Kadamattom Church
Encyclopedia
Kadamattom Church is one of the ancient churches in India. The church is situated near to Kolenchery
town near Cochin, India.
The church is believed to have established in the 9th Century AD. Kadamattom church is an integral part of the syrian Orthodox Church in India. Two competing fractions within the Orthodox Church, popularly known as Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and Jacobite Syrian Christian Church
competes for the control of Church and its properties. This church is presntly working under a temperory arrangement between these two fractions. Civil suits are pending over the administration in various courts in India.
Kadamattom church is situated in NH-49 (Kochi-Madhurai National Highway) between Kolenchery
and Muvattupuzha
towns in Ernakulam District. While traveling from Cochin towards East, you could see this ancient church in the Northern side of the road after 2 kilometers from Kolenchery
Medical College Junction. While traveling from Muvattupuzha
towards Kolenchery, the church can be seen after 1 Kilometer after Peruvammuzhi junction. There is no concrete evidence of the exact date of the establishment of the church. Some records dates the church to 865 AD.
Once you enter the church, at the left there’s a photo of Mar Abo Metropolitan. He is Rev. Paulose alias the legendary Kadamattathu Kathanar
’s mentor. It is believed that Mar Abo, a Persian high priest established the church with the help of Kartha, the then local ruler of Kadamattom. Mar Abo was not only a theologian but also a conjurer. He stayed in a hut with a poor widow and her only son Paulose. Paulose assisted Mar Abo for years and later Paulose was ordained a priest. A Persian cross can be seen on the right wall of the Madhbaha or Holy of Holies, having four equal arms with ancient writings inscribed. The wings of the cross also end with floral designs. The tombstone of Mar ThomaIX( Formerly Pakalomattom Iype Kathanar) lies on the left side just outside the Madhbaha. Another unique thing about the church is the door lock (wood mechanism). The pathala kinar (well) lies near the Poyyedom church. It is believed that Kathanar went to pathalam from here.
The Kathanar’s devotees, mostly non-Christians throw in chicken, money and bottles of liquor into the well as mark of respect and gratitude. Kadamattom feast is one of the major festivals observed held during the January – February period. It marks the death anniversary of the legendary priest. There are many a legend of Kadamattathu Kathanar. It is believed that he possessed supernatural powers.The old church is the one which you see when you walk up the numerous stairs in front of the church. It's a very silent environment, and when you start climbing the first entrance you can see the kadamattom ITC which is run by the church authorities.
After that when we enter the church we can see the church which looks magnificent with its huge structure and the greenery around. There are 2 other churches associated with this. The one on the right side is the Parumala church which is built in remembrance of a holy priest named Parumala Thirumeni. When you look at the left side of the church you can see a gate with two lion statues on both sides as if they are guarding the church. When you go out of that gate you can see the steep way down to the church which was built separately for the legendary Kadamattom Kathanar since his way of action was totally different from the normal way which the church accepts. when you go to that church dot forget to have a look at the well which is believed as a entrance to the underworld, through he went to visit the jungle chief who taught all the magical powers to him.
Kolenchery
Kolenchery is a small town located on National Highway 49 , 27 km east of Cochin city in Ernakulam district of Kerala State, India. Just a hamlet with a church, handful of schools and cinema theatre five decades ago, it has grown rapidly through large-scale real estate developments. The...
town near Cochin, India.
The church is believed to have established in the 9th Century AD. Kadamattom church is an integral part of the syrian Orthodox Church in India. Two competing fractions within the Orthodox Church, popularly known as Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and Jacobite Syrian Christian Church
Jacobite Syrian Christian Church
The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church is part of the Syriac Orthodox Church, located in Kerala, India. It recognizes the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, currently Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, as its supreme head. It functions as a largely autonomous archdiocese within the church, under the authority...
competes for the control of Church and its properties. This church is presntly working under a temperory arrangement between these two fractions. Civil suits are pending over the administration in various courts in India.
Kadamattom church is situated in NH-49 (Kochi-Madhurai National Highway) between Kolenchery
Kolenchery
Kolenchery is a small town located on National Highway 49 , 27 km east of Cochin city in Ernakulam district of Kerala State, India. Just a hamlet with a church, handful of schools and cinema theatre five decades ago, it has grown rapidly through large-scale real estate developments. The...
and Muvattupuzha
Muvattupuzha
Muvattupuzha is a municipality in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a junction of three districts namely Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki. The town is bordered by Kottayam district on southern side and Idukki district on eastern side approximately 20 km from the town...
towns in Ernakulam District. While traveling from Cochin towards East, you could see this ancient church in the Northern side of the road after 2 kilometers from Kolenchery
Kolenchery
Kolenchery is a small town located on National Highway 49 , 27 km east of Cochin city in Ernakulam district of Kerala State, India. Just a hamlet with a church, handful of schools and cinema theatre five decades ago, it has grown rapidly through large-scale real estate developments. The...
Medical College Junction. While traveling from Muvattupuzha
Muvattupuzha
Muvattupuzha is a municipality in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a junction of three districts namely Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki. The town is bordered by Kottayam district on southern side and Idukki district on eastern side approximately 20 km from the town...
towards Kolenchery, the church can be seen after 1 Kilometer after Peruvammuzhi junction. There is no concrete evidence of the exact date of the establishment of the church. Some records dates the church to 865 AD.
Kadamattathu Kathanar
Kadamattathu Kathanar also known as Kadamattathachan is a legendary priest who is believed to have possessed supernatural powers and whose legends are closely related to the beginning of the Kadamattom Church, one of the oldest church buildings that still exists in Kerala the land of Saint Thomas...
’s mentor. It is believed that Mar Abo, a Persian high priest established the church with the help of Kartha, the then local ruler of Kadamattom. Mar Abo was not only a theologian but also a conjurer. He stayed in a hut with a poor widow and her only son Paulose. Paulose assisted Mar Abo for years and later Paulose was ordained a priest. A Persian cross can be seen on the right wall of the Madhbaha or Holy of Holies, having four equal arms with ancient writings inscribed. The wings of the cross also end with floral designs. The tombstone of Mar ThomaIX( Formerly Pakalomattom Iype Kathanar) lies on the left side just outside the Madhbaha. Another unique thing about the church is the door lock (wood mechanism). The pathala kinar (well) lies near the Poyyedom church. It is believed that Kathanar went to pathalam from here.
The Kathanar’s devotees, mostly non-Christians throw in chicken, money and bottles of liquor into the well as mark of respect and gratitude. Kadamattom feast is one of the major festivals observed held during the January – February period. It marks the death anniversary of the legendary priest. There are many a legend of Kadamattathu Kathanar. It is believed that he possessed supernatural powers.The old church is the one which you see when you walk up the numerous stairs in front of the church. It's a very silent environment, and when you start climbing the first entrance you can see the kadamattom ITC which is run by the church authorities.
After that when we enter the church we can see the church which looks magnificent with its huge structure and the greenery around. There are 2 other churches associated with this. The one on the right side is the Parumala church which is built in remembrance of a holy priest named Parumala Thirumeni. When you look at the left side of the church you can see a gate with two lion statues on both sides as if they are guarding the church. When you go out of that gate you can see the steep way down to the church which was built separately for the legendary Kadamattom Kathanar since his way of action was totally different from the normal way which the church accepts. when you go to that church dot forget to have a look at the well which is believed as a entrance to the underworld, through he went to visit the jungle chief who taught all the magical powers to him.