St. Mary's Syrian Knanaya Valiyapally

The Kottayam Valiyapally occupies prime place among the churches of the Syrian Christians of Kerala. And the church's historical importance attracts special attention. That a Church has a rich history of five hundred years is a matter of great pride.

Some Knanaya Christians who migrated from Kodungalloor and settled in Kaduthuruthi situated in Vadakumkoor country ( this must have taken place around A.D 1500 ) in A.D. 1525 accepting the invitation of Thekumkoor King Adithyaverma migrated to Kottayam. To conduct their prayers and adoration the Thekumkoor King gifted a beautiful piece of land on the banks of the Meenachil river called Myladumkunnu or Vettarkunnu . There in 1550 the migrant Knanaya Christians laid the foundation for building a Church in the name of Saint Mary. Moozhiyil, at present called Edavazhickal Cherian Mathu Kathnar was the first Vicar of the church. The first church which was built mainly with wood was pulled down and rebuilt in 1577 by Anthony Mastery of Kochi in stone according to the Portuguese design.

In the beginning this church served all the Syrian Christians in and around Kottayam .However in 1579 Vadakumbagam Christians separated and built the Cheriapally. Later some people who embraced catholic faith separated in 1818 and established the Edayakattu Church. Adoration was started in 1974 at the Pullarikunnu Chapel , which was the Kurissupally of the Valiyapally.Though Iranchal St. Mary's Church began as a Kurissupally of Valiyapally later it became an independent parish . Also it is significant to say that though the Valiya Pally was established in the name St.Mary , the main festival of the church is celebrated in the name of St.Geevarghese. ( April 24 and 25 ).

Historic Personalities

The fact that several prominent people who played a stellar role in overcoming the various problems faced by the Syro Malankara Sabha during the last few hundred years belonged to the Kottayam Valiyapally parish should be remembered with pride. The Udayamperoor Sunnahadose convened by Rome Bishop Alexis Menezis , in order to bring the Malankara Sabha under the control of the Portuguese , threatened the faithful and reformed the religious practices of the Malankara Sabha in tune with the practices of the Church in Rome and made everyone agree to live under the rule of the Pope in Rome. There was only one person among the representatives of the churches , who opposed the decision , the then Vicar of Valyapally , Edavazhickal Kurian Kathanar wearing the gown upside down Kurian Kathnar declared that at the Udayamperoor Sunnahadose the beliefs and practices of the Keralite Syrian Christians have been turned upside down.

After the Portuguese and Dutch the English established their rule in India and the Anglican missionaries began to interfere with the religious life and traditions of the Syrian Christians. When the Anglican missionaries tried to influence the beliefs and practices of the Syrian Christians the then Punnathra Mar Devanasyos Metropolitan sent representation to the Patriarch of Antioch. As a result in 1825 Athanasios Abdul Misiha Metropolitan from Antioch came to Malankara . However, following an extradition order by the British government the Metropolitan had to leave the country. A number of priests who protested against the government order of extradition of the Metropolitan were charged with sedition and imprisoned. Among those who were imprisoned to safeguard the traditions of the Malankara Sabha was the then Vicar of Kottayam Valiyapally Philiphose Kathanar who was widely known as Edavazhickal Valyachen.

With the support of the government of Thiruvithamcore and English missionaries and , against the wishes of the Antiochian Simhasanam , His highness Mar Athanasius Metropolitan , known as Palakunnath bishop administered the Malankara Sabha creating several distortions and problems. In order to rectify the situation Edavazhickal Valyachen sent the young Joseph Kun nathukulam to Antioch and after training got him ordained as Bishop Pulikkottil Mar Devanyoses . In 1877 before his demise Bishop Palakunnath appointed Thomas Mar Athanoseus who belonged to his family as Bishop.

At this juncture the Sabha required some one with farsightedness, learning and a deep sense of social responsibility to recover the properties of the Sabha and to rectify the distortions in the religious practices of the Syrian Christians brought about due to the influence of the anglican missionaries. Kottayam Valiyapally found a remedy for this in one of its illustrious members , Edavazhickal E.M. Philipose who was known as ' Nasrai Simham ' ( Lion ) Philiphose whom Pulikottil Thirumeni addressed as Edavazhickal Pothachen successfully fought several cases on behalf of the church, wrote a number of articles both in India and England and achieved his aims. E.M.Philiphose , who was a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Malayala Manorama for a long time . He also established MD.Seminary, Kottayam and some 60 granted schools.

Following complaints that nobody from the Knanaya community was made a Bishop in the Malankara Sabha in 1910 a member of the Valiyapally parish Gheverghese Kashisha was consecrated as Bishop Gheverghese Mar Severios by his Holiness Abdullah Patriarh . As the first Metropolitan from the Knanaya Community ,the efforts he made for the progress of the community are countless.

