Andrew’s Church chennai

 Andrew’s Church chennai

Affectionately referred to as ‘The Kirk’  St. Andrew’s Church is one of the oldest and most expensive heritage constructions during the British Rule. In fact, it recently turned 200 years old on 6th April 2018. The church that has been constructed on what was once a marshy floodplain, was built by the Scottish community.

The Kirk was designed by Major Thomas de Havilland who was inspired by the Neoclassical and Palladian style churches that were being built in England and Scotland during those times. The main complex is circular and has a shallow dome painted with a gold color scheme, featuring pottery cones. It is said that the first stone of the church had a brass plate with inscription in English and Latin.

 

Location: Egmore, Chennai

• Timings:
  • Mon – 10 am – 5 pm
  • Wed – Sat – 10:00 am – 05:00 pm
  • Sun – 7 am – 7:30 pm

Mary’s Church Chennai

 Mary’s Church Chennai

 

Besides being one of the oldest Anglican churches in India, St. Mary’s Church is also one of the oldest surviving British monuments in the country. It is located inside Fort St. George and was built in 1680. Since then it has witnessed several historical events in Chennai. Marriages of prominent personalities including Robert Clive and Elihu Yale were consecrated in the old prayer hall of this church.

The original building of the church was rectangular and about 60 ft by 90 ft. In order to ward off enemy attacks or natural disasters, the church was built with 4 and 5 feet thick roofs and walls, respectively. The church has many tombs, memorials and carved marble statues of past governors, army officers of British East India Company, merchants, and administrators

• Location: Rajaji Salai, Chennai
• Timings: 09:00 am – 05:00 pm (All days of the week)

Thomas Cathedral Basilica Chennai

 

 Thomas Cathedral Basilica Chennai

St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica is a minor basilica in Chennai and is one of the most important religious sites for Christians around the world. This stunning piece of architecture with an all-white facade is built in Neo-gothic style, naturally lit interiors and huge windows with colored panes. As the church is close to the ocean, it won’t be an exaggeration to say that it is among the most beautiful churches in the world. The structure that you see today is a result of multiple renovations that the Basilica underwent over the last few centuries.

The religious significance of the cathedral is linked to the belief that one of the 12 apostles of the Christ visited the place in the middle of the first century, and was put to death at St. Thomas Mount in 72 A.D. St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica was built on top of his final resting place. The church also houses a museum that has the fingerprint of the apostle and wall paintings depicting his life and death. The lance head that killed the apostle, a rare piece of precious bone, an episcopal chair and stone receptacle are also kept in the museum.

• Location: Santhome High Road Chennai     
• Timings: 06:00 am – 09:00 pm (All days of the week)

 

Armenian Church, Chennai

 

Armenian Church Chennai

 

Although a small structure on a busy street in Chennai, Armenian Church is one of the most historically significant and oldest structures in the city. It was built in 1712 by a group of Armenians merchants, who are believed to have walked all the way from Armenia to Madras, via the Hindukush Mountain route. The most popular attraction of the church is its belfry that houses six bells that are believed to be the heaviest church bells in Chennai. Every Sunday, sharp at 9:30 AM, the caretaker of the church rings these bells without fail. The church is also a place of remembrance of the Armenian community that once thrived in Madras. The graves of around 350 Armenians, including the grave of Reverend Haroutiun Shmavonian, the man behind the world’s first Armenian periodical ‘Azdarar,’ is all that is left. The community, however, is still alive in the memories of Chennai and its people in the form of this heritage building at Parry’s Corner.

• Location: Near High Court, Chennai
• Timings: 09:30 am – 02:30 pm (All days of the week)

JESUS MORNING PRAYER

 JESUS MORNING PRAYER

 

O Lord, direct our steps this day into the way of peace and strengthen our hearts to obey your commandments. May the Dayspring visit us from on high, and give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, that they may adore you for your mercy, follow you for your truth, desire you for your sweetness, for you are the blessed Lord God of Earth, now and forever. Amen.

Dear God, Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Forgive us for when we don't thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you've given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! In Jesus' Name, Amen

JESUS PRAYER

 

2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Father God, we praise you for the wonderful future that you have prepared for us through the death and resurrection of you Son, Jesus Christ. We eagerly await the day when we will enter into your presence for all eternity with holy bodies untainted by sin. Please help us to not lose heart when we face the many pressures, anxieties, and troubles of life in this fallen world. Let us take great courage in the knowledge that you’ve given us the Holy Spirit to prepare our souls for our kingdom dwelling with you. Thank you for letting Jesus live in us. It is in his name that we pray, Amen 

JESUS PRAYER

 JESUS PRAYER

 

Father God, we thank you that your amazing unfathomable love has been poured out for us at the cross and poured into us by the Holy Spirit. We want to taste and experience more of the depth and breadth and length and height of your amazing love. Help us to walk by faith. Help us to endure in suffering. Help us to own our need of you. Help us to fully embrace your Son, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. So, pour out your love into our hearts, in increasing measure by the power of your Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is in his name that we pray, Amen.