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87-611: Cherpunkal is a small town in the Kottayam district of Kerala State in India on the Kottayam-Palai Road, seven kilometers from Pala city. Cherpunkal is famous for Mar Sleeva Forane Catholic Church, believed to have been established by Thomas the Apostle . It is also believed that St.Thomas left his sandals there while taking a bath in a nearby Meenachil River . On the southern banks of

174-748: A Protectorate of Britain after a series of unfair treaties. In 1817, the Church Missionary Society established CMS College as the first Western-style college in Kerala. It was welcomed by the Travancore government to provide administrators for the public bureaucracy. Kottayam has played its role in all the political agitations of modern times. The ‘Malayali Memorial ‘ agitation may be said to have had its origin in Kottayam. The Malayali Memorial sought to secure better representation for educated Travancoreans in

261-406: A Visitation Convent since 13 July 1995. The convent started a tailoring school and training for ladies on home nursing. Later sisters started a ladies hostel called Kudumba-rani considering the need of the area. They also serve at Agape Bhavan and Good Samaritan Centre at Cherpunkal, Little Lourde Hospital and St. Mary's Higher Secondary School at Kidangoor. Besides social service, sisters serve in all

348-590: A baby with the Virgin Mary, known as Madonna and Child , are iconographical types in Eastern and Western traditions. Other scenes from his time as a baby, of his circumcision , presentation at the temple, the adoration of the Magi , and the flight into Egypt , are common. Scenes showing his developing years are more rare but not unknown. Saint Joseph, Anthony of Padua , and Saint Christopher are often depicted holding

435-526: A pilgrim centre because of its association with St.Thomas . Tradition has it that the stone laid by St.Thomas ultimately led to the founding of the Holy Cross Church at Cherpunkal. In the course of his gospel preaching he landed at the Moonnupeedikayil ferry and interacted with the people there. As a result of this contact, members of five families were converted to Christianity and baptized. A cross

522-678: A pious practice developed by the santero culture in later colonial years, carrying the depiction of holding the globus cruciger , a bird symbolizing a soul or the Holy Spirit , or various paraphernalia related to its locality or region. The symbolism of the Christ Child in art reached its apex during the Renaissance : the Holy Family was a central theme in the works of Leonardo da Vinci and many other masters. Some Biblical apocrypha contain

609-433: A population of 172,878, while Kottayam district had a population of 1,974,551. The population of Kottayam municipality was 136,812. Males constituted 62% of the population and females 38%. Population growth in the district had a diminishing trend with a decadal population growth rate of 6.5% compared to 9.35% across the decade 1991–2000. Population growth in the municipality is due to migration for employment. Kottayam District

696-404: A story writer and scriptwriter, is also from Kottayam. Kottayam was the first town in India to have achieved 100% literacy. Kottayam Public Library was founded in 1882 by T Rama RaoDewanPeshkar (Collector) of Northern Division of Travancore State. In the 17th century, a Dutch school was started at Kottayam, which was short-lived. The first English school in Kerala, and the first college in India,

783-519: Is a Scottish carol from Moidart, Scotland. The Catholic priest Ranald Rankin, wrote the lyrics for Midnight Mass around the year 1855. He originally wrote 29 verses in Scottish Gaelic , but the popular English translation is limited to five. The melody, Cumha Mhic Arois ("Lament for Mac Àrois"), is from the Hebrides and was a sung as a protective charm for the fisherman away at sea. The rhythm mirrors

870-542: Is a celebration in commemoration of the stone-laying of the church on the southern bank of the Meenachil River on 14 September, which happens to be the feast of the glorification of the Holy Cross. The most important celebration of the Holy Cross Church is in commemoration of the circumcision of Jesus . The long celebrations commence with the hoisting of the flag and the subsequent nativity celebrations on 25 December. During

957-401: Is a designated area for social service at Cherpunkal village in Kottayam district between Ettumanoor and Palai . The location is at Cherpunkal on the bypass roadside of Ettumanoor–Palai road. Main social service institutions at Mutholath Nagar are Good Samaritan Resource Centre, Agape Bhavan and Mutholath Auditorium that are owned and operated by Kottayam Social Service Society (KSSS). KSSS

