User:Thobias vakayil
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vakayil Family History
In 52 A.D. Thomas Didaemus, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ. is believed to have landed at Musiris (Cranganore) in Kerala. He made his first converts both Jews and Hindus at Palayur a town now in Trichur district, Kerala. There he built a small church with an altar, which he consecrated. This is supposed to be the oldest church in India.
During AD 52 in Palayoor, which was a Sea Port, there were lots of Jews who were traders. St. Thomas stayed with these traders and converted a lot of people to Christianity. In one of the Temple Ponds(Thaliyakulam) he performed a miracle by throwing water into the air and keeping it suspended in mid air. Seeing this miracle many Brahmins converted to Christianity by accepting Baptism while the other Brahmin Families cursed the place and left saying that they will take their next bath at Vembanattu. Even today the place is known as Shabakaddu or Chavakaddu (The forest of Curse). In the history of Kerala, having put a stamp that will not fade, Brahmin families like Kalli, Kalikavu, Pagalomattom, and Shankarapuri where among the families who received Baptism in Palayoor. The families of Shankarapuri and Pagalomattom were given Priestly Status by St. Thomas. The Vakayil family is originally from Shankarapuri family and earlier it was called as Shankarapuri Vakayil. Our Family was originally located in a place called Angadithazham near to Palayoor church. Some of the vakayil Namboothiri families are settled in Guruvayur near to palayoor. Earlier all the people from Pavaratty, Chittattukara side will come into our home before going to palayoor church. Our forefathers treated them in a very good manner. This family was the prominant family in Palayoor.
The original church was burnt to ashes by Tippu Sultan .The Christians and Hindus who resisted him were over powered. Many Christians who did not accept Islam were killed. Those who accepted Islam were given the property of those killed. The heroism of the Vakayil family in adhering to their faith requires special mention in this connection. But there is no written document for this event. From our ancestors we are getting this information. Lot of christians left from palayoor during the war time. Some of our family mambers also left from palayoor and settled in different places like Koonamavu, Marad, Pala, etc.
Now our family members are located in different places like : Ernakulam, Edakalathur, Koonamavu, Maradu, Pala, Bangalore, Bombay, Middle east, etc.
We can not include all details of our family members here. So we are going to give details about Vakayil Chakku family. He was business man. He lived in 18th century.
He has 4 children - Thoma, Chakku, Lazar and Kunjuvareed.
