St Mary's Orthodox Church, Kallooppara

St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church (കല്ലൂപ്പാറ പള്ളി), situated at the heart of a small village called Kallooppara (on the banks of the river Manimalayar), Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India is a prized possession of Malankara Sabha. The church has a legacy of around seven centuries, keeping its tradition and culture intact without compromising on its religious values. The church is an elegant representation of the beautiful shingled roof tops in the early Travancore style. The church is a perfect example of the ancient temple architecture and is a mystery the way it has overcome all the challenges of time. The sanctorium that is abstract in all aspects is a mystifying beauty of the ancient architecture, which has a keen and splendid blend of beauty and science in it.

The church which is the worshiping place of thousands has been a topic of research for many. Currently there are around 700 families worshiping in this church and the members of the church are present all around the globe.

The church has been renovated with a newly built balcony to accommodate more people during holy mass. Also a manimalika (place to suspend the church bell) has been built near the church.

Church History

In the earlier days the Christian believers of Kallooppara had to depend on the 'Niranam Church' for the holy mass, funeral ceremonies and other religious rites. The journey on Vallom (small boat) through the Manimalayar and Pampa rivers was tedious, tiresome and risky. Only somewhat wealthy families from this vast region could have afforded such journey to Niranam church, that was installed by St. Thomas.

The much renowned Edappally Kings were ruling at that time and they used to spend their time in the famous and explicably beautiful Elangalloor Maddom, rich in its architectural antiquity, that once existed on the north side of the river Manimala. The second floor of this Maddom was a court for Perumpanad district, where the "Muthalpady", who represents the Edappally King took charge of various court activities, such as ruling for severe punishments, when taxes are not paid. Nearly 250 years, this authority was given to Adangappurathu family members on a regular basis by the King. The last person assumed this power was, "Adangappurathu Avirah Avirah", also known as "Adangappurathu Ollasseril Kochukunjachan" (elder son of Adangappurathu Avirah Avirah Valiya Panicker), in AD 1815. An abode for the royal guests that was once well-equipped with a private pool called the 'Kullipura Mallika' equipped with granite rock paved steps carved with excellent craftsmanship to the Manimala river, can still be seen its parts now in Angadikadavu of Puramattam panchayat.

It is said that once while the ruling king of Edappally was having his rest in the Elangalloor Maddom whenever he visited, he happened to see a few number of people coming on a vallam singing melodious hymns accompanied by prayers. The king immediately came down to the river bank to observe the sight more closely and found it to be a burial procession, with the body on the floating hearse covered with a white cloth, staged the other side of the river. The procession that started from Manimala was going to Niranam Church for the funeral of the dead, since in those days Niranam Church was the only Christian church in central Travancore. This group had stopped at the site by the Temple, where there was a tea-shop owned by one of the Aaru Veedan family. In addition to having ample refreshment, the group also decided to purchase enough salt to keep the body from getting ruined while travelling to Niranam.

This event moved the Kings heart and having realized the hardship of the Christian subjects, he virtually pointed a plot on the other side of the river, and gave sanction to bury the body and built a church there (there was an open land, with nothing being planted there. The King had given permission to bury the body there according to the Christian tradition. The families then decided to build a small-tent, where men can gather and worship once a week basis. Many times the tent would disappear then people arrive there, because of the resistance from Nair families around there. They did not want their God "Devi" to get angry at them for allowing other worship around the area. It is said that the founding stone was consecrated on Malayalam month 3rd Karkadakam. The stone day of the church is being celebrated on that day. The founding stone of the present church was laid on Malayalam month Karkadakam 3rd of 515 (A.D.1339)

Early Challenges

It was during the time of Adangappurathu Valiya Avirah Tharakan (around AD 1750) that the Kalloopara St. Mary's Orthodox church was ordered to be demolished by a Judge (from Travancore High Court, Quilon), as the church had incurred huge debts in the past. After the court hearings, the Judge ordered for the entire church building to be knocked down and its land to be taken over by the creditor (Pocku Moosa Haji- Quilon). Church leaders decided to travel across the river and approach Adangappurathu Valiya Avirah Tharakan for help and he immediately paid off all of its debts and took control of the church and its property. While holding complete control of Perumpranad, Valiya Avirah Tharakan at his own cost, took the privilege of rebuilding the St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Kalloopara for a better outlook (in around AD 1760), then decided to stop travelling to Niranam church each week for worshipping. Some parts of that construction and art work of the church are still remarkably visible inside the church, particularly in the main Alter. In the recent years, this historical church has grown remarkably as a result of the constant efforts of its enthusiastic members and the outstanding leadership of its Vicars from time to time. Many parts of the church were renovated and more buildings were built for other activities, to keep up with the pace. The other reputable families such as Moothedathu families, Aaruveedan families, Moolamannil families and many other families have continued to contribute their outstanding leadership for the growth of this church over the past several years. It should be noted that The Aaruveedan family which was existed in Kalloopara for over 1000 years, had the privilege of building a very small "tent", place of worship at first, then in various stages larger size tents to accommodate the small group of members they had back then. Many times these tents were destroyed by the young Nair family members, alleging that this place of worship would cause many angers from "Kaali/Devi", whose name the nearest Temple was established. This wrong belief of Nair familities gave much trouble to these Christians back then. These "Aaruveedan families" took many sacrifices over the years in maintaining this historic place of worship until other prominent families have arrived and joined them, such as "Kalloor family", "Poovelil family", etc, prior to the time of Adangapurathu family's establishment in Kalloopara (Perumbanad district, where the Neice of Edappaly King - "Shri Devi", who converted to Christianity named as "Maria", and her husband Avirah Tharakan-Sankara Puri arrived around A.D.1669, and took control of the entire Perumbanad district). The Aaruveedan family stood courageously for the existence of this church despite of many obstacles as a result of religious riots and conflicts up until 1669 A.D (until the Adangappurathu family arrived and restored law and order in the region). Today, this beautiful church remains not only as one of the oldest blessed churches in Travancore, but it also has its own unique pride and credibility in the Malankara Orthodox Church. Its most dedicated members constantly assume roles in enlarging the activities of the Church.

^[1]==References==

External links

• Website of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
• www.kalloopparapally.com

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1. ↑ http://dioceseofniranam.org/