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St. Peter’s & St. Paul’s Jacobite Syrian Church Neeramukal
Thiruvaniyoor, Ernakulam, Kerala, India Ph: 0485-2246620 www.neeramukalchurch.com
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Under The Holy Apostolic See Of Antioch And All The East |
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HISTORY
Introduction ‘Neeramukal’ is a remote hamlet, 30 km east of Ernakulam. The Church, the beacon of Jacobite Syrian Faith Stands on a beautiful hill top surrounded by hillocks, vallies and paddy fields. The old church celebrated its centenary during 2003-04. The new church is at the last lap of construction is expected to be consecrated during the last week of January 2007.
The old Church – Construction Committee The church is named after St. Peter and St. Paul, the two prominent Apostoles of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the turn of 20th century A.D, a few of the inhabitants who belonged to the Jacobite Syrian faith (almost all the people lived around were ardent believers of the Antiochian faith) formed a committee for the formation of a new parish, with a church at the top-plain of Neeramukal. They were 16 headed by Rev. Fr. Paulose Parambath. The Land at ‘Neeramukal’ was, earlier donated by Shri. Ittan Kurien, Palal Meppadath and Rev. Fr. Parambath for the construction of the church.
Permission from the Metropolitan of Kandanad Diocese: The committee had ‘Marathon’ discussions with His Grace: Paulose Mar Ivaniose (Murimattathil Thirumeni), the then Metropolitan of Kandanad Diocese for getting the necessary permission to form a new parish and in the year M.E. 1079 (1904) 8th Idavom the foundation stone of the church was laid by himself. Rev. Fr. Paulose Parambath and the 16-committee members with all the parishners witnessed the holy ceremony.
Beginning of the task: It was a humble beginning. They have, in the 1st phase, started with a thatched shed and began the worship and Holy ‘Kurbana’. The people in and around were poverty stricken and were not able to contribute towards the noble cause and therefore, the construction progressed in a slow pace. Their ardent faith inherited from forefathers was the only motivating factor to continue with the task.
The contractual deed of ME 1082 (1907): The contractual deed registered and signed among themselves by the above 16 committee members and the vicar Rev. Fr. Parambath became the basic guidelines for the construction of the church and day-to-day administration thereof. According to the ‘deed’, the 16 members called “Aadya Kaikkaranmar” (The initial Trustees) were to contribute an annual sum of 12 Chakrom (coin currency of the Travancore regency) towards thatching of the church’ till the same became a pucca building with tiled roof. The ‘Kaikkaranmar” and the parishners struggled a lot. “My grace is enough for thee”, this verse from the Holy Bible guided their struggle and by the year M.E. 1100 (1925), the building got the form of the old church with ornamental frontage, portico, compound wall etc. At last the church bell chimed …….
The General Body Meeting of 1110(ME) – 1935 (A.D.): The constitution His Grace. Ougen Mar Themothios was the then Metropolitan of the diocese. Rev. Fr. Yohannan, son of Rev. Fr. Paulose Parambath took over the region of the parish. The General body of the parish held on 29th Medom 1110 (M.E.)-(1935) – chalked out a 28 point guidelines for smooth and democratic administration of the Parish church was duly assented to by His Grace. Thus, this ‘Constitution’ (it was so called) became the administrative procedure of the church till the constitution of the Malankara Syrian Association of 2002 came into effect. The main stress of the guidelines was the undilutable Syrian orthodox faith under the holy see of Antioch and all the East.
3 Tier System of Administration: According to the resolutions passed, the Supreme authority of the parish vested in the Gen. Body. A Managing Committee elected by the General body was the executive body. Two members elected from the Ex.Committee called the Trustees looked after the day-to-day affairs of the church. One of the ‘Parish-priests’ (there were 3 of them at the period) elected became the vicar – the chairman of the Ex. Committee. The first such Committee headed by Rev. Fr. Yohannan Parambath consisted of 40 members. The tenure was for 5 years. The church continued the voyage of progress under the new system. ‘His Grace’ guided them.
