Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Church, Kuravilangad
Major Archiepiscopal Marth Mariam Archdeacon Church, Kuravilangad is a Marian pilgrim center of the Syro-Malabar Church located at Kuravilangad in Kottayam district. This church claims to date to 105 AD. The church has an ancient bell with the engraving on Syriac language "Mother of God." Three majestic bells were brought from Germany in 1911 and is one of the largest bells in Asia. The church is also known for its Kappalottam or "racing ship," a commemoration of the biblical story of Jonah and the whale. History. According to tradition prevalent in Kuravilangad the  church was founded in first century. It is believed, Mother Mary's first appearance in the world, was in Kuravilangad. Saint Mary appeared to a few children at Kuravilangad, who were tending their flock in the bushes and asked them to build a church at the place from where a miraculous perpetual spring sprouted, a spring which exists even today. The children reported the events to the elders and a church was built there. Though Kuravilangad attained a status and premier position above the Christian communities established directly by St. Thomas himself, it is significant that the believers of Kuravilangad  never claimed to be a congregation founded by St. Thomas, the Apostle. Though Kuravilangad had never been a reputed city, an administrative centre or a harbor, it is deemed a direct intervention of God that the Gospel of Christ was disseminated on the molehills of Kuravilangad soon after the Pentecost. The undulating landscape, topographically spread with hills, woodlands and jungles had been the reservoir of cattle and spices. The foremost among those people from far flung lands who came to Kuravilangad for trading in spices had been the Judeo- Christians. The little community of Kuravilangad who became Christians through contacts  with the Judeo- Christians was singularly gifted with Blessed Virgin Mary’s apparition. The migrations to Kuravilangad during the far end of first Century and early second century had been solely because of the apparition. If the prominent communities of Palayoor directly baptized by St. Thomas selected Kuravilangad, a comparatively insignificant place, instead of other major and important places they had come across during their plight, as a haven to escape religious persecutions and practice inviolately the Christian belief; it is indubitably on account of the Marian Apparition. The innumerable number of spiritual leaders from Kuravilangad are ample proof to  the ubiquitous Christian tradition that prevailed here from I century A.D. The “Rampan Songs” substantiate the presence of Kadapoor Rampan, one of the heroic warriors of Kuravilangad immediately after the funeral of St Thomas, the Apostle at Mylapore in 72 AD. His arduous journey as the representative of Kuravilangad and his vision of St Thomas prove the steadfastness of the believers at Kuravilangad. Both the believers sheltered by Muthiyamma and those drawn by the apparition of Bl. Virgin Mary to Kuravilangad had resolved to blend themselves harmoniously and live a life of faith; the fact that there existed a small  native Christian community as early as 105 AD is demonstrated by the antique Church of Kuravilangad. The executive organization spearheaded by the Archdeacons attests to the nobility and the struggle of the Christian community here to developing an indigenous administrative system of unique identity and distinctive individuality. Archdeacons, the leaders of the undivided Church, the lords of duty and the revered ones had been the valiant sons of Kuravilangad. The Archdeacons, belonging to the root families of Kuravilangad and Pakalomattom, ruled over the Church for 14 long centuries. The pilgrimages of different denominations of Church to the root-church at  Pakalomattom, where the Archdeacons are laid to rest, demonstrate the respect they pay to the inimitable history of Kuravilangad. Their administrative system spurs the historians and scholars to the possibility of venturing into the still unexplored avenues of identity and truth. The Christian community at Kuravilangad not only had withstood the blitz of time but also supplied leaders like the Archdeacons and their heirs for creating and composing history. The fruit of these historical personnel culminated in the erection of a Church called, Maria Maggiore amazingly by the European missionaries even centuries ago. The people who the growth of the  early Christian community at Kuravilangad had been the members of Kalli, Kalivavu, Sankarapuri and Pakalomattom, families who had been baptized by St Thomas, the Apostle at Palayoor; one of the seven Churches founded by St. Thomas along with the other five families, Valiyaveedu, Kathedom, Puthussery, Chempankulam and Manchery, who had come later from Mylapore to settle in Kadapoor: ( Fr. Thomas Manacat. Marth Mariam Church and the Christian Tradition, 10). In lieu of the Church built at the direction of Bl. Virgin Mary in 105 AD, the renovated Church was consecrated by Mar Joseph, the Bishop of Edessa in 345 AD . The present sanctuary on south, where Muthiyamma is enshrined, is in the place of this old Church. The Church had been reconstructed and renovated on several occasions later. H.E. Arch Bishop Alexis De Menezes upon his visit to Kuravilangad to participate in the synod at Udamyamperoor, laid the foundation of the Church constructed in stones, in place of the bamboo Church constructed following the style of Hindu temples between June and November 1599(Gouvea. Journal of Alexis De Menezes. 