Niranam Church - India

Niranam Church has a rich history of being the symbol of Christian faith in Kerala and a citadel of Orthodox Christianity since its inception in AD 54 by St Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. St Thomas reached Kerala in AD 52 and started preaching the gospel. He founded 8 churches, which are called 'Ezhara Pallikal', meaning seven and half churches. These were at Kodungallur, Kollam, Niranam, Nilackal (Chayal), Kokkamangalam, Kottakkayal (Paravoor), Palayoor (Chattukulangara) and Thiruvithamkode (the half church). St. Thomas who had great respect for the Holy Virgin, named all these churches after St. Mary. At Niranam, St. Thomas baptised many people and ordained people with social eminence as priests, to administer the church. The church founded by St Thomas at Niranam was adjacent to Sri Thrikpaleswara Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva. Some adversaries of the new faith later took out the cross, founded by the Apostle and threw it into the neighboring river. When St Thomas returned to Niranam after two years (AD 54) he heard about this and went in search of the cross. He found it at a place in the down stream and again founded the church at that place, which is believed to be the present location of the church. According to the available records, the present building is the fourth, which was built in 1912. The third building was built in 1259.

Analysis of soil says that during the first century, Niranam and the surrounding places were costal region. Probably, it was a place where the river joined the sea. Some historians are of the opinion that the name Niranam derived from an old name 'NeerMannu', which meant land with water. Presence of water bodies enabled travel through water and it is believed that the Apostle reached Niranam in a ship (it might be a big boat). During the 14 th century, there was a great flood and the geography of the area changed a lot because the sea retreated exposing a lot of land. Even today, there is a place at Niranam, near Kolarayar - a tributary of River Pampa - named 'Thomathukadavu', which is supposed to be the spot where St. Thomas got down from the ship. The word 'Thomathukadavu' might have emerged from 'Thoma Vanna Kadavu', which means the jetty where Thomas came.

Niranam Church was the southern headquarters of the Orthodox Church in Kerala for centuries. Many of the Malankara Metropolitans (the chief bishops) ruled the church by staying here. The church is famous for its historical importance, loyalty to the Indian Orthodox Church, architectural beauty and some of its antiques. Almost all of the old churches in southern Kerala - whether belonging to Orthodox, Marthoma or Roman Catholic churches - were separated from this mother parish, during course of time. Niranam Church witnessed a number of historical events in the church history including the establishment of a Catholicate in the Indian Orthodox Church in 1912. The first Catholicose and second Catholicose of the church were ordained at Niranam Church (in 1912 and 1925). Four of the Malankara Metropolitans of the church passed away while staying here and two were buried here. For a full list of important events at Niranam Church, click here.

