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| {{more footnotes needed|date=December 2019}} | |||
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| {{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}} | |||
| {{Infobox church | {{Infobox church | ||
| | |
| denomination = ] | ||
| | |
| name = Manarcad Church | ||
| | |
| fullname = St. Mary's Cathedral, Manarcad | ||
| | |
| image = Manarcad Marthamariam Cathedral DSW.jpg | ||
| | |
| caption = Morth Maryam Cathedral, Manarcad | ||
| | |
| pushpin map = India Kerala | ||
| | coordinates = {{coord|9|35|59|N|76|35|4|E|display=inline,title}} | |||
| |latd = 9 | |||
| | |
| map caption = Location in Kerala, India | ||
| | |
| country = India | ||
| | |
| location = ], ], ] | ||
| | |
| attendance = | ||
| | website = {{URL|manarcadpally.com|manarcadpally.com}} | |||
| |longm = 35 | |||
| | |
| founded date = | ||
| | |
| dedication = ] | ||
| | |
| relics = ] of ] | ||
| |country = {{flag|India}} | |||
| |denomination = ] | |||
| |attendance = | |||
| |website = {{URL|www.manarcadstmaryschurch.org|manarcadstmaryschurch.org}} | |||
| |founded date = | |||
| |bishop = | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| ''' |
'''St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Cathedral, Manarcad''', is ] located in ], about 9 km from the town of ] in ], ]. It is a destination for people on annual pilgrimages for the uncanonical ] of the ]. There are more than 5000 families in this parish. The church architecture resembles that of the ]. The church administers various spiritual organisations, schools and a hospital. It is the home to one of the holiest relics among the Malankara churches, a small piece of ]'s belt, called the ]. | ||
| == |
==Church history== | ||
| The inscription on the stones in the Haikalah of the church is in an ancient script-nanum monum, written about 600 years ago. The church was constructed in the 16th century, in a Portuguese fashion. The construction of the present church was completed in 1954.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
| According to tradition, the forefathers of the church fasted and prayed for a holy place to pray and perform religious ceremonies for pilgrims. On the eighth day of prayer, they all had a vision. The holy fathers drew a parallel between the Virgin Mary and the 'Sakshipettakam' created by Mossaih according to the order of God. The circumference of this 'Sakhshipettakam' was 8 ''muzhams'' (around {{Convert|12|ft|m}}), a number equal to the eight salvation secrets of the Virgin Mary and her son Jesus Christ. Their vision was to build the church in a forest with a calf and cow lying down and where fish and deer could be caught in an area scattered with ''Acacia Instia'' and canes. | |||
| The desire of Christians in the area for a holy place to conduct prayers and religious ceremonies were the root cause of the construction of the church. They started praying for this purpose. On the 8th day of their prayer, the ancestors had a vision to build a church in the forest where a ] and calf were lying down, where ] and ] could be caught and ] Instia trees and ] were scattered around. They went in search of the cow and calf and found them where the church is presently situated. | |||
| The stone inscriptions found at the church reveal that the church was built more than a 1000 years ago. Archeologists have found out that these stone inscriptions were memorial stones set up at the tombs in 910 CE and 920 CE and the writing on them are in Malayalam and Tamil scripts prevalent 600 years ago.<ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.manarcadstmaryschurch.org/history.htm|publisher=St Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Cathedral|accessdate=18 March 2012}}</ref> The church was rebuilt on several occasions including during the 16th century when all churches in India were rebuilt in the Portuguese style. It is possible that the Manarcad church was reconstructed at that time using the ] Cheriya Pally St. Mary s Orthodox Syrian Church and ] as a model. | |||
| The old Manarcad Church was built before the 10th century. To build a church in those days was a near impossible task. Ancestors were well aware of the difficulties ahead. The land where the church is constructed belonged to the Devaswam. Edathil Tampuran, the Hindu chieftain there, opposed the plan to build a church. The King, who depended on Edathil family's private army in times of war, would not go against him. The odds were against the church. | |||
| == Parish and traditions == | |||
| The Manarcad Cathedral and the eight-day fast continue to attract millions of worshippers seeking the blessings of the Virgin Mary.{{citation needed|date=January 2011}} Today, the Manarcad Parish consists of more than 2,500 families spread over 12 contiguous areas who are led by a team comprising a vicar and eight assistant vicars. A number of educational institutions including St.Mary's College, religious and social service institutions and a modern hospital fall under the auspices of the church. | |||