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1044-843: Is also home to several Malayalam book publishers such as D. C. Books , Labour India Publications and Current Books. Almost 70 percent of books published in Kerala are from Kottayam. In 1945, a group of writers set up Sahithya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham (English: Literary Workers' Co-operative Society) in Malayalam. A number of annual basketball tournaments including the Marian Trophy, Girideepam Trophy, Lourdes Trophy and Virginia Memorial Tournament are conducted. The main sports stadiums in Kottayam are Nehru Stadium and Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium , both located in Nagambadom and Native Ball (നാടൻ പന്തുകളി) well known sports in Kottayam. Kottayam

1131-509: Is also referred to as "the City of Letters" as many of the first Malayalam daily newspapers, such as Deepika , Malayala Manorama , and Mangalam , were started and are headquartered in Kottayam, as are a number of publishing houses. The royal palace of the Thekkumkur ruler was protected by a fort called Thaliyilkotta . It is believed that the name Kottayam is derived from a combination of

1218-468: Is an institute of national importance is also located around 30 km (19 mi) from Kottayam, near to Pala town. Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) also has one of its regional centres based at Kottayam. In 1821, Benjamin Bailey , a British missionary, established C.M.S. Press, the first printing press in Kerala, in Kottayam. The town has been at the forefront of newspaper and book publishing in

1305-594: Is constructed at Mutholath Nagar for the training and gathering of social workers in the state or local level. This air-conditioned auditorium is also available for service to the public at reasonable facility usage fee. Its revenue is fully used for the maintenance of Good Samaritan Centre and Agape Bhavan at Cherpunkal. This auditorium was blessed and inaugurated by Major Archbishop of the Syro Malabar Church Mar George Cardinal Alencherry 14 February 2017. Mar Mathew Moolakkattu presided over

1392-443: Is located about 151 km (93.8 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram . As per the 2011 Indian census , Kottayam has a population of 489,615 people, and a population density of 4,533/km (11,740/sq mi). The total Kottayam Metropolitan area (the combined area of Kottayam municipality and its adjacent suburbs) has a population of 802,419 people, and a population density of 3,647/km (9,450/sq mi). Kottayam

1479-415: Is moderate and pleasant. Kottayam's proximity to the equator results in little seasonal temperature variation, with moderate to high levels of humidity . Kottayam district is bordered by Pathanamthitta district on the south, Alappuzha district on the west, Ernakulam district on the north and Idukki district on the east and northeast. As of 2001 India census , Kottayam Urban Agglomeration had

1566-477: Is now a renowned pilgrim centre. The church is said to have been started by St.Thomas by erecting a cross. The devotion to Infant Jesus , the Novena associated with it and the offering of gingelly oil and gold made this church a pilgrim destination. The long tradition of offering oil at the Holy Cross Church is based on a bible-centered Jewish observance. Special services are held on the first Friday of every month, with

1653-449: Is one of the most prominent medical colleges in Kerala. Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala , is based out of Kottayam. Kottayam boasts several other colleges and universities. There are 14 engineering colleges. Government Engineering College, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Kottayam is located in Pampady, 14 km east of Kottayam. Indian institute of information technology, Kottayam

1740-485: Is one of the six municipalities in the district, formed after the implementation of the Kerala Municipalities Act in 1994. The members of the municipal council are elected from each of 52 wards every five years, held with the local government elections across the state. The chairperson is the executive authority of the municipality. Kottayam city is the part of the Kottayam legislative assembly constituency and

1827-609: Is ranked first in literacy, with 95.9% literacy compared to 90.92% for Kerala State and 65.38% for India (2001 census). Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes constituted 6.73% and 0.31% of the total population in Kottayam respectively. 19,739 persons were engaged in work or business activity, including 14,282 males and 5,457 females. In the census survey, the worker is defined as a person who does business, job, service, cultivator or labour activity. Of total 19,739 working population, 90.17% were engaged in main work while 9.83% of total workers were engaged in marginal work. Jnananikshepam

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1914-589: Is the chief celebration, there are other celebrations also including the feast commemorating the foundation day of the church on 14 September, the feast of St. Alphonsa in July and the feast of St. Joseph in March. In addition to these celebrations the feasts of St. Sebastian , St. George and Our Lady of Sorrows are also observed. The members of the Saints Peter and Paul Church at Cherpunkal are Knanaya Catholics belonging to

