CheriaVappillassery Mor Ignatius Church:  Photo: 2004 View of the church from the National Highway side

The history of the Mor Ignatius Church at Cheria Vappalassery begins with the establishment of a cross there by the former Malankara Metropolitan and the head of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Christians in India, St. Athanasius Paulose (Valiya Thirumeni) on August 1, 1932.  The cross was dedicated in the name of late Patriarch St. Ignatius Elias III.  On January 1, 1967, Vayaliparambil Mor Gregorios elevated this chapel as an independent parish under the Angamali diocese.  The present edifice of the church was completed in 1982 and on March 7 His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I Iwas the Patriarch of Antioch & all the East during his first Apostolic Visit to India, consecrated the church and offered the Holy Qurbono.

On 13th August 1985, the Holy relics of St. Ignatius Elias III was established in the church by the Metropolitan of the Evangelical Association of the East, H.G. Mor Athanasius Paulose Kadavil (II).  On 6th March 1991, His Grace Mor Athanasius Paulose passed away and was entombed in the church.

 H.G. Mor Athanasius Paulose (Kadavil Thirumeni II)

& his tomb in the church

The parish hall in front of the church is named after Kadavil Thirumeni II and the open stage in the church compound is named after Mangattupillil Alexander Corepiscopo, the former Vicar of the church.  The main festival of the church falls on 30th January.  Sunday School, Marth Mariam Samajam and Youth Association are the spiritual organizations functioning in the church.  The church has its own constitution for its administration.

 

Address:

Mor Ignathios Jacobite Syrian Church

Cheria Vappalasserry,  Angamali South Post

Angamali

Phone: 0484-2456733

 

 

Source:

          Directory of the Angamali diocese, 2003

 

View of the Church and the Madbho - Font containing the Holy Relics of St. Ignatius Elias III can be seen in front of the Madbho

Parish Hall in memory of late Kadavil Thirumeni II