| Ancestors knew that ] kings were traditionally very secular. Moreover, the king had a soft spot for them and the full backing of the Christian community there. They decided to meet the king with his request. After a lot of deliberation, the king finally decided in favor of the ancestors, not wanting to disappoint him. Sixty-one '''Pathalpadu''<nowiki/>' (a unit of area used for land measurement in those days) land was staked out for the church around the spot where the cow and calf were found. | |||
| During the eight-day Fast in September, the helpless and the hapless throng to the church to pray to the Virgin Mary for their diseases to be cured, for children if they are childless, for protection against calamities and to have their wishes fulfilled. There are numerous testimonials by people who have received blessings. | |||
| Edathil Thampuran continued to nurse his grudge against ancestors for bypassing him and getting the approval of the King. He incited his men to destroy the church. The church was pulled down thrice and thrice it was rebuilt. Having spent almost all of his entire wealth on the church, the ancestors found it hard to continue the construction anymore. The ''Kallakkadampil'' family came to their help and with their financial assistance, the Manarcad Church was finally completed. | |||
| == Stone cross == | |||
| According to legend, in order to install a huge stone cross in the church, the devotees went to ask for help from an elephant owner who was staying in ] some {{Convert|6|km}} distant. Since the elephant was resting and receiving treatment, the owner refused the request. The devotees returned in desperation and to their surprise saw the stone cross had been erected. It was properly installed and before the cross stood the elephant. | |||
| The church was later renovated, and the construction of the present church was completed in 1954.<ref name=":0">, Official Church Website</ref> | |||
| The inscription on the stones in the ''Haikalah'' of the church in the ancient script nanum monum ('']'') show that they were inscribed in between about A.D. 910 and A.D. 920. The royal swords are also kept in the church, which are believed to be given to the church by the king for the protection of church parishes. | |||
| The traditional lamps lit around this cross by devotees are a peculiarity of the church. Devotees used to move around the cross on their knees after bathing in a pond. Psychiatric patients and chronically diseased patients praying beneath the cross for the restoration of their health is a common phenomena. | |||
| During the year 700 of Malayalam Era (''Kollavarsham'') the then ruling King of ''Vadakkumkoor'' had a discontent with the Christians. It was a period of great torment for Christians and the king showed hostility to the Christians and their possessions, including Manarcad church which bordered the neighboring kingdom, ''Thekkumkoor''. The then king of ''Thekkumkoor'' maintained a special relationship with Christians and had even given the swords to the church for its protection. | |||
| == Feasts == | |||
| * January 15 – A feast invoking the blessings of the Virgin Mary on agricultural seeds | |||
| * February 26 – Sunero Feast | |||
| * May 6 – Commemoration of St. George | |||
| * August 15 - Virgin Mary's ] | |||
| * September 8 - The Feast of the Virgin Mary's birth | |||
| ==Feasts== | |||
| == Administration == | |||
| * 15 January – A feast invoking the blessings of the Virgin Mary on agricultural seeds. | |||
| St. Mary's Cathedral, Manarcad is the biggest church under the Kottayam Diocese of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church. The Church has always been an integral part of the Universal Syrian jacobite Church under the Patriarch of the See of Antioch. | |||
| * 26 February – Sunero Feast. | |||
| '''Metropolitan''' - ''H.G. ], Kottayam Diocese''<br> | |||
| * 6 May – Commemoration of ]. | |||
| '''Vicar''' - ''Very Rev. E.T. Kuriakose Corepiscopos Ittiyadathu''<br> | |||
| * 15 August - ] | |||
| '''Associate Vicars''' - ''Very Rev. Kuriakose Corepiscopos Kizhakkedathu'', ''Very Rev. Kuriakose Corepiscopos Karukayil'', ''Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Kalayil'', ''Rev. Fr. Mathews Vadakkedathu'', ''Rev. Fr. Mathews Manavathu'', ''Very Rev. Andrews Corepiscopos Chiravathara'', and ''Rev. Fr. M.I. Thomas Mattathil''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.manarcadstmaryschurch.org/administrator.html |title=Manarcad St. Mary's Cathedral Administration |accessdate=April 11, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| * 8 September - ], Feast of the Virgin Mary's birth; millions attend the annual 8-day lent and celebration, known as ''Ettunombu Perunnal'', during which an ] is unveiled in a ceremony called "''Nadathurakkal".'' <ref>, '']'', 31 August 2010.</ref><ref>, ''The Hindu'', 29 August 2011.</ref><ref>, ''The Hindu'', 8 September 2011.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ettunombu |url=https://manarcadpally.com/about-st-marys-cathedral/ettu-nombu/ |access-date=2022-01-10 |website=Official Church website |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
| == The small church (കരോട്ടെ പള്ളി) and the chapels (കുരിശുപള്ളി) == | |||
| == Groups == | |||
| The small Church was built just opposite the main church on the main road in late 19th century. The area for building this small church was given by ''Vettikunnel'' family. | |||
