Mar Thoma Cheria pally, Kothamangalam is the most prominent parishes in India.It is one of the richest churches of India run by democratic lines. The Church has members from more than 900 families.


Date Added: Mar 26, 2007 Hits: 1 Rating: 5.00 Votes: 1

Detail : Mar Thoma Cheria pally

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The Saintly Father of the Malankara Syrian Church (1914-'96)


Date Added: Mar 26, 2007 Hits: 0 Rating: 0.00 Votes: 0

Detail : Catholicos Baselios Paulose II

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n 1329 Pope John XXII (in captivity in Avignon)erected Quilon as the first Diocese in the whole of indies as suffragan to the Archdiocese of Sultany in Persia through the decree "Romanus pontifix" dated 9th August 1329.By a seperate Bull "Venerabili Fratri Jordano",the same Pope,on August 21,1329 appointed the French Dominican Friar Jordanus Catalani of Serverac as the first Bishop of Quilon.


Date Added: Mar 26, 2007 Hits: 1 Rating: 0.00 Votes: 0

Detail : Quilon Diocese

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The history of the Diocese of Cochin begins with the arrival of Portuguese missionaries along with the famous explorer, Vasco da Gama, in Calicut. The second Portuguese fleet under Pedro Alavarez Cabral reached Cochin on December 24, 1500. It was Francesco de Albuquerque who built a place of worship which was blessed on November 1, 1503.The first Portuguese Viceroy, Francesco de Almeida, who reached Cochin in 1505 built a church edifice using lime and stone. On the feast of the “Invention of the Holy Cross”, May 3, that year its foundation stone was laid and when completed it was named Santa Cruz. (This church was on the eastern side of the present Children’s Park, Fort Cochin).When the Dutch conquered Cochin in 1663, they destroyed all the Catholic institutions except the Cathedral and the Church of St. Francis. The Cathedral used as an armoury was later destroyed when the British took over in 1795 ( One of its monumental remains, a decorative granite pillar, is kept on the south-eastern corner of the present Basilica ).Bishop Dom Joao Gomes Fereira who became the prelate of Cochin in 1887 started rebuilding the cathedral but only during the reign of his successor, Dom Mateus Oliveira Xavier it could be brought to reality. On November 19, 1905, the new Cathedral was consecrated by Dom Sebastiao Jose Pereira, Bishop of Damao.Considering the earnest request of Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Kureethara, who was holding the Crosier of Cochin then, and considering the covetable antiquity, artistic magnificence and historic significance, Pope John Paul II raised the Santa Cruz Cathedral as a Basilica on 19th December, 1984. It was, indeed, a matter of great joy to each and every faithful of the Diocese, especially the Kochinites, irrespective of cast and creed.


Date Added: Mar 27, 2007 Hits: 2 Rating: 0.00 Votes: 0

Detail : santacruzbasilica

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Arthunkal was the capital of Muthedath Kingdom, one of the pricipalities of Kerala, during the 16th century. Historians opine differently as to how Arthunkal got that name.One among them is that it has evolved from 'Arthhikulangara', the name of the place at that time. Arthhikulangara, in course of time turned 'Arthhikulangal' and later, Arthunkal.According to historian George Schurhammer, the capital of Muthedath was known as 'Muthedathunkal' (at Muthedath) and it changed to 'Edathunkal' and then Arthunkal.Portuguese Missionaries landed in Kerala following the arrival of Vasco da Gamma. They visited Muthedath and found so many St Thomas Christians here. They were not baptized, but their ancestors were.The Jesuit missionaries started their mission in Muthedath and Elayedath(the neighbouring principality). In 1579 A.D., the Jesuit priest Manuel Texeira from Goa visited Arthunkal on his way from Kochi to Kollam (Quilon). As on request by the Christians, he arranged Fr Gasper Pius to be appointed in Arthunkal for their spritual needs in 1581. Since 1560 A.D., the Christians and missionaries had been requesting the Muthedath King for the permission of an oratory, though the king did not give much attention to. But following the incessant pestering from the Christians and considering the helps the king had from the missionaries, he granted permission in November, 1581 to construct a church using wood and coconut leaves. He also granted a few trees from his premises for the purpose.The Christians installed a wooden cross and constructed, with the co-operation of the local Hindus, a church, where the king had given permission to. On 30th November, the church was consecrated in the name St Andrew the Apostle. The first vicar was Fr Gasper Pius S.J. On completion, the king of Muthedath came to visit the church and asked the vicar to maintain the church suitably to be the House of God. Since then, many Hindus from the neighboring regions came to the church, prayed to St Andrew and got their appeals fulfilled.


