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 priced possession of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The church have a legacy of around seven centuries, keeping its tradition and culture intact without compromising on its religious values.

The church is 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.

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.

It is said that once while the ruling king of Edappally was having his rest in the Elangalloor Maddom, he happened to see a few number of people coming on a vallam singing melodious hymns accompanied by prayers. The king immediately came down to the river bank 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. 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, and gave sanction to bury the body and built a church there.

There is no clear 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 being 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).

Even though there is no clear evidence of the origin of the church but it is believed that the church had the same age as the origin of Edappally dynasty. The study of the archaeology department reveals that church was constructed in the 2nd millennium. The sculpture and figure carved in wood also indicates the church's age. Some 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 earlier century.^[1]

Early Challenges

It was during the time of Adangappurathu Valiya Avirah Tharakan "Around AD 1750",(he was grand son of Avirah Tharakan of Sankara Puri and Maria/Shri Devi -Niece of Edappally King, the couple came and settled down in Puramattom at "vacated Theramel Illam" in AD 1669), that 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 headquarter 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 remains not only as one of the oldest churches in Travancore, but it also has its own unique pride and credibility in the Malankara Orthodox Church, as a pilgrim center.

References

↑ Church History

External links

Website of the Church

(www.adangapurathu.com)

Christianity in Kerala

Denominations	Assemblies of God in India Chaldean Syrian Church Church of God (Full Gospel) in India Church of South India Indian Pentecostal Church Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church Kerala Brethren Latin Catholic Church Malabar Independent Syrian Church Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Salvation Army St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India Syro-Malabar Catholic Church Syro-Malankara Catholic Church The Pentecostal Mission

Religious organisations	Christian Association for Social Action Divine Retreat Centre, Muringoor Jerusalem Retreat Center Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council Parumala Seminary Potta Ashram Thrikkunnathu Seminary

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Churches of Kerala

Kasargod	Bela Church

Kannur	Pallikunnu Church St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Forane Church Edoor

Wayanad	St. George Syro-Malabar Forane Church Kallody, Wayanad St. Mary's Church Meenangadi

Kozhikode	St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Maikavu St George's Syro-Malabar Forane Church, Kulathuvayal Vattal Kurishu Palli

Malappuram	Little Flower Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Nilambur St. George Orthodox Church, Chungathara St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Velamcode

Palakkad	St. Raphael's Syro-Malabar Catholic Cathedral

Thrissur	Fathima Matha Syro-Malabar Chapel, Kandeswaram Holy Cross Shrine Mapranam Mart Mariam Cathedral Marth Mariyam Church Mary Matha Syro-Malabar Church, Ollur Our Lady of Dolours Syro-Malabar Catholic Basilica Our Lady of Lourdes Syro-Malabar Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral Our Lady of Perpetual Help Syro-Malabar Church, West Chalakudy Pazhanji Church Pazhuvil Church St Mary's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Cheloor St. Antony's Forane Church St. Joseph Chapel, Americankettu North West St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Forane Church, Chalakudy St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Cathedral, Irinjalakuda St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Palayoor

Ernakulam	Marthoma Cheriapally Kothamangalam St.Mary's Cathedral Kothamangalam Church of Our Lady of Hope CSI Immanuel Church, Ernakulam Don Bosco Church : North Paravur, Kerala, India Holy Magi Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Muvattupuzha Kadamattom Church Karingachira Church Kolenchery Pally Kottakkavu Mar Thoma Syro-Malabar Pilgrim Church, North Paravur Little Flower Syro-Malabar Church, Kaprassery Mar Hormiz Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Angamaly Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Arakuzha Marthoma Cheria Pally Kothamangalam Nadamel St Mary's Church Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Manjummel Santa Cruz Basilica St George church St Louis Church, Mundamveli St Thoma's Church, Thuruthur (Diocese of Kottapuram) St. Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal St. Antony's Syro-Malabar Church, Kodanad St. Francis Church, Kochi St. George Syro-Malabar Catholic Basilica, Angamaly St. George Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Edappally St. George Syro-Malabar Church Thalayolaparambu St. John The Baptist Jacobite Syrian Church, South Parur St. Jude Church, Kidangoor St. Mary's Simhasana Church, Veliyanad St. Sebastian's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Udayamperoor St. Thomas More Syro-Malabar Church, Alakode (Meenmutty) St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Kokkamangalam St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Malayattoor St.Philomena's Forane Church, Koonammavu St.Thomas Dayara, Vettikkal Vallarpadam Church

Idukki	Pattumala Matha Church St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Forane Church, Karimannoor St Sebastian's Syro-Malabar Church, Neyyassery

Kottayam	Aruvithura St. George's Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church Holy Family Syro-Malabar Church, Mannila Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral Kottayam Cheriapally Manarcad Church Mar Aphrem Church St Antony's Syro-Malabar Forane Church, Kurumpanadam St Mary's Syro-Malabar Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral St. George Orthodox Church Puthuppally Pally St. George's Orthodox Church, Puduppadi St Thomas Church Arunoottimangalam St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Nellippoyil St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Cathedral, Pala Vettikkunnel church

Alappuzha	Kattachira Church Marthoma Church, Cheppad St. Bursouma's Orthodox Church St. George Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Cheppaud St. George Orthodox Church, Cheppad St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, Puthencavu St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Champakulam St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Pallipad

Pathanamthitta	Manjanikkara Dayara Arohana Marthoma Church, Anicadu Bethel Marthoma Church Holy Innocents' Orthodox Church Kadammanittapally Kadampanad Church Kadampanad Church Kallooppara St. Mary's Orthodox Church Kannamcode Cathedral Mar Thoma Sleeha Syro-Malabar Church, Thulappally Nilackal St.Thomas Church Niranam Church Sacred Heart Malankara Catholic Church, Mylapra Saint Paul's Orthodox Church St Mary's Orthodox Church, Kallooppara St. George Orthodox Church, Chandanapally St. George Orthodox Church, Mylapra St. John's Cathedral, Tiruvalla St. Thomas Marthoma Church

Kollam	Dutch Church, Munroe Island Infant Jesus Cathedral Mount Tabor Dayara St Andrew's Church, Kovilthottam St Antony's Church, Kanjiracode St Elijah Orthodox Syrian Church St George Orthodox Church, Chathannoor St. Mary's Cathedral, Punalur St.Mary's Cathedral Kundara

Thiruvananthapuram	All Saints Syro Malabar Church Mateer Memorial Church Pazhaya Suriyani Pally Pentecostal Maranatha Gospel Church St. Joseph's Cathedral, Trivandrum St. Mary, Queen of Peace Basilica St. Mary's Cathedral, Pattom, Trivandrum St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic Church, Vellayambalam St. Xavier's Church, Peyad

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