Kandanad Marth Mariam Church – Kizhakkinde Yerushulem

The Marth Mariam Church of Kandanad is a centuries old church belonging to the Syrian Christian community. Since its inception, the church was renovated, remodeled and rebuilt on several occasions. The Edifice in its present form appears to have been completed in 1910. Various stages of its construction are recorded at relevant portions in the mammoth structure. For instance, on the timber wall along the Madbho, it is inscribed, 'the wood work completed in 1909, the gilt work in 1910 and the Holy Qurbono conducted on 9th Medam 1910.' Similarly the massive pillars erected at the outer corridor are etched with the year 1931. The structure of this Church resembles that of a synagogue in many aspects.

Significance

Marth Mariam Church is the Cathedral Church of Kandanad Diocese. His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I, the Patriarch of Antioch and the Supreme Pontiff of the Syrians, visited it during his apostolic visit to India in October 2008. During his visit he officially raised the church to a cathedral.

The church is famous because of the tombs of Mor Thoma IV (died 1728) and Maphrian St. Baselios Shakralla (died 1764).

Construction

The present church was created in five stages. Though there are not many documents available AbOUT its beginning, there are decrypts written in stones mentioning its second stage of development. Decrypts from the granite cross which is in front of the church gives information about this second stage of construction. It is mentioned in one of the stones that the corner stone of this new church is laid on 1672 Kumbam 25 (Malayalam calendar month).

Bishops

Three bishops have come from this church

  • Emerging from the Karavattuveetil family, Kadumangattu Thirumeni Oathathios was the first bishop of the Syrian Church Cochin diocese in the early 18th century.
  • Ivanios from the same family was the first bishop ordinated for the Syrian-Orthodox Church (Kandanad Diocese). He was buried in Parumala.
  • Mathews Mar Ivanios is the present bishop of the Kandanad Diocese. He emerged from the Alunkal family.

All three men got their ordinations from the Patriarch of Antioch who is the supreme spiritual leader of the Syriac Church.