The formation of the Knanaya Association, making of the constitution of the association, the beginning of the practice of annual subscription and the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of Chingavanam Mar Aprem seminary are only a few of the projects undertaken by the first Knanaya Metropolitan. The Malika to the north of Valliyapally was the Metropolitan's Aramana.

Stone Sculpture

Rare painting, stone sculpture increases the noble ancient traditions of the Valiyapally.The ceiling of the altar which has beautiful sculptures of angels and doves finished in wood are the finest examples of beauty. To the east of the altar behind the Thronos also there are a lot of sculptures and paintings. On the northern and southern walls of the church , the sculptures of the animals remind us of the animal kingdom. Both the wooden beams inside the church , the door at the north west , the western entrance door and the ceiling above the kabar of Mar Severios Thirumeni all have been decorated with sculpture and engravings.

The Mamodisa Thotty ( Baptismal Tank ) made in stone and installed on the western wall of the Valiyapally is another example of its ancient character. It will be no exaggeration to state that no other Church elsewhere has such a unique Mamodisa Thotty.

Another very important and unique feature of the church is the hands in wood to the west of Hykala ( main prayer hall ) on the walls on the north and the south; one could see two hands finished in wood pointing towards the outside . This is based on an event mentioned by Prophet Daniel ( He is famous for the " writing on the wall " account , which describes the fall of Babylon ) in the Book of Prophets ( Old Testament ) Chapter five. While King Belshazzar was enjoying drinking wine with his ministers and maids, a hand appeared from the roof of the palace and wrote on the wall about the death of the King.

Persian Crosses.

Two Persian crosses in the Valiyapally which marks its ancient character have been attracting the attention of both tourists as well as researchers on ancient artefacts. The Pahlavi ( extinct Iranian language spoken from the 3rd century BCE to the 7th century CE ) language writings around the stone crosses above the thronoses below the main Madhua is the reason for believing that these are Persian crosses. Further below the cross on the south side in Esthrangali Suriyani one more line is written . Around and below both the crosses there are also very beautiful engravings.

These Persian crosses , it is believed must have been brought either In the 4th century ( A.D.345 ) by the Syrians who came to India under the leadership of Knai Thomman or it must have been brought in the 9th century by those Syrians who came under the leadership of Bishops Mar Sabhor and Mar Proth. It is believed the photo above the cross on the north is that of Bishop Mar Sabor. These crosses are also known as Knayi Thomman crosses. The crosses which were originally kept at Kodungallur church must have been first transferred to Kaduthuruthi , and later brought to Kottayam Valiyapally. These crosses are proof that in ancient times the Malankara Sabha was closely linked to the Persian Sabha , not to the Roman church.

The stone Cross in front of the Kottayam Valiyapally and the American manufactured bell with two tongms which goes round and round also adds to the glory of the Pally.

Georgian Icon

Among the paintings that give glory to the church the most noteworthy is the one of Saint Gheverghese made on a wooden plank. The painting , a mixture of Kerala's own pattern of wall painting and the western pattern of painting, is estimated to be at least two hundred and fifty years old. The Portuguese while travelling by sea used pictures made on wooden planks for prayers as well as adoration. On the front doors of a box, which can be opened from both sides in a garden full of trees one can see a king is sitting filled with sorrow. If you open the door you can see Saint Gheverghese killing a Vyali ( Dragon ). Contrary to the usual white horse depicted in the pictures of Saint Geevarghese in the picture at the Valiyapally the horse is green. The saint is also sitting on the horse in the opposite direction. Above there is also a depiction of an angel. It is only on the main perunnal ( festival ) of the Valiyapally that the faithful can view the picture of St. Geeverghese.

Visitor's Book.

The visitor's Book kept at the church is a document containing messages of various distinguished people who have visited Valiyapally from 1848 onwards .The Pally can really be proud of this historical wealth. We should remember with gratitude the intention of our forefathers in maintaining the Visitor's Book so that future generations can understand the role played by the Valyapally in promoting a truly Christian life among the faithful from time to time.

Among those who visited the Kottayam Valiyapally and wrote their messages in the Visitors Book were India's British Viceroy , Lord Irwin ( 21.2.1929 ), Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie , who was known as the " Protector of the Faith " (31.10.1956 ) and Anthiocia Patriarkis Saka Prathaman (21.2.1982) . The Silver cross which the Ethiopian Emperor, Haile Saelassie presented to the Valyapally is displayed during the main festival.

The premier Church of the Knanaya Community, the Kottayam Valiyapally which is also described as the " Bhadrasanam " served as the fort as well as the refuge of the faithful during every " cyclone ". This church which has a history of hundreds of years, one can be certain will serve as a beacon of hope, faith, reverence and love for the community for generations to come.