Kandanad Marth Mariam Church – Kizhakkinde Yerushulem

Kandanad Marth Mariam Church – Kizhakkinde Yerushulem(The Yerushulem of East)

The Marth Mariam Church of Kandanad is believed to be being of centuries of aged. Since its inception, the church was renovated, remodeled and rebuilt on several occasions and the edifice in its present magnificent form appears to have been completed in AD 1910. Various stages of its construction are recorded at relevant portions in the mammoth structure. For instance, on the timber wall along the Madbho, it is inscribed: “the wood work completed in 1909, the gilt work in 1910 and the Holy Qurbono conducted on 9th Medam 1910”. Similarly the massive pillars erected at the outer corridor are etched with the year “1931”. It structure of this Church resembles synagogue in many aspects.

Marth Mariam Church, decorates its position as the Cathedral Church of Kandanad Diocese.

The Beginning of this Church...

The present Church has five stages in its formation. It rather feel it to compare with the different stages of the construction of Yerushulem Church in Old Testament, may be because this church is also christened as Kizhakkinde Yerushulem of Malankara. Though there are no much documents available about its beginning, there are decrypts written in stones mentioned about its second stage of development is available. The decrypts from the granite cross which was there in front of the church gives information about this second stage of construction. It is mentioned in one of the stone that the corner stone of this new church is laid on 1672 Kumbam 25(Malayalam calendar month).

Three bishops have come from this church
* 1)Kadumangattu thirumeni oathathios - 1st bishop of Syrian church cochin diocese in early 18th cenrury hailing from karavattuveetil family

* 2)Ivanios - The first bishop ordinated for Syrian Orthodox church ( kandanad diocese) buried in parumala from the same family

* 3)Mathews Mar Ivanios -Present bishop of Kandanad diocese from alunkal family.

All three got there ordinations from Patriatch of Antioch spiritual leader of syriac church.

External links

* http://www.stmaryschurchkandanad.org