St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Piravom

St. Mary's Malankara Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Piravom, also known as Piravom Valiyapally, is one of the more ancient and prominent cathedral churches in Kerala, India. It currently is under the jurisdiction of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The church stands on a hilltop on the eastern bank of the Muvattupuzha river at Piravom, 35 km. east of Kochi. The church was built by the ancient Malankara Nasranees or the Malankara Syrian Christians in the name of Holly Mary. It is a pilgrimage center for Christians in Kerala. The ownership of the church has been disputed between the Jacobite and Orthodox churches,[1] with the supreme court ruling in 2019 that ownership of the cathedral be given to the Orthodox church.[2]

St. Mary's Malankara Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Piravom
St. Mary's Malankara Syrian Orthodox Cathedral, Piravom
St. Mary's Malankara Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Piravom
9.8782°N 76.487°E / 9.8782; 76.487
LocationPiravom, Ernakulam District, Kerala
CountryIndia
DenominationOrthodox Syrian Church
History
Founded6th century
DedicationHoly Magi, St. Mary, St. Peter and St. Paul, St. George
Administration
DioceseKandanad

Important festivals
‘Paithel Nercha’ at Valiyapally, Piravom

Denaha (Annual celebration of the holy Baptism of Christ) on January 6 is the main celebration in the church. The best attraction of the festival is the procession.

The 'Paithel Nercha' (the feast for 12 male children) on the Easter Day at the Piravom church is very famous. The 'Paithel Nercha' is one of the major offerings dedicated to the church. The main part of the offering is 12 infants will sit with the priest who sanctifies the offering and they will be feasted with delicious food.

The Festival of St. George on May 7 and St. Mary on August 15 are other main festivals.

2019 conflict between Jacobite and Orthodox

A disagreement between the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church over who has custody over the Piravom Valiyapally since the two denominations split apart in 1912. On 3 July 2017 the Supreme Court of India ruled that the church was the property of the latter.[3] On 24 September 2019 a standoff over whom controls the church developed between members of the two denominations. Over 700 police personnel were deployed to keep the calm. The situation came to a head on 25 September when the Jacobite contingent blocked Orthodox worshipers from entering the church.[4] The two day standoff came to an end on 26 September when Kerala police forcibly evicted the Jacobite faithful occupying the church.[5] On 28 September Orthodox worship resumed at the church,[6] although Jacobites continued to protest outside.[7][8]

References
  1. Bezbaruah, Madan Prasad; Gopal, Dr Krishna; Girota, Phal S. (2003). Fairs and Festivals of India: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu. Gyan Pub. House.
  2. "Kerala Church row ends after bishops give in". India Today. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  3. Nedumparambill, Aaron (6 February 2019). "A feud that began in 19th century: What happened before Jacobite-Orthodox locked horns". The News Minute. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  4. "Tense situation at Piravom Valiyapally, Jacobites stop Orthodox community from entering church". Kerala Kaumundi. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  5. "Ernakulam: District administration takes over Piravom church". The Times of India. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  6. "Orthodox faction can conduct service at St Mary's Piravom Church on Sunday: Kerala HC". The News Minute. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  7. "Orthodox faction conducts prayers at Piravom St Mary's amidst protest by Jacobites". The Times of India. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  8. Martin, K. a (26 September 2019). "Explained | The Piravom church stand-off and the century-old rivalry among two Christian factions in Kerala". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
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