20) OPEN-AIR GRANITE CROSS OF PUTHENCHIRA, ST. MARY FORANE CHURCH (SYRO-MALABAR)

 

In this post, we will see the “double-cross" of Puthenchira, a cross with two horizontal members. The Puthenchira cross is not the same type as the ones we discussed at North Paravur, Kottayam, Koratty and Moozhikkulam, even though they are also frequently called as double-crosses. In fact, the more technically correct term for the latter group is "double superimposed T-shaped cross" as referred by Fr. Henri Hosten. In the ‘double-T-crosses’, the upper horizontal member is placed directly on the top of the vertical pole, whereas in the ‘double-cross’, the vertical shaft projects outside the upper cross beam. Thus, there are three separate pieces for the main shaft in a ‘double-cross’ (one up to the lower horizontal member; second up to the upper horizontal member; and the third over it), whereas, there are only two pieces in a ‘double T-shaped cross’ (the piece over the upper horizontal member is absent). James (1978, p. 61) speculates that the lower horizontal member in the open-air cross might have been intended as a wing found in the Persian crosses (eg. Kaduthuruthy, see Figure 8). He argues that by providing a wing-like horizontal member in between, the architects could achieve equal size for all the four arms of the cross on top resembling a Persian cross, and also achieve a considerable height for the upright shaft. In this context, it would also be important consider the stability added to the cross by two cross bars, and the convenience of erecting and transporting a long shaft in three pieces.

History

According to traditional accounts, the first church at Puthenchira was established in 400 A.D. and was dedicated to Virgin Mary, it remained functional until the 9th century, and was destroyed in a communal riot at Kodungallur area. The rebuilt church was lost in the flood of 1341. The third phase began in 1502 when a Portuguese traveller built a house and erected a cross at Puthenchira Kadavu (crossing), a Gothic style church and a presbytery were added later by the Portuguese Franciscan priest, Vincent de Lagos (1530-1545). Strangely, Puthenchira does not appear in the elaborate list of churches mentioned in Jornada (1606). From 1701 to 1777, Puthenchira became the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Cranganoore (Kodungallur). The last four Portuguese Padroado Archbishops of Cranganore (John Ribeiro, d. 1716; Antony Pimental, d. 1752; John Aloysius Vasconcellos, d. 1756; and Salvador dos Reis, d. 1777) ruled from Puthenchira and their tombstones are still preserved inside the church (Figure 5). The church is said to be destroyed by Tipu Sultan's army in 1789. The current church was built after demolishing the old church in 1909, and the consecration ceremony of the new church was held in May 30, 1915 (for more details, see Devassy, 1978, pp. 82-90; Smaranika, 1975, pp. 33-40; here etc.).

Age, Size, Structure

James (1979, pp. 60-61) dates Puthenchira cross due to its superior workmanship, to a period much later than that of the cross at Arthat, which he considers as one of the earliest double-cross specimens. On the other hand, Mary (2006, pp. 370-372) is of the opinion that the Puthenchira cross resembles the cross at Angamaly (St Mary Jacobite church), and since it has a rough surface with a simple base, it was built at an early period when people were not much experienced in this type of work. However, neither of them give a specific date for the cross. The official version of Puthenchira church is that the cross was erected in early 18th century. This is because the origin of the double-cross is associated with the privileged status attained by Puthenchira when it became the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Cranganore. According to church records, in 1706, a ‘Bishop House’ was built and a double-cross was erected to celebrate the Metropolitan rank achieved by the Puthenchira church. It should be noted that the cross resembles a Patriarchal cross, denoting a cardinal's or archbishop's rank. If the double-cross is an evolved form of the double-T-cross as some speculate, we should find more similar candidates. The closest we get is a carving in the granite door frame of a side entrance to the Kanjoor St. Mary Forane church, where there is a high-relief of a double-cross exactly similar to the specimen at Puthenchira (Figure 9). "Even the base of the cross, carved on the door-frame, has an inverted cone-like carving on it similar to the three-dimensional base of the granite open-air cross", notes James (1979, p. 61). I don’t know if there are any other pre-20th century open-air granite double-crosses (i.e. the Puthenchira type) that have survived in Kerala. The double-cross therefore must be an official emblem granted specifically to a Metropolitan church.

