St. Thomas Church, Kothamangalam

Marthoma CheriyaPally is a Jacobite Syrian church situated in Kothamangalam town of Ernakulam district, Kerala, India. The church is believed to have been established in 1455 by 18 families who separated from Marth Maryam Valiyapally. The church became famous in Kerala after the arrival of Mar Baselios Yeldo in Kothamangalam. He was buried in the altar room of this church.

Marthoman Cheriyapally (St. Thomas Jacobite Syrian Church) Kothamangalam
Mar Thoma Church. Kothamangalam
Marthoman Cheriyapally (St. Thomas Jacobite Syrian Church) Kothamangalam
Marthoman Cheriyapally (St. Thomas Jacobite Syrian Church) Kothamangalam
10.0625°N 76.629°E / 10.0625; 76.629
Location Kothamangalam, Ernakulam, India
DenominationJacobite Syrian church
History
StatusMajor Church
Relics heldTomb of St.Baselios Yeldo
Architecture
StyleKerala Architecture
Completed1455
Administration
ProvinceKerala
DistrictErnakulam

History

Present Kothamangalam region was historically known as Malakhachira.[1][2] According to church history, Saint Baselios Yeldo reached the church in the year 1685. He reached the church on 11th of Kanni month of Malayalam calendar. The church bell sound louded and people gathered to know the reason. There was a young ordained minister of an order ranking below that of priest who knew Syriac language. He suddenly went to an episcopo nearby after taking a handkerchief from the saint for proof. After hearing this, episcopo along with the rest of the people came to the church.[3]

The vicar of the church went to ask permission from saint to conduct the festival. Saint said that kanni 14th is perfect for the festival so as to remember the Holy cross. After the Holy Mass by the saint, the Episcopal became a Metropolitan. Later bava became seriously ill and on kanni 19th (29 September), he left the world at the age of 92. When his soul left him, people who gathered saw a miracle which the saint had notified them early. The large cross made of granite situated in the western part of the church had lit up. All the worshippers were shocked a started believing in depth. After the death of Maphrian, worshippers experienced many great miracles which further increased the worshippers.

Yeldo & Basil

The name Yelda(East Syriac)/Yeldo(West Syriac) means Christmas. Yelda/Yeldo lent(Nativity lent) starts 15 December till 25 December. Various spellings are used to write Yeldo (യെൽദൊ) in English viz. Yeldho, Eldho, Eldo. Basil is the short form for Baselios which mean King or Emperor. This name originally is from Greek- Basileus. Many people come and pray at the Tomb of Yeldo and promise that if they were blessed with a baby, they would name their baby as 'Yeldo' or 'Basil'. It is believed that people having these names are more than lakhs of lakhs nowadays.

Feast

In remembrance of the bava, festival (perunnal) is held from kanni 13th to 21st.

  • Altar and Tomb.
  • Tomb of St.Baselios Yeldo
  • Manchal of Mar Baselios Yeldo
  • View from the Poomukham

See also

References
  1. Journal of South Indian History. Publication Division, University of Calicut. 2005. pp. 84–85.
  2. In Quest of Kerala: Geography, places of interest, political history, social history, literature. Accent Publications. 1974. p. 57.
  3. "St. Baselios Yeldho". www.syriacchristianity.info.
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