical and secular institutions and industries. LOCATION: Aluva is situated 23 k.m. north of Ernakulam town, on the way to Trichur.

Angamaly is very famous from 5th century onwards which is thickly populated by the Syrian Christians. St. George’s Church at Angamaly was established in AD 450. St. Mary's Jacobite Church, nearby St. George Forane Church, was erected by Archdeacon George in 1575. Angamaly was chosen as the residence by Mar Abraham, the last Chaldean Archbishop to head the St. Thomas Christians. He erected St. Hormis Church as his Cathedral Church at Angamaly in 1577.

It continued to be the Metropolitan residence until Archbishop Ros, his successor, shifted the same to Kottakavu (Paravur North) in 1609. Mar Abraham died and was buried here at St. Hormis Church in 1597. Fr. Francis Ros was appointed Bishop of St. Thomas Christians by Pope Clement VIII in 1600. St. George Forane Church was elevated to the status of Minor Basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. LOCATION: It is situated 33 k.m. north of Ernakulam on the way to Trichur.

Chendamangalam is a famous centre of St. Thomas Christians and it was the location of Villarvattom Royal Family which is considered as a 'Christian dynasty'. The first church at Chendamangalam was established in 1075. Jesuit missionaries established the famous Vyppicotta Seminary in 1583 for the training of the Syrian clerics which had been destroyed by Tippu Sultan in 1790. The remnants of the famous Seminary of Vyppicotta can be seen in the premises of the ancient Church located here. The present Holy Cross Church was erected by the Jesuits in 1584. The historical remnants are preserved by the Archeological Department of the Government. Chendamangalam is an attraction for students of History and foreign visitors. Chendamangalam Church has been listed in the historical places and monuments of the Muziris Project of the Govt. of India. LOCATION: 7 k.m. northeast of Paravur North town which is 35 k.m.. away from Ernakulam.

St. George’s Forane Church, Edappally was established in AD 593 and which is a very famous pilgrim centre of Kerala. It attracts thousands of pilgrims belonging to all castes and creeds, not only during the principal feast (May) but throughout the year. In 1536 Portuguese built Sts. Peter and Paul Church which is known at present as 'thekkepally.' It was here the last Archdeacon Mathai was buried in 1706. The first indigenous Religious Congregation of St. Thomas Christians, known as the Congregation of St. Thomas, was established at Edappally in 1626. The very famous 'Edappally Padiyola' was written at Edappally in 1632. Edappally was the residence of the Archdeacons for many years and three major gatherings of St. Thomas Christians were convoked at Edappally after 'Coonan Cross Oath'. The ancient churches are preserved at Edappally together with the new church. LOCATION: situated 6 k.m. north of Ernakulam on the way to Aluva.

There is an ancient church at Ernakulam (Estd. 1112) dedicated to Our Lady of Ports, which is now the Cathedral Basilica of the Major Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly. It was the capital of the erstwhile Cochin State. In 1896, Ernakulam was made the headquarters of the Vicariate of Ernakulam by the Bull "Quae Rei Sacre" of Pope Leo XIII. The newly built Cathedral was elevated to the status of Minor Basilica by Pope Paul VI on 20 March 1974. This is the first Minor Basilica in Kerala. St. Pope John Paul II visited and prayered in this church in 1986 during his first Pastoral Visit to India. More than half a dozen of bishops were consecrated in this church and has witnessed many historical events of the Major Archiepiscopal Church of Ernakulam-Angamaly (Syro Malabar Church). Six Preletes of the Major Archdiocese were buried in this church. LOCATION: Ernakulam faces the Cochin Harbour.

