Parumala Pally (St Peters & St Pauls Church) Parumala Parumala is a small stretch of land on the shores of the river Pampa. In the days of old, many brahmin families were living on this island which has an area of about 4 square miles. For various reasons, in course of time these families left the place. However, as relics, we can still see the broken down basements of buildings, disused ponds etc. with the departure of the Brahmins, 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 man-slaughter ostensibly in connection with black art. The horrifying atmosphere of the island was further strengthened by the hear-say 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 a big plot of land near panayannar kavu in his brother-in-law’s name. Sri Korula Mathen of Arikupurathu Family, A well-known resident of Pavukara was given permission to cultivate this land after registering necessary documents. In course of time, the entire stretch of land became the property of Arikupurathu family as per the ‘Vila Adharam’ (Registered Document). LAND FOR THE CHURCH 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 2 acres 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. 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 meagre space of the Azhippura. So His Grace Mar Gregorios mostly had his rest and sleep on a verandah 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 27th 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. Kabar Of Thirumeni 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 2nd 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 Catholicose of the East - His Holiness Baselius Geevarghese II) was the Manager of the Parumala Seminary. EXPANSION OF THE CHURCH On 6th June 1925, Metropolitan Yuyakkim Mar Ivanios (1858 - 1925) who used to stay in the Parumala Seminary passed away. His mortal remains were entombed close to the tomb of Parumala Thirumeni. The church at Parumala, built by Mar Gregorios could contain only 300 worshippers. 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. 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. Present Church The leadership of the Malankara Orthodox Church was very particular that the new church at Parumala should be designed and constructed in consideration with the antiquity of the Orthodox Church and the basic customs and traditions of the people of Kerala. Then, there arose the question as to whether the old church building should be completely demolished or whether the new church should be built very close to the old one, there by retaining the old church intact. After prolonged discussions and deliberations, it was decided to retain the Holy Altar (Sanctum Sanctorum) and the room where the mortal remains of Parumala Thirumeni are entombed (Kabar Muri) and to construct the entire church anew. This decision was taken in view of the following facts:- The cracks on the roof and flooring of the altar of the old church were gradually widening and deepening. If the old church is retained, at least a few of the pilgrims will remain there while the Holy Service is going on in the new church and this will not be conducive to the maintenance of solemnity and decorum in the church premises. If there are two churches, it will be difficult to proceed to the kabar muri for smoke-offering. Therefore Charles Correa, world-renowned Architect was requested to design a big church which could accommodate more than 2000 worshippers who could offer their prayers for the intercession of the Saint Mar Gregorios. It was also hoped that the new church would reflect the history, tradition and culture of the Orthodox Church in India. CHURCH RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT DESIGN In 1989, Charles Correa visited the Parumala Church along with structural consultant Kamal Hadkar. They also visited many old Syrian Churches of Kerala. After an intensive study, Mr.Correa submitted a 3-D model and drawings of the proposed new church before the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Malankara Orthodox Church. However, this plan was rejected on various grounds. The revised plan was accepted by the Holy Episcopal Synod in 1993. The new church is circular in design with an inner diameter of 39 meters. This circle is again divided into three segments by two chords of 16 meters length. The Eastern segment consists of the 3 altars and the vestry. The Western segment consists of the Veranda and the Natakasala (Porch). The Haikla and the space for the congregation come in the middle segment. The new altar on the Northern side is exactly at the same site of the main altar of the old church. The tomb-room now faces west. The roof of the Haikla is a concrete triple barrier vault with a height of 18 meters from the floor in the center while the road of the madhuba is a quadrant vault 21 meters above ground level at the highest point. The 6 meter high simple massive cross over the vault of the madhuba commands an asserting view against the background of the bright blue sky. CONSTRUCTION WORK His Holiness Baselius Marthoma Mathews II, Catholicos of the East laid the foundation stone of the new church on 19th March 1995. The piling work was begun on 26th August 1995 after His Grace Geevarghese Mar Osthathios Metropolitan offered the Holy Qurbana and special prayers. CHURCH RECONSTRUCTION The Demolition of the old church was begun in September 1995. A new chapel was constructed at the premises of St.Gregorios Hospital, Parumala, using the wood, stone and other re-usable remains of the old church. COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT The guidance and help of the Holy Episcopal Synod, Parumala Council, and the Architecture, Engineering and building wing of the church have been greatly instrumental in the successful completion of this project. Above all the blessings of the Almighty Lord and the intercessions of Parumala Thirumeni have taken the project to a grand finale. It must also be remembered that the entire amount for the renovation of the church (Rs.400 lakhs) has been received as the offerings and donations of the devotees. TORCH-LIGHT PROCESSION The torch-light procession (Deepashikha Prayanam) which started on 26th October from Vettikkal Dayara to Parumala Seminary was a spiritually rejuvenating affair. This was an unprecedental procession which heralded the consecration of the new church and the lighted torch from Parumala Thirumeni’s birth-place was accorded a solemn welcome by thousands of devotees on the way . CONSECRATION RITES The consecration rites which were held on 27th October 2000 evening were led by His Holiness the Catholicos. A host of dignitaries including His Excellency Mr. P.C. Alexander, Governor of Maharashtra, Arch Bishop Nikitas (Greek Orthodox Church), Arch Bishop Aghan Balizion (Armenion Orthodox Church), Bishop Sarkissan (Armenion Orthodox Church) and several Bishops of the Malankara Orthodox Church and other sister churches and also leaders of other religions, graced the public meeting held on 28th afternoon in connection with the consecration ceremony with their presence and involvement.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 13:43:10 +0000
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