The Edavaka Pattakkar: The system of Priests elected for the Parish from the parish as the ‘Vicars’ of the church was in vogue till the modern system of inter-parish transfer of priests came into effect. The church had 7 such priests as noted below: 1. Rev. Fr. Paulose Parambath, 2.Rev.Fr. Yohannan Parambath 3. Rev. Fr. Jacob Blayil, 4. Rev. Fr. Paulose Meppurath, 5. Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Cheernamkottil, 6. Rev. Fr. Mathews Chenakottu and Rev. Fr. Jacob Parambath. They led the parish, turn-by-turn, with love and affection. By the end of 1989 all of them have been taken up to their heavenly abode.
The New Era: His Grace Paulose Mar Philexinos had been leading the Kandanad Diocese from the year 1952. His Grace was later enthroned as Catholicose of the Malankara Jacobite Church by the Patriarch of Antioch, Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I with the new title “Aboon Mor Basalios Paulose II” who became the ‘beacon’ of the universal Syrian Orthodox Church at Malankara under the Holy see of Antioch. His “Beatitude” led us through thick and thin till he was taken up by the almighty in the year 1996 (Sept:1) Rev. Dr. Adai Jacob Tholanikunnel took over as the Vicar of the Church in 1987. The chapels were given the freedom of conducting ‘Holy Kurbana’ independently on Sundays. During his ‘vicarship’ – under a deed of 1991, Pazhukkamattom chapel became an independent parish church. A parish hall was built. He was the ‘pace-setter’ of the developmental activities of the church. A Scheme of sanctioning pension to the ‘Parish priests’ (Edavaka Pattakkar) came into effect.
Towards Modern Era : Rev.Fr. Thomas Panichayil took over from Very .Rev.(Dr.) Adai Jacob and led us for a long period. We have celebrated the 1 year long Centenary Jubilee of the Church from January 2003 to January 2004. The ‘Centenary Hall’ was built. Earlier in the year 2001, as a Democratic measure, the Parish was formed into 12 Family Units. The Church continued sailing towards modern Era.
Modern Era – NEW CHURCH BUILDING Rev. Fr. Jacob, Molath has taken over the vicarship, from Rev. Fr. Thomas Panichayil in 2004. Rev.Fr.Jacob Kooliyattil came along with him as Asst.Vicar of the Parish. When they took over, the church builiding was in a dilapidated condition. Rev.Fr. Molath with heart rending prayers and private discussions with his Asst. Priest and other prominent members, took initiative for construction of a new church with modern style and amenities. The General Body of 2004-2005 approved the proposal for the construction of a new church (bldg.) after demolition of the old church. His ‘Beatitude’ Aboon Mar Basaliose Thomas I, the present Catholicose of all the East, laid the foundation stone of the new church on 28.08.2005. The construction was entrusted to a committee of 13 members chaired by Rev. Fr. Jacob Molath with Shri. Roy Kuriakose, Chenakkottu as the Convenor. The construction work started on 19th September 2005. All the parishners have put in their might and mind in the construction process. The pleaseful appeals of the vicar brought in immense wealth from far and near. The speed with which the construction progressed is amazing! God is with us – He works wonders – wonders which are impossible to man. The construction of the building is at the last lap. It has become a reality – A new church at the same place where the old church stood! (with in a short period of less than a year. This is God’s work indeed!). Let us all pray and praise the Lord!
Consecration of the church is scheduled to be held on 26th and 27th of January 2007 in two phases. H.B. Aboon Mar Basaliose Thomas I will consecrate the church with the Holy ‘Mooron’ (oil for anointment). His. Grace Mathews Mar Ivanios, the Metropolitan of Kandanadu Diocese and other Metropolitans of Malankara Church as also from other churches and faiths will witness the Holy Ceremony. Let us pray fully wait for the great, holy occasions.
Compiled by : C.O. Abraham Chenakottu
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Foundation Stone laid by- H.B.Mor Baselios Paulose I (Murimattathil Thirumeni) |
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H.B Aboon Mor Basalios Paulose II ( Catholicos of all the East under the Holy See of Antioch ) |
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Old Church |
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Renovated Church |
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Rev.Fr. Jacob Molath FormerVicar |
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Rev.Fr. Varghese Edumary FormerVicar |