Mother of God Church Kozhikode

A cathedral is the principal church of a Bishop’s diocese, containing the Episcopal throne. Matri Dei Church is the Cathedral parish of the Diocese of Calicut. Tradition attributes a long antiquity to Mother of God Cathedral in Calicut. The Cathedral serves as a “model Church for all Parish Churches” in the style and content of its liturgical celebrations.

The History of the Matre de Deo’s Church of Calicut affords an example of vicissitudes of the early Catholics of the Region, which emerged as a result of evangelization work done by Portuguese Missionaries, in their struggle to build suitable accommodation for their spiritual gatherings.

In 1513 A.D, a treaty was concluded between the Portuguese and the Zamorin of Calicut by which the Raja allowed the Portuguese to erect a Factory (Feitoria) at Calicut. A Chapel dedicated to Matre de Deo was attached to this Factory . It is believed to have housed a stone Cross struck in bas relief on granite with a Portuguese inscription. This stone Cross, worshiped by the thousands everyday, was installed in the Holy Cross Chapel, attached to the Matre de Deo’s Church, established more than hundred years ago.

The visit of Archbishop of Goa, Dom Alexis de Menezes, to Calicut Jesuit Mission in 1599 on his return to Goa from Cochin, after the successful conclusion of the Synod of Diamper was a turning point in the progress of Christian Faith at Calicut. Dom Menezes met Zamorin and had long discussions with him in the presence of Fr Francis Roz S.J., the future Archbishop of Cranganore, and agreed to send more Jesuits to Calicut and rebuild the Mare de Deo’s church to a larger dimension with the help of Zamorin. Archbishop Dom Menezes also conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation to Unare Cherare (alias Adiodi), a cousin of Zamorin, who was converted earlier by Francis Roz. Fr Ferroli S.J., asserts that the new Church was built and handed over to the Fathers of the Jesuit Society in the beginning of 17th Century.

Town:: Nearest Bus station is at Kozhikode
Airport:: The Karipur International Airport also known as Calicut International airport, is at a distance of 23 km from Kozhikode town. Tourist taxi charges about Rs 400 from airport to the town. Karipur airport is well connected to many major cities in India and abroad, specifically to many gulf countries.
Railway Station:: Kozhikode has its own railway stations that is very well connected by daily trains from Delhi (Mngla Lksdp Exp), Mumbai (Kerala S Kranti), Hyderabad (Ypr Cannanore Exp), Chennai (Mangalore Exp) and Bangalore (Ypr Cannanore Exp).
District:: Kozhikode
Longitude:: 11.253007
Latitude:: 75.774306