Thrikkunathu Seminary

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The St. Mary's church at Thrikkunnathu, Aluva was founded in 1880 by Metropolitan Ambatt Mar Kurillos Geevarghese, the first primate of the Angamali diocese. The church was renovated two times later. The present church building was constructed by Valiya Thirumeni (St. Athanasius Paulose) in early 1930's; the church's Mooron consecration was held on 24th Meenam 1932 by the Syrian Metropolitan Mar Clemis Yuhanon who came to India along with Patriarch St. Ignatius Elias III. In 1964, the church was extended towards west during the time of Metropolitan Mar Gregorios Vayaliparambil.

The holy Patriarchs of Antioch, St. Ignatius Elias III and Mar Ignatius Yaqub III had visited this church and celebrated Holy Qurbono during their apostolic voyages to Malankara in 1932 and 1964 respectively. The church is blessed with the sacred tombs of Malankara Metropolitan St. Athanasius Paulose Pynadathu (Valiya Thirumeni, 1953) and the former Angamali diocesan Metropolitans, Mar Athanasius Paulose Kadavil (1907), Mar Gregorios Geevarghese Vayaliparambil (1966) and Mar Philipose Theophilos (1997). Their tombs are situated side by side, in a room adjacent to the Madboho of the church on the northern side.

Under the leadership of Mar Athanasius Fr: Koocheeril was the manager of seminary till 1968. In 1969 Fr: Jacob Mannaraprayil was appointed as the manager and the vicar of Thrikkunathu seminary and he continued in his office for 36 years.

The seminary and adjoining church saw many disputes from the early 1970s and still the issues continues. Two rival groups of Malankara church are fighting for the ownership of the seminary properties.

Various spiritual organizations like the malankara Orthodox Syrian Sunday School, Marth Mariam Samajam, Youth Association, Family forums etc., functions in this parish. The church have four shrines under its ownership, two of them are dedicated to the Holy virgin Mary and the other two are named after Mor Kuriakose Sahdo and St. Ignatius Elias III. At present there are 320 families in this parish.

This most important church in Kerala has been closed for the last 29 years. The parishioners are now in two factions conducting holy services at two different locations: one in Seminary Chappel and another in Mass Hall.