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.