St.Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church, Panampady

The ancient  Syrian   Orthodox  Church  which possesses   and  preserves the Apostolic  faith, tradition  and  customs  has  lately  become  the  focus of  attention of  many .The  part  of  universal Syrian  Orthodox  Church  in  Kerala  known  as  the Malankara  Jacobite  Church  has  a  very  long  history  from  the  beginning  of Christian  era .  Malankara  church  owes  allegiance  to  the  Patriarch  of  Antioch and  All  the  East, the  successor  of  St. Peter , the  chief  of  Apostles  .  The  church believes  all  through  the  centuries  that  St. Peter  established  the  Apostolic  throne in  37 A . D   and  Church  of  Antioch  is  called  Mother  of  all  churches.  The  liturgy of  our  church    being  in  Syriac,  the  early  Christians  were  known  as Syrian Christians  . The  Church  in Kerala  was  served  by  bishops  and  priests  who came from  Syria, undertaking  hazardous  sea  journeys  .  The  ecclesiastical dignitaries were deputed   by  the  Patriarch  of  Antioch.   Thus  the  Malankara  Church is  a  part  of  the  Universal  Syrian  Church  and  it  follows  the  faith  traditions and  customs  of  Syrian  Church  .The  forefathersof  the  Indian  church  proclaimed  and  practiced  the  faith  in  their  lives . Mor  Coorilose  Paulose   was  a  great   divine  missionary  in  this  regard  .

Paulose  Mor  Coorilose  was  born  in  a  small  village called   Kandanad near Mulanthuruthy  in  Ernakulam  district  .  The  ancient  family to which he  belonged  is  known   as ‘ Thozhuppadan’  family . His  father  Mr. Kurian  bought a  small  piece  of  land  in Mulanthuruthy  and  shifted  to  this  place  with  his family. Later  the  family  came  to  be  known  as  ‘Kochuparambil’. He was  born  on  4th December  1850  to  Kurian  and  Anna . Paulose , the  third   child of  the  family  was   humble, compassionate, loving  and  intelligent.  These  qualities   enabled  him  to  be  selected  for  the  priesthood  of  the  church.At  a  very  young  age,  Paulose  was  ordained  as  a  deacon  by H . G  YuyakkimMor  Coorilose   in  1860  .  He  was  9  years  old  at  that  time  .  He  learned  syriaclanguage  and  other  church  orders  under  the  guidance  of  very  Rev . GeevargheeseMalpan , Pallathitta  . His  enthusiasam  in  divine  service  and  his  melodious  voicewas  well  appreciated . In  1866  at  the  age  of  16  he  was  ordained  as  a  priestby  H .G  Mathews  Mar  Athanasious  Metropolitan   . Fr . Paulose   conducted  hisfirst Eucharist   service at Kandanad  St. Mary’s Church on 7 th January 1867.Later , the   parishioners of Mulanthuruthy   church   requested him to be vicarof   the church. Fr. Paulose accepted their request and started his priestlyservice at   Mulanthuruthy   . His contribution to the spiritual revival of theparishioners  of the Mulanthuruthy   church    is a matter of record.

The Patriarch  H .H Ignatious Peter  III blessed him with Rambanposition on5th September  1876. According to Syrian tradition, a Rambanis a  person who is  detached from worldly  pleasures and leads acelibate life. Rambans    are expected to lead a life of prayer , meditation and charitable services. Ramban   Paulose  was inspired by the proposal of H.H.Ignatious Peter III , the Patriarch of Antioch, to establish monasteries in Malankara.He started working earnestly to fulfill the desire of the Holy Father. He  selected Vettical as the ideal  place for the purpose . In  A.D.1877 , the foundation stone for the monastery  was laid at Vettical and it was the beginning of monastic institutions in Malankara.  He traveled to many places to mobilize funds for the construction of  the building at Vettical. He constructed a two storied building and later started a well equipped school also. During this period, the boundary wall for the monastery was also constructed.