1603). It was during the vicarage of Mar Palliveettil Chandy Kathanar (till 1663) the Church prior to the present one had been  built. During Fr. Thomas Manacat’s tenure as the Vicar, 1954 to 1960, the nave of the Church was once again refurbished. The renovation was accomplished retaining the ‘sanctum sanctorum’ and the sacristies on the south and north of the old Church; the room used by Nidhirickal Mani Kathanar, the locker with seven locks and other allied rooms. RENOVATION AND RECOGNITION Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, the Bishop of Palai unveiled the portrait of Jesus of Mercy along with other nine glass paintings at the narthex/façade of the Church during the closing ceremony of the year of Mercy, commemorated by the  universal Church, on 20 January 2016. The present renovated Church and the visual rendering of the Miracle – spring, an inseparable part of Marian apparition, bespeak the ancestry as well as the divinity of the church. Carried out under the competent leadership of Very Rev. Dr. Joseph Thadathil, the renovation and expansion were completed within a short period of 100 days - 10 October 2017 to 20 January 2018 - shattering all reckonings and thereby fulfilling the long cherished desire of the thousands who flock to this global Marian Pilgrim centre. MAJOR ARCHIEPISCOPAL STATUS Considering the glorious history, gorgeous tradition and the incessant  flow of multitudinous pilgrims, the Synod of Syro Malabar Church elevated Marth Mariam Forane Church, Kuravilangad to the status of Major Archiepiscopal Marth Mariam Arch Deacon Pilgrim Church during its meeting from 9 January to 13 January 2018. His Beatitude, Major Archbishop, Cardinal Mar George Alenchery personally visiting Kuravilangad promulgated the decree on 21 January 2018 at 10.30 am. Kuravilangad is the first ever Church in Christendom to receive such a rank, the highest honour, the Catholic Church confers on any Church. His Beatitude consecrated the revamped Church and the renovated Miracle-spring during his visit in the presence of  Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Mar Joseph Srampickal and Mar Joseph Pallikaparampil. THE RANK OF ARCHPRIEST Mar Joseph Kallarangatt conferred the title, Archpriest to the Parish Priest of Major Archiepiscopal Marth Mariam Arch Deacon Pilgrim Church, Kuravilangad in the presbyterium at St. Thomas Cathedral, Pala on 22 March 2018. The Parish priest of Kuravilangad is the first one in the Syro Malabar Church to receive such an honour. As per the recently promulgated eparchial statutes, the position of the archpriest is immediately after the Vicar General. The Christian community at Kuravilangad considers it recognition of their non pareil history and peerless tradition . Festivals. Marth Mariam Parish at Kuravilangad tried its level best to add splendor to "Moonnu Nompu" (three-day lent) functions during Lent. A forty feet wooden ship, beautifully built with prow, stern, masts and rigging, having on one side an effigy of Jonah being vomited by the fish as per the orders of the Lord, and on the deck wooden mariners in western costume, has been for centuries the centre of attraction in the midday procession. Amidst the surging mass of humanity the spectacle makes one imagine that the sea is furious, the waves are beating against the sides of  the ship and violent winds rip the sails out of control. The Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Kuravilangad. Following the routine life style of the primordial folk at Kuravilangad, tending sheep, some children set out for tending sheep early morning to the molehills of Kuravilangad. Hunger and thirst caused by the sizzling heat compelled them to search for springs and edible roots and tubers. Their hunt for food and water carried them a long way away from their homes and had been trapped in the meandering paths in the jungle. As they had been conscious of the immense  power of God, the succor of the suffering, the hungry, and the beacon of light to those lost in a jungle, the children pleaded to God to rain food and drink on them. In response to their ardent supplications, in the desolate forest, an aristocratic granny (Muthiyamma) with a child carrying a cross in his hands appeared to the children. Having understood upon query the reason for their distress, the granny, picked up stones and gave to the children. The stones in their hands were transformed into bread. To quench their thirst, Muthiyamma with her fingers quarried the soil in  front of them and water gushed out of it like a spring anon. Having quenched their thirst and hunger, the children looked for the granny but they could not find her. Since it was already dusk, the children returned home in amazement. Later, as ages passed, time trumpeted aloud this unusual incident as the first apparition of Bl. Virgin Mary ever in the history of world. