P.J.Cherian Declares Pattanam Pilgrimage Destination

 P.J.Cherian, director of Pattanam excavations has declared  Pattanam  a pilgrimage destination. In his recent article in  the journal ' Kerala Calling'  dated January 2011,  the writeup on Pattanam has been titled  Pattanam Pilgrimage by P.J.Cherian. How does an archaeological site  becomes a pilgrimage destination? Dr. Cherian has  stated jointly with the Assyrian Church of the East  that “recent excavations at Pattanam has unearthed evidence of a port city that existed 2000 years at a place where St’ Thomas is believed to have landed.” Already the   Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East organized a local forum –Association For the Preservation of the Saint Thomas Christian Heritage-(APSTCH) for implementing the St’Thomas  Syrian historiography . It was formed in March 2008 with Dr.  P.J.Cherian- as president