St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Mulanthuruthy
| Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Syrian Church | |
|---|---|
Front view of Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Cathedral | |
Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Syrian Church Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Syrian Church | |
| 11°10′30″N 75°55′07″E / 11.1750°N 75.9187°E | |
| Location | Mulanthuruthy, Ernakulam district, Kerala |
| Country | India |
| Denomination | Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church |
| Tradition | Syriac, Malayalam |
| History | |
| Founded | 1100 AD |
| Dedication | St. Thomas |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Kochi Diocese |
St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral is an ancient church located at Mulanthuruthy in Ernakulam district in Kerala, India. It is part of the Kochi Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. This church was founded and established in the 11th century A.D. The church was consecrated on 3rd Karkkidakkam (July), in between 1100 and 1125 A.D. The church was modified in the 16th century A.D. The carvings on the main door of the church, made of granite, on which is inscribed in Syrian script, read as ʹʹthe door of the Mar Thoman Church was re-erected on 9th Thulam 1575 A.D.ʹʹ.
The church is a fine example of the indigenous Kerala architectural style. The carvings, sculptures, symbolic icons and wall paintings are a blend of Middle Eastern, South Indian (Keralite) and European architecture.
The altar of the church, featuring wooden carvings and paintings of unique design, is reminiscent of the altar in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. There is a massive sculptural covering on the eastern side of the main altar, with carvings of cherubim faces and representations of the Holy Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The floor tiles are imported from abroad. The rare antique paintings on the ceiling above have their own stories to narrate.
The baptismal stand of this church is carved out of a huge granite block, and it is about a thousand years old. The two-story parish building is about three hundred years old. Its wooden walls and sculptured ceiling, as well as its strong room, have withstood the ravages of time.
A proud heritage of the church is the head circlets for the bride and the bridegroom on the occasion of their marriage. These were in vogue from the time of Knai Thoma and his contemporaries.
Even though Christianity was rooted in this country from the 1st century onwards, there was no constitution or rules and regulations for the church. This vacuum was filled by Ignatius Peter III, Patriarch of Antioch. He came to Malankara and convened the famous Mulanthuruthy Synod in 1876 A.D. at this church, in which, an association was formed by name Syrian Christian Association and a democratic set-up for the administration of the Malankara Church, was adopted. Holy Mooron was consecrated by the Malankara Church, for the first time in India. Holy Mooron was again consecrated here, in 1911 A.D, by Ignatius Abdulla II, Patriarch of Antioch.