There is an ancient church at Kanjoor dedicated to Our Lady (Estd. 1001) which is a famous pilgrim centre of St. Sebastian in Kerala. It attracts thousands of devotees of St. Mary and St. Sebastian throughout the year. In the beginning of the 19th century it was the residence of the administrator of Archdiocese of Kodungalloor. There are some ancient inscriptions, as well as articles of historical value at Kanjoor. A very ancient and historic grave of a Governador is also present here. History records that in 1599, Archbishop Dr. Menezes of Goa visited Kanjoor to study the documents preserved there. LOCATION: 10 k.m. northeast of Aluva.

St. Thomas church at Kokkamangalam, one of the seven churches according to the tradition, is established by St. Thomas the Apostle in AD 52. This church is one of the two churches in the Archdiocese founded by the Apostle. Kokkamangalam is situated on the western shore of Vembanad Lake. According to tradition, the Apostle Thomas performed a miracle, which brought about the conversion of several people to Christianity. Unfortunately these Christians were persecuted and they were forced to migrate to the opposite side of the Lake called Pallippuram. However by the end of 19th centaury many St. Thomas Christians came back to Kokkamangalam and established a church in 1900. LOCATION: 5 k.m. east of Cherthala on the way to Thannirmukkom and Vechoor.

At Koratty, an ancient Syrian Christian centre, there is a famous church dedicated to Our Lady (Estd. 1381), popularly called 'Korattymuthy', which makes Koratty a renowned Marian Pilgrim Centre. Throughout the year thousands of devotees belonging to different caste and creed visit the church from Southern States of India. The Rosary Village constructed adjacent to the church attracts thousands of devotees of Koratty Muthy every day. Twenty Mysteries of Holy Rosary depicted in the beautifully constructed statues erected in small chapels built around the architecturally designed lawn and the garden can certainly lead people into a deep meditation of the Holy Rosary. A combination of Indian, Roman and Byzantine arts can be seen in the construction of these chapels. Moreover, the prayer 'Hail Mary' is written in fifty languages, both Indian and foreign to create a homely and welcoming atmosphere. LOCATION: 33 k.m. north of Ernakulam, on the way to Trichur and a little northwest of Koratty railway station.

St. Thomas Church at Paravur North (Kottakkavu), one of the seven churches according to the tradition, is established by St. Thomas the Apostle in AD 52. This church is one of the two churches in the Archdiocese founded by the Apostle. It is situated very near to Cranganore where the Apostle landed in India. The present ancient church built in 14th century together with very ancient compound wall is preserved at the premises of the new church. A famous St. Thomas cross belonging to very early Christian era is preserved in the church. Archbishop Meneze of Goa visited and stayed at Paravur North in 1599 before and after the Synod of Diamper. It was the residence of Archbishop Francis Ros who was the first European Archbishop of Syrian Christians (1600-1624). He lived here and was buried close to the sanctuary of the existing old church. LOCATION: 35 k.m.. North of Ernakulam, and 15 k.m.. West of Aluva.

Many parts of Kerala had the privilege of being trodden by the Holy Apostle St. Thomas and there are many shrines dedicated to him. The most notable of these shrines in Kerala is Malayattoor Kurisumudi near Kalady, the birth place of Sankara Acharya, the great Hindu Philosopher. Lakhs of pilgrims of all castes and creeds, even from outside India visit Kurisumudi throughout the year, especially during the Great Lent. The chief festival is on the first Sunday after Easter. It is traditionally believed that St. Thomas used to make the sign of the Cross on the rock, kiss it and pray at Kurisumudi and later on a miraculous golden cross appeared at that particular spot. The pilgrims going up to Kurisumudi ceaselessly call out the Saint's name, singing "Ponnum Kurisu Muthappo, Ponmala Kayattom", and thus give testimony to their deep faith in him. This Shrine was elevated to the status of an Archdiocesan Shrine by His Grace Archbishop Mar Varkey Vithayathil on 4th September 1998. Vatican elevated Malayattoor Kurisumudi to the status of an International Pilgrim Centre (the only International Pilgrim Centre & Shrine in India) and it was officially announced by His Eminence Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil on 24th April 2004. There is also a very ancient Church in the name of St. Thomas (Estd. A.D. 900) at Malayattoor on the bank of river Periyar and it is now regarded as the parish Church. LOCATION: About 15 k.m. northeast of Angamaly.