The actual size of the cross has not been estimated, the height 12 m quoted here is certainly an exaggerated claim and not accurate. The four side arms and the upper piece of the vertical shaft of the cross have tapering ends (Figures 1 & 2). The geometrical and floral designs especially at the base of the cross are worth noting (Figure 4). Regarding the pedestal, it is made of laterite stones and not granite. The simple pedestal lacks any designs or carved motifs, but two horizontal rows of stone lamps adorn the structure (Figure 3). For old photographs of the church and cross, see Figures 10, 11 & 12.

Are there two old granite crosses?

According to Devassy (1978, pp. 84, 90), the cross established by the Portuguese in 1502 has survived at Puthenchira along with the double cross of 1706. He further adds that the first cross was also of granite and its pedestal was modified later to install four holy statues. Today, at the entrance to the Puthenchira church from the main road, you can see a small granite cross modified into a Kurishupally-like structure (known as “Double-Cross Cupola”) with statues of St. Mary, St. Joseph, St. George and St. Antony on each sides (Figures 6 & 7). Interestingly, this cross is also a double-cross and appears as if it was modelled after the main granite double-cross in front of the church. Devassy does not mention that the first cross was a double-cross, but only that it was made of granite. May be the 1502-cross which he was referring to was replaced with a replica of the double-cross afterwards.

Figure 1) Views of the Double-Cross from the West Side

Figure 2) Views of the Double-Cross from the East Side

Figure 3) The Laterite Pedestal with Stone Lamps

Figure 4) The Floral & Geometrical Designs at the Base of the Cross

Figure 5)  The Tombstones of the Portuguese Archbishops who Ruled from Puthenchira

The 4th tombstone from the left belongs to Fr. Maliyekkal Koonan Ittiyerah Paulose (d. 1833), who functioned as the Vicar General of Dominique (Domingos da Conceicao?)-the Administrator of Kodungallur, and was the Vicar of Puthenchira church for 43 years.

Figure 6) The Double-Cross in the Cupola from the North Side

Figure 7) The Double-Cross in the Cupola from the South Side

Figure 8) The Winged Persian Cross in Kaduthuruthy Knanaya Valiapally

Figure 9) The Double-Cross Relief at the Door Frame of Kanjoor St Mary Forane Church

References

Devassy, M. K. (1978)-Keraleeya Kraisthava Devalayangalile Shilpa Chithra Kalakal (Architecture and Painting of Kerala Christian Churches)

James, E. J. (1979, Thesis)-The Thomas Christian Architecture of Malabar Ancient and Medieval Periods

Mary, Rose A.-The Architecture of Kerala Christians: Social and Cultural Implications; In Mahāsenasiri: Riches of Indian Archaeological & Cultural Studies: a Felicitation Volume in Honour of Dr. I. K. Sarma, P. Chenna Reddy (ed.), 2006, Volume II

Smaranika Puthenchira Charithrathiloode (1975)

https://irinjalakudadiocese.com/parish/puthenchira-st-marys-forane-church/

OLD PHOTOGRAPHS

Figure 10) An Old Photograph of the Puthenchira Church and the Double-Cross

Photo Credit: George Menachery (1973)-St Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, Volume 2

Figure 11) More Old Photographs of the Puthenchira Church and the Double-Cross

Photo Credit: Left-George Menachery and Werner Chakkalakal (1987)-Kodungallur-City of Saint Thomas; Right-George Menacherry (1987)-Pallikalakal-100 Thikanja Thrissur Vicariyathil-In Thrissur-Roopatha Shatabdi Smaraka Grandham (1887-1987)

Figure 12) Old Photographs of Puthenchira Double-Cross Contd.

Photo Credit: Left-Smaranika Puthenchira Charithrathiloode (1975); Right-Devassy, M. K. (1978)-Keraleeya Kraisthava Devalayangalile Shilpa Chithra Kalakal (Architecture and Painting of Kerala Christian Churches)