PORTUGALITY in India

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The Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica not only happens to be one of the oldest churches in Cochin, but also in the whole of India. It is one of the eight Basilicas in the country. Counted as one of the heritage edifices of Kerala, this church is one of the finest and impressive churches in India and visited by tourists the whole year round. It is a place of devotion as well as a center of historic significance, endowed with architectural and artistic grandeur and colours of the gothic style. The basilica serves as the Cathedral church of the Diocese of Cochin, the second oldest Diocese of India. It is closely located to St. Francis Church. It was built originally by the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558, was spared by the Dutch conquerors who destroyed many Catholic buildings. Later the British demolished the structure and Bishop D. João Gomes Ferreira commissioned a new building in 1887. Consecrated in 1905, Santa Cruz was proclaimed a Basilica by the Blessed Pope John Paul II in 1984. This magnificent church is a must see destination for tourists who come to Cochin. More...

[VIDEO] The Santa Cruz Basilica, a church in Kochi, Kerala built originally by the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558, was spared by the Dutch conquerors who destroyed many Catholic buildings. Later the British demolished the structure and Bishop João Gomes Ferreira commissioned a new building in 1887. Consecrated in 1905, Santa Cruz was proclaimed a Basilica by the Pope John Paul II in 1984. This magnificent church is a must see destination for tourists who come to Kochi. Santa Cruz Basilica, a Roman Catholic Cathedral is one of the finest and impressive churches in Kerala. It is a place of devotion as well as a center of historic significance, endowed with architectural and artistic grandeur and colours of the gothic style. Located close to St. Francis Church it is the 'capital church' of the diocese of Cochin. More...

A Diocese de Cochim (Diœcesis Coccinensis) é uma das mais antigas divisões territoriais da Igreja Católica na Índia. Está localizado em Cochim, antigo centro português na Índia. Foi criada em 4 de fevereiro de 1557, pela Bula "Pro Excellento Praeeminentia", emitida pelo Papa Paulo IV, como sufragânea da Arquidiocese de Goa. Seu arcebispo é Joseph Kariyil. Sua Sé é a Catedral-Basílica de Santa Cruz, situado no Forte Cochim. Possui 38 paróquias e 130 sacerdotes. More...

Com a cultura ocidental passaram à Índia os primeiros padres, uns seculares, outros capelães das armadas, dominicanos e franciscanos, alguns destes últimos sofreriam pouco depois da sua chegada, em Calecute, o martírio infligido pelos moiros. A primeira leva de portugueses logo levantou em Cochim a primeira igreja católica da invocação de S. Bartolomeu, situada junto e abrigada pela fortaleza, que anos mais tarde seria substituída por outra dedicada à Santa Cruz. Cochim foi até o primeiro decénio da era de Quinhentos o mais importante centro missionário português no Oriente, só passando a segundo lugar com a conquista de Goa. More...