Paulose Ramban believed that education is the basis  for the progress of human life .With this view in his mind , he did whatever he could to accomplish the same.The   establishment  of  the  school and  monastery   atVettical  was  the  fulfillment  of  this  great  aim  . With  the  establishment  ofeducational  institutions  and  the  spread    of  education  people  became  enlightened.The  role  of

Rev . Paulose  Ramban  in  this  regard  is  commendable  . The  schoolat  Vadavukodu , Piravam , Urikodu  , Puttumanoor , Vennikulum and Kutta  were built  asa  result  of  his  great  effort. During  all  this  time  he  strove  for  spiritual  fulfillmentand  his  spiritual    and  simple   way  of  life   attracted  everyone  who  came  into  contact  with  him   Mor   Dionysius  the  then  Malankara  metropolitan  appointed  him  as  the  manager  of  Old  Seminary  , Kottayam  in  1895AD  . Within  a year  of  assuming  charge  , the  construction  of  the  seminaryChapel  was  completed    During  his  tenure  he  built   a  dinning  hall  [oottupura]and  a  beautiful  wall  around  the  seminary  . He  planted  many coconut saplingsin  the  seminary  premises  there  by  increasing  the  revenue  of  the  seminary.

He also  accompanied   H G  Geevarghese Gregorious on  his  visit  to  the  holy  land. They  left  for  the  holy  land  on  Feb.19,1895. He returned   to  Malankara   on  May  17,1895 and continued  his  service as the manager of  the  Old  Seminary. H e  also  played  a  major  role  in  the  publication  of ‘Edavaka Pathrika’  the   official  publication  of   the  Jacobite  Syrian  Church. One  can never  forget  the  efforts  Rev Paulose  Ramban  took  in  the  modernization  of  the  press and  the  new  methods  adapted  for  the  official  publication  . With  the vision  of  establishing  a  place  of  worship  for  the  faithful  of  the  capital city,he  made  his  way  to  Trivandrum. With  the  support  and  cooperation  of  the  faithful masses  he  built  a  church, which  is  now  the  St . George Church ,Trivandrum .

Rev  Paulose Ramban  was  an  able organizer ,eminent educationalist ,scholar, a  true  follower  of  Jesus  Christ , sympathizing with  the  poor  and   the needy.  He  left  his  mark  in  all  fields  of  service.  He  will always  be  revered  in  the  minds  of  the  people  as a  good  shepherd  who loved  and  led the faithful  in  moments  of   crisis .The  message  that  Christianity  can  offer  tothe  troubled  world   is  that  every  person  is  loved ,accepted  and  forgiven  .Hencethere is hope in loving and living for others. This  implies  seeking  out  the  needyand  helping  them  to  experience  true  freedom  and  human  dignity. Paulose Rambanspent  much  of  his  lifetime  spreading  this  message  of  Jesus  Christ  throughoutMalankara. He  was  not  ready  to  avoid  fasting  and  personal  meditation  in  themidst  of  his  busy  schedule. He  taught  that  spiritual  matters  should  be  considered  more  important  than  temporal  matters.   He  also  taught  the  people  to  increaseself restraint and zeal for prayer.

The  Patriarch   who  came  to   India   in  regalsplendor, after  accepting  the  hospitality  of   Queen  Victoria  was  very muchattracted   by the simplicity, humility   and the spiritual fervour   of   the youngPaulose  Ramban . He  was  admired   by  the  church   and  it was decided   to  elevate   himas   the Metropolitan   of   the   Malankara  Church. The meeting   of   the   Malankaraparish representatives held   on Feb. 27, 1908  at Kottayam Old Seminary unanimouslyelected  Kochuparambil   Paulose  Ramban   and  Vattasseril   Geevarghese  Ramban  asthe  bishop candidates  for  the  church . HG  Joseph   Mor Dionysius  , Pulikottilpresided  over  the meeting . The  candidates  were  sent  to  Antioch  and  they  reached    Jerusalem   on   26  may   1908.  H H  The  Patriarch  Moran   Mor  Ignatius  Abdullahconsecrated Kochuparambil   Paulose  Ramban  and  Vattasseril  Geevarghese  Rambanon  Sunday  31st  May  1908  at  the St.Marks Cathedral,  Jerusalem . Paulose  Rambanwas  consecrated  as  Paulose   Mor  Coorilose  and  Vattasseril  Geevargheseas  Dionysius  Geevarghese  by  the  Patriarch . Mor  Ivanious  Elias,  Bishop  ofJerusalem  [later Elias  III  Patriarch  of   Antioch ] ,  Mor  Osthathiose  Sleeba  , bishopsfrom other  churches  also  attended  the  consecration  ceremony . H G  Sleeba  MorOsthathiose Metropolitan, delegate  from  Antioch  along  with the  newly  ordained  bishops  arrivedin  Malankara  on  17th   July  1908. The  Malankara  church extended  a  royal  welcome  to  the  new  bishops.