2001-683: Is the former vicar general of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago. Good Samaritan Resource Centre is located at Mutholath Nagar in Cherpunkal is an Ability Development Centre inaugurated on 21 August 2011 by Minister of Kerala Mr. K.M. Mani and presided by Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt. This center functions as the State Learning Centre for the Rehabilitation of Deafblind Persons with all types of disabilities. Its services focus on

2088-517: Is the official social service department of the Archdiocese of Kottayam. KSSS is a registered non-profit organization of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kottayam established in 1964 to organize social service activities for all people that are below poverty line. KSSS organizes self-help groups of the marginalized sections such as women, farmers, widows, and disabled. The society aims at empowering

2175-517: The santero sculptor Juan Martínez Montañés began the trend. These icons of the Christ Child were often posed in the contrapposto style in which the positioning of the knees reflected in the opposite direction, similar to ancient depictions of the Roman Emperor . The images were quite popular among nobility of Spain and Portugal. Colonial images of the Christ child also began to wear vestments ,

2262-564: The Infancy Gospels provide accounts of the birth and early life of Jesus. These are sometimes depicted. These stories were intended to show Jesus as having extraordinary gifts of power and knowledge, even from a young age. A common tale has the young Jesus animating sparrows out of clay belonging to his playmates. When admonished for doing so on the Sabbath , as in later life, he makes the birds fly away. Several historically significant images of

2349-465: The Kingdom of Kayamkulam and then with the principality of Ambalapuzha against Travancore. After the fall of Ambalapuzha, and as the ruler of Thekkumkur refused to come to terms with Travancore, his capital city was taken on 11 September 1750 by Ramayyan Dalawa , the general and prime minister of Marthanda Varma, and the state was annexed to Travancore in 1753. By the early 19th century, Travancore became

2436-645: The Kottayam Lok Sabha constituency . The legislative assembly election is conducted every four years, last in May ;2016. The collectorate of the Kottayam District is located in Kottayam city. The present collector is Sri. John V Samuel IAS. Many administrative and district offices of Kottayam including the District Court is situated within the collectorate premises. Five courts were established during

2523-533: The Malayalam words kotta which means fort ( Thaliyilkotta ) and akam which means inside. The combined form, Kottaykkakam (കോട്ടയ്ക്കകം), can be translated as "inside the fort". From the beginning of the ninth century AD, the history of Thekkumkur and of Kottayam are virtually indistinguishable. Kottayam was then a part of Vempolinad, an area in the Kulashekara Empire (800 AD – 1103  AD). By 1103,

2610-710: The Meenachil River is the Holy Cross Forane Church of Cherpunkal is situated. Mar Sleeva is a Syriac word which means the Holy Cross . The church belongs to the Syro Malabar Catholic Church and under the diocese of Palai. The church premises sprawl along the river side and include the old and new churches, the presbytery, the old and new parish halls and the swanky buildings housing the High School,

2697-419: The 25th anniversary of his ordination to priesthood. He later contributed land and building for Good Samaritan Center for the welfare of deaf-blind children. Mutholath Auditorium is also constructed in the same campus under the ownership of Kottayam Social Service Society to support the expenses of Agape Bhavan and Good Samaritan Center. The whole project location is now known as Mutholath Nagar. Mutholath Nagar

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2784-399: The 8th standard in 1982. In 1984 the church was elevated to the status of a Forane church. In 1991 Bishop Mar Joseph Pallickaparampil blessed the chapel built by Fr. Cyriac Kunnel in the Cherpunkal town. When the number of devotees offering oil increased the present portico was built and the statue of Infant Jesus was placed in the portico in front of the main door of the church and a new lamp

2871-605: The Catholic Archdiocese of Kottayam under Syro Malabar Catholic Church . The parish was established in 1914 at Kalloor property and is relocated on 14 February 1993 at Cherpunkal Junction. The parish now serves 1050 members belonging to 210 families. The main feast of the parish is of Saint Sebastian that is celebrated on the last Sunday of the season of Denha . Other feasts that the parish celebrates are feast of Saint George on 24 April, Saint Peter and Saint Paul on 29 June, and Nativity of Mary on 8 September. The parish conducts 12-hour adoration on 21 December. The parish has

