User:Kottakkavu

kottakkavu is the first church in india founded by apostle st.thomas in the first century Ad. for more informations www.kottackkavuchurch.org email vicar@kottackkavuchurch.org http://www.kottackkavuchurch.org St.Thomas Kottakkavu Forane Church is one of the seven churches started by St.Thomas, the Apostle in 52 AD. This comes under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Ankamaly. The western border of Paravur was marked by backwaters (in native language it is called ‘Kayal’) thus the place cause to be known as ‘Paravur Kottakkayal’. The ancient towns like Kodungalloor (Cranganoore), Maliankara and Paravur stands at the banks of this Kayal. St Thomas came to Kodungalloor in 52 AD and from there he reached Kottakkavu. At that time some festival was going on in a ‘kavu’. St.Thomas took this opportunity to preach about Christ to those people who were participating in the feast. But the people not only accept the preaching but they also threatened him. A sudden tempest that blew threw down the people and the elephants which was there standing as a part of the ceremony became violent. The feared people prayed to St. Thomas to save them from the disaster. He prayed taking some water from the pond and sprinkled the water upon them. Things became normal but they saw a miracle. Some of the water drops, which the apostle sprinkled, remained in the air. All on a sudden the news flashed people began to run to the spot to see the miracle. Now the situation to preach about Christ is well began to preach about Christ. Those people who believed in Christ wanted to erect a cross as a sign of their faith proclamation. But where to erect was their problem. Then it was decided that the place must be that where the elephant places the log. The old church exists in the same place where the cross is thus erected. From here St.Thomas went to different place. Once again he came back here and ordained priests. These people became the leaders of St.Thomas (Marthoma) Christians.

According to a popular slogan 'ramban pattu'

"The Saint reached the Kottakkayal

Where he taught the Holy Way

There within a span of a year

One thousand seven hundred

And another seventy of them

Were christened by baptism"

(ramban pattu - it is a collection of songs oral by transmitted among the members of St.Thomas Christians and it gives information about the life and activities of St.Thomas in India. ) St.Thomas baptized 1770 people in the pond near the church. This pond is preserved even now. People consider it as sacred and use water (theertham) of the pond as a remedy for several sicknesses. On St.Thomas day (dukrana, 3rd July) a common celebration of baptism is conducted here.

Mar Sabore and Mar Prothe

In AD 880 two bishops, Mar Sabore and Mar Prothe came from Persia to Kerala, and they rendered their service to Kollam and Kodungalloor. The second church of Kottakkavu was rebuilt on this time. After their death they were remembered as saints and their name was given to this church. But later, after the Udayamperoor Council this church was renamed by the name of St. Gervasis and St. Protasis according to decision of council. A Persian cross-engraved on granite stone by Mar Sabore and Mar Prothe about 880 AD is preserved in the chapel in front of the church.

Privileged Altar (picture)

The existing Old Church, that is, the third church was built in AD 1308. Considering the request made by the two native priests who went to Rome to visit the then Pope Gregory XIII; the pope raised the altar of the church to the status of privileged altar in 1575. Thus those who pray at this altar get plenary indulgence. In 1599, Archbishop Dome Menezis ordained fifty deacons to priesthood here.

Bishop Francis Roz sj (picture)

Bishop Francis Roz sj was the first Latin Archbishop of syrian diocese of Malabar. He was born in Catalina. He was consecrated as archbishop of Ankamaly by archbishop of Goa. In 1605 Pope Paul V transfered him and appointed as the bishop of  Kodungallore (Crangannore diocese). Later this diocese raised to the status of archdiocese. On his time he made pastoral visit to all the parishes of Kodungallore diocese and  promulgated the decrees of the synod of Diamper(Udayamperoor). In 1607, because of incessant riots he felt it unsafe to continue there and he shifted his residence to Paravur. He erected mammoth walls-'anamathil'- around the Church and built a curfew tower to place the newly brought church bells., After the 15 years of stay in Paravur church, he slept in the Lord on 18th February 1624 and laid to rest at the Privileged altar of the old church. In 1888, vicar apostolic of Trichur had made his pastoral visit and discovered the epitaph in old tamil Vattezhuthu Lipi( archaic Malayalam) engraved on stone (tomb stone picture) on the wall of the church. The tomb and the tomb stone are preserved here.

