# St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church, Edakkattuvayal

St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church, Edakkattuvayal, is a church in Edakkattuvayal, Kerala, India. It is under the Kochi Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. This church was established in the year 1959 in the name of the Virgin Saint Mary, the Theotokos.

## History

The Edakkattuvayal St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church was established in the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the year 1135 of the Malayalam era (1959). The residents of Edakkattuvayal, who were members of the parishes of Arakunnam, Piravom, Vadayapparambu, Kanjiramattom, and Manthuruthel, had long desired to have a church in their locality to fulfill their spiritual needs. The first step towards this goal was taken in March 1954 when Sunday schoolactivities were started at the Edakkattuvayal Upper Primary School.
On September 8, 1956, at 4 PM, in a public meeting held at Edakkattuvayal School under the leadership of Rev.Fr. Chitteth Joseph Kathanar and in the presence of Very Rev. Thoppil Lukose Cor Episcopa, it was decided to construct a church in the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with a cross church in the name of St. George at Edakkattuvayal. A group of responsible persons, including A.K. Joseph, Isaac Uthuppu Madathimyalil, and Chembakasseril Varky Chacko, were assigned the task.
On May 21, 1958, the first Divine Liturgy was offered at the cross erected in the name of St. George at Edakkattuvayal, with the venerated Rev. Fr. John Kanjirakkattu being the first to offer the Holy Qurbana. Since then, the Feast of St. George has been celebrated annually on April 22 and 23.
During this time, the Metropolitan of the Kochi Diocese, Paulose Mar Severios, granted permission for the construction of the church, and the order for the church construction was received from the Kerala Government. The land for the church was donated by Mr. A.T. Kuriakose, and with the unwavering support, prayers, and cooperation of the parishioners and local residents, the church was established by God's grace. On November 21, 1959, in remembrance of the Church's consecration, the temporary blessing was conducted by the then Metropolitan Paulose Mar Severios, who also offered the Divine Liturgy in the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On September 15, 1959, a public meeting was held under the chairmanship of Very Rev. Thoppil Lukose Cor Episcopa, where the Constitution of the Malankara Church was read, discussed and unanimously accepted. The following year, a cross was installed in front of the church in the name of Saint Gregorios of Parumala and the Holy Eucharist was celebrated on his memorial day, November 2.
On August 18, 1996, under the leadership of the then vicar, the late Rev. Fr. Mathai Moolenkuzhi, the church was renovated with the permission of the Metropolitan of the Kochi Diocese, His Eminence Zacharias Mar Anthonios, and a foundation stone was laid for the renovation.
On April 23, 1999, a complete consecration and Holy Qurbana was conducted under the leadership of the revered Metropolitans: His Eminence Dr. Mathews Mar Severios (Diocese of Kandanadu), His Eminence Kuriakose Mar Clemis (Sulthan Bathery), and His Eminence Dr. Yakob Mar Irenaios (Chennai).

### Mortal remains

The mortal remains of Very Rev. Thoppil Lukose Cor Episcopa, first vicar of the parish, rests just beside the church.

## Venerated Saints

Edakkattuvayal church is part of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, in communion with all the Oriental Orthodox Churches around the world and as such, seeks intercession from most Saints who are venerated in the Oriental Orthodox Communion including Early Church Fathers and the venerated figures of Malankara that includes St. Yeldo Mar Baselios of Kothamangalam, St. Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala and St. Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril.
The church has three altars for conducting the Holy Qurbana and Sheema prayers (canonical prayers) of the church. The main altar of the church is dedicated to Saint Mary, while the other altars are dedicated to Saint Thomas, the Apostle and Saint George, the Martyr.

### Prayer timings

Evening Prayer (Sandhya Namaskaaram): 6.00 PM on Saturdays and other occasional days.
Morning Prayer (Prabhaatha Namaskaaram): 6.15 AM on all Saturdays and other occasional days, 6.30 AM on all Sundays.
Holy Qurobo (Vishudha Qurbana): 7.00 AM on all Saturdays and other occasional days, 7.15 AM on all Sundays.
The church also holds intercessory prayers to Saint Gregorios and Saint Mary amidst the Holy Qurobo on all Saturdays and Sundays respectively.

## Relics of Saint Gregorios of Parumala

The Church also houses a portion of the holy relics of St.Gregorios of Parumala, who was also a member of Marthoman Orthodox Cathedral, Mulanthuruthy, an ancient church in the vicinity of Edakkattuvayal. The relics are placed in a specially made vessel which is kept inside the church towards the far left side.
The Feast of the Saint is observed every year in the month of October. It is one of the main festivals of the Church and thousands of devotees attend his commemoration for intercession.
Following the observance of the Feast, many devotees embark on a pilgrimage on foot that spans almost 86 Kilometres from Mulanthuruthy to the Saint's tomb that rests within St. Peter's and St. Paul's Orthodox Church, Parumala.

## Religious organisations

The church serves as an active unit in the following religious organisations:
* Martha Mariyam Vanitha Samajam (Women's Forum of The Malankara Orthodox Church,named after Saint Mary)
* Akhila Malankara Shushrooshaka Sangham (AMOSS) (Altar Assistants' forum)
* Akhila Malankara Balika Bala Samajam (Children's Forum)
* Orthodox Sunday School Association of the East (OSSAE)(Sunday School)
* Orthodox Christian Youth Movement (OCYM)
* Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Students Movement (MGOCSM)(Student Body)

## Festivals

* Feast of Saint George, observed on 22 and 23 April.
* Feast of the Assumption of Saint Mary, observed on 15 August.
* Feast of Saint Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala, on 2nd November (usually observed in the month of October).