2958-779: The Christ Child have been canonically crowned , namely the Bambino Gesu of Arenzano and the Santo Bambino of Aracoeli (both in Italy ), the Infant Jesus of Prague ( Czech Republic ), and the Santo Niño de Cebú ( Philippines ). In the 17th century, French Carmelites promoted veneration of the "Little King of Beaune". In the late 19th century, a devotion to the "Holy Child of Remedy" developed in Madrid . Tàladh Chrìosda ("Christ Child Lullaby")

3045-606: The Christ Child. The Christian mystics Ss. Teresa of Ávila , Thérèse of Lisieux , along with the devotees of the Divino Niño such as Mother Angelica and Giovanni Rizzo claim to have had apparitions of the Infant Jesus. The Christ Child was a popular subject in European wood sculpture beginning in the 1300s. The Christ Child was well known in Spain under the title montañesino after

3132-669: The Diwan Peshkars gave way to district collectors , with the Kottayam district established in July ;1949. Kottayam has an average elevation of 3 metres (9.8 ft) above sea level. It is situated in the basin of the Meenachil River and in the basin of the Vembanad backwaters, which are formed from several streams in the Western Ghats of the Idukki district . The town is situated near

3219-673: The Higher Secondary School and the Bishop Vayalil Memorial Holy Cross College with the terraced church cemetery in the background right across the Kezhuvamkulam road. The open yard in front of the church can accommodate thousands of people during festivals. The church is visited by thousands of people from far and wide during festivals and on first Fridays. The relics of St. Sebastian , St. George , St. Alphonsa , Blessed Thevarparampil Kunjachan and of

3306-568: The Holy Cross are kept in the church and are taken out in a procession on feast days. The Holy Cross Church has four chapels at Cherpunkal town, the western junction of the town, Kezhuvamkulam and Neyyoor in addition to a Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Chempilavu. The Holy Cross Forane Church Cherpunkal is under the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Palai It is a forane church and it has 13 parishes under its jurisdiction. It has become

3393-537: The Infant Jesus. Gaston Jean Baptiste de Renty donated a statue which came to be referred to the "Little King of Grace". [1] He then introduced Jean-Jacques Olier , founder of the Sulpicians , to Sister Margaret. Olier then established the devotion to the Holy Infant at Saint-Sulpice, Paris . François Fénelon , who was then a priest at Saint-Sulpice, composed litanies of the Infant Jesus. Pope Alexander VII approved

3480-572: The Kingdom of Vempolinad had split into the Kingdoms of Thekkumkur and Vadakkumkur , and the latter became a vassal of Cochin . The royal house had originally been situated in Vennimala in Kottayam. It was protected by a fort known as Thaliyilkotta and, as a result, the locality came to be known by the same name as the fort. Afterward, Thekkumkur kings shifted their capital to Nattassery near Kumaranallore at

3567-531: The Mutholath Auditorium. Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt laid foundation stone for Impact Centre on 27 October 2019. After the completion of the building Mar Moolakkatt blessed and inaugurated the Impact Centre on 13 December 2020. Kottayam Kottayam ( IPA: [ko:ʈ:ayam] ) is a city in the Kottayam district of Kerala , India . It is the district headquarters of the district and

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3654-553: The Palai Diocese. The church was built in the Gothic style . The façade of the church has three arches with a tall belfry behind them; the altar is decorated with gold-coloured patterns; the chancel is decorated with unfading pictures. In 1958 during the vicariate of Fr. Thomas Plakkat the ceiling work for the roof of the church was done. The portico of the church was built during the time of office of Fr. Francis Mailadoor. Every year there

3741-476: The Persons with Deafblindness and Persons with Multiple Sensory Impairment (MSI). Agape Bhavan is situated Agape Junction half kilometer north of Cherpunkal Junction on the side of Cherpunkal-Palayam road. This institution serves the physically and mentally disabled persons and their families. It also has a notebook making unit and paper bag production unit for nearby hospitals that support the disabled and members of

3828-906: The Principal District Court as it Administrative Centre. The justice delivery system consists of eight Munsiff Courts, ten Judicial 1st Class Magistrate Courts, three Sub Courts, one Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, and three Additional District Courts. In addition to these regular courts, two Motor Accidents Claims Tribunals, one special court for Vigilance cases and two Family Courts also function in this district. The major political parties active in Kottayam are Indian National Congress (INC), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Kerala Congress . Trade union movements are also popular in Kottayam as Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS, Indian Workers' Union), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) and Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) affiliated workers engaged in

