Manarcad church
Encyclopedia
Manarcad Marthamariam Cathedral (St. Mary's Cathedral), is a Jacobite Syrian Christian Church
located about 10 km from the town of Kottayam
in Kerala
, India
and a destination for people on annual pilgrimages seeking the blessings of the Virgin Mary. This church was formerly a Roman Catholic church, in the early 18th century, members of this church discontent with the Carmelite missionaries joined the Malankara Church
The practice of the eight-day fast
(ettu nombu) and the celebration of the Feast of Virgin Mary's birth between September 1–8 every year form part of an ancient tradition that continues to attract millions of devotees. During fast days, hundreds of thousands of people from the far corners of the world come to Manarcad to seek the blessings of the Virgin Mary. During his 2004 apostolic visit, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka II Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and Supreme head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, elevated St Mary's to the status of 'Cathedral' and 'Universal Marian Pilgrim Centre'.
Stone inscriptions found at the church suggest that it is more than 1,000 years old while additional artefacts found at the site include memorial stones set up at the tombs between 910 A.D. and 920 A.D. with inscriptions in Malayalam and Tamil scripts prevalent 600 years ago. 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 Kottayam
Cheriya Pally as a model.
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.
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.
Supreme Patron - H.H. Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
, Prince Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church
Patron - H.B.Baselios Thomas I, Catholicos of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church
Metropolitan - H.G. Thomas Mor Timotheos
, Kottayam Diocese
Vicar - Very Rev. Kuriakose Corepiscopos Ittiyadathu
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
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.
meetings conducted in these parish is on ancient instruction of this parish
. 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
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 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) north of this cross. There is another cross set up half a kilometer west of the Churchyard, at Kottayam.
Pilgrims' Quarters
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.
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...
located about 10 km from the town of Kottayam
Kottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and a destination for people on annual pilgrimages seeking the blessings of the Virgin Mary. This church was formerly a Roman Catholic church, in the early 18th century, members of this church discontent with the Carmelite missionaries joined the Malankara Church
Malankara Church
The Malankara Church is the church of the Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala, India, with particular emphasis on the part of the community that joined Archdeacon Mar Thoma in swearing to resist the authority of the Portuguese Padroado in 1653...
The practice of the eight-day fast
Fasting
Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day , or several days. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive,...
(ettu nombu) and the celebration of the Feast of Virgin Mary's birth between September 1–8 every year form part of an ancient tradition that continues to attract millions of devotees. During fast days, hundreds of thousands of people from the far corners of the world come to Manarcad to seek the blessings of the Virgin Mary. During his 2004 apostolic visit, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka II Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and Supreme head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, elevated St Mary's to the status of 'Cathedral' and 'Universal Marian Pilgrim Centre'.
History
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 12 feet (3.7 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.Stone inscriptions found at the church suggest that it is more than 1,000 years old while additional artefacts found at the site include memorial stones set up at the tombs between 910 A.D. and 920 A.D. with inscriptions in Malayalam and Tamil scripts prevalent 600 years ago. 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 Kottayam
Kottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
Cheriya Pally as a model.
Parish and traditions
The Manarcad Cathedral and the eight-day fast continue to attract millions of worshippers seeking the blessings of the Virgin Mary. 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.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.
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 Puthupally some 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) 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 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.
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 Ascension Day
- September 8 - The Feast of the Virgin Mary's birth
Administration
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 Orthodox Church under the Patriarch of the See of Antioch.Supreme Patron - H.H. Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas is the 122nd reigning Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and as such, Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church. Also known by his traditional episcopal name, Severios, he was enthroned as patriarch on 14 September 1980 in St. George's...
, Prince Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church
Syriac Orthodox Church
The Syriac Orthodox Church; is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church based in the Eastern Mediterranean, with members spread throughout the world. The Syriac Orthodox Church claims to derive its origin from one of the first Christian communities, established in Antioch by the Apostle St....
Patron - H.B.Baselios Thomas I, Catholicos of the 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...
Metropolitan - H.G. Thomas Mor Timotheos
Thomas Mor Timotheos
Mor Thimotheos Thomas is the Metropolitan of Kottayam Diocese & the Archdiocese of Greater India, under the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Church...
, Kottayam Diocese
Vicar - Very Rev. Kuriakose Corepiscopos Ittiyadathu
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
Sunday school
The Church's first Sunday School was started in 1926 and at present there are sixteen Sunday SchoolSunday school
Sunday school is the generic name for many different types of religious education pursued on Sundays by various denominations.-England:The first Sunday school may have been opened in 1751 in St. Mary's Church, Nottingham. Another early start was made by Hannah Ball, a native of High Wycombe in...
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.
St. Mary's Ladies Group
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.St. Mary's Youth Association Manarcad
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 religious indoctrination.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.Hail Mary League
It is a spiritual and cultural body that works for the spiritual upliftment of young girls.Prayer meetings
The prayerPrayer
Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a deity through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of...
meetings conducted in these parish is on ancient instruction of this parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
. 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
The Small Church and the crosses
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.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 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) north of this cross. There is another cross set up half a kilometer west of the Churchyard, at Kottayam.
Prayers and religious ceremonies
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 ChurchPilgrims' Quarters
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)