Kottakkavu Mar Thoma Syro-Malabar Church, North Paravur
 |
| St.Thomas Kottakkavu Forane Church & Pilgrim Centre | |
|---|---|
 Kottakkavu Forane Church & Pilgrim Centre, North Paravur | |
| Location | North Paravur |
| Country | India |
| Denomination | Syro-Malabar Catholic Church[1] |
| History | |
| Founded | 52 |
| Founder(s) | St. Thomas the Apostle[2] |
| Dedication | St. Thomas |
| Past bishop(s) | Mar Varkey Vithayathil |
| Associated people | Saint Thomas Christians |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Syro-Malabar Catholic Major Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly[3] |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Maran Mar George Alencherry |
Kottakkavu Mar Thoma Syro-Malabar Pilgrim Church, North Paravur is a Syro-Malabar church established in 52 AD by St. Thomas/ Mar Thoma shleeha, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ.[4][5] It is the first church in India and is called an Apostolic Church credited to the Apostolate of St. Thomas who preached and also started conversion of people to Syriac Christianity here. It was part of the Ezharappallikal (seven churches) that he established in India; the other six churches were established at Kodungalloor, Kokkamangalam, Palayoor, Kollam, Niranam, and Nilackal.[6][7]
History
The Saint reached Kottakkayal
Where he taught the Holy Way
There within a span of a year
One thousand seven hundred
And another seventy of them
Were christened by baptism
Mar Sabor and Mar Proth
Mar Sabor and Mar Proth came from Persia to Malankara in the 9th century. They built and presided over a number of churches in Malankara operating in accordance with Saint Thomas Christians. The second church of Kottakkavu was rebuilt at this time. After their death they were remembered as saints and their name was given to this church. Kottakkavu Sliva, a Persian cross engraved on granite stone by Mar Sabor and Mar Proth, is preserved in the chapel in front of the church.
Old church
The existing old church, the third church, was built in 1308.[citation needed] The ruined old church is again reconstructed in the 21st century.[citation needed]
Gallery
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Kottakkavu Sliba, a Persian cross founded by Mar Sabor and Mar Proth, is preserved at Kottakkavu Mar Thoma Syro-Malabar Pilgrim Center -
Kottakkavu Old Church -
Cemetery of Kottakkavu Syro-Malabar Church -
Tomb of Francis Roz, Metropolitan of Kodungalloor Archeparchy, inside Kottakkavu Old Church -
Kottakkavu Pond where St. Thomas baptized Jews
_founded_by_St._Thomas.jpg)
References
- ^ Shyama Rajagopal (21 September 2013). "In Paravur, a slideshow of history". Thehindu.com. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
- ^ "Kottakkavu church - place of religious importance, Ernakulam, Kerala, Muziris History". Keralatourism.org. 15 August 2002. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
- ^ "Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly". Ernakulamarchdiocese.org. Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
- ^ "Syro Malabar Church Chronology". Syromalabarchurch.in. 1 January 1911. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
- ^ Gazetter 1986, pp. 38, 623
- ^ "History | Payyappilly Palakkappilly Nasrani". Payyappilly.org. Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
- ^ A Sreedhara Menon (2007). A Survey Of Kerala History. D C Books. p. 39. ISBN 8126415789.
