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=Alencherry Church=

St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church, Alencherry (The Global Marthamariyam Pilgrim Center)
The church, hallowed and blessed by the unseen presence of St.Mary; the Mother of Lord, belongs to Trivandrum diocese of Malankara Orthodox Church. The church is located in Alencherry, just 3kms away from Anchal town of Kollam District in Kerala.

Alencherry church has a long history of 75 years; the history behind which the church still remains as a source and fountain of strength for all those whose seeks the prayer to Mother Mary. The church is one of the famous Pilgrim Centre in South India.

Thousands visit the church throughout the year especially during the Church Feast (Ettunombu Perunal) celebrating from September 1st to 8th of every year.The church is popularly known as 'Theikkan Manarcad'. It is also a Counselling Centre of Thirupanathapuram diocese. Recognizing the importance of this spiritual place, H.H The Catholicos of East & Malankara Metropolitan Baselius Marthoma Didymus I declared the parish as "Global Marthamariyam Pilgrim Centre" on 3rd September 2010.

In this church, communities find a sign of their fellowship with each other and the expression of their unity throughout the world. !

Church History
Years back, Syrian Christians from different region, especially from Thumbamon, Kadambanadu and other Central Travancore places migrated to Anchal and nearby places for the purpose of trade and agriculture.

In 1932, they built a small shed in the land of Sri. George Ommen(Bethel) in Alencherry ( 1KM away from main junction) and started the Sunday school. This was the first mile stone in the construction of St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church Alencherry.

Years later, in 1936 Sri. George Ommen donated that land to Malankara Metropolitha for the construction of a new church. People built a church in the name of St. Mary; and accordingly to the tradition and customs of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. On 28th August 1937, the church was consecrated by H.G Puthencavil Mar Phelaxinos ( Metropolitha of Thumbamon).Rev. Fr. Koshy Mavizharikathu ( Ayoor) served as the first vicar of the parish. From 1938 to 1974, Rev. Fr. K Gheevarghese Changarampallil ( Manoor Achan) served as the vicar of the church. During this period, Shimonah; the Angel of Mount Athos visited the church,during his visit to India. He spent more than one month in this church, with prayers and meditation. He was very much attracted with the church and got many spiritual visions during his prayer. He painted and purified a holy picture of St.Mary and Jesus Christ,with the holy oil and water from the river Jordan. The holy picture is still preserved in the church with atmost care.

From 1938 to 1974, Rev. Fr. K Gheevarghese Changarampallil ( Manoor Achan) served as the vicar of the church. During this period, Shimonah; the Angel of Mount Athos visited the church,during his visit to India. He spent more than one month in this church, with prayers and meditation. He was very much attracted with the church and got many spiritual visions during his prayer. He painted and purified a holy picture of St.Mary and Jesus Christ,with the holy oil and water from the river Jordan. The holy picture is still preserved in the church with atmost care.

Since 1974, Nativity of St. Mary( Ettunombu Perunal) is being celebtrated as the main Perunal of the church. Now it is being celebrated as "Alencherry Church Feast". Every year on September 7th, after the evening prayer ( Sandhya Namaskaram), the procession ( Rassa) is being held from Alencherry to church.

Since 1974, Nativity of St. Mary( Ettunombu Perunal) is being celebtrated as the main Perunal of the church. Now it is being celebrated as "Alencherry Church Feast". Every year on September 7th, after the evening prayer ( Sandhya Namaskaram), the procession ( Rassa) is being held from Alencherry to church.

Important Events in the history of Alencherry Church
August 1932 Temporary Church Built & Started Sunday School August 1936 Construction of the first church started 28 August 1937 First church consecrated by H.G Puthencavil Mar Phelaxinos October 1938 Shimonah of Mount Athos visited the church November 1938 Shimonah laid the holy cross in Altar December 1938 Holy picture of St.Mary painted by Shimonah placed in church 1956 Decision taken for constructing the 2nd Church 26 December 1961 Foundation stone of 2nd church laid by H.G Mathews Mar Coorilos 1 September 1965 Nativity of St. Mary( Ettunombu Perunal) stared in Church 13 February 1966 2nd Church consecrated by H.G Mathews Mar Coorilos 6 September 1975 H.H Baselius Marthoma Mathews I visited the church 1 January 1979 Church came under Thirupanathapuram Diocese 15 August 1982 First Prayer Room consecrated by H.G Geevarghese Mar Diocorous 8 September 2001 Foundation Stone of present church laid by H.H Baselius Marthoma Mathews II 31 August 2006  Present Church Consecrated by H.H Baselius Didymos I 3 September 2010 Church declared as International Marthamariyam Pilgrim Centre 28 August 2011 Marthamariyam Shrine consecrated by H.G Gabriel Mar Gregorios 28 August 2011 Platinum Jubilee Year inaugurated by H.G Gabriel Mar Gregorios 4 September 2011 Church uplifted as Couselling Centre 4 - 8 April 2012 H.G Dr Gabriel Mar Gregorios led the Parish Week Service in the Parish 8 September 2012 Platinum Jubilee Year end meeting inaugurated by H.G Dr Yohanon Mar Melitios

Priests who served as vicar at Alencherry Church
1936 - 1938 Rev Fr Koshy Kattanar (Ayoor) 1938 - 1974 Rev Fr Geevarghese Changaramparambil 1965 - 1970 Rev Fr Jyanashikamani Shastri (Asst. Vicar) 1970 - 1971 Rev Fr Alex Kurumbil (Asst. Vicar) 1971 - 1975 Rev Fr P V Samuel 1975 - 1976 Rev Fr W A Cherian (H.G Zachariah Mar Anthonios) 1976 Rev Fr P M Koshy 1976 - 1977 Rev Fr C Kurian 1977 - 1979 Rev Fr K P Philip Rev Fr Zachariah Abraham (Asst. Vicar) 1979 - 1981 Rev Fr Yohanan Panicker 1981 - 1988 Rev Fr Thomas T Vargheese 1988 - 1992 Rev Fr K K Thomas 1992 - 1994 Rev Fr C Koshy 1994 - 1997 Rev Fr Joseph Samuel Karukayil Rev Fr C D Rajan (Asst. Vicar) 1997 - 2000 Rev Fr Anil John 2000 - 2003 Rev Fr C Johnson Mulamottil 2003 - 2005 Rev Fr Mathew Abraham 2005 - 2010 Rev Fr John Philip 2010 Rev Fr John Daniel 2010 - 2012 Rev Fr K G Jacob Panicker 2012 Onwards Rev Fr Sam Kanjickal

Contact Address
St.Mary's Orthodox Church, Alencherry, Alayamon P.O., Anchal, Kollam(Dist.), Kerala, India 691 324 Phone : +91 475 2274526

Website : www.alencherrychurch.org E mail : alencherrychurch@gmail.com