St. Stephens Jacobite Syrian Cathedral Manjinikara

Deacon Stephen, was one among the first ordained to preach the Gospel by the apostles. He was stoned to death in the charge of blasphemy by the Jews in the 1st century is the first Martyr of Christianity.

It was a heavenly boon to about 30 families resided at Manjinikara and it’s suburbs to initiate a church in his name as our Patron Saint. They used to travel several miles to attend the Holy Mass in the early years of the Twentieth century. Considering the hardships of the believers, Very Rev. Elavinamannil Skaria Malpan in association with the founding members benedicted St.Stephen’s Church Manjinikara on 31st January, 1926, under the apostolic blessings of the Patricarch of Antioch and all the East.

At Present, after eight decades, there are 280 families as members of this church Under the spiritual guidance of H.G. Mor Milithiose Yuhanon Metropolitan Very Rev. Fr. E. K. Mathews Cor-episcopa Elavinamannil serves as the vicar . Sunday school, Martha Mariam Vanitha samajam, 5 Vayana yougams and ‘Elias Mar Yulius’ Youth association function as statutory bodies of the church.

From Karachi, the team travelled by train to Delhi and stayed there as a guest of Viceroy. After a few days the Patriarchal team moved to Madras by train to meet the Governor General. Initial talks were held with the British Bishops and later His Holiness proceeded to Malabar.

His Holiness and party reached Aluva on 21st March 1931, and stayed in the Thrikkunnathu Seminary.

Concillation Talks

At the very first meeting with the Excommunicated Mor Dionysius (Vattasseril) at Aluva, His Holiness lifted the excommunication in the hope to open the path for peace in Malankara. This noble act was praised by all faithful's, but the procatholicos insisted for an unconditional acceptance Catholicate for the establishment of peace in Malankara Church. His Holiness responded to this demand explaining the proceedings for establishment for the establishment for the installation of Catholicos in a new place. His Holiness explained that only the decision of the Universal Synod could materialize Catholicate in Malankara. The conciliation talks continued for many days. No progress was attained after many days.

His Holiness, in the mean time visited the King of Cochin and the King of Travancore, and paid his homage to the respective Kingdoms. During this time the faithful's to the throne of Antioch, sincerely requested His Holiness to visit individual Parish churches in Malabar and to bless the people. Though reluctantly, His Holiness accepted the wish and visited churches in Puthencruz, Kothamangalam, Chingavanam etc.

Later His Holiness called at Panampady church a meeting of the representatives of all Parish churches, and explained his stance in the conciliation talk with the Catholicos faction. In effect that was a farewell speech.

Invitation to Omalloor

On 14th November 1931, while His Holiness was staying in Knanaya church, Ranny, Fr. E.S.Kuriakose Elavinamannil and others approached the Diocesan Metropolitan Mor Michael Divanasious to invite His Holiness to visit the Thumpamon diocese which lie at the extreme south of Malabar. In the presence of Metropolitan, Fr.Kuriakose and the party invited His Holiness to visit Omalloor for six days after two months.

The place of visit was fixed at St. Stephens church Manjinikara and a reception committee was formed for the arrangements. Hectic arrangements were made at Manjinikara for a royal reception.

A new trafficable two miles road was constructed from Omalloor main road to Manjinikara. Temporary rooms and other facilities were made near St. Stephens Church for the stay of patriarch and party.

Within two months all arrangements were ready for the visit of Patriarch and the party. The day of visit was fixed as 11th February 1931.

A Spectacular Reception

The reception rally was arranged to start from Kaipattoor ferry, and the public meeting was to be held at Omalloor junction. For that purpose,decorations were made enroute from Kaipattoor to Manjinikara, a five kilometer distance. The stage for public meeting was arranged on the first floor of the two storey building of the Omalloor Co-operative society from where the entire area was visible for the meeting .

On that 11th February at about 2.30 p m His Holiness and party reached in motor cars at Kaipattoor ferry A few young men under the leadership of Mr. E.O.Thomas Elavinamannil piloted with patriarchal flags the motorcade from pandalam to Kaipattooron bicycle. At the Omalloor side of the riverAchencovil, the scout team gave amarch past to honor His Holiness and moved marching to Omalloor market junction accompanied with professional drum beating and musical band set. Along line of faithfully carring frilled colorful umbrellas and ornamental silver crosses and patriarchal flags rallied in front of the motorcade. The colorful procession reached Omalloor market junction at 3 pm, and His Holiness was brought to the decorated stage on the first floor of the co-operative building. Ceremonial fireworks made the occasion grand and pompous. Mr.Kureekkalethu Assam, the president of the society who belonged to a noble aristocratic Hindu family first garlanded His Holiness. Michael Mor Divanasious presided over the meeting. Mr. Sasthri Damoeran, a Brahmins youth who became a prominent leader of omalloor, and a friend of Manjinikara Dayara, delivered the welcome address. Many Christian leaders offered felicitations. In the reply speech His Holiness expressed sincere appreciation for the colorful and grand reception. His Holiness raised the sleeba and blessed Omalloor village and all the people assembled there.