The New Church (picture)

In ancient days, the regions of Kaitharam, Ezhikkara, Kacheryppady, Pallamthuruth, Neendoor, Pattanam and Thuruthipuram fwere the parts of Kottakkavu church. Believers from these remote areas found it difficult to attend the Holy Mass and other functions due to the lack of space in the Church. So it was decided to construct a new Church to the tune of the pressing needs. Bishop Louis Pazhayaparambil laid the foundation stone for the new Church on 21st June 1911. Fr. Paulose Elamkunnapuzha was the Vicar of the Church. The next Vicar Fr. Parackal Zacharias continued the construction work relentlessly. In 1938 when Fr. Paulose Elamkunnapuzha once again became the vicar, the new Church was blessed by Archbishop Augustine Kandathil on and he offered the first Holy Mass. It was in 1955 when Fr. Joseph Valamangalam became the Vicar that the construction of the two elegant curfew towers was completed. Three bells brought from abroad are hung in the tower. The new church built in gothic style is larger than many of the churches of the time. The whole structure rests on granite pillars. The top of the altar is decorated with pictures that connected to St. Thomas’s life. These give ideas about the mission of St. Thomas in India especially in Kottakkavu. INTERNAL VIEW OF CHURCH, EXTERNAL VIEW

'PROPOSED PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT OF KOTTAKKAVU PILGRIM SHRINE' ESTIMATE - RS/- 40 LAKHS = 91300 US $ As a pilgrim centre several people visit this place .So it has to be developed to meet the growing requirements of the pilgrims.So we have prepared a master plan for the future development. This can be achieved only by volunteer contribution by the public. We place this request before the generous hearts of those who wish to participate in this program. Devotees can sponsor as they can to this project. 1.	Grotto of St. Thomas	3400$	1.50 lakhs 2.	St.Thomas saying to his co-apostles that we can also die with him (Jesus)	4600 $	2.00 lakhs 3.	St.Thomas proclaiming his faith to risen christ: My Lord My God..... 4600 $	2.00 lakhs 4.	St.Thomas teaching faith to the king Gundafarus. 6800 $	3.00 lakhs 5.	Landing scene of St. Thomas from a ship to Kottakkavu on the shore of Kottakkayal	9200 $	4.00 lakhs 6.	Miracle of ‘elephant carrying a gigantic wood where St. Thomas erected a cross for the first church	6800 $	3.00 lakhs 7.	Miracle of sprinkling water on air	4600 $	2.00 lakhs 8.	Granite cross structure	2300 $	1.00 lakhs 9.	Path ways to these structures	6800 $	3.00 lakhs 10.	Garden and relaxation facilities	6800 $	3.00 lakhs 11.	Electrical and drainage facility	6800 $	3.00 lakhs 12.	Marthoma over bridge	4600 $	2.00 lakhs 13.	Piyata St. Mary and Jesus	3400 $	1.50 lakhs 14.	Constructions of river wall	9200 $ 	4.00 lakhs 15.	Mar Thoma museum	6800 $	3.00 lakhs 16.	Grotto of St. Mary	4600 $	2.00 lakhs Total........................ 91300 $  	40.00 lakhs You can have great chance to sponsor each item separately or donate your sharing as you can to Marthoma Mutthappan. Sponsors name will be displayed with the sponsored item .You can also participate in this programs by taking share of 25.000 / 50.000 rupees. Please send your donation to, Fr.Vicar,St. Thomas Kottakkavu Forane Church, Marthoma Pilgrim Shrine, North Paravur, Ernakulam - Ankamaly Archdiocese, Kochi, Kerala, South India, Pin Code 683 513. Telephone : +91-484-2442347 www.kottackkavuchurch.org,vicar@kottackkavuchurch.org Send your payment through the DD/MO/Cheque Bank Of India, Market Branch Paravur, 	SB/A/C/ No.3609