St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral
| St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral | |
|---|---|
 St. Mary | |
| Headquarters | Puthencruz, Kerala |
| Territory | Universal |
| Founder | St. Thomas the Apostle |
| Independence | Apostolic Era |
| Recognition | Syrian Jacobite |
| Official website | Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church |
St. Marys Church (Piravom Valiya Palli) is one of the prominent Jacobite churches in Kerala. The church is situated near Piravom Junction on the eastern banks of Muvattupuzha river. The river takes 60 degree angle in front on the river which gives scenic view from the church. Though the Church is named after St. Mary, it is popularly known as the 'Church of the Kings' (“Rajakkalude Pally”), the three Kings visited Jesus during his birth. It is also known as Morth Mariyam Palli.
History
The legends about the church is that it is one of the first Christian Church in the world, and it is the only church in the name of the Holy Kings (MAGI). This doesn't any historical proof. But the word "Piravam" in Malayalam originates from "Priavi" which means birth.
We could see references to the church in the 16th Century during the Portugal invasion to India. The church has been destroyed and one of church intruded by the Portuguese metropolitan Menesis during the Udayamperoor Synod. Later the people of this church participated in the "Koonan Kurish Satyam’ (Coonen Cross Oath) in AD 1653 and continued as a Jacobite church
Some of the interesting things at church which create reserchers interest are
- Antiquity throbs at this church.
- The blend of ancient artistic splendour and sculptural skill can be seen in the famous ‘Erthazhu’ (Altar).
- A very ancient thick slab of granite (1’ x 1.5’ x 7’) with a script engraved in the most ancient Tamil-Malayalam letters, can be seen in the church yard.
- Another granite slab is in the church-wall having ancient Malayalam script (vattezhuthu) written after additional construction works.
- The cross lock system.
- The 4 ft thick church wall.
- The lock links.
- Inter connected lock joints.
- Interlocked ceiling.
- The table showing festival dates in square shaped script on the south wall.
- The huge cross stone and cross base on the western yard.
- Most ancient worship material prayer scroll and hand-written books etc.
Important Festivals
Denaha (Annual celebration of the holy Baptism of Christ) on January 6th is the main celebration in the church. The best attraction of the festival is the procession.
The ‘Paithel Nercha’ (the feast for 12 male children) on the Easter Day at the Piravom church is very famous. The ‘Paithel Nercha" is one of the major offerings dedicated to the church. The main part of the offering is 12 infants will sit with the priest who sanctifies the offering and they will be feasted with delicious food.
The Festival of St. George on May 7th and St. Mary on August 15th are other main festivals.