Syrian Christian Centre, Kottayam diocese

he Syrian Christian Centre, located at one of the most prime locations of Kottayam is the realization of a long cherished dream of the faithful of Kottayam Diocese. It includes of a bishop’s house, a small chapel named after St. George, hall, Prayer Centre, Library, and rooms to accommodate the faithful. The centre is located on a 46 cents of land and the remaining 2.29 acres is to be utilized efficiently and productively. Situated along the Eranjal – Thiruvanchoor road, the centre is just 200 meters away from Kanjikuzhy junction in K. K. Road and 1.5 kms from the district administrative headquarters.

The said land measuring about 2.75 acres was purchased by few Jacobite Syrian Christian faithful way back in 1979 and registered in the name of a trust called ‘Syrian Orthodox Christian Association’ with the aim of establishing a church and community headquarters here. The late lamented Catholicos of the East, Aboon Mor Baselios Paulose II of blessed memory was the founder President of the Association. Late lamented H.G. H.G. Thomas Mor Osthatheos who was the Asst. metropolitan of Kottayam diocese in those days visited several houses and churches for raising sufficient funds for purchase of the land. Many prominent members of our Church extended whole hearted support for the venture. The Manarcaud St. Mary’s Church and Kallumkathra St. George Church also had extended their support.

At the time of acquiring this property the Syrian Christians in Kottayam were depending on the Simhasana church at Puthenagady for their spiritual needs. Possibly ours was the only Episcopal Church that did not have a worship centre in Kottayam town in those days. This was a time when the Indian Orthodox group filed many cases in different courts claiming ownership of our ancient churches. In order to avoid litigations the founders bought the land in the name of an independent trust with H.H. Ignatius Yakub-III, then Patriarch of Antioch & All the East, as the Patron and the Catholicos H.B. Baselios Paulose-II, (who was the then diocesan Metropolitan), as the President.

President

Late lamented Catholicos of the East Aboon Mor Baselios Paulose-II

Vice- Presidents

Rev. Fr. V. M. Geevarghese Kallooparambil

(late) V. J. Chandy Viruthipadavil

(late) Adv. K. P. Ninan Kottapparambil

Treasurer

(late) B. V. Abraham

Secretary

(late) Adv. P. C. Abraham Thekkethattil

Joint Secretary

(late) K. P. John Kottapparambil

Though the Eranjal land was purchased in 1979, it could not be utilized for a project for many reasons. Sanctioning of plans was stumbled on governmental regulation like green zone restrictions, wet land utilization etc. Kerala government itself had plans regarding the entire area keeping as a parking space.

In 1982, H.G. Mor Gregorios Geevarghese (Perumpilly Thirumeni) assumed charge of the Kottayam diocese as Metropolitan and through his efforts another prime property in the very heart of Kottayam town along L.B. Sastri Road was purchased with the purpose of constructing a church and diocesan Centre. In 1982 when Patriarch H.H. Ignatius Zakka-I Iwas made his first Apostolic visit to Malankara, the holy father offered Holy Mass at the temporary madbho erected here. In the ensuing years a beautiful church (the St. Joseph’s Cathedral) and diocesan Centre could be built in this newly acquired land near to the public library and K.P.S. Menon hall. It was through the initiative and drive of late lamented Mor Gregorios Geevarghese (Perumpilly Thirumeni), the St. Joseph’s Cathedral became a reality.

Meanwhile the land at Kanjikuzhy which was brought with the aim of building a church and Centre remained idle. Though several proposals come up like starting of an old age home, a school and a special school for mentally challenged children etc., nothing concrete happened.

H.G. Mor Themotheos Thomas, who succeeded Mor Gregorios as the diocesan Metropolitan in 1999 made several attempts to develop the land for ten years. But no progress could be achieved till 2009. The High Court ruling in December 2009 paved way for getting permission to develop the land, following which the Kottayam Municipal Council issued necessary sanctions, thus making the dream of the Jacobite Syrians a reality.

The foundation stone of the present project was laid on March 14, 2010 by H.G. Mor Themotheos Thomas and H.G. Mor Philoxenos Zacharias. The ceremony was attended by a number of faithful from the diocese. Since then the project for constructing the Syrian Christian Centre and of bishop’s house has taken real momentum under the initiative of the diocesan Metropolitan and others. With the developing of the rain water canals at both sides of the property under the initiative of Irrigation department, the entire 2.75 acres plot got a face-lift.

The consecration of the Syrian Orthodox Centre and the Chapel named after Mor Geevarghese Sahdo (St. George), was held on January 3, 2015 followed by the first Holy Qurbono in the chapel by the diocesan Metropolitan H.E. Thimothoes Thomas who spearheaded the development of the Centre. The Silver Jubilee of the Episcopal Ordination of diocesan Metropolitan Mor Thimotheos Thomas was observed with a public function soon after. On this auspicious occasion inauguration of the construction of 25 houses for the deserving was also held. His Beatitude the Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas-I. the head of the Syrian Christian Church in India presided the functions.

Apostolic visit of His Holiness the Patriarch of Antioch & All the East and the consecration of the Chapel with Holy Moroon

During the first Apostolic Visit of Patriarch H.H. Ignatius Aphrem-II to India, His Holiness consecrated the St. George Chapel with Holy Moroon on 10th February 2015 and had spend a few hours in this Syrian Centre. Six Metropolitans who accompanied His Holiness from Syria & Europe were also co-celebrants along with many Metropolitans of the Malankara Church. This was an historic moment for the Centre.