| === Sunday school === | |||
| The Church's first Sunday School was started in 1926 and at present there are sixteen ]s functioning in this parish to inculcate Christian faith in children and to develop their spiritual culture. They are also trained to develop their latent leadership qualities. More than 1,600 children learn spiritual lessons from 275 instructors at these Sunday Schools. which jointly participate in VBS, Teachers Seminars and Christmas Carols. | |||
| Eight kilometers east of Kottayam town, on K.K. Road, at Manarcad Junction, lies a chapel of the Church. The church and all church establishments are all only around {{convert|11|km}} north of this chapel. There is another chapel set up half a kilometer west of the churchyard at Kottayam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kurishu Pally |url=https://manarcadpally.com/about-st-marys-cathedral/kurishu-pallichappel/ |access-date=2022-01-10 |website=Official Church website |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
| === St. Mary's Ladies Group === | |||
| ] at the St.Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church, Manarcad]] | |||
| The goal of the Ladies Group is to attain spiritual enlightenment and nobility of mind. Members of the group visit patients and pray for their recovery. They also extend financial help to poor patients. It is the duty of members visiting those in distress and sorrow to alleviate their suffering by offering spiritual advice. Eighteen branches of this Ladies Group function in the parish. | |||
| ] | |||
| ==Schools and hospitals== | |||
| === St. Mary's Youth Association Manarcad === | |||
| *St. Mary's CBSE School, Manarcad (established 1993) | |||
| St. Mary's Youth Association Manarcad is a youth organisation which works alongside Manarcad Cathedral and conducts and participates in charity work including aiding the homeless, assisting for poor students and carrying out ].The organisation which is involved in various kind of media activities like publishing monthly magazine which briefing church activities and happening around the churches | |||
| *St. Mary's Higher Secondary School (established 1949) | |||
| *St. Mary's IT College (established 1978) | |||
| *St. Mary's Nursing School (established 1976) | |||
| *St. Mary's College (established 1981) | |||
| *St Mary's Hospital | |||
| ==Spiritual organizations== | |||
| === Elder's Forum === | |||
| This group consists of elders who are over 60 who discuss spiritual matters, assess the functioning of various religious bodies and lay down guidelines in such matters. | |||
| === |
=== Sunday school === | ||
| The first ] of the church was established in 1926 and there are now 16 such schools under this parish. They inculcate ], develop spiritual culture and develop latent leadership qualities of children. More than 963 children learn spiritual lessons from 233 instructors at these Sunday schools, which jointly participate in ] (VBSs), teachers' seminars and ]s. | |||
| It is a spiritual and cultural body that works for the spiritual upliftment of young girls. | |||
| === |
=== Vanitha Samajam === | ||
| They function with the aim of enabling ladies to attain spiritual enlightenment and nobility of mind. The members visit patients, pray for their recovery and extend financial help to poor patients. Members visit those who are in distress and sorrow and alleviate their suffering by offering them spiritual advice. 18 units of this organization functions in the parish. | |||
| The ]s conducted in these parish is on ancient instruction of this ]. The prayer groups that used to engragate in the good old days have grown into organised prayer meetings. They function fervently in different parts of this parish | |||
| ===Youth Association=== | |||
| == The Small Church and the crosses == | |||
| St. Marys Youth Association, a spiritual organization of youngsters of St. Mary's Cathedral Manarcad is one among the biggest youth association of the ]. Kolo Suryoyo, the monthly newsletter of this organization shares the happenings of the cathedral to the community. The Youth Association takes lead in organizing various charity activities such as financial assistance to ] patients, ] kits for patients with kidney diseases and educational assistance to needy students. As a part of '''Pachathuruthu''<nowiki/>', a campaign for an ] parish, the youth association honors the best farmer of the Cathedral. Christmas celebration of the Cathedral organized by the Youth Association is well attended by the general public. | |||
| A mobile application developed by Youth Association is also available in the ] as 'Manarcad pally'. | |||
| ===Elders' forum=== | |||
| As the reformation movement gathered momentum, the Small Church was built just opposite the main church on the main road. On eight-day festival Fast days and Sundays there is Holy Mass in the morning at the Small Church. From the time of its construction, all funeral ceremonies have been conducted at the Small Church. | |||
| It is constituted of elders of over 60 years of age. This body discusses spiritual matters, assesses the functioning of various religious bodies and lays guidelines in the matter. | |||
