St._Mary's_Orthodox_Syrian_Cathedral,_Piravom

St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Piravom

St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Piravom

Church in Kerala, India

St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Piravom, also known as Piravom Valiyapally, is a prominent church that belongs to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.[1] The church stands on a hilltop on the eastern bank of the Muvattupuzha river at Piravom, 35 km. east of Kochi. The church was built by the ancient Syrian Christians in the name of Holy Mary. It is a pilgrimage center for Syrian Christians in Kerala. The church stands on a hilltop on the eastern bank of the Muvattupuzha river at Piravom, 35 km. east of Kochi.

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Important festivals

Back View of Piravom Church
‘Paithel Nercha’ at Valiyapally, Piravom

Denaha (Annual celebration of the holy Baptism of Christ) on January 6 is the main celebration in the church. The best attraction of the festival is the procession.

The 'Paithel Nercha' (the feast for 12 male children) on the Easter Day at the Piravom church is one of the major offerings dedicated to the church. The main part of the offering is 12 infants who will sit with the priest who sanctifies the offering, and they will be offered food.

The Festival of St. George on May 7 and St. Mary on August 15 are other main festivals.

2019 conflict between Jacobite and Orthodox

A disagreement between the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church over who has custody over the Piravom Valiyapally since the two denominations split apart in 1912. On 3 July 2017, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the church was the property of the latter.[2] On 24 September 2019, a standoff over who controls the church developed between members of the two churches. Over 700 police personnel were deployed to keep the calm. The situation came to a head on 25 September when the MOSC members with help of police blocked the Jacobite faithful from entering the church on a court order. Majority church members are Jacobite faithfuls. The main reason for this church to come under feud is because this church consists of properties built by the Jacobite community,[3] but the church was taken from the Jacobite faithful under immense police presence and dozens of Jacobite faithfuls were arrested. The two day standoff came to an end on 26 September when Kerala police forcibly evicted the Jacobite faithful occupying the church.[4][5] On 28 September the Indian Orthodox members took over the church,[6] although Jacobites continued to protest outside, and plan to build a church close by.[7][8]

References

  1. [1]
    "2017 SC order implemented as Orthodox priests enter Piravom Church, conduct holy mass".
  2. [2]
    Nedumparambill, Aaron (6 February 2019). "A feud that began in 19th century: What happened before Jacobite-Orthodox locked horns". The News Minute. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  3. [3]
    Joseph, Jeff. "Church, Real Estate & Blood Feuds: Part 3". The Lede. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  4. [4]
    "Orthodox-Jacobite spar sparks tension at Piravom church | Kochi News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  5. [5]
    "Ernakulam: District administration takes over Piravom church". The Times of India. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  6. [6]
    "Orthodox faction can conduct service at St Mary's Piravom Church on Sunday: Kerala HC". The News Minute. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  7. [7]
    "Orthodox faction conducts prayers at Piravom St Mary's amidst protest by Jacobites". The Times of India. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  8. [8]
    Martin, K. a (26 September 2019). "Explained | The Piravom church stand-off and the century-old rivalry among two Christian factions in Kerala". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
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