Bartholomew, an apostle of Christ, has kept vigil on the island of Chorâo for 450 years. Legends abound of especially how he would keep the pest away from the village paddy fields during monsoon with his feast on August 24 being celebrated as the new harvest day. Bartholomew was handed over to the Diocesan Clergy before 1642. Reconstruction of the structure commenced on 24.8.1641 and the Church wa
s completed and blessed on 28.5.1649. More details will be made available here as a result of further research presently underway. Our grand village church – one of the oldest in Goa – has survived the ravages of nature under his patronage, and, through the genuine concern and generous support of our villagers and well-wishers. Once again the church structure and its antique artwork is in peril due to weather related degradation. It is time once again to open our hearts wide and lend a generous helping hand to the major restoration and renovation work that has just begun (circa October 2013) under the dynamic leadership of our padr vicar, Fr. Gabriel Coutinho, and an able church committee led by Joseph Paras. This page is created by Vincent Toscano, with Fr. Gabriel’s permission, to generate awareness and support for this cause. ABOUT YOUR PATRON SAINT:
Philip found Nathaniel (aka Bartholomew) and told him, "We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth." But Nathaniel said to him, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward him and said of him, "Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathaniel said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree." Nathaniel answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." (John 1:45-51)
It is believed that St. Bartholomew came to India and preached the Good News about Christ around what is now Mumbai before travelling to eastern Europe, converting the Armenian king to Christ and being skinned alive and beheaded by the king’s brother in revenge. He carries a reputation for many miracles especially involving weights and measures. May the brave man whom Jesus instantly recognized as a true hearted and sincere man inspire us all from Chorâo to emulate him in our lives. Know more about your patron saint starting here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartholomew_the_Apostle