Mor  Coorilose  Paulose  spend  much  of  his  time  in  evangelistic  work  and  helping   people  in  need  . He  encouraged the  people  to accept  the  message  of  Jesus   and  spread  good  news  through   their  lives. Mor  Coorilose  believed  Jesus  as  the greatest  example  of  faith  in  practice. ‘He  endured  the  cross  , he  loved  all the  people  he  spoke  the  words  of  life’. We  must  reach  very  close  to  Jesus  in  prayer  and  then  only  our  faith  will  come  alive  andshow  itself  in  action . Mor  Coorilose  believed  that  evangelization  was  a  major  responsibility  of  every  believer  of  the  church  .  Mor  Coorilose   tried  to  establish  new  parishes in  different  parts of  Kerala. Mor  Coorilose  had  to  look  after   the   dioceses  of  Kochi   and  Kottayam  .  LaterKandanad  also  came  under  his  jurisdiction  .  Fr . Michael of  Kayamkulam[later Michael mor  Dionysius  ]  who  assisted  the  metropolitan  in all  his  activitiesregarded  him  as  his  guru  . Fr Michael followed   him   in all his endeavors.

      H.G. Joseph Mor Dionysius  Metropolitan passed away in 1909 and was entombed in the Old Seminary church, Kottayam. After this Mor  Dionysius Geevarghese Vattasseril  requested the Patriarch to appoint him as the Malankara Metropolitan . As per the request  His Holiness issued orders appointing Geevarghese Dionysius as Malankara Metropolitan. Immediately after taking charge Mor Dionysius convened a meeting of the managing committee to consider various church matters. Difference of opinion arose , but Mor Dionysius  ignored  these and tried  to establish his authority and control over the church matters . The democratic system of the church administration was neglected and efforts for concentrating all administrative powers to the Malankara Metropolitan was  begun. The community was split into two factions . During this critical period  H.H. Patriarch Ignatius Abdullah who consecrated Mor Dionysius reached Kerala. The Patriarch requested the newly consecrated bishops , Paulose Mor Coorilose and Vattasseril Dionysius to submit  “the salmusa” . The unflinching loyalty to the holy apostolic throne of Antioch is amply demonstrated in the famous ‘salmusa’ executed by Mor Gregorious , the patron saint of Malankara. . Paulose Mor  Coorilose , following the example of Saint Gregorious submitted the ‘salmusa’ dated 29 Chingam 1910 before the Patriarch . But Mor Dionysius was reluctant to do so and rebelled against the Patriarch.If  he had  taken  the position  similar  to  that  of  Mor  Gregarious  Parumala  and  Mor  Coorilose  Paulose  , the  undesired  happenings  in  the  Malankara  Church  could  have  been  evaded.  Vattasseril  bishop  and  his  supporters  started  campaigns  to  prejudice  the  public  mind  against  the  patriarch  by  distributing  notice  and  conducting  public  meetings.  The  adamant  attitude  of  Mor  Dionysius  and  the  later  developments  in  the  church  culminated  in  his  excommunication  by  H H The  Patriarch  in  1911.

