# St. Thomas Cathedral, Kannamcode

Kannamcode Cathedral or Kannamcode St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in Central Travancore. The church belongs to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church under 'Adoor-Kadampanad' diocese. Kannamcode Cathedral is situated in Adoor, a town in Pathanamthitta district of the Indian state of Kerala. Adoor has a large population of Syrian Christians. Christianity in this locality has a tradition of more than a millennium and a half years, beginning from the village of Kadampanad. St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Kannamcode, a very old Church in central Travancore, has a history of approximately 900 years, belonging to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church under 'Adoor-Kadampanad' diocese. Kannamcode. At Kadampanad the age of early Christian community dates back to 4th century A.D about two centuries later than the arrival of St. Thomas on the Kerala coast. Prior to the building of this church, the Christian community had to depend on near-by churches - Thumpamon Orthodox Church and third Kannamcode Cathedral to full fill their Christian services and spiritual needs. The people had to walk quite a bit of distance to attend church services and return to their village and it appeared to be tedious. Upon getting necessary permission and support from the local Hindu kings of Kayankulam, at last, a church came into being then called Veerappallil Yakoba Palli (suggesting that it was originally a church of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church), later renamed as Kannamcode St. Thomas Orthodox Church. The same church is presently known as Kannamcode St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral.

## History

The earliest Christian settlement near Adoor was at the beginning of 4th century AD, during the establishment of Kadampanad Church. . .

### Establishment of St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Kannamcode

Though the exact date of construction of this church is unclear, it has a history of approximately 900 years and was established in the order of Kadampanad Church and Thumpamon Church i.e. the place of Kadampanad Orthodox Church comes first, then the Thumpamon Orthodox Church and third Kannamcode Cathedral. The church was earlier known as Kannamcode St. Thomas Orthodox Church and presently known as Kannamcode St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral.

### Kayamkulam Philipose Ramban

The cathedral is the resting in place of the revered Philipose Ramban who translated The Holy Bible for the first time to the vernacular language Malayalam. The translation was based on the Syriac version of the Bible. Ramban Philipose died in 1811, and his mortal remains were interred at the cathedral. The church celebrates Sradha perunnal of Revered Rembachan every year on Malayalam month "thulam 26th". 100 copies of the Malayalam bible were given by Dr. Claudius Bukanan to Malankara church.

### Parumala Thirumeni

H.H.Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala (Parumala Thirumeni) visited this Church and led the Holy Qurbana several times. The bed he used during these visits is kept as a relic.

## Present

Kannomcode Cathedral is a prominent worship place in Adoor and is under the diocese of "Adoor-Kadampanad" of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The cathedral has two chapels, one in Kottamukal, and another at Pannivizha. It also has three Youth Movements and four Sunday Schools.