The Eventful Forty Eight Hours

From the market the procession moved to St. stephen’s church, Manjinikara about three kilometers away in to the interior parts of the village. When the front part of the procession reached Manjinikara, the tail part was still waiting to move from Omalloor market. The disciplined rally was attended by people of all the near by Parishes who arrived with Patriarchal flags, ornamental crosses, colored umbrella with ornamental fringes hanging, and drums. Either side of the path was decorated with ceremonial lamps and flowers. At about 6 pm His Holiness reached the St. stephen’s Church, and led the evening prayer. Next morning Mor Julious Metropolitan celebrated the Holy mass in the St. Stephen’s Church . Mor Julious addressed the people who attended it. After break fast, as desired by His Holiness, who was impressed by the previous day’s performance, the scout made a ceremonial march past, which again pleased His Holiness. Later when most of the people left, His Holiness walked leisurely in the church yard. Fr. Kuriakose was walking along with His Holiness. Looking around from the top hill and seeing the thick vegetation and greenery around and the eastern mountain ranges stretching up to the horizon in the bright morning sunlight, His Holiness made comments on the natural beauty of the area and said:

"We like this place very much. Instead of six days we wish to stay for a long time".

Fr.Kuriakose replied: "We are very happy to have your Holiness here, but our church is too small to accommodate your Holiness”". "The small church can be made bigger", His Holiness remarked.

Later, His Holiness asked the priest who visited him on that day, to stay in the church for three or four days. They did not guess the irony of those words.That evening His Holiness suggested to Mor clemis of mardin to celebrate the Holy Echarist next morning and said :

"On Sunday, after the Holy Echarist, we wish to install the mortal remain of Father here".

Those who listen to those words thought only about the mortal remains, that His Holiness had brought with him, and had installed in some other churches in Malankara.

The Last Address

MorClemisw Metropolitan form Mardin celebrated the Holy Eucharist in the morning of Saturday, 13ebruary 1932. In the Eucharist Mor Michael and the two Rambans and Priests and a large congregation attended along with His Holiness.

His Holiness delivered a short address in the course of the holy Eucharist,which happened to be the last address in the worldly life of His Holiness. Its full text is as follows; (Translated from Syriac to Malayalam, and now to English)

We came to India only to make peace. We opened the door for peace immediately after reaching Malankara. But peace could not be achieved till date. It is still doubtful whether peace can be accomplished. We have deep sorrow in losing one of our limbs from our body. Our heart burns into ashes. There is no other option than cut away that part if that is decayed and rotten. Our humble self is the 119th Patriarch on the Throne of Antioch. That Throne stands till now as holy and respectable. We will never forget your sincere love towards that Holy Throne. We have firm belief that at the second arrival of our Lord jesus we will be with Him. Beloved Children,your honour is very great as your head (The head of our church) is the Throne of Antioch. Let God Almighty bless you and your family and enrich all that you have.

After special prayer His Holiness came out of the church and stood at one side of thatched shed, and blessed the congregation one by one placing the holy sleeba over their foreheads. His Holiness prayed for the sick people who were brought to the shed. Among them were Christians as well as Hindus, who came for getting healed. Presents were given to Fr.Thomas and Fr. Kuriakose.

After breakfast at 11 o’clock His Holiness talked to the priest of Patriarch faction of Thumpamon Diocese, and exhorted them to follow the footsteps of their forefathers, who suffered greatly for the protection of true faith.