| ===Hail Mary League=== | |||
| Eight kilometers east of Kottayam town, on K.K. Road, at Manarcad Junction, lies a Cross of the Church. The church and all church establishments are all only around {{convert|11|km}} north of this cross. There is another cross set up half a kilometer west of the Churchyard, at Kottayam. | |||
| It is a spiritual and cultural body that aims to spiritually uplifting young girls. | |||
| ===Prayer meetings=== | |||
| == Prayers and religious ceremonies == | |||
| The prayer meetings are conducted based on the ancient instructions of this parish. The prayer groups that used to engage in the past have grown into organized prayer meetings. They function fervently in different parts of this parish. | |||
| On the sixth day of the eight-day Fast, the deeply religious and very colourful Rasa procession carrying thousands of ornamental umbrellas and several gold and silver crosses takes a route around these crosses and the Small Church | |||
| Pilgrims' Quarters | |||
| {{wide image|ManarkadSoonoroChurchbystalin.jpg|400px|Panoramic view of The church from backside}} | |||
| Facilities were constructed in 1976 on the northern side of the church to provide shelter to pilgrims arriving from far away places who wish to attend services and ceremonies in the Pallimeda (Office complex) built in 1934. The 1972 Manimalika and two parish halls constructed in 1973 and 1990 comprise the remaining buildings at the church compound. | |||
| == Schools == | |||
| *St. Mary's CBSE School, Manarcad (established 1993) | |||
| *St. Mary's Higher Secondary School (established 1949) | |||
| *St. Mary's IT College (established 1978) | |||
| *St. Mary's Nursing School (established 1976) | |||
| *St. Mary's College (established 1981) | |||
| == References == | == References == | ||
| {{Reflist}} | |||
| <references/> | |||
| == External links == | == External links == | ||
| * {{official website|https://manarcadpally.com}} | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| ** Social Media | |||
| {{Christianity in Kerala}} | |||
| * | |||
| {{Churches of Kerala}} | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Manarcad Church}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Manarcad Church}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:46, 5 May 2024
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (December 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Church in Kerala, India
| Manarcad Church | |
|---|---|
| St. Mary's Cathedral, Manarcad | |
 Morth Maryam Cathedral, Manarcad | |
  Manarcad ChurchLocation in Kerala, India | |
| 9°35′59″N 76°35′4″E / 9.59972°N 76.58444°E / 9.59972; 76.58444 | |
| Location | Manarcaud, Kottayam district, Kerala |
| Country | India |
| Denomination | Syrian Orthodox Church |
| Website | manarcadpally.com |
| History | |
| Dedication | St. Mary |
| Relics held | Holy Girdle of St.Mary |
St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Cathedral, Manarcad, is cathedral located in Manarcad, about 9 km from the town of Kottayam in Kerala, India. It is a destination for people on annual pilgrimages for the uncanonical 8 Day Lent of the Virgin Mary. There are more than 5000 families in this parish. The church architecture resembles that of the Orvieto Cathedral. The church administers various spiritual organisations, schools and a hospital. It is the home to one of the holiest relics among the Malankara churches, a small piece of Mother Mary's belt, called the Holy Soonoro.
Church history
The inscription on the stones in the Haikalah of the church is in an ancient script-nanum monum, written about 600 years ago. The church was constructed in the 16th century, in a Portuguese fashion. The construction of the present church was completed in 1954.
The desire of Christians in the area for a holy place to conduct prayers and religious ceremonies were the root cause of the construction of the church. They started praying for this purpose. On the 8th day of their prayer, the ancestors had a vision to build a church in the forest where a cow and calf were lying down, where fish and deer could be caught and Acacia Instia trees and canes were scattered around. They went in search of the cow and calf and found them where the church is presently situated.
The old Manarcad Church was built before the 10th century. To build a church in those days was a near impossible task. Ancestors were well aware of the difficulties ahead. The land where the church is constructed belonged to the Devaswam. Edathil Tampuran, the Hindu chieftain there, opposed the plan to build a church. The King, who depended on Edathil family's private army in times of war, would not go against him. The odds were against the church.
Ancestors knew that Thekkumkur kings were traditionally very secular. Moreover, the king had a soft spot for them and the full backing of the Christian community there. They decided to meet the king with his request. After a lot of deliberation, the king finally decided in favor of the ancestors, not wanting to disappoint him. Sixty-one 'Pathalpadu' (a unit of area used for land measurement in those days) land was staked out for the church around the spot where the cow and calf were found.
