Church of Our Lady of Springs
Encyclopedia
The Church of Our Lady of Springs is located in the vicintiy of the Fort Anjediva
on the Anjadip Island
, off the West Coast of India under the administrative control of Goa
, India. Initially, in 1502 AD, it was built as a small thatched chapel
, but later, in 1506 AD, was made into a more permanent structure. It was rebuilt in 1682 and subsequently refurbished in 1729. An Insignia
awarded by Rome
as the ‘Mother Church’ is seen in this church.
This Church is stated to be the oldest Christian church
in India, outside of Kerala
and visited by devotees from Karwar
, Binaga and other villages of Karnataka
and Goa
.
The ancient church was under the control of the Vicar
of the diocese
of Karwar
, facing the city of Goa. The Church is now under the ownership of the Government of Goa but is administered by the Indian Navy
who are in possession of the island to build a strategic naval base.
expedition under the leadership of Pedro Alvares Cabral
. A makeshift chapel was built in 1502 AD and first mass in Goa was held there. A permanent church was built at the same location in 1506 AD. The present church was re-built in 1729.
The other landmark on the island is the Chapel of St Francis located near this Church, which has not been refurbished and is mostly in ruins.
and Hindu
community
) of Karwar
, Sirsi
and Binaga. The Parish Priest of St Annes Church at Binaga, Fr. Britto D Silva, and the former Parish Priest Fr. Kurien, who earned the sobriquet of "Anjedivacho Pisso", coordinated efforts to restore the church to some of its past glory.
from all parts of the world have been visiting this "Brotas" church on pilgrimage for worship.
After the Indian Navy
took over the island to establish 'Project Sea Bird' (a naval base project), disputes have cropped up on allowing pilgrims to visit the churches here, since the area is now considered a military ‘high security’ zone. It is claimed that when the Government of Goa
handed over the island in December 1987 to the Indian Navy there was a stipulation that pilgrims would be allowed to visit the Church of Our Lady of Springs and the Chapel of St Francis D’Assissi on the island, particularly on feast days on 2 February and 4 October. The issue has remained unresolved although the Navy continues to grant permission on a year-to-year basis. The issue has been raised in the Indian Parliament by MP
Rajya Sabha
, who demands that devotees should be allowed to celebrate the religious festivals every year on the two Islands.
To resolve the situation, it has been suggested that the numbers of pilgrims be controlled, access be restricted to only those who are issued a photo identity card by the Government of Goa, only one group of pilgrims be allowed to visit at a time, and just one mass be held in the Church.
. Karwar is approached by the National Highway NH 17. From Karwar, a 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) causeway leads to the Officers (Sea Bird) gate and then to the historic church. The church is also approachable by boat ride from the Binga beach. In the past, the approach involved a trip of one hour by trawler and then by canoe
to the island.
Fort Anjediva
Fort Anjediva, built on the Anjadip Island, off the coast of the Indian state of Karnataka but under the administrative jurisdiction of the Indian state of Goa, was once under Portuguese rule. It has also in its vicinity an ancient church on the island called the Church of Our Lady of Springs built...
on the Anjadip Island
Anjadip Island
Anjadip Island is an island in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Canacona in the South Goa district, Goa, India. Legally and constitutionally, it remains a part of Goa, although there is a widespread misconception that it is a part of the Karnataka state off whose coast it lies.-History:Anjediva,...
, off the West Coast of India under the administrative control of Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
, India. Initially, in 1502 AD, it was built as a small thatched chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
, but later, in 1506 AD, was made into a more permanent structure. It was rebuilt in 1682 and subsequently refurbished in 1729. An Insignia
Insignia
Insignia or insigne pl -nia or -nias : a symbol or token of personal power, status or office, or of an official body of government or jurisdiction...
awarded by Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
as the ‘Mother Church’ is seen in this church.
This Church is stated to be the oldest Christian church
Christian Church
The Christian Church is the assembly or association of followers of Jesus Christ. The Greek term ἐκκλησία that in its appearances in the New Testament is usually translated as "church" basically means "assembly"...
in India, outside of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
and visited by devotees from Karwar
Karwar
Karwar is the administrative headquarters of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka, India. It is a seaside town situated on the banks of the Kali river which is on the west coast of the Indian peninsula. The town lies about 15 kilometres south of the Karnataka–Goa border and 519 km north-west...
, Binaga and other villages of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
and Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
.
