Giacomo Fenicio

Rev. Fr. Giacomo Fenicio (1558 - 1632), also known as Arthunkal Veluthachan, Jacomo Fenicio or Jacob Fenicio was an Italian Jesuit priest, scholar, theologian, and missionary in India.

He served in South India as a priest and missionary from 1584 to 1632. He was one of the first Europeans who researched and authored scholastic literature about Hinduism. He was popular known among Christians of Kerala and known as Arthunkal Veluthachan or fair skinned father of Arthunkal.

Personal life
Fenicio was born in Capua, Italy in 1558. He arrived in India in 1582 and spent the next 48 years in South India. He became the second vicar of St. Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal in Kerala after the death of the first vicar, Fr Gasper Pius, who built the church. Fenicio was well known for his tolerance towards other religions. He was popular among the local people and was affectionately called Arthunkal Veluthachan. Fenicio died in Cochin in 1632. It is said that he had significant interest and knowledge in Hindu culture and martial art of Kalaripayattu.