User talk:Mar barsouma orthodox church panackal

“Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation” After Lord Jesus had spoken unto his disciples; St.Thomas, one among his apostles landed in Kerala at Kodungallur in A.D.52. St. Thomas visited different places of Kerala and baptised the natives, including many from the upper caste Namboodiri Brahmins into the new religion. He established the first church in Musris-ancient port near present day Kodungalllur and seven more churches namely (1) Malayankara (now Kodungalloor) (2) Palur (Chavakkad in Thrissur) (3) Paravur (Kottukavu near Cochin) (4) Kokkamangalam (between Alappuzha and Kottayam) (5) Niranam (near Thiruvalla) (6) Chayal (Nilackal near Sabarimala) and (7) Quilon (now Kollam) as well as an “Arappalli” (Chapel) at Thiruvankottu were established.

Nilakkal is a forest, almost 52 Kilometres east to Ranni and near Sabarimala. It was a mountain route of trade between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Saint Thomas accompanied by Habban came over here and preached good news and baptised 1100 people. Today there exist the Nilackal St. Thomas Church, Ecumenical center trust and the cross established by Saint Thomas the apostle.

Eventually, believers from Nilackal enmasse to Kadampanad and then to Thumpamon. There they built churches with St. Mary and St.Thomas as Parton Saints. Years passed as the number of Christian families increased small group of families, chosen cultivation as the means of living migrated to Omalloor and Prakkanam. There founded two churches in the name of St. Thomas and St. Marys respectively. Due to lack of conveyance, our forefathers settled in Chenneerkara area find great difficult to participate in the worship in our mother churches. They desired and acquired land at the hill top of Panackal Murupupurayidam blessed with natural beauty which is donated by KOCHETHU FAMILY, and founded a parish in the name of Saint “Mar Barsouma”, in 1917. As the family members increased, in 1993 renovation done. The consecration ceremony was held by H.G. Philipose Mar Eusebius Metropolitan. The Parish Festival being conducted on Makaram (around February), every year.