The ancient church was under the control of the Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
of the diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of Karwar
Karwar
Karwar is the administrative headquarters of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka, India. It is a seaside town situated on the banks of the Kali river which is on the west coast of the Indian peninsula. The town lies about 15 kilometres south of the Karnataka–Goa border and 519 km north-west...
, facing the city of Goa. The Church is now under the ownership of the Government of Goa but is administered by the Indian Navy
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff , usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the Navy...
who are in possession of the island to build a strategic naval base.
History
History of the church is dated to August 22, 1502 AD when Fr. Henrique de Coimbra with other eight Franciscans, landed at Anjedipa Island as part of the second PortuguesePortugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
expedition under the leadership of Pedro Alvares Cabral
Pedro Álvares Cabral
Pedro Álvares Cabral was a Portuguese noble, military commander, navigator and explorer regarded as the discoverer of Brazil. Cabral conducted the first substantial exploration of the northeast coast of South America and claimed it for Portugal. While details of Cabral's early life are sketchy, it...
. A makeshift chapel was built in 1502 AD and first mass in Goa was held there. A permanent church was built at the same location in 1506 AD. The present church was re-built in 1729.
The other landmark on the island is the Chapel of St Francis located near this Church, which has not been refurbished and is mostly in ruins.
Restoration
The Church of Lady of Springs has been restored and festivals are held here every year, mainly because of the assistance of the people (of both ChristianChristian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
and Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
) of Karwar
Karwar
Karwar is the administrative headquarters of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka, India. It is a seaside town situated on the banks of the Kali river which is on the west coast of the Indian peninsula. The town lies about 15 kilometres south of the Karnataka–Goa border and 519 km north-west...
, Sirsi
Sirsi
-Geography:Sirsi is located at . It has an average elevation of 590 metres , and is situated in the heart of the Western Ghats. Sirsi is about 425 km from Bangalore. The nearest airport is located in Hubli, about 102 km from Sirsi....
and Binaga. The Parish Priest of St Annes Church at Binaga, Fr. Britto D Silva, and the former Parish Priest Fr. Kurien, who earned the sobriquet of "Anjedivacho Pisso", coordinated efforts to restore the church to some of its past glory.
Pilgrimage
Until recently, Goan CatholicsGoan Catholics
The Goan Catholics are an ethno-religious community of Roman Catholics and their descendants from the state of Goa, located on the west coast of India. They are Konkani people and speak the Konkani language...
from all parts of the world have been visiting this "Brotas" church on pilgrimage for worship.
After the Indian Navy
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff , usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the Navy...
took over the island to establish 'Project Sea Bird' (a naval base project), disputes have cropped up on allowing pilgrims to visit the churches here, since the area is now considered a military ‘high security’ zone. It is claimed that when the Government of Goa
Government of Goa
The Government of Goa has a unicameral legislature consisting of a forty member Legislative Assembly, headed by a Chief Minister who wields the executive power. The present Chief Minister of Goa is Mr. Digamber Kamat and the Leader of Opposition is Mr. Manohar Parrikar...
handed over the island in December 1987 to the Indian Navy there was a stipulation that pilgrims would be allowed to visit the Church of Our Lady of Springs and the Chapel of St Francis D’Assissi on the island, particularly on feast days on 2 February and 4 October. The issue has remained unresolved although the Navy continues to grant permission on a year-to-year basis. The issue has been raised in the Indian Parliament by MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha or Council of States is the upper house of the Parliament of India. Rajya means "state," and Sabha means "assembly hall" in Sanskrit. Membership is limited to 250 members, 12 of whom are chosen by the President of India for their expertise in specific fields of art, literature,...
, who demands that devotees should be allowed to celebrate the religious festivals every year on the two Islands.
To resolve the situation, it has been suggested that the numbers of pilgrims be controlled, access be restricted to only those who are issued a photo identity card by the Government of Goa, only one group of pilgrims be allowed to visit at a time, and just one mass be held in the Church.
Access
The Church on Anjadip Island is located 4 kilometres (2.5 mi), south of Baticala, the ancient kingdom of Garsopa, in present day KarwarKarwar
Karwar is the administrative headquarters of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka, India. It is a seaside town situated on the banks of the Kali river which is on the west coast of the Indian peninsula. The town lies about 15 kilometres south of the Karnataka–Goa border and 519 km north-west...
. Karwar is approached by the National Highway NH 17. From Karwar, a 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) causeway leads to the Officers (Sea Bird) gate and then to the historic church. The church is also approachable by boat ride from the Binga beach. In the past, the approach involved a trip of one hour by trawler and then by canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
to the island.