Muttam, Cherthala is an ancient Syrian Christian centre and there is a famous church dedicated to Our Lady established in 1023. This church is located on the banks of Vembanadu Lake. This church is also a famous Marian Pilgrim Centre. The present ancient church is blessed by Bishop Sebastiani in 1661 who was the first Vicar Apostolic of Vicariate of Malabar. Muttam church was the official residence of Bishop Sebastiani while he was in Kerala. LOCATION: Centre of Cherthala town.

Pallippuram is a very ancient centre of St. Thomas Christians and there is a church dedicated to Our Lady of Assumption, which is according to the tradition was established in A.D. 52. It is traditionally believed that the Cross which St. Thomas erected at Kokkamangalam, not far from here, happened to be thrown away into the Vembanad Lake by fanatics. But the Cross safely floated over the surface of the lake and reached "Mattel" a small island, adjacent to Pallippuram. The miraculously found Cross was solemnly taken by the people and a small Church was built to commemorate the event. In later years the Cross was taken over to Pallippuram Church and it is preserved there. At Pallippuram, there was a seminary built for the training of the Syrian clerics and the remnants of which can be seen even today. V. Rev. Fr. Thomas Palackal, who was teacher of St. Chavara Kuriakose and one of the Founders of Mannanam Monastery and CMI Congregation, lived and buried in this church. Bishop Figuredo, who was Vicar Apostolic of Malabar Vicariate, was also buried in this church. St. Chavara Kuriakose Elias got his seminary training from here and later he became the parish priest at Pallippuram. Some of the ancient granite inscricptions are also preserved here. LOCATION: About 13 k.m. north of Cherthala on the way to Arookkutty. Pallippuram is on the western shore of Vembanad, opposite to Vaikom.

At the premise of St. George church, Puthenpally, established in 1788, the Spanish Carmelites conducted a Seminary from 1866 to 1932 for the formation of Syrian and Latin clerics. In 1932, the seminary was shifted to Aluva (Mangalapuzha). The remnants of the old seminary can be seen even today at Puthenpally. There is an ancient church (built in early 19th century) is also preserved here. LOCATION: Situated between Paravur North and Varapuzha.

The first church at Udayamperoor was established in A.D. 510 and the present old church is believed to be founded by Villarvattam Royal Family in the 12th century. The very famous and historic Synod of Diamper, convoked by Dom Menezes, Archbishop of Goa, was held in 1599 at Diamper church with 105 priests and 660 lay leaders for Seven days. Prior to the Synod, Archbishop Menezes ordained priests at Udayamperoor. There are number of granite inscriptions preserved on the walls of the church including an epitaph of Thoma Raja of Villarvattom who died in 1502 and buried in this church. Thoma Raja is considered as the last king of Villarvattom Royal Family. The historical granite cross, where 4 priests can concelebrate Holy Mass, is a monument of great attraction. LOCATION: about 16 k.m. to the south of Ernakulam on the way to Kottayam.

At Vechoor, an ancient Syrian Christian centre, there is a famous church dedicated to Our Lady (Estd. 1463), popularly called 'Vechoor Muthi'. Vechoor is also called Kudavechoor, and is located on the banks of Vembanadu Lake. This church is also a famous Marian Pilgrim Centre. The feast falls on 8th September and thousands of pilgrims flock there from all parts of Kerala. A picture of Our Lady, which is believed to be a replica of the one painted by St. Luke and brought from Portugal, is kept here. This church was a residence of Bishop Alexander Palliveettil, first native bishop of Syrian Christians in Kerala and Vicar Apostolic of Malabar Vicariate, for many years. LOCATION: Situated 45 k.m. south of Ernakulam on the way to Kottayam through the Eastern Coast of Vembanad.