St. Mary's Church, Meenangadi

Feasts

History

The Jacobite Syrian Christian families from Travancore, especially from Kothamangalam, Perumbavoor and Muvattupuzha migrated to Wayanad in the early 1950s. Creating an Altar of peace, a harmony of love and an independent Church at Meenangadi was the dream at that time for K.O Varghese based on the Bible Verse "2 Chronicles 7:12 "I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice" at a high terrain near to Main Road Meenangadi which started as a prayer Shed. The forefathers of church under the leadership of K. O. Varghese Kaniyampadikkal, Varghese Ambhazhatinamkudi, A. Y. Markose, Kuriaykose Kollamkudiyil, Adukalil David, Cholayil Ishaqe, Adakkaravayalil Kuriyakose took the initiative to build the church on the land donated by K. O. Varghese and Foundation Stone Laying Sacrament was held on February 2, 1958. The first Qurbana (Holy Mass) was celebrated by the first Vicar Malphono Naseeho, Very Rev. Athunkal Geevarghese Corepiscoppa (Founder of Evangelical Association Of the East). In 1974 H. G. Geevarghese Mor Gregorious Perumbalil(perumbally thirumeni), H. B. Thomas Mor Dhivanyasos (Baselios Thomas I) arrived to the church and conducted Koodhasha of the Shrine in 54th mile under the name of St.Mary. In 1976 youth association was started in the church. In 1982 there was grand welcoming for the Apostolic Visit of Patriarch Of Antioch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas to church with Baselios Paulose II Bhava. Late Lamented H. G. Poulose Mor Athanasius Kadavil (Kadavil Thirumeni) and H. G. Geevarghese Mor Polycarpos thirumeni the metropolitan of EAE also supported the church. Late Lamented Baselios Paulose II Catholicose visited the church frequently and Gifted Holy Soonoro based on the committee headed by vicar Rev Fr. V.V Andrayose and secretary K.V. Sunny Kaniyampadikkal & trustee Elias Panakkal and installed on April 28th 1991 and Relics of Ignatius Elias III to the Church which was installed by H. G. Geevarghese Mor Polycarpus Metropolitan.

Sub Organisations

Holy Soonoro ( Holy Girdle Of St.Mary)

According to Orthodox Church tradition, the Virgin Mary died in the presence of all apostles except Thomas the Apostle. At the time of the assumption, Thomas was in India and he returned to Jerusalem and travelled on the sky by the help of Holy Spirit to attend the assumption of Mary. But he was late in arriving and the saint visualised that Mary's body was taken by the Angels. At that time St.Thomas could reach there. Thomas had doubtful nature. In order to convince others he requested to Mary to give him any sign of her for her memory and remembrance. Then a chariot stopped in the air and Mary gifted her girdle to Thomas. Then he showed this girdle to other disciples of Jesus and convinced them. He took this soonoro(girdle) on his journey. A lot of miracles have happened since then by touching or even seeing this girdle. St.Thomas and the people believed its power. Gradually it was taken to Şanlıurfa, then it kept in a church in Homs in Syria. Supposing that he was seeing her soul and received blessing and Holy girdle from Virgin mary. This is the one of the Important incident, Which is not written in the bible. The original girdle is a relic belonging to Saint Mary Church of the Holy Belt and it is scientifically proved.

Saint Thomas apostle kept holy belt with his, After he died as a martyr in Mylapore, the body of Thomas apostle and relics are kept in India. In 394 AD, The holy girdle moved from India to uraha. In the Syriac history of Şanlıurfa(The city has been known by many names in history: Ուռհա Uṙha in Armenian, ܐܘܪܗܝ Urhai in Syriac, ره, الرها, Ar-Ruhā in Arabic and Ορρα, Orrha in Greek (also Ορροα, Orrhoa).), it is mentioned that on August 22, 705. It was a Greek era. and established in Saint Mary Church of the Holy Belt. This church is also known as holy girdle of church (or)The Church of the Lady of the Girdle .The supreme head Ignatius Aphrem I Barsoum Patriarch of Antioch studied about some manuscripts and Garshunian book containing stories and speeches send by the people of Homs in 1852. The archbishop of Homs ordered to renovate the church. On 20 July 1953 A.D, The Holy Girdle discovered from the Altar Of church by Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem I Barsoum and the presence of His Eminence Alexandros, the Greek Orthodox bishop of Homs, Syria. This Holy Girdle is considered as one of the most important relic in Syrian Orthodox Church.

Relics of Patriarch H.H Ignatius Elias III

Mor Ignatius Elias III (died February 13, 1932) was the 119th Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch from 1917 to 1932. H.H is buried at the monastery of Manjanikkara Dayara in Kerala, India, where there is a considerable number of Syriac Orthodox Christians. The monastery is now a pilgrim site for Syriac Orthodox Christians.The church also holds the sacred relics of St. Elias Third.

Memorable Personalities

L.L H.H Ignatius Jacob III Patriarch of Antioch & All East.
L.L H.H Ignatius Zakka I Iwas Patriarch of Antioch & All East.
L.L H.B Baselios Paulose II (1914-1996) was the second Catholicos/Maphrian of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church
L.L H.E Mor Yulios Elias Qoro(1881-1962),Third Patriarchal Delegate to Malankara(Approved Order To Built The Church).
L.L H.G. Dr. Mor Athanasius Paulose (Kadavil II)(Metropolitan of E.A.E Arch Diocese)
L.L H.G Polycarpose Geevarghese (Metropolitan of E.A.E Arch Diocese)
L.L H.G Geevarghese Mor Gregorious Perumbalil(perumbally thirumeni)
L.L H.E Yuhanon Mor Philoxenos Valiya Thirumeni,Bishop Emeritus of Malabar Diocese
H.B Baselios Thomas I,Catholicos/Maphrian of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church
H.E Markose Mor Chrysostomos,(Metropolitan of E.A.E Arch Diocese)
L.L Very.Rev Malphono Naseeho Athungal Coreppiscoppa(First Vicar & Founder of the Church)
L.L Rev.Fr. Dr.Philip Pallichira Kathanar(Ass.Vicar of Church During 1958)
L.L Rev Fr. Boniface Kathanar,Manglore(Ass.Vicar of Church During 1958)
L.L Rev Fr. P.K Mathews Pazhamadam(Ass.Vicar of Church During 1958)
L.L Very.Rev Alexander Coreppiscoppa
Late Shri K.O Varghese Kaniyampadikkal(Donated Land and Former Secretary & Trustee of Church,E.A.E Managing Committee Member).
Late Kuriyakose Kollamkudiyil(Former Secretary & Trustee of Church).
Late Kuriyakose Adakkaravayalil(Former Secretary & Trustee of Church).
Late A.K Thomas Adakkaravayalil(Former Secretary & Trustee of Church,E.A.E Managing Committee Member).
Addakkaravayalil Yuyakkim Kuriyakose(First Head Master of Sunday School).
Late Varkey Puthuppadi Adivaaram (First verger of the Church).
Kanjiramkolath Varkey(First Assistant Reader of Church)
Cholyail Pappy(First Assistant Reader of Church)

Administration

Mor Basil Chapel:
Secretary:Rinto Varghese Panthanal
Trustee:Reji V.G Vathiyampillil
Morth Mariyam Women's Movement:
St.Mary's Sunday School:
Head Master:
Mor Ignatius Youth Association:
Secretary:
Mor Basil Charitable Fund:
Secretary:

Daughter Parish

E.A.E Mar Behnam Jacobite Syrian Church Kallinkara - Cheeral