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St.
Mary's Church
Brief summary of
Manarcad Church history
The Marthamariam Church (St. Mary's Church) at
Manarcad is internationally famous. The ancient practice of 8 day
fast and the Feast of Virgin Mary's Birth are celebrated between
September 1st and 8th of every year at the church.
Because of the unseen presence and blessings of
Virgin Mary, the Manarcad Church, the 8 day Fast and other
observances have withstood the passage of time and attained
international reputation. During the fast days, hundreds of
thousands of people from the far corners of the world reach Manarcad
to seek the blessings of Virgin Mary. Around this time all roads
lead to Manarcad Church which is located just 9km. east of the town
of Kottayam.
From the pages of
history
Manarcad Church is the most important church
among the ancient churches of Malankara. The stone inscriptions
found at the church reveal that the church was built more than a
1000 years ago. Archeologists have found out that these stone
inscriptions were memorial stones set up at the tombs in 910 A.D.
and 920 A.D. and the writing on them are in Malayalam and Tamil
scripts prevalent 600 years ago.
Afterwards, on several occasions, the church was
rebuilt and renewed. In the 16th century there was not a single
church in the land which was not re-built in the Portugese style. It
is believed that the Manarcad church also was re-built at that time
in the model of the Kottayam Small Church.
The Manarcad Church has been in existence right
from its inception till date under the leadership of the Holy Bava,
the Patriarch of Antioch and of all East from the throne of St.Peter
and the Blessed Catholic Bava and the Arch Bishop appointed by the
Throne of Antioch.
A great institution
The Manarcad Church and the 8-day Fast, these
continue to attract an unmitigated flow of millions of worshippers
who seek the blessings of Virgin Mary.
The Manarcad Parish today consist of over 2500
families spread over 12 contiguous places, which is led by a team of
a Vicar and 11 Assistant Vicars.
The Church has under its auspices a number of
educational institutions including the St.Mary's College, religious
and social service institutions and a most modern hospital.
During the 8-day Fast in September, the helpless
and the hapless throng the church to pray to Virgin Mary for cure of
diseases, for getting children for the childless, for guarding
against calamities and for getting the wishes fulfilled. The pray
and beg to their Mother with tearful eyes. They place their
offerings before her. The testimonials of people who have received
blessings are numerous.
Taking into account the number of worshippers who
visited the church during the last 10 years, arrangements have been
made to receive an estimated 3 millions devotees this year.
Churches
St.
Mary's Church || St. Francis
Church || Kodangallore
Church
Niranam
Church || Holy Virgin
Mary Church
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