PATTAMUKKIL FAMILY

PATTAMUKKIL FAMILY

Pattamukkil Family and the christian community in Niranam is the oldest in India and even among the oldest Syrian Christian Family in the world has a Rich history of around 700 years. One among the four Brahmin families converted to Christianity by the apostle of the east St. Thomas in AD 52. In the past 700 years the family has acquired remarkable growth beyond proportions and members of the family exists all around the globe.

In the beginning of Christianity in Kerala, St. Thomas, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ landed at Malankara near Kodugallore at Kerala. Around AD 52, He established seven and half churches. Those are Kodugallore, Palayoor, Kottacave, Kokamangalam, Niranam, Chayal, Kollam and the half church at Thiruvithamkode.

On his way from Kollam in northeast direction he arrived at Niranam "Thrikpapaleswaram"by sea. He converted four Hindu families to Christianity, "Manki, Madithilan, Thyil and Pattamukkil. He also gave priestly powers to the members of these families.

The name Pattamukkil is derived from "Bhattathiri Mukhyan" and "Pattamukkil" became a family name at Niranam. The only survivors of the four families converted by St.Thomas at Niranam today. Pattamukkil Tharavad at Niranam is surrounded from three sides by Niranam Church. Priests from Pattamukkil families used to stay there and done priesthood and governed Niranam Church and its properties at the Ancient days.