Marthamariam Orthodox Syrian Church History

The Thevalakkara Marthamariam Orthodox Syrian Church occupies a prominent place among the historic churches of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Situated in Kollam district, the church lies five kilometers east of Kuttivattom Junction on the Karunagappally - Chavara stretch of National Highway 66, and six kilometers west of Sasthamkotta. The renowned Ashtamudi Lake, frequently referenced in historical accounts, flows to the south of this region before merging into the Arabian Sea.

The origins of this holy church trace back to the migration of Christian faithful from the Tharisapalli of Kollam, which, according to tradition, was founded by St. Thomas the Apostle in the first century. When that ancient church was destroyed by sea incursions, the displaced community established this church at Thevalakkara. The church was subsequently rebuilt in the fourth century, and through the course of nearly seventeen centuries, it has remained a beacon of faith and devotion. In 1971, the church was once again reconstructed and consecrated by His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews I, Catholicos of the East. The occasion was graced by the presence and spiritual guidance of His Grace Daniel Mar Philexinos, Metropolitan of Thumpamon Diocese, and His Grace Mathews Mar Coorilos, Metropolitan of Kollam Diocese. The parish vicar, Rev. Fr. K. Koshy Vaidyan Cor-Episcopa, together with Rev. Fr. K. M. Koshy Vaidyan, participated as co-celebrants in the service. Among the ancient churches of the Kollam Diocese, this sacred church, consecrated in the name of the Holy Mother of God, has emerged over the centuries as one of the foremost pilgrimage centres of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Didymos I, declared Mar Abo pilgrim centre on 8th February 2010 during Mar Abo perunnal in the presence of His Grace Zachariah Mar Anthonios Metropolitan of Kollam Diocese and church vicar Rev. Fr. G Koshy Punalur.

Mar Abo came to Kollam to preach the gospel and the then local king Kulasekhara, who understood the spiritual abilities of the Holy Father, gave him a cheppadu giving him the authority to renovate the Kollam Tharisapalli and support the christian community (Ref: Travancore State Manual, Page 244). The Holy Father received various titles of authority from various monarchs and many of them after the 1599 Udayam Perur Synod of Goan Archbishop Alex D. Menesis reached the Thevalakkara church in a group that visited the churches of the Malankara Church and took possession of many cheppadu inscribed on copper plates. The remaining one is kept in Devalokam Aramana. His Holiness Mar Abo did christian work in Kadamattom, Akaparambu, Kayamkulam, Niranam, Nilakkal, Malayattoor, Thevalakkara and established churches in many places.

Mar Abo feast is celebrated on the 7th and 8th of February and his birthday been celebrated on October 23rd of every year. Feast of Saint Mary at thevalakkara church, feast of Saint Gregorios at Gregorios chapel, padinjattakkara, feast of Saint George at Saint Mary's chapel are also celebrated solemnly every year. There are many who contributed tireless service for the development and welfare of the church and are now enjoying bliss in heaven. Those include Rev. Fr. Koshy Vaidyan Cor-Episcopa and Rev. Fr. K M Koshy Vaidyan who are well remembered in special way. There were other late Rev.'s like palavilayil Rev. Fr. Alexathrayos, edayilaveettil Rev. Fr. K Thomas Vaidyan, kuttiyil Rev. Fr. K O Koshy Kattanar, vazhayil Rev. Fr. P K Mathai Vaidyan kathanar, kochuthundil Rev. Fr. Renju Mathew Vaidyan who are also remembered. In the spiritual realm, Rev. Fr. Dr. K L Mathew Vaidyan Cor-Episcopa, Rev. Fr. Alexander Vaidyan Cor-Episcopa, Rev. Fr. M M Vaidyan Cor-Episcopa, Rev. Fr. Varghese Tharakan, Rev. Fr. M Mathew, Rev. Fr. V G Koshy Vaidyan, Rev. Fr. Nainan Ommen, Rev. Fr. Dr. K M Koshy Vaidyan, Rev. Fr. Philip Tharakan, Rev. Fr. Shibu Daniel, Rev. Fr. John Geevarghese, Rev. Fr. Anoob John, Rev. Fr. Amos Tharakan M, Rev. Fr. Alex Jacob, Deacon Geevarghese Vaidyan and others contributed a lot. This parish has given many important political leaders. This church has two chapels under the names of Saint Mary and Saint Gregorios and six prayer centres, two Sunday schools, Marthamariam hall, Mar Abo hall and a multi-purpose commercial complex named Mar Abo Smrithi Mandiram whose foundation stone was laid on 9 February, 2009 by Chengannur Diocese Metropolitan H.G. Thomas Mar Athanasios and consecrated on 8 February, 2014 by Kollam Diocese Metropolitan H.G. Zachariah Mar Anthonios. The services rendered by Rev. Fr. C C John (late Yuhannon Ramban), Rev. Fr. Thamban Varghese, Rev. Fr. Alex P Scaria, Rev. Fr. P Thomas, Rev. Fr. M L Thomas, Rev. Fr. Philippose Daniel, Rev. Fr. V G John, Rev. Fr. Mathew T John, Rev. Fr. G Koshy Ottaplammottil, Rev. Fr. John T Varghese, Rev. Fr. Bijoy C P, Rev. Fr. James J Nallila, Rev. Fr. Thomas Mathews Thattarutundil is praise worthy. Currently mulavana native Rev. Fr. Mathew T Thomas serves as the vicar of the church.