Edathil Thampuran continued to nurse his grudge against ancestors for bypassing him and getting the approval of the King. He incited his men to destroy the church. The church was pulled down thrice and thrice it was rebuilt. Having spent almost all of his entire wealth on the church, the ancestors found it hard to continue the construction anymore. The Kallakkadampil family came to their help and with their financial assistance, the Manarcad Church was finally completed.
The church was later renovated, and the construction of the present church was completed in 1954.
The inscription on the stones in the Haikalah of the church in the ancient script nanum monum (Vattezhuthu) show that they were inscribed in between about A.D. 910 and A.D. 920. The royal swords are also kept in the church, which are believed to be given to the church by the king for the protection of church parishes.
During the year 700 of Malayalam Era (Kollavarsham) the then ruling King of Vadakkumkoor had a discontent with the Christians. It was a period of great torment for Christians and the king showed hostility to the Christians and their possessions, including Manarcad church which bordered the neighboring kingdom, Thekkumkoor. The then king of Thekkumkoor maintained a special relationship with Christians and had even given the swords to the church for its protection.
Feasts
- 15 January – A feast invoking the blessings of the Virgin Mary on agricultural seeds.
- 26 February – Sunero Feast.
- 6 May – Commemoration of St. George.
- 15 August - Virgin Mary's Ascension Day
- 8 September - 8 Day Lent, Feast of the Virgin Mary's birth; millions attend the annual 8-day lent and celebration, known as Ettunombu Perunnal, during which an image of Christ and the Virgin Mary is unveiled in a ceremony called "Nadathurakkal".
The small church (കരോട്ടെ പള്ളി) and the chapels (കുരിശുപള്ളി)
The small Church was built just opposite the main church on the main road in late 19th century. The area for building this small church was given by Vettikunnel family.
Eight kilometers east of Kottayam town, on K.K. Road, at Manarcad Junction, lies a chapel of the Church. The church and all church establishments are all only around 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) north of this chapel. There is another chapel set up half a kilometer west of the churchyard at Kottayam.
Schools and hospitals
- St. Mary's CBSE School, Manarcad (established 1993)
- St. Mary's Higher Secondary School (established 1949)
- St. Mary's IT College (established 1978)
- St. Mary's Nursing School (established 1976)
- St. Mary's College (established 1981)
- St Mary's Hospital
Spiritual organizations
Sunday school
The first Sunday school of the church was established in 1926 and there are now 16 such schools under this parish. They inculcate Christian faith, develop spiritual culture and develop latent leadership qualities of children. More than 963 children learn spiritual lessons from 233 instructors at these Sunday schools, which jointly participate in Vacation Bible Schools (VBSs), teachers' seminars and Christmas carols.
Vanitha Samajam
They function with the aim of enabling ladies to attain spiritual enlightenment and nobility of mind. The members visit patients, pray for their recovery and extend financial help to poor patients. Members visit those who are in distress and sorrow and alleviate their suffering by offering them spiritual advice. 18 units of this organization functions in the parish.
Youth Association
St. Marys Youth Association, a spiritual organization of youngsters of St. Mary's Cathedral Manarcad is one among the biggest youth association of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church. Kolo Suryoyo, the monthly newsletter of this organization shares the happenings of the cathedral to the community. The Youth Association takes lead in organizing various charity activities such as financial assistance to cancer patients, dialysis kits for patients with kidney diseases and educational assistance to needy students. As a part of 'Pachathuruthu', a campaign for an ecofriendly parish, the youth association honors the best farmer of the Cathedral. Christmas celebration of the Cathedral organized by the Youth Association is well attended by the general public. A mobile application developed by Youth Association is also available in the Google Play Store as 'Manarcad pally'.
Elders' forum
It is constituted of elders of over 60 years of age. This body discusses spiritual matters, assesses the functioning of various religious bodies and lays guidelines in the matter.
Hail Mary League
It is a spiritual and cultural body that aims to spiritually uplifting young girls.
Prayer meetings
The prayer meetings are conducted based on the ancient instructions of this parish. The prayer groups that used to engage in the past have grown into organized prayer meetings. They function fervently in different parts of this parish.
Panoramic view of The church from backside
References
- ^ "Church History", Official Church Website
- "Annual feast of St. Mary begins today ", The Hindu, 31 August 2010.
- "Manarcad church festival on September 1", The Hindu, 29 August 2011.
- "'Ettunombu' festival concludes at Manarcad church", The Hindu, 8 September 2011.
- "Ettunombu". Official Church website. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
- "Kurishu Pally". Official Church website. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