SPIRITUAL (FORE) FATHERS
Marthoma Bishops – 1653 to 1816 AD All Marthoma Bishops belonged to the Pakalomattam family. Marthoma I Archdeacon Thomas became Marthoma I. He belonged to the Vadakkedam branch of Pakalomattam. Pulinos call him “Parambil Thommi”, which cannot be true. The general expression of uncle of Bishop Alexander De Cempo, must have confused the Europeans. After a tumultuous life, he expired on 1670 April-22. He was buried in Ankamali St. Mary’s Church. Marthoma – II He was the son of the brother of Marthoma I. He died at Niranam, in 1686 April-13. he was buried in St. Mary’s church Niranam. Marthoma – III He was the brother of Marthoma – II. After being Bishop for 2 years he died on April 19-1688 at Kadampanad church and was buried in St. Thomas church Kadampanad. Marthoma – IV He belonged to Pakalomattam  Arackal Branch. He was vicar of Kuravilangad church and became Marthoma on Compulsion. He was Bishop for 40 years. He died on March 24, 1728. He was buried in Kandanad St. Mary’s Church. Marthoma – V He belonged to Andoor branch of Pakalomattam. His father served as administration Chief of Vadakkumkur Kings. He was ordained in 1728. He ruled for 37 years and died on May 8 – 1765. He is Buried at Niranam St. Mary’s Church. Marthoma – VI He ruled from 1755 to 1808 April – 8. He was the only son of Mathew Tharakan elder brother of Marthoma V. His real name was Ipe. He re-titled himself as Valia Mar Dionysius. His remains are in Puthenkavu  St. Mary’s Church. Marthoma – VII He belonged to Palli Vadakkedathu family Kurichithanathu Kannokunnel. He was the son of Ouseph, brother of Marthoma VI. He was ordained as Marthoma VII at Kandanadu. On July 4 1809 he died at Kolencherry and was buried at Kolenchery church. Marthoma –VIII He was son of Kuriala, the paternal uncle of Marthoma VII. He  ruled from Kandanadu for 5 years. He died on January 23. 1816 and was buried at Puthenkavu St. Mary’s church. Marthoma – IX He could not function effectively. He was the Ipe Priest who was the brother of Kuriala Kadamattathu Thekkilakattil uncle of Marthoma VIII. Pulikkottil Ittoop Remban with the help of resident dewan Munroe of Travancore, ordained himself as Mar Dionysius – II and captured power. He died in 1817 and was buried in Kadamattam church. After abdication he took Sanyas and lived at Kadamattam till death. With him the Mrthoma Bishops from Pakalomattam ended. In 1812 Marthoma VIII wrote a letter to Madras governments in which he says that for 1308 years continuously Pakalomattam family headed the Church. Now there are Bishops in many branches of the Pakalomattam family.       Bishop Alexander De Campo  He was ordained Bishop on January 31st 1663. He was ordained in Kaduthuruthy church. He belonged to the Parambil branch of Pakalomattam at Muttuchira. The parambil building of Parambrem Kara existed there till two centuries back. Parambil Kuriakose married into Kudukkasserry and the son born to the couple later became the Bishop. His mother’s house belonged to Palliveedu, and another branch was Panamkuzha. Hence he was called by those family names also. De Campo is the Latin translation of Parambil the Malayalam family name. He was Vicar of Kuravilangad Parish and later had Kuravilangad as his head quarter. His vicar general and Archdeacon belong to Parambil Branch of Pakalomattam. Out of 117 churches in Kerala 71 fully and 18 partially sided with Bishop Alexander De campo. This is a major success. Catholics became majority party in the Church split, because of this success of the Bhishop. He died on December – 23, 1687. He was buried in the Kuravilangad church.
rev. Dr.Stephanos mar theodosius methrapolitha Cyril Mar Baselous Dr. Varghese mar osthathios metrapolitha Dr. isac mar philexinos episcopal Dr. Thomas mar makarios Mar Vijayanant nedumburam Bishops after Mar Thoma Metropolitans Period (After 1800 AD) The Pakalomattam family with unbroken monopoly of Bishops and Archdeacons for 1800 years in Indian church, is unparalleled in universal history. No dynasties or kingdoms, survived in the world like this. The Bishops after 1800 AD in various Pakalomattam Branches registered with Pakalomattam Maha Kudumbayogam are shown below. Philiphose Mar Dianesious (Dianesious IV) Cheppatt (Anjilimoottil yogam Pallippad) (1825-1855) Orthodox Church. Geevarghese Mar Dianesious (Dianesious VI) Vattasseril (Powathikunnel Palackamannil Yogam Mallappally (1908- 1934) Orthodox Church. Kuriakose Mar Gregorios (Pampady Thirumeni) (Karinganamattom yogam, Pampady) Orthodox Church. Dr. Yuhanon Marthoma Metropolitan(Ayroor Thazamon yogam) Marthoma Church. Mar James Kalassery (Mukkatt yogam Changanacherry) Catholic Church M.M. John (Parel yogam Ayamanam) C.S.I Dr. Stephanos Mar Thevodosios (Ambalakadavu yogam Kurichi) Orthodox Church. Dr. Thomas Mar Osthathios (Panthalumakkal yogam, Kamukumpilly) Jacobite Church Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios (Ayroor Thazhamon yogam) Orthodox Church. Cyril Mar Baselios (Pandalam Sakha) Catholicos of Malankara Catholic Church Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios (Valiyaveettil Mavelikkara) Orthodox Church. Augen Mar Dianesius (Ayroor Thazhamon yogam) Orthodox Church. Mar Jose Porunnedon (Pittappillil yogam Muvattupuzha) Catholic Church Mar Baselious Climis (Powathikunnel yogam Mallappally) Catholicos of Malankara Catholic Church Dr. Joseph, Pathalil (Pathalil Yogam Nedumkunnam) Catholic Church Mar Vijayanand Nedumpuram (Vattamattom yogam Cherpunkal) Catholic Church Dr. Issac Mar Philaxinos (Valiyavettil yogam Mavelikkara) Marthoma Church Paulose Mar Iraneous (Vettikunnel yogam Manarcadu) Jacobite Church