We are dedicated to providing a place of worship for all those who seek solace in the Lord. Our church is open to all, and we welcome everyone with open arms.
St. Jude's Chrch, Halkandawila
St. Sebastian's Church Diyalagoda
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We honour the legacy left by our ancestors who sacrificed their knowledge, time, and effort for the betterment of our church and the dignity of this land. We provide a serene and peaceful atmosphere for members of our community to connect with their spirituality and reflect on the values that are important to them.
It is clear from certain incidents that happened in those times that our ancestors lived their lives with immense faith in God. It can be understood through the activities of our forefathers that the ancients of those days were accustomed to fulfilling every event according to God's intention. The ancients of that time testified that our little village was under the protection of Saint Sebastian.
On January 20, 1961, Blessed Father Jusevass, known as the Apostle of Sri Lanka, dedicated the church to Saint Sebastian and performed the first divine sacrifice. In 1995, the 150th jubilee of St. Sebastian church was a moment of great blessing for the people of Diyalagoda as we celebrated the visit of the Vicar of Jesus Christ to Sri Lanka and the beatification of Venerable Father Jusevass in the same year.
The holy cross positioned in front of the esteemed statue of Saint Sebastian at the Diyalagoda intersection, with a purported history of 115 years, is believed to be an additional artifact crafted by the ancients of Diyalagoda. Let us honour the courageous individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in undertaking a monumental task and rendering invaluable service to the people of Diyalagoda today. May their remarkable dedication serve as an exemplary model for our youth.
About St. Sebastian
St. Sebastian, who died around 288 in Rome, Italy, and is celebrated on January 20, is an early Christian saint who gained popularity among Renaissance artists. He is said to have been martyred during the persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor Diocletian. He is considered the patron saint of archers and athletes, as well as those seeking a saintly death. Additionally, he was venerated as a protector against the bubonic plague and as a patron of plague victims. Legend has it that he was born in Gaul, traveled to Rome, and joined the army of the emperor Carinus around 283, later becoming a captain under Diocletian. When it was discovered that he was a Christian who had converted many soldiers, Sebastian was ordered to be killed by arrows. Although the archers believed him to be dead, a Christian widow cared for him until he recovered. Sebastian then presented himself before Diocletian, who sentenced him to death by beating. His body, thrown into a sewer, was later found by another pious woman, who dreamt that Sebastian instructed her to bury his remains near the catacombs. His relics are believed to be housed in the Basilica of San Sebastiano on the Appian Way, which attracted many pilgrims in the Middle Ages.
Referencing:
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2024, February 22). St. Sebastian. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Sebastian
About St. Jude
St. Jude, who lived in the 1st century CE, is celebrated in the Western church on October 28 and in the Eastern church on June 19 and August 21. He was one of the original Twelve Apostles of Jesus and is believed to have written the canonical Letter of Jude, which cautions against immoral and blasphemous heretics. The devotion to him as the patron saint of desperate causes began in France and Germany in the late 18th century. In John 14:22, St. Jude is distinguished as Judas but "not Iscariot" to avoid confusion with the betrayer of Jesus, Judas Iscariot. The tradition of calling him "Jude" rather than the Scriptural "Judas" likely began to prevent such mix-ups. He is mentioned in Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13 as "Judas of James," and depending on the Bible consulted, he is likely the son (Revised Standard and New English) or brother (Authorized and Douay) of St. James the Less, son of Alphaeus. Jude is more likely identified with Thaddaeus (Lebbaeus) in Mark 3:18 and Matthew 10:3 and less likely with Jesus' "brother" Judas (Mark 6:3, Matthew 13:55). According to John 14:22–23, after Jesus completed the Last Supper and announced his manifestation to his disciples, Jude asked, "Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?" After Jesus' Ascension, Jude's history is unknown. Like St. Simon the Apostle, he seems to have come from the Zealots, the Jewish nationalistic party before 70 CE. Legends dating back to the 4th century credit Simon and Jude with missionary work and martyrdom in Persia (noted in the apocryphal Passion of Simon and Jude). Therefore, since the 8th century, the Western church has commemorated them together on October 28.
Referencing:
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2024, March 18). St. Jude. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Jude-Apostle