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH The children narrated the whole incident, the apparition of Muthiyamma, and how she satiated their hunger and thirst to their parents the moment they reached home, with wonder and amazement . Unable to believe their ears and considering the whole episode unusual and unnatural, the elders accompanied by the children soon set out to the forest. When they arrived at the spot the children had indicated, they were petrified upon perceiving a spring over brimming with crystal clear water in an otherwise drought stricken area. Noticing the extraordinariness of what has transpired, they stared at each other in awe and surprise. Blessed Virgin Mary, carrying infant Jesus, appeared once again and directed them to build a Church in her name at that very spot. As the people genuflected to pay their  homage to Muthiyamma, she just vanished. THE MOTHER WHO RAISED THE CROSS In the 16 C. the believers at Kuravilangad, fetched a gigantic granite Cross, the sign of salvation, to be erected in front of the Church. Attempts to lift the Cross and fix it met with incessant failures. Finding no way to raise the gigantic cross people became both frustrated and helpless, and then a dignified lady with a child carrying a cross appeared before them and consoled and comforted the disconcerted people. She offered her help. The moment she laid her right hand on the cross, it could  be lifted very easily. Generations still believe that it had been Muthiyamma’s second apparition. People, especially on first Fridays, flock to the foot of the cross to seek her blessings by lighting oil lamps. STRENGTHENING AND FORTIFYING BELIEF Jornada the travelogue of Don Alexis De Menezis, the Archbishop of Goa, written by Rev. Fr. Antonio De Guvya, about his visit to Kuravilangad in connection with the synod at Udayamperoor (Diamper Synod), mentions about another apparition of Bl. Virgin Mary at Kuravilangad. He vouchsafes that he wrote it after having interviewed the non-Christian youth who had the apparition of  Bl. Virgin Mary. Fr. Antonia writes: An affluent and respected non-Christian youth who lived near the Church, having a thorough knowledge about Christian faith, used to frequently visit the Church, chant Christian prayers and even teach them to others but was never prepared to receive baptism because of the existing law that had had the power to confiscate the property and wealth of any convert. Once, struck by a severe illness beyond the powers of medicine, he pleaded to Bl. Virgin Mary to cure him. In response to his fervent prayers, a person in the guise of a priest  along with an extremely beautiful lady appeared before him and chastised him for his reluctance to receive baptism. They directed him to make the sign of the cross and the moment he completed the sign of the cross, he was perfectly cured. Yet still afraid of losing his wealth on becoming a catholic, he prolonged it sine die. However, he requested the parish priest to baptize him at the moment of his death. Fr. Antony ends the narration with a query: Can a person who endlessly refrain from the sacraments receive the benediction of God? MUTHIYAMMA: THE MENTOR OF PRIESTS  Chevalier, V.C. George, in his work, Kuravilangad Marth Mariam Church and the St. Thomas Christians, quotes from manuscripts of Fr.Vichensa De Maria about another apparition of Muthiyamma. Pope Alexander VII delegated some priests from Rome to pacify the faction that had formed after the Diamper synod. Residing at the presbytery of Kuravilangad, they operated incessantly and laboriously to reunify the Church. A priest of this group once was trapped in a forest. Finding no way out of the labyrinth, he called upon Bl. Virgin Mary to rescue him. Immediately, a girl appeared and having him guided out of the  forest to the presbytery, she disappeared. The priest, recognizing the incident, as an intervention of Muthiyamma, thanked her profusely. THE APPARITION OF MUTHYIAMMA FOR THE PROSPERTY OF THE CHURCH Mar Francis Rose’s report of 1604, on the Churches in Malabar, still kept in the British Library, narrates yet about another vision of Muthiyamma at Kuravilangad. She appeared to a believer thrice requesting to strive for the prosperity of the Church. She entrusted the believer the task of initiating the titivation of the Church, in her first and second apparitions. Having found no response, it is reported that the Mother  appeared a third time carrying a stick in her hand, chastised the person and directed him harshly to carry out her orders without delay. Procession. The people of the Kadappoor (കടപ്പൂര്‍) locality has the privilege to carry the vessel during the procession. This privilege is start from the 400 AD. The festival is marked by inter-religious harmony and mutual cooperation, as the inhabitants of the neighboring villages participate in the festivities. Nowadays, the Ettu nompu (eight days of lent) is also observed. St Paul's CMS Anglican Church, Vakkadu is an ancient Anglican Church in Kerala. Kadappoor Ramban. It  is believed that Kadappoor Ramban was one of the disciples of Thomas the Apostle, he attended the funeral rituals after death of Thomas the Apostle in Mylapore.