3915-784: The Travancore civil service against persons from outside. The Memorial, which was presented to the Maharaja Sri Moolam Thirunal (1891) was drafted at a public meeting held in the Kottayam Public Library. The event marked the beginning of the modern political movement in the State. It was here that the famous Vaikom Satyagraha (1924–25), an epic struggle for eradication of untouchability, took place. Scheduled castes and other backward classes in Travancore were denied not only entry into temples, but also access to temple roads. Vaikom,

4002-531: The administrative block had been completed in 2002. In 2006 the nursery school which had been functioning in the old parish hall was shifted to the new school building. In 2006 a new three-storey building was constructed for the BVM Holy Cross College under the guidance of Fr. Abraham Kaniyampadikal. Its inauguration took place in April 2006. Though the feast of the purification of Our Lady on the first of January

4089-414: The chair, take decisions about the administration of the church. In order to overcome the difficulties caused by the bifurcation of the parish into two parts by the Meenachil River a bridge was built under the leadership of Fr. Francis Mailadoor with the help of contributions from the church and the parishioners. A three storied building was constructed in 1988 for the high school that started functioning with

4176-410: The church started in 1911, permission for the church construction was received from the bishop in 1913 and the church was blessed as the parish unit of Paingalam Cherukara church in 1914. Vicar of Paingalam Cherukara church, Fr. Makil Luke Senior blessed the church and offered first mass on 29 June 1914 with authorization from Bishop Mar Alexander Chulaparambil . Fr. Kottoor John Senior was appointed as

4263-549: The construction of the Paingalam Cherukara church, the Knanaya Catholics of Cherpunkal approached Bishop Mar Mathew Makil, the then bishop of Kottayam, for permission to construct a separate church for themselves at Cherpunkal; however, this request was not granted. The Knanaya Catholics bought a plot of land with their money collected during their monthly prayer for a Knanaya church at Cherpunkal. Their original intention

4350-481: The construction of the new church at Cherpunkal Junction on 14 January 1990. With great support from the parishioners and generous contribution of others, the church construction was completed under the leadership of Fr. John Kainikkaraparayil. Bishop Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry consecrated the church 14 February 1993. The Visitation Congregation of the Archdiocese of Kottayam started their convent at Cherpunkal near SS. Peter and Paul Church Cherpunkal in 1995. A parish hall

4437-482: The eight days that follow there are devotional services, processions with due ceremonials from all the four corners of the parish, pyrotechnics and numerous artistic performances. The church and its premises are filled to capacity by devotees during the prayers that ring out the old year and ring in the New Year as well as during the ceremonial Holy Mass. A memorial was erected, though after many centuries, in commemoration of

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4524-486: The first pro-vicar of the church under the Paingalam Cherukara Church. There were discussions on who would be the patron saint of the parish. That was finalized by taking lot as the will of God. Thus, Saint Peter and Saint Paul were selected as patron saints of the parish. This church at Kalloor, Cherpunkal was elevated as a full-fledged parish on 14 March 1919. There were many unfavorable circumstances for

4611-482: The following pious associations: Society of Saint Vincent de Paul , Cherupushpa Mission League , Legion of Mary , and Association of the Holy Childhood . Knanaya Catholic Youth League (KCYL) and Knanaya Catholic Women Association (KCWA) are the lay associations of the parish. Parish also has 7 Koodarayogams (ward prayer groups). The old church at Kalloor property is now a shrine and cemetery church. The cemetery of

4698-735: The fund they raised, they wished to have their own Knanaya Catholic Church at Cherpunkal so that they can avoid difficult journey of six kilometers to Paingalam for services like baptism, wedding, and funeral. After the establishment of the Diocese of Kottayam on 29 August 1911 exclusively for Knanaya Catholics by Pope Pius X, partition was made between Knanaya and non-Knanaya parishioners of the Paingalam church on 14 November 1912. At that time 1278 members belonged to 225 Knanaya Catholic families and 376 members of 73 families belonged to non-Knanaya families. The estimated value of church building and other properties

4785-440: The inland estuary of Meenachil river where it empties into the Vembanad lake in Kumarakom . According to the division of places in Kerala based on altitudes, Kottayam is classified as a midland area. The general soil type is alluvial soil. The vegetation is mainly tropical evergreen and moist deciduous. Under the Köppen climate classification , Kottayam has a Tropical monsoon climate (Am). The climate in this district

