Parumala

Parumala is a small town in Pathanamthitta district, bordering Alappuzha district. This is an island in Pampa River. Mannar is a small town across the Pampa river near Parumala.

Parumala is famous for the Orthodox Church of Mar Gregorious (Parumala Thirumeni). It is here that Geevarghese Mar Gregorios the great mystic & the first declared saint of The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church entombed.A number of miracles have been happening from the relics of Mar Gregorios. The commemmorationormapperunnal celebrated on the first and second of every November, is very famous at this time, as a large number of people flock to this place for worship.People prefer to get here at that time by walking from all over the Nation.Govt recognised Parumala Church as the International Pilgrim Center.

History of Parumala

Parumala is a small stretch of Island on the shores of the river Pampa, which has an area of about convert|4|mi2|km2, the place became almost wild, desolate area. The famous ‘Panayannar Kavu’ was situated north of the present site of the Parumala Church. The place was rather notorious for blood-curdling sheep-slaughter and manslaughter ostensibly in connection with the black arts. The horrifying atmosphere of the island was further strengthened by the hearsay that a dreaded ‘Yakshi’ (Witch) who slipped away from the hands of the priest-magician Kadamattathu Kathanar had settled there.In those days, Rama Rayar, Peshkar (District Collector) of Quilon registered present Parumala a big plot of land was given permission to cultivate after registering necessary documents to a well-known resident of Pavukara, Sri Koruthu Mathen of Arikupurathu Family, as per the ‘Vila Adharam’ (Registered Document).

Arikupuram

In those days, Palakkunnath Mathews Mar Athanasius was staying in the Parish-house of the Niranam church, taking care of the administration of the church as Malankara Metropolitan. Thanks to the favourable attitude and intervention of the British Rulers, the Metropolitan was given special privileges and powers. He supported and followed the reformation movements in the church begun by his paternal uncle Palakkunnath Abraham Malpan. It was during these days that Pulikottil Joseph Mar Dionysius was ordained as Metropolitan. Despite being the real ‘Head’ of the Malankara Church, Mar Dionysius did not have the influence or clout to confront his adversary who kept all the institutions of the church in his custody, especially in the southern regions. The Metropolitan wanted to establish a seminary in this area and submitted everything before the will of the almighty. This fervent wish was uppermost in his mind while he was staying in the Paliyekkara Church, Thiruvalla. There he met Arikupurathu Mathen Karnavar one day and the Seminary project cropped up in their conversation. Before long, the Metropolitan rode to Parumala and the generous Karanavar freely donated a square plot of 30 ‘Dandhs’ area for the construction of the seminary on 13th Karkkadakam 1047 ME.

Azhippura

The plot has an area of convert|2|acre|m2 as per modern measurements. An ordinary building called ‘Azhippura’ was soon built on this plot of land for conducting classes for the deacons etc. Syriac classes were begun here under the care of Fr. Yakob. In course of time, Metropolitan Mar Dionysius gave the charge of the seminary to Metropolitan Mar Gregorios (Later known as Parumala Thirumeni), in order to carry on the Syriac teaching sessions more efficiently and also to help him in other church matters.

Construction of the Old Church

Gradually the number of disciples in the seminary substantially increased and they were all particularly drawn in by the Saintly Bishop’s devout life of prayers. All these people could not be accommodated in the meager space of the Azhippura. So His Grace Mar Gregorios mostly had his rest and sleep on a veranda to the south of this building. Yet another room (known as ‘The New Room’) was built to solve this problem. As and when this work was finished, the Bishop shifted his residence to the new room.A temporary church for prayers and rites was already there in the land donated by Arikupurathu Family in 1885. This was originally built by Arikupurathu Karanavar for their spiritual needs when they fell off with the Niranam Church. The devout and prayerful Mar Gregorios wanted to rebuild this temporary church into a befitting beautiful church. The Bishop had no special capital for this. Making use of the personal gifts he received and the donations from the various parishes, he built the church and an adjoining seminary building at a cost of approximately Rs. 20,000 on 27 January 1895. On the feast day of Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Metropolitan Mar Gregorios himself conducted the temporary consecration of the church and offered the Holy Qurbana in the presence of Metropolitan Joseph Mar Dionysius. This church is dedicated in the names of the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul. The saintly Metropolitan is buried in the northern corner of the church were the octagonal altar and the rectangular ‘Haikla’ of the church join together (the saintly Metropolitan was taken to his heavenly abode on 2 November 1902. The Holy Episcopal Synod Canonized him as a saint in 1947).

Embellishment of the Church

The western face of the tomb was closed in 1910. The altar on the northern side was dedicated in the name of St. Mary and the one on the southern side in the name of St. Thomas. Subsequently all the three altars were embellished with the beautiful ‘Kdouskudisin’ golden gilt work. During this phase, in the development of the church, the then Malankara Metropolitan Vattasseril Mar Dionysius was the main organizer of the activities. Later on, Very. Rev. Punnoose Ramban (who later became the illustrious Catholicos of the East - His Holiness Baselius Geevarghese II) was the Manager of the Parumala Seminary.

Expansion of the Church

On 6 June 1925, Metropolitan Yuyakkim Mar Ivanios (1858 - 1925) who used to stay in the Parumala Seminary died. His mortal remains were entombed close to the tomb of Parumala Thirumeni. The church at Parumala, built by Mar Gregorios could contain only 300 worshipers. Hence the church was extended towards the west in 1930, with a porch (Natakasala) and with a balcony hall above. Then the church was large enough to accommodate 800 devotees. In 1960, a pillared-hall with a dome overhead was built on the northern side of the tomb so that people could conveniently pray and make their offerings. A tower was also built on the north-west side.

Old Church after extension

The Parumala Seminary was highly useful, especially for the deacons in the south, when the Kottayam seminary was in the possession of Mathews Mar Athanasius. Had it not been there, the Syriac - learning of the Deacons in the south - would have been badly affected.

t.Gregorios Hospital

Cardio Vascular Centre under the effective leadership of renowned heart specialist Dr.K.M.Cherian

t.Gregorios Cancer Center

under construction

t.Gregorios Geriatric Center

t.Gregorios De-Addiction Center

St.Gregorios College of Nursing

BSC Nursing College situated on the bank of river Pamba.

t.Gregorios School of Nursing

St.Gregorios College of Social Sciences

Bsc MLT, MSW Medical&Psychiatry

Niranam Church

Niranam St.Mary's Church,established by St.Thomas in AD 54 is only three Kms away from Parumala.

Nearest Bus Station

* Chengannur
* TiruvallaChengannur to Parumala 10 km -There is also a famous temple in Parumala called Panayanar Kaavu (kali- devi). It is considered as one of the oldest temple in Kerala.

Nearest Railway Stations

Chengannur,Thiruvalla

External links

* [http://www.parumalachurch.com Official WebSite of Parumala Church]
* [http://parumala.thirumeni.com An exclusive website on the life & history of Parumala Thirumeni]
* [http://orthodoxchurch.fm An official Web Radio of Malankara Orthodox Church broadcasting from Parumala Church]
* [http://orthodoxchurch.tv An official Web TV of Malankara Orthodox Church broadcasting from Parumala Church]

See also

* Pathanamthitta

References

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parumala_Thirumeni_(Mar_Gregorious)