Goa’s Konsachem Festival and St. Bartholomew’s Feast

Central Idea

• In Goa, August marks the formation of new rice grains, celebrated through the festival of Konsachem.

Konsachem Festival and Its Traditions

• Background: Konsachem, observed by Goan Hindus and Catholics, honors the new rice grains, known as konxeo in Konkani.
• Shared Rituals: The first harvested rice sheaves are taken for blessings – to deities by Hindus and to saints by Catholics.
• Catholic Celebrations: For Goan Catholics, the festival peaks on August 24, the Feast Day of St. Bartholomew, one of Jesus Christ’s 12 Apostles.
• Observances: The celebration includes a procession, ritual cutting of grain, and a thanksgiving mass, with offerings made to St. Bartholomew.

Bartholomew’s Legacy and Christian Faith in India

• Missionary Journey: Bartholomew is believed to have landed in Kallianpur and preached along the Konkan coast, reaching as far as Karachi.
• Lesser-Known Apostles: While St. Thomas’s mission in Kerala and Tamil Nadu is well-documented, St. Bartholomew’s contributions in India are less known but significant.
• Martyrdom and Influence: He is revered for his martyrdom in Azerbaijan and his role in the Christianization of Armenia and Georgia.
• Pre-Portuguese Christian Origins: Research by scholars underscores Christianity’s roots in India dating back to the Apostles, reinforcing its integral place in Indian faith traditions.