St. Thomas  the disciple of Jesus Christ is traditionally believed to have sailed to India in AD 52 to spread the Christian faith among the Jews, and is believed to have landed at the port of Muziris, Tamilakam (modern-day North Paravur and Kodungalloor in Kerala state) where there was a Jewish community at the time. The port was destroyed in 1341 due to a massive flood that realigned the coasts. He established Ezharappallikal or Seven and Half Churches in Kerala. These churches are at Kodungallur, Palayoor, Kottakkavu (Paravur), Kokkamangalam, Niranam, Nilackal (Chayal), Kollam and Thiruvitham-code (half church). “It was to a land of dark people he was sent, to clothe them by Baptism in white robes. His grateful dawn dispelled India’s painful darkness. It was his mission to espouse India to the One-Begotten. The merchant is blessed for having so great a treasure. Edessa thus became the blessed city by possessing the greatest pearl India could yield. Thomas works miracles in India, and at Edessa Thomas is destined to baptize people perverse and steeped in darkness, and that in the land of India.”
-Hymns of St. Ephrem, edited by Lamy (Ephr. Hymni et Sermones, IV).