4872-423: The integral development of persons with disabilities so that they develop their available talents, become self-reliant as much as possible, and generate income for their living if possible. The centre also educate the family of the disabled for a positive attitude towards the disabled member in their family. Good Samaritan Resource Centre is unique in its services, offering holistic care and rehabilitation services for

4959-484: The labor sector. The current municipal chairperson is PR Sona. United Democratic Front (Kerala) (UDF[K]) is the ruling coalition of parties, holding a majority in the municipal council. The current member of legislative assembly (MLA) from Kottayam is Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan . He has been of the member of legislative assembly of Kerala representing Kottayam town constituency since 2011. Infant Jesus The four canonical gospels lack any narrative covering

5046-463: The leadership of Venerable Mar Thomas Kurialacherry , Bishop of Archeparchy of Changanassery with help of Syro Malabar Catholic Church , established the famous SB College in Changanasserry in 1922. Today CMS College Kottayam and SB College Changanasserry stands as a landmark and has made a huge contribution to education in the district. Thus, Kottayam became India's first town with 100% literacy in 1989. The Government Medical College, Kottayam ,

5133-419: The location of the Kalloor Church that prompted for a relocation of the church to Cherpunkal junction: (1) This church was not at a central location for majority of the parishioners but had to be built there because of the difficulty to get government permission. That restriction was before Indian independence and with democracy that restriction is gone. (2) The church was on a hill with many steps to climb. So it

5220-409: The main altar for the Kallampally family on 14 September every year still continues. The old church and the presbytery were constructed under the supervision of Rev. Philipose Vattamattathil. The new church was blessed in 1911 by the vicar general Msgr. Cyriac Kannamkary during the tenure of the Vicar Apostolic Mar Thomas Kurialacherry . Cherpunkal Holy Cross Forane Church is one of the big churches in

5307-507: The meeting. On this day Cardinal Alancherry requested Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkattu to name the campus, Mutholath Nagar. Impact Centre is an addition at Mutholath Nagar donated by Fr. Abraham Mutholath as part of the Ruby Jubilee celebration of his priestly ordination. This is to provide additional accommodation facility for the training programs at Good Samaritan Centre, It also provides accommodation for visitors from outside for temporary stay for vacation or to make wedding arrangements at

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5394-417: The newly introduced higher secondary course. The blessing of the Mar Sleeva Parish Hall took place in 2001. As an extension of the old presbytery, a two-storied block was constructed under the leadership of Fr. Abraham Kaniyampadikal to house the vicar's office on the first floor and the Infant Jesus stall on the ground floor for the sale of religious books and other articles. Though the stall was started in 2005

5481-405: The northern bank of the Meenachil River was shifted to the southern bank. The foundation stone for the new church was laid on 14 September 1096. The land for the construction of the church was donated by Kallampally Namboothiri, a landlord. The old church, which is still preserved, was built in the 15th century to accommodate the increasing number of believers. The routine of offering the Holy Mass on

5568-407: The offering of oil for the ever burning lamp. The novena prayers, which give solace and hope to many, were prepared by the assistant vicar Fr. Jose Eanthanal in 1977. It is customary for devotees to offer gold items to Infant Jesus. Fr.Jacob Mannalal serving as vicar during 1969-70 divided the parish into 30 wards. The representatives from these 30 wards who assemble once every month with the vicar in

5655-512: The outskirts of Kottayam town. It is believed that the Thekkumkur dynasty ruled Kottayam from Thazhathangadi. Rulers of Munjanad and Thekkumkur had their headquarters at Thazhathangadi in the present Kottayam town. Marthanda Varma of Travancore attacked Thekkumkur and destroyed the palace and the Thaliyil fort. The remnants of the palaces and forts are still seen here. The Portuguese and the Dutch established trade relations with both of these kingdoms, dealing in black pepper and other spices. After

5742-501: The parish is close to this shrine. The entrance to this old church is reconstructed at the supervision and expense of Stany Joseph Mulavelippurath. Parish also has a shrine of St. Sebastian beside Cherpunkal-Palayam Road. The land for this shrine was donated by Ouseph Joseph Mulavelippurath and the renewed shrine was constructed at the expense of his son Stany Mulavelippurath. The Auxiliary bishop of Kottayam Mar Joseph Pandarasseril blessed this shrine on 1 February 2008. The parish has had