Among the visitors were three prominent priests of Thumpamon Diocese of the Catholicos faction. They were Fr.Easow Vaduthala and Fr.Geevarghese Thengumtharayil and Dn. Geevarghis Vadakkedathu; They were received cordially by His Holiness. They made an attempt to change the Patriarch’s mind for accepting Catholocos. To this the Patriarch repeated the same stand, which had been taken to Mor Dionysius (Vattasseril). They left disappointed

The Departure

After lunch His Holiness was found writing the usual diary sitting in the specially built hut. His Holiness did not lie down for an afternoon nap, but was found walking in the rooms slowly due to mental uneasiness. Suddenly at about 2.30PM His Holiness said to Remban nearby that he was feeling giddy. The Remban called others in the church and all rushed to the room. His holiness was supported from falling, and made tolie on the bed nd as administered first aid. The body was firstly seen sweating ,and later theegs and body were found getting cold.

The sad news of the sudden demise of His Holiness spread to distant place like wild fire. Faithful followers rushed to Omalloor day and night. Mor Michael Divanasious took the lead of controlling the gathering multitude who lamented uncontrollably at the feet of the Bava. Metropolitan Mor Dioscros and Mor Athanasious arrived in the night.

The Burial Ceremony

On 14th Feb.1932 the entire Majinikara hill and premises were filled with lamenting people who came walking, by carts, cars and buses. All the local people, irrespective of castes and religion, thronged to have a last look at the Ascetic.

Vattaseril Mor Dionysius came to Majinikara in the morning, and opined to bury The mortal remain in the kottayam Old seminary. Other Metropolitans present there did not agree to that option. A few leaders of the Patriarch side also expressed the idea of shifting the body to kottayam and entombed at Kottayam. The news of the idea of shifting the mortal remains of Patriarch of Kottayam , was leaked out and the local people gathered at Manjinikara to prevent the shifting. It is note worthy that the leaders of the local people were mostly Hindus and members of other Christian denominations. They strongly argued to deposit the mortal remain of the yogi in this land itself. Though no decision was taken to shift the body, the misunderstanding created aloud protest in and around majinikara. The public outery subsided only when Mor Michale Divanasious announced that the burial would take place in the afternoon in the yard near St.Stephen’s Church.

At after noon the mortal remains of Bava was taken out of the church and placed on an elevated stage in front of the church for public homage. At 4p.m .the holy funeral service started led by Metropolitan Mor Athanasious, Mor Michale Divanious and Mor Discores and Mor clemis along with the patriarchal team presented there. The ceremonial cortege inside and around the church was completed and the body was interred in the specially built grave by 5 p.m.

The four persons who stepped down in to the newly dug grave built with lime and stone, for containing the holy corpse in the sitting position on the chair for interment were messrs. David Uzhuvathu, Podiyan Pallyathu, Danile karavallil and Pappy Kaithaveetil. The holy corpse in the grave was fullycovered, and filled with gun frankincense brought by faithful believers and church authorities in malankara.

At the time of covering the body there happened a shower of rain in the area. The sun was dim through out that afternoon.

The First Feast

It was the fate of the same committee formed for the reception of His Holiness to take charge of the celebration of the feast of His Holiness in Manjinikara which was scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, 9th and 10th March 1932. Their first step was to construct a semi permanent church using bamboo and coconut thatch for conducting the holy Eucharist on the festival day.

All the patriarchal team stayed in the temporary Annex made for that purpose. Every morning , noon and evening prayers were conducted regularly and celebrated the fumigation of the frankincense at the sepulcher. Devotees from far and near attended all the celebrations. They remained near the sepulcher and prayed day and night. They prayed for intercession of His Holiness and many got answers to their prayer. Miracles were reported from many corners and people came forward as witnesses. The stories of miracles are still pouring in even now. It has been proved beyond doubt that His Holiness Moran Mor Igatius Elias III is a saint, who came intersection with our Great Father God Almighty.

Preparation were started to celebrated the Festival days on a grand scale. A semi permanent chapel was constructed at the west side of the sepulcher and a long thatched shed was made for the supply and distribution of the feast. Devotees began to visit the sepulcher with edibles, raw and cooked, seeking blessings from His Holiness.

Preparation were started to celebrated the Festival days on a grand scale. A semi permanent chapel was constructed at the wide side of the Sepulture and long thatched shed was made for the supply and distribution of the feast. Devotees began to visit the sepulture with edible, raw and cooked, seeking blessing from His Holiness.

Under the supervision of the reception committee, cooking started three days before the Festival. The cooks were mostly members of near by parishes. They in the course of cooking, experience a miracle which is, I think, proper to narrate here.

On the previous day when banana chips were fried in the huge bell-metal vase, oil was found keeping the same level after repeated frying of a large quantity of banana and other varieties. Nothing this miracle Fr.Kuriakose took steps to collect the balance oil and kept it as sanctified oil. Devotees began to keep it in small bottles in their homes and anoint sick ones in their homes. The balance of the oil is still kept in the Dayara, and is being given to the needy in small bottles.

