St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Kallooppara

St. Mary's Orthodox Church is situated at the heart of a small village called Kallooppara, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India. It is one of the oldest and renowned churches in Kerala and a prized possession of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The church has a legacy of around seven centuries, keeping its tradition and culture intact without compromising on its religious values.

The church was built in a perfect example of the ancient temple architecture and is an elegant representation of the beautiful shingled roof tops in the early Travancore style. The church has a splendid blend of beauty and science in it and is a mystery the way it has overcome all the challenges of time. The church which is the worshiping place of thousands has been a topic of research for many.

The church has been declared as the "Pilgrim center of St. Mary" on 9 January 2009 by Baselios Mar Thoma Didymos I. In the earlier days the Christian believers of Kallooppara had to depend on the Niranam Church for the holy mass, funeral ceremonies and other religious rites. The journey on Vallom(small boat) through the Manimala and Pampa rivers was tedious, tiresome and risky, and not every one could have travelled and attended.

The Edappally Kings were ruling at that time and they used to spend their time in the famous and explicably beautiful Elangalloor Maddom, rich in its architectural antiquity, that once existed on the north side of the river Manimala. An abode for the royal guests that was once well-equipped with a private pool called the 'Kullipura Mallika' equipped with granite rock paved steps carved with excellent craftsmanship to the Manimala river, can still be seen now in Angadikadavu of Puramattam panchayat. This location was known as "Perumbranad District Court" ("Kacheri") which also had "Kullipura Malika" around it.

It is said that once while the ruling king of Edappally was having his rest in the Elangalloor Maddom, in AD 1339, he happened to see a few numbers of people coming on a vallam from Manimala (east of Perumbra Nadu District), singing melodious hymns accompanied by prayers. The king immediately came down to the river bank from the "Kullipura Malika" to observe the sight more closely and found it to be a burial procession, with the body on the floating hearse covered with a white cloth, preserved with salt. The king ordered his advisor, Kishan Battathiri", to learn more about this. Accordingly, the advisor suggested that their Nasranee people are suffering much and a solution to this long journey and struggle can be put to rest, if the king permit them to bury the body not too far from the Devi Temple. The procession that started from Manimala was going to Niranam Church for the funeral of the dead, since in those days Niranam Church was the only Christian church in central Travancore.

This event moved the king's heart, and having realized the hardship of the Christian subjects, he virtually pointed a plot on the other side of the river, called "Thamarasseril land" west of the Devi Temple, and gave sanction to bury the body and built a church there. Initially no permission was given by the King to install a tent for worship, however, the Christians claimed that a prayer at the burial site was necessary.

There is no clear documentary evidence for the origin and age of the church. It is said that the founding stone was consecrated on Malayalam month 3rd Karkadakam. The stone day of the church is celebrated on that day. It is commonly believed that the founding stone of the present church was laid on Malayalam month Karkadakam 3rd of 515 (AD 1339). Sebsequent to the burial of the first dead body on the ground, a handful of Nasranis, mainly "Aaruveedan Families took initiative to build a small building that was useful to gather and pray.

Even though there is no other clear evidence of the origin of the church that was only in small building at its inception, which had no strong foundation, but it is believed that the later part of the church had the same age as close to the origin of Edappally dynasty. The study of the archaeology department reveals that the church was constructed in the 2nd millennium. The sculpture and figure carved in wood also indicates the church's age. Old Malayalam, Vattezuthe (Grantha) letters carved on the slab of holy place of the church also traces back to the origin of the church. Though the letters have faded out, they are believed to be of the early centuries, wherein present day script based on Devnagari was not prevlant.[1]

Early challenges

The Kalloopara St. Mary's Orthodox church was ordered to be demolished by a Judge (from Travancore High Court, Quilon), as the church had incurred huge debts. After the court hearings, the Judge ordered for the entire church building to be knocked down and its land to be taken over by the creditor (Pocku Moosa Haji- Quilon). Church members went across the river (to Adangapurathu Tharavad) and informed Valiya Avirah Tharakan what was going on. Valiya Avirah Tharakan immediately paid off all of its debts by a form of Gold "bananas" from the Arrah/Safe, and took control of the church and its property. While holding complete control of Perumpranad district on behalf of the Edappally King, Valiya Avirah Tharakan at his own cost, took the privilege of rebuilding the St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Kalloopara for a better outlook (around AD 1755). Some parts of that construction and art work of the church are still remarkably visible inside the church, particularly the altar and the roof areas. In the recent years, this historical church has grown remarkably as a result of the constant efforts of its enthusiastic members and the outstanding leadership of its Vicars from time to time. Many parts of the church were renovated and more buildings were built for other activities, to keep up with the pace. The original artwork and other remarkable appearance of the construction from the renovation in AD 1755 are still clearly visible, particularly the main altar and the roof sections of the church. The other reputable families such as Moothedathu families, Aaruveedan families, Ayrampallil familities, Moolamannil families and many other families have continued to contribute their outstanding leadership for the growth of this church over the past several years. The Aaruveedan families (6 families) which were existed in Kalloopara for over 1000+ years, and they had the privilege of laying foundation for this historic church in AD 1339.

The Aaruveedan family stood courageously for the existence of this church despite of many obstacles as a result of religious riots and conflicts up until 1750. In AD 1669 when Avirah Tharakan of Shankara Puri and his wife Maria/Shri Devi (niece of Edappally King) arrived, they restored law and order in the Perumpanad district (Kallooppara was the headquarters of Perumpanad district). All religious groups lived in harmony since then and no more blood were shed in the region in the name of religion. Today, this beautiful church not only remains as one of the oldest churches in Travancore, but also has its own unique pride and credibility in the Malankara Orthodox Church, as a pilgrim center.

References

  1. ↑ Church History

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