Date Added: Mar 27, 2007 Hits: 0 Rating: 0.00 Votes: 0

Detail : St Andrew's Forane Church - St Sebastian's Pilgrimage Centre

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Syrian Orthodox church, under holy apostolic see of Antioch and all the East, situated at Cochin.Includes services,celebrations and activities of the church.


Date Added: Mar 27, 2007 Hits: 2 Rating: 0.00 Votes: 0

Detail : St. George Jacobite Syrian Church, Cochin, India

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Born in a noble family at Milan, in Italy in the second century A.D. St.Gervasis and Prothasis were the twin sons of Vithilas and Valeena a highly respected couple of those times. The twins were popularly and reverently known as Kantheesangal (believed to have derived from the Syrian word kantheesangal that denotes a saintly person). Their parents lead exemplary lives in the true Christian spirit throughout their lives and became martyrs for their cause when Gervasis and Prothasis were still at a tender age.They grew up in age when persecution of the followers of Jesus Christ was raging throughout the Roman Empire. Their faith in God and the inspiration left behind by their parents made them spurn the lucrative offers to worship the pagan god of the Roman Emperors. They readily prepared to shed their blood and sacrifice their lives for Jesus Christ rather than worship a pagan God. Yet they were veiled in obscurity till the beginning of the 4th century even among the natives of Milan. Gradually they dawned out of oblivion as the nascent church began receiving heavenly blessings through these saintly brothers.As per a divine revelation received by St.Ambrose the tomb of Kantheesangal was exhumed for examination .The heads were found separated with stains of blood and the church took cognizance of the holy remnanents. A large number of miracles were witnessed on the occasion of the transfer of the relics to the Basilica of St.Ambrose on June 18th, 386 A.D. The blind were able to see again, the lame started to walk and many freed themselves from the clutches of the evil spirit. People from all corners of the then known world started pouring in and received heavenly favors through their intercession. The feast of the Kantheesangal is celebrated on 19th June throughout the Christian world and Kothanalloor church is the only one in the entire Palai diocese having Kantheesangal as their patron saint.


Date Added: Mar 27, 2007 Hits: 4 Rating: 0.00 Votes: 0

Detail : Kothanalloorchurch

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Martha Mariam church is the ancestral home of Christian communities in Kerala and out side the State. It is in Meenachil Taluk, 22 kms north of Kottayam, on the eastern side of M.C. Road. Martha Mariam Church belongs to the diocese of Palai.Traditional beliefs, some legendary factors and historical associations contribute to the actual history of the church. It is believed that four Christian families - viz. Palli (Kalli), Kaliyakal (kalikavu), Sankarapuri and Pakalomattam from Palayur arrived at Ettumanoor and they moved to Kalikavu near Kuravilangad in the beginning of the second century. Kuruvilangad Church's Altar Fountain It is also believed that Our Lady appeared to a few children at Kuravilangad, who were tending their flock in the bushes. Our Lady asked them to build a church at the place from where a miraculous perpetual spring sprouted, a spring which exists even today. The children reported this matter to the elders and a church was built there. The present church was completed in 1960 when Rev. Fr. Thomas Manakattu was the parish priest. Kuravilangad has a unique place in the history of the Church of Malabar. The temporal administration of the church was conducted by Archdeacons who were very influential in the society. It is believed that the Archdeacons have been descended from the Pakalomattam family. The mortal remain of a few Archdeacons are still preserved at the Pakalomattam Chapel. Mar Alexander De Campo (Parampil Chandy Metran) is an illustrious son of Kuravilangad. He is the first indigenous bishop of the whole of India. He was ordained bishop on first February 1663 by Mar Sebastany a foreign bishop. Mar Alexander was staying at Kuravilangad till his death, 2nd January 1687. Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Nidhiri ( Nidhirikal Mani kathanar ) (1842- 1904) of Kuravilangad is a colossus in the history of the church in Kerala. He was an eminent educationalist, orator, organizer and a champion of ecumenism. He was the first editor of the first Malayalam daily "Deepika". As vicar of the Kuravilangad church, he started the St.Mary's English school for boys in 1894. The present president of India, K. R. Narayanan matriculated from this school. Fr. Jacob Panamkuzhakal (Panamkuzhakal Valliyachan) (1479-1543) was a very holy priest of Kuravilangad. Many people testify on the favours received through the intercession of Fr. Jacob. The Panamkuzhakal family celebrates the death anniversary of Fr. Jacob on 5th November every year."Moonnu Nompu" is the main feast of the church. Thousands of people from all over Kerala come to this three-days-feast. The ceremonial procession on the second day of the feast when the replica of the vessel used by prophet Jonah of the OT is taken out is the main attraction of the feast. The people of the Kadapoor locality has the privilege to carry the vessel during the procession.The statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary kept at the side altar is unique. It is carved from granite and it is believed that it was brought from North India. This is a miraculous statue and the devotees call this statue "Kuravilangad Muthiyamma".The granite cross in a single block of 48 feet in front of the church was erected around 1597. The devotes offer coconut oil in the lamps at the foot of the cross. On first Fridays devotees stand in queue from early morning to late in the evening to offer oil.An ancient bell with the engraving on Syriac "Mother of God" speaks loudly of the traditional faith of christian community here in Kerala. Three majestic bells that peal out the glory of Kuravilangad were brought from Germany in 1911.The eight tongued coconut scraper is a marvel in carpentry. It is carved out of a single block of wood. It was used to scrape coconuts for the "Monnu Nompu" feast. A good number of educational and charitable institutions do creditable service to the people of this locality. A century old Boy's Higher secondary school, half a century old girls secondary school and a first grade college, Devamatha speak volumes about the contribution of the church in the field of education. St.Vincent's Hospital run by congregation of the sisters of charity of St.Vincent De Paul in a land mark here is the field of medical service. About one hundred girls are taken care of at the Balabhavan run by the CMC sisters. Sisters from five convents render immense service to the parishioners. With about 2500 families and 12500 members, Kuravilangad is the ancient and the biggest parish in the diocese of Palai. This Marian pilgrim centre is a source of solace and hope to thousands of devotees who visit this church every year.


