History
Marthamariam Orthodox Syrian Church History
Marthamariam Orthodox Syrian Church of Thevalakkara is one of the leading churches
under Malankara sabha. It is situated
in Karunagapally Taluk within Kollam district. Church is located five kilometers east of
Chavara Kuttivattom junction and six kilometers towards west of Sasthamkotta. The
historical
and beautiful Ashtamudi lake south of Thevalakkara flows towards Arabian sea.
In the first century, St. Thomas the apostle, had erected Tharissa church at
Kollam and
later this was wrecked by strong sea waves. Those temporality living near the church
immigrated
towards Thevalakkara and constructed this holy church. By A.D. 4th century church was
renovated
and remained in existence till 17 centuries before final renovation done in 1971 under
His
Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews I. Church consecration was performed in the
presence of His Grace Mar Philexinos Metropolitan of Thumpamon, His Grace Mathew Mar
Koorilose
Metropolitan of Kollam, church vicar's Rev. Fr. K Koshy Vaidyan Cor-Episcopa and Rev.
Fr.
K M Koshy Vaidyan. Marthamariam Orthodox Syrian Church at Thevelakara is one of the
foremost
ancient churches in Kollam diocese and revered pilgrim centre of Malankara sabha. 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 chappel, padinjattakkara, feast of Saint George at Saint Mary's
chappel
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. 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 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.