The  representative  meeting  at  Alwaye  held  on  30th   August  1911  unanimously  elected  H.G  Paulose  Mor  Coorilose  as  Malankara  Metropolitan . In  his  first  ‘kalpana’  Mor  Coorilose  informed  the  people  that  he  had  accepted  the  responsibility  with  heartfelt  sorrow  as  rivals  on  the  scene,  one  determined  to  do  anything  for  power while the  other  meekly  assuming  duty  at  the  call  of  the  hour . These  words  fully  express  the  nature  and  attitude  in  the  saintly  life  of  Mor  Coorilose. His  Grace  wished   to  conduct  the  administrative  duties  of  the  church from the Panampady church. As  Kottayam  is  the  central  part  of Kerala , it  was  the  right  decision.

St .  Mary’s   Jacobite   Syrian   church Panampady, abounding  with the  grace of mother Mary is one of the most famous and  historicchurches in  Malankara . The church, several decades old contains the tombs of MorCoorilose  and Mor Dionysius who choose the place near the tomb of his guru as his final resting place .It was here that H H Elias III, The Patriarch spend many days during his apostolic visit to Malankara. During this period , many important meetings of the church were held here. H G  Paulose Mor Coorilose was a master of the syriac language. He  was  greatly  fascinated   by  its  beauty , melody , its  glorious  integrity  and  spiritual  history . To  him  the  prayers  forming  an  integral  part  of  the  holy Qurbana  had  real  relevance  and  significance  which  held  him  steadfast  in  his  loyalty  to  the  throne  of  Antioch  . He  was  true  to  the  traditions  and  history  built  up  by  the  holy  fathers  and  had  no  doubts  about  the  church  hierarchy  which  gives  the  pride  of  place  to  the  Patriarch .

He  was  very  eager  to  proclaim  the  gospel  message  to  all  parts  of  Malankara .Many  people  who  heard  him , accepted  the  message  and  came  forward  to  be baptized  . The  incident  took  place  near  Kandanad  church  where  many  people  were  baptized  and  were  joined  to the   church . He treated  the  Malankara  Church  as  one  and  discouraged  the  force  who  stood  against  it  . His  Grace  concentrated  in establishing  many  churches , orphanages, monasteries  to  spread  the  good  news  of  Jesus  Christ  .  Hard  work  and  long  journeys  caused  the  deterioration  of  his  health  .  His  Grace  suffered  many  difficulties  towards  the  end  of  his  life  .Mor Coorilose  Paulose  passed  away  on  14t h  December  1917 at the age of 67.

As he was sinking ,the congregation assembled inside the church, was offering prayers .He left for his heavenly abode as the community was offering prayers. He was entombed on the left side of the church in the presence of H.G. Paulose Mor Athanatious  Metropolitan . ‘No matter how dark and painful his experience, he is never denied the comfort of the one who drank the cup of sufferings to the bitter degrees.’ Since then the memorial day of  Saint   Coorilose  is celebrated on 15th  December at the Panmpady Church .The faithful flock to the tomb seeking blessing through the intercessions of the Saint.

      The spiritual words of H.H. Ignatius Yakub III, the former Patriarch, about the Panampady Church in 1967 are as follows, ‘fill the church at Panampady with glory and make it a shelter to the refugees, a fountain of healing to the sick.’.It is being fulfilled with the elevation of Mor Coorilose to the position of saint prelate.  Special  prayers  are  offered  at  the  tomb  of  Mor  Coorilose  , every  first  Sunday  of  the  month. Many  people  attend  these  prayers  , and  seek  the  intersession  and  prayers  of  the  holy  father. Indeed Panampady  church  is  a  pilgrimage  center, a refuge and source of blessings for the faithful, thereby  fulfilling  the  prophetic  words  of  H.H .the  Patriarch.

      Paulose  Mor  Coorilose  was  a  divine  character  who  ruled  the  Malankara  Church  for  a  decade  from  Malayalam  year  1083 -1093     (1908-1917)   The  syriac  word  ‘Paulose’  means  small  or  humble .Believers  of  the  church  consider  Mor  Coorilose  as  the  highly   elevated   father  who  always  intercede  for  his  people . Truthfulness ,  simplicity  , a  life  of  prayer  and  thirst  for  wisdom  were  the  main  features  of  the  life  of  Mor  Coorilose  thirumeni.