On the first day of the festival, the feast began after the evening prayer and the delicious Food in kerala style served on planting leaf to the faithful sitting in long lines in the shed. Serving the food lasted up to mid night. Thousand of people attended the supper feast.

Next morning Holy Eucharist was celebrated on the three Altar(Thrones).Over the main Altar Mor Julious and over the South Altar Mor Dioscoros concelebrated the Solemn Eucharist. In the midst of the service the holy sepulcher was fumigated with incence. All the congregation was weeping at that time. After the Solemn Eucharist Liturgy, Michale Mor Divanasious made a touching speech.

The serving of festival food on plantain leaf on long lines in the shed began at 11a.m. and that continued till evening. Many thousand of devotees who came from far and near by motor cars and buses participate in the feast.

In the evening Patriarch’s private Secretary Mr.Zakkariah and party left Majinikara for Antioch. The scene of parting was heart-rending to the people present there; a departure with a colossal vacuum!

A spectacular show of a series of large hanging fried ‘pappads’ in accordance with the Kerala customs, has been broken at the end of all function of the day, and it marked the sign of happiness in the union of the deceased with the supper soul in Heaven.

This was the beginning of manjinakara festival. Every year on 12 and 13 February the festival is being celebrated on a grand scale. Apostholic representative from Antioch visit every year to over see the festival.

