Puthencruz

Etymology

Even though the name is suggestive of its derivation from Puthencruz which could be a Portuguesisation of the Malayalam word പുത്തൻകുരിശ് (puthan kuriśŭ), which means New Cross, the original name of the place was 'Pannikkuzhy kara'. The origin of the name of the place is synonymous with the establishment of a new Cross by the Syrian Christians who were the Parishioners of Kolenchery St. Peter's & St. Paul's Syrian Orthodox Church in the year 1816 AD. Kolenchery Church is a 7th-century one, which has many subsidiary ones like Kurinji, Poothrikka etc. When the new Cross was established as a belief by the locals to get rid of an infectious disease called "Masoori" procession of the main festival from the mother church of Kolenchery extended up to Pannikuzhy kara, the people started to tell that "the procession shall extend to the Puthen Kurisu" - in Malayalam anglicanized as Puthan (New)Cruz or Cross)place which is in due course of time changed to Puthankurisu/Puthencruz. Earlier names of this place was also termed as 'Puttumanoor' and 'Puliyirangum Kara' in many records. There is a very ancient temple which was known as 'Chaarapparambathu Bhagavathy Temple' later came to known as 'Puthenkaavu Bhagavathy Temple'.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Puthencruz had a population of 23878 with 12026 males and 11852 females.

Colleges

Schools

Churches

Headquarters of the Jacobite Syrian Church

Puthencruz is the headquarters of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church in India. The headquarters is situated near the St. Peter's and St. Paul's Jacobite Syrian church. Its headquarters is named after the illustrious Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas. The property was bought and built under the leadership of the Catholicos of India Baselios Thomas I, after the church faced difficulties in continuing its functioning from its base at Muvattupuzha with the demise of Catholicos Baselios Paulose II. Within a short time this religious centre rose to significance inside the community and state.

The Catholicate cathedral is named after Poulose Mor Athanasius of Aluva. An Arts and Science college named after Mor Athanasius of Aluva is also run in the premises of the Zakka centre. It is the place where Akhila Malankara Suvisesha Yogam, the official gospel convention of the community, that is generally conducted from 26 to 31 December of every year. The official publishing house of the church, JSC Publishers are also a part of the large complex.Its subsidiary institutions such as the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Sunday School Association (MJSSA) is also based in Puthencruz.

St.Peter's and St.Paul's Orthodox Christian Church

St.Peter's and St.Paul's Orthodox Church - Puthencruz Palli or Puthencruz Church, the original church was founded on 14.2.1816 A.D. as an official subsidiary church of Kolenchery St. Peter's & St. Paul's Church. It was constructed under the leadership of Cheruvillil & Kanneth (a branch of Palal Maliackal Kalappurakkal family)families. The present Catholicose of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church HB Baselious Thomas I belong to the Cheruvillil family of this parish. This church is the center point of almost all developments of the Community. This church keeps communal harmony among the society especially with Hindu community and as a respect they invite the ancient Kulathinayath Karthav, who was the village chief of those days who gave protection and assurance for constructing a church in the place during the Kallitta Perunnal (Kumbham 2) and offer presents (Anchekaalum Koppum).

Temples

website www.sreebhadra.net

Financial institutions

Government institutions

Other organisations