5829-466: The parish. This situation continued until 1737. While continuing their official membership at Paingalam old church, the Knanaya Catholics at Cherpunkal also used to meet their spiritual needs at Holy Cross Church, Cherpunkal. The Knanaya Catholics in Cherpunkal area used to have monthly get-together for prayer and social gathering along with food. They also used to collect four chakram ( Travancore Rupee ) from each family during these meetings. Making use of

5916-404: The pastoral and liturgical activities of the parish. Centuries ago, a few Knanaya Catholic families migrated to Cheupunkal area. They were members of Paingalam old church established on 8 September 1560 by Knanaya Catholics. After 179 years, the non-Knanaya Catholics who migrated to that area requested to be served by this parish. Their request was granted without any share in the administration of

6003-435: The people for development. Kottayam Social Service Society is a pioneer in the Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) for persons with disability in Kerala. The land for the Mutholath Nagar was donated by M.C. Chacko and Achamma Mutholath and the buildings were sponsored in their memory by Fr. Abraham Mutholath who is from St. Peter and Paul Church, Cherpunkal and is a priest of the Archdiocese of Kottayam. Fr. Abraham Mutholath

6090-443: The place where the apostle marked the site of the church with a sandal. A plot of land which was in the possession of Mathew Kurian Valepeedikayil was handed over to the church in 1927 on the condition of a yearly High Holy Mass for the members of his family and on this land Rev. Dr. Augustine Kachiramattam built the memorial in 1988. It was blessed by the Bishop of Palai, Mar Joseph Pallickaparampil. The Holy Cross Church at Cherpunkal

6177-427: The rhythm of the surf. It is sung in the Hebrides at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve . On 1636, a Discalced Carmelite nun, Venerable Margaret of the Blessed Sacrament , founded the Association of the Child Jesus in Beaune , France, in honor of the divine infancy. Later, the Bishop of Autun canonically established the Confraternity of the Holy Infancy. On 1639 a chapel was built in the Carmel of Beaune, dedicated to

6264-680: The seat of a celebrated Siva Temple, was the venue of the symbolic satyagraha. Due to these protests, the Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma issued the Temple Entry Proclamation in 1936. Kottayam became a revenue division of Travancore. A fifth division, Devikulam , existed for a short period but was later added to Kottayam. At the time of the integration of the State of Travancore and Cochin in 1949, these revenue divisions were redesignated as districts and

6351-469: The self-help groups in the area. The institution started functioning in a newly constructed classroom on 16 August 2014. The fully constructed building was blessed by Archbishop Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry in the presence of Mar Mathew Moolakkatt and inaugurated by the then Finance Minister of Kerala Mr. K.M. Mani on 2 January 2006. The land and building were donated by Fr. Abraham Mutholath on the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination. Mutholath Auditorium

6438-443: The state ever since. Newspaper Malayala Manorama , published from Kottayam, is one of the largest circulating dailies in India. The Malayala Manorama Group, based in Kottayam, also owns Manorama Online, Manorama News Channel, The Week magazine and other publications. Other major Malayalam newspapers— Mathrubhoomi , Deshabhimani , Deepika , Madhyamam , and around thirty periodicals are published from Kottayam. Kottayam

6525-506: The subjugation of the Dutch East India Company by the Kingdom of Travancore in the 1741 Travancore–Dutch War , military operations of Marthanda Varma progressed against the northern neighboring kingdoms, including Thekkumkur. Though Thekkumkur allied with Chempakassery and Vadakkumkoor to protect the kingdom, all of them were finally annexed to Travancore. Another source states that the ruler of Thekkumkur had sided first with

6612-500: The tenure of Colonel John Munro , as the Diwan of various states in India. One of these was established in Vaikom , in the northwest of Kottayam district. The district court at Kottayam was established in 1910 during the period of Sree Moolam Thirunal Maharaja of Tranvancore . The court celebrated its centenary in 2010. The District Headquarters of the judiciary is set up at Kottayam city with

6699-462: The years between Jesus' infancy and his parents' finding him in the Temple when he was 12. Liturgical feasts relating to Christ's infancy and childhood include: From about the third or fourth century onwards, the child Jesus is frequently shown in paintings, and sculpture. Commonly these are nativity scenes showing the birth of Jesus, with his mother Mary , and her husband Joseph . Depictions as