Date Added: Mar 27, 2007 Hits: 7 Rating: 5.00 Votes: 1

Detail : St. Mary's Forane (Martha Mariam) Church

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The most revered and renowned Marian Pilgrim Centre after Velankanni, is the Holy Shrine of Koratty Muthy otherwise known as Koratty Thampuratty. All through the year, especially during the feast days, devotees of all castes and creeds, from far and wide, throng to this place to pay their respect to Koratty Muthy (Mother Mary) and pray for blessings.St. Mary's Forane Church in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly situates in the Southern boundary of Trichur District. NH 47, Railway and Cochin International Airport help the devotees to reach here easily The church has many popular beliefs woven around it. Six centuries back Kerala was divided into numerous provinces ruled by kings and landlords. Two of such neighbouring landlords were Koratty Kaimal and Kodassery Kartha. The descendents of these two feudal lords live in Koratty even now, and this adds on to the authenticity of this belief about the origin of the Koratty Church. Under the feudal lord, Koratty Kaimal, many Christians served in the army. In a battle between Kaimal and Kartha many were killed. Sri Kavalakkadan Kochu Vareed, the commander of the Kaimal army was one among the dead. At the time the Catholics had only one church in that area - at Ambazhakkad. Kaimal made all arrangements for the funeral of Sri. Kochu Vareed to be held in full military honours and religious rituals at the Ambazhakkad church. But his rival, Kodassery Kartha interfered and the burial could not take place there. The funeral procession had to return. In between, the pall-bearers had to rest and they placed the coffin down. When they tried to lift the coffin again they found to their astonishment, that it was firmly stuck to the ground and they could not lift. Knowing this, Koratty Kaimal made all arrangements for the burial there itself and gave instruction to build a church for the welfare of his Christian subjects. Today at that spot stands a granite stone cross. Kaimal gave away lots of land, free from tax, to sustain the rituals in the church. This church gradually was known as the Marian Pilgrim Centre of Koratty Muthy.


Date Added: Mar 27, 2007 Hits: 1 Rating: 0.00 Votes: 0

Detail : St. Mary's Forane Church koratty

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You are most Welcome to the SHRINE OF ST.ANTONY at Kaloor, in the city Cochin, Kerala, India. This is one of the famous pilgrim centres in India, under the Archdiocese of Veraploy, the head of the Latin Hierarchy of Kerala. This Shrine is right at the heart of the city of Cochin, and is located on the blessed premise on National Highway, 25 Kilometers South of International Airport, Nedumbassery. Devotion to St.Antony, the' Wonder Worker ' is so powerful that whoever approaches him with true faith is never known unheard. Thousands of people irrespective of cast and creed from different parts of the country and abroad visit untry and abroad visit this Holy place of worship everday seeking the intercession of St.Antony in their pain and suffering. Novena to St.Antony conducted every Tuesday at the Shrine is attended by millions of people who have blessed by the Saint to whom Jesus had given the gift of ' Miracle Work'. May God bless you through the intercession of St.Antony.


Date Added: Mar 27, 2007 Hits: 1 Rating: 0.00 Votes: 0

Detail : SHRINE OF ST.ANTONY

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