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| Puthupally Pally | |||||||||||||||
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His Holiness Moran Mar Beselios Marthoma Mathews II |
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The 500 years old Puthuppally St. George Orthodox
Valiya Pally was renovated and consecrated on 17, 18 and 19 August, 2003 by the
Supreme Head His Holiness Baselius Marthoma Mathews II and other Metropolitans
of Malankara Orthodox Church. In connection with the consecration, a public meeting was held on Sunday August 17 at 4.30pm. His Holiness the Catholicos Baselius Marthoma Mathews II presided over the function. Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma, The Maha Raja of Thiruvithamcore inaugurated the public meeting. Mar Joseph Powathil (Arch Bishop, Changanassery) was the the key note speaker on the occasion. Most Rev. Philipose Mar Chrisostom, the Marthoma Metropolitan released the souvenir " Koodasha Smruthi". Rt.Rev. Thomas Samuel (CSI Bishop), Suresh Kurup M.P., Oommen Chandy MLA, Jacob Varghese (Panchayath President) gave the felicitated the consecrating Church. The diocesan Metropolitan His Grace Geevarghese Mar Ivanios appraised the vicar and the committee for all their hard work to complete the renovation of the church. On August 18, at 3.30pm a ceremonial vehicle procession was arranged from Kottayam, old seminary to bring His Holiness and other metropolitans of the church to Puthuppally. Thereafter the consecration ceremony was started in the presence of hundreds of priests and thousands of faithful. The second part of the consecration ceremony was ended on August 19 11am and thereafter celebrated Holy Qurbana on all 9 altars of the renovated church. Puthuppally St. George Orthodox Church is one of the oldest and famous churches of Malankara Orthodox Church. The patron saint of this parish is St. George. The St. George Orthodox church is located at the centre of the famous temples of Vennimala, Kadamuri, Iravinelloor and Vazhakkulam and is 8 Km. away from Kottayam town. It is believed that the Kings of Thekkumkur had constructed this church when they ruled Vennimala. The main feast of the Church (Perunnal) falls on May 6 and 7 every year, attracts a large crowd of devotees. St. George Church, popularly known as 'Puthuppally Valiya Pally' is a famous pilgrim center in Kerala. This church is the refuge to thousands of faithful all over the world those seek the intercession of St. George. Thousands of devotees attend the church to celebrate the annual feast of St George in the first week of May every year. A noon meal served to the pilgrims at church courtyard (Vechoottu), colorful ceremonial procession carrying the Gold Cross of the Church and fireworks are the main attraction of the feast. The Church is famous for its rich traditions. The main "Madbaha" of the old church was with beautiful wall paintings and ornamental decorations. The main Alter is in the name of St. George. While the other two altars on the left and right are in the names of St. Mary and St. Behanan. The renovated church has 9 alters and one among them is dedicated in the blessed name of recently canonized St. Dionysius Vattasseril. The unique Golden Cross weighting around 450 sovereigns is a proud possession of the church and is kept under lock and key most of the year and is taken out only once in a year during the feast and placed in the main altar for veneration by the devotees. Fr. Thomas Varghese Kavumkal is the vicar and Fr. James Zachariah Moolakkattu is the asst. Vicar. V.P. Markose Vannala and P. K. Thomas Pattarmadom serves as the trustees. Jameskutty P. Chacko, Palakkunnel is the secretary |
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