21) T.D. Kuriakose, Thayyil Veedu
22) P.O. Kuriakose, Pavvathu Puthenveedu
23) Rajan P. George, Pavvathu Venus Banglau**
24) P. O. George, Pavvathu Thekkummuri
25) Meri Skariya, Pavvathu Memmuriyil
26) P. K. Samuel, Pavvathu Vadakkummuri
27) P. O. Samuel, Pavvathu Puthenveedu
28) Kosi Samuel, Cheryathu
29) Kosi Joshua, Cheryathu
30) K. Kuriakose, Cheryathu Padinjattethil
31) K. K. yohannan, Cheryathu Padinjattethil
32) Kunjunju, Pulinilkkunnathil
33) Baby, Pulinilkkunnathil
34) P. K. Mathayi, Pavvathu Puthenveedu
35) K. O. Thomas, Ambanaadu
36) GeeVarghese Yohannan, Valyathu Puthenveedu
37) K. J. Kosi, Kilithattil Puthenveedu
38) K. K. Yohannan, Kilithattil Veedu
39) P. O. Johny, Pavvathumthekkummuri
40) A. K. Varghese, Aalummoottil
41) K. S. Mathew, Kallumkalveedu
42) K. V. George, Kuttiyil Veedu
43) Mariamma Kosy, Valyathu Puthenveedu
44) Kunjamma Kurian, Njavarakkal
45) G. K. Rajan, Njavarakkal
46) K. V. Daniel, Kuttiyil Veedu
47) Jacob John, Ivy Bhavan
48) George John, Kuttiyil Veedu
49) T. V. George, Koyikkakunnil
50) Raju K. George, Tharayil Veedu
51) Shaji George, Koyikkakunnil Veedu
52) K. P. Varghese, Koyikkakunnil Veedu
53) T. C. Cheriyan(Baby), Charuvila Puthenveedu
54) Simon, Kuttiyil Veedu
55) Joy, Kallumbilethu
56) M. J. John, Mangattethu
57) K. Varghese, Kotturethu Thundil
58) K. G. Varghese, Velur Vadakkethil
59) A. M. Joy, Aalummoottil
60) George Varghese, Nedumkandathil Mannil
61) Simon Mathew, Nedumkandathil
62) Kunjamma George, Punnakkattu Vadakkethil
63) Babu G. George, Punnakkattu Vadakkethil
64) C. K. Mathunni, Chembilethu
65) Pathrose Babu, Melepadinjattethil Bijobhavan
66) Kunjamma Pathrose, Melepadinjattethil
67) Philip Daniel, Punnakkattu Vadakkethil
68) Varghese Daniel(Shaji), Punnakkattu Vadakkethil
69) Joly Philip, Punnakkattu Vadakkethil
70) Saramma Pathrose, Thikkamuttathu
71) M. V. George, Mannil Thekkethil
72) K. O. George, Kottuppillethu Mariambhavan
73) V. P. John, Kottuppillethu
74) Thomas Jacob, Thundiyathu
75) C. K. George, Cheryathu Puthenveedu
76) T. K. Samuel, Thayyil Padinjattethil(Thondatharayil)
77) T. K. Thomas, Thondatharayil
78) Kosi Joy, Thayyil Veedu(Thondatharayil)
79) P. O. Kunjachan, Pappanaattu
80) K. M. Samuel, Karyathil Padinjattethil
81) K. M. Varghese, Varikkuvelil
82) V. G. Rajan, Varikkuvelil Puthenveedu
83) Umman Kosi, Puthurethu Memmuri
84) K. M. Kunjandi, Milakkunnathu
85) K. S. Varghese, Kodathu
86) K. S. George, Kodathuputhenveedu
87) K. J. George, Kodathu Thekkepurayil
88) V. M. George, Kodathu Edappurayil
89) Grasy K. Joy, Kodathurationvilla
90) Rajan Daniel, Kodathu Thekkethil(Sam Villa)
91) Raju k. Daniel, Kodathu Arulattil
92) P. J. Joseph, Pandakasalayil
93) P. J. Kuriakose, Pandakasalayil
94) P. J. Philip, Pandakasalayil
95) Joseph George(Annamma George), Pandakasalayil(Ansura Bhavan)
96) Aliamma Kunjunju, Komattu Peedikayil
97) K. G. Monachan, Komattu Peedikayil
98) Annamma Chacko,, Cheryathu Peedikayil
99) Adv. George Thomas, Elavinamannil
100) P. G. Joseph, Mangattethu Deepak Villa
101) Ammini Mathayi, kaaravallil
102) K. G. Merikkutty, Cheraanippurathu
103) Leelamma Varghese, Cheraanippurathu
104) K. J. Daniel, Charivukalayil
105) P. Y. Samuel, Peranippurathu
106) Mariamma George, Kallumpurathu Vilayil
107) K. V. Daniel, Kaaravallil
108) K. V. Thomas, Kaaravallil
109) C. K. George, Kaaravallil
110) Kunjamma Samuel, Kaaravallil
111) M. A. John, Mulayakkalayil
112) P. A. Thomas, Cheryathu
113) C. T. Abraham, Kaaravallil Bathel
114) K. Samuel, Kaaravallil
115) K. V. Goerge, Kaaravallil
116) D. kochukosi, Thondukandathil
117) Chinnamma George, Charuvila Puthenveedu
118) Samkutty George, Kochuveettil Valyamuriyil
119) G. Daniel, Nedumkandathil Malayil
120) C. M. George, Charivukalayil Vilayil
121) Kunjunjamma Simon, Charivukalayil Vilayil
122) C. I. Mathew, Charivukalayil Vilayil
123) G. Abraham, Kochuveettill Malayil
124) Mathew Abraham, Kochuveettil
125) G. Mathayi, Kochuveettil
126) Chinnamma Daniel, Kochuveettil
127) O. G. George, Kochuveettill Malayil
128) Abraham George, Kochuveettill Malayil
129) C. K. Varghese, Tholuparambil cheryathu
130) Koshi Yohannan, Valyathuputhenveedu
131) Sosamma Skariya(K. S. Chacko), Kochumannil
132) Joseph Skariya, Kochumannil
133) P. J. Mathew, Parayirikkunnathil Seby Villa
134) Yohannan, Parayirikkunnathil
135) P. J. Mathew, Cheranippurathu
136) P. K. Thankachan, Cheranippurathu
137) K. M. Thomas, Karavallil
138) K. M. George, Karavallil
139) Thankamma Joy, Maniyarukaattil
140) P. V. Samuel, Palaykkal Nediyakalayil
141) Kosy Varghese, Kuzhimurikizhakkethil
142) Abraham, Kuzhimurimelethil
143) Kosy Yohannan, Vadakkethondalil
144) Kosy Thomas, Vadakkethondalil
145) T. P. Philip, Vadakkethondalil
146) Saramma Thomas, Vadakkethondalil
147) Kosy Unnunni, Vadakkethondalil
148) Rajan Thomas, Vadakkethondalil
149) P. J. Baby, Valuparambil
150) p. I. Abraham, Shantibhavan
151) P. K. Geroge, Vadakkethondalil(Grace Bhavan)
152) Kosy Abraham, Kuzhimurikizhakkethil
153) Thomas Pappan, Sajibhavan
154) K. S. Varghese, Karavallil

* Data may not be up-to-date and may have errors