6786-478: Was Rs. 10,000. The non-Knanaya Catholics got the church and Knanaya Catholics received Rs. 5,000. With that money Knanaya Catholics bought a property at Cherukara hills and constructed a small church, which was blessed by Bishop Mar Matthew Makil on 15 August 1913.Bishop [Makil also laid the foundation stone for a bigger church, which was built under the leadership of Fr. Makil Luke Sr. and consecrated by Bishop Mar Alexander Chulaparambil on 22 February 1922. During

6873-456: Was also constructed at the back of the church at the initiative of Fr. Abraham Mutholath and leadership of Fr. Mathew Mavelil. A substantial amount was also contributed in memory of Late Chacko Kurian Mutholath by his children. The first anniversary of the ward meetings (Koodarayogams) was held in a large scale on 19 November 2006. On the same day the vault construction in memory of Late Mr. Mathai and Mrs. Mariamma Valloor donated by their children

6960-573: Was also going on, this church at Cherpunkal did not get any financial support from mother church at that time. There were only 50 Kananaya Catholic families at Cherpunkal. Contributions were collected in cash and labor from the Knanaya Catholics of Cherpunkal. Collections were also received from people of Cherpunkal and nearby villages under the leadership of Varikattu Chandy Chacko. The leaders of this construction were Pandiyamthottil Thomman, Thengumthottathil Ouseph, Mulavelipurath Pothen, Varikattu Chacko, and Mutholath Chacko. The planning and collection for

7047-415: Was believed to have been set up at a place chosen by the apostle. The place where the cross stood, with the passage of time, came to be called Cherpunkal. It is believed that this cross was instrumental in working numerous miracles. In response to several requests sent abroad, a crucifix embossed on a single piece of wood arrived. In accordance with an order issued by the meenachil karthavu, the church built on

7134-482: Was blessed by Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt. Fr. Abraham Mutholath, a priest from this parish bought 39 cents of land and constructed a building at Agape Junction called Agape Bhavan for social service with special importance to the Community Based Rehabilitation of the physically and mentally disabled or differently abled. This was his contribution to Kottayam Social Service Society as a souvenir of

7221-399: Was difficult for the sick and elderly people to reach the church. (3) Later establishment of a rubber processing factory near the church caused bad smell. (4) The parish had a small shrine at Cherpunkal junction. The parishioners purchased more land adjacent to the shrine on 25 August 1987 and built a new church replacing the shrine. Bishop Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry laid foundation stone for

7308-470: Was erected for devotees to pour oil. The Bishop Vayalil memorial Holy Cross College was started in 1995 with the concurrence of the government and the Mahatma Gandhi University . In 2002 the St. Sebastian church was completed at Kidangoor on a plot of one acre and eight cents of land donated by Fr. Sebastian Chempakassery who belonged to the Cherpunkal parish. A new block was built in 1998 to house

7395-518: Was established in 1817 by the Church Missionary Society of England under the leadership of Col. John Munro , as CMS College . Later in 1891, the clergies of Catholic Church , under the leadership of Fr Charles Lavigne , established St Berchmans English High School, Changanassery , one of the first residential English High School in Central Travancore. On seeing a need for instituition for higher education in Kottayam - Malabar region , under

7482-605: Was the first newspaper published by the natives of Kerala, published at CMS press at Kottayam in 1848. Kottayam has produced many well-known writers, journalists and artists. Novelist Muttathu Varkey and poet Pala Narayanan Nair both have roots in Kottayam. Kottayam Pushpanath , a writer of crime thrillers lives in Kottayam. The Indian-English novelist Arundhati Roy is a native of Kottayam and her semi-autobiographical Booker Prize-winning novel, The God of Small Things , contains her childhood experiences in Aymanam , Kottayam. Unni R.

7569-530: Was to construct the church at Puthettu property. However, because of a government ordinance against constructing any more churches in Kidangoor Village based on an issue arose from the construction of Kindangoor St. Mary's Knanaya Catholic Church, they sold Puthettu property and bought Kalloor property outside the boundary of Kidangoor village across Chakini thodu (ചകിണി തോട്) (Stream leading to Meenachil River ). Since construction of Paingalam Cherukara church

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