St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church Kuravilangad

Marth Mariam (St Mary's) Major Archiepiscopal Church, Kuravilangad is a Marian pilgrim center of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church located at Kuravilangad in Kottayam district.This church claims to date to 105 AD. The church has an ancient bell with the engraving on Syriac language "Mother of God." Three majestic bells were brought from Germany in 1911 and is one of the largest bells in Asia. The church is also known for its Kappalottam or "racing ship," a commemoration of the biblical story of Jonah and the whale.

History

According to tradition prevalent in Kuravilangad the church was founded in first century. It is believed, Mother Mary's first appearance in the world, was in Kuravilangad. Saint Mary appeared to a few children at Kuravilangad, who were tending their flock in the bushes and asked them to build a church at the place from where a miraculous perpetual spring sprouted, a spring which exists even today. The children reported the events to the elders and a church was built there.

Festivals

St. Mary's Parish at Kuravilangad tried its level best to add splendor to Moonnu Nompu (three-day lent) functions during Lent. A forty feet wooden ship, beautifully built with prow, stern, masts and rigging, having on one side an effigy of Jonah being vomited by the fish as per the orders of the Lord, and on the deck wooden mariners in western costume, has been for centuries the centre of attraction in the midday procession. Amidst the surging mass of humanity the spectacle makes one imagine that the sea is furious, the waves are beating against the sides of the ship and violent winds rip the sails out of control.

Procession

The people of the Kadappoor (കടപ്പൂര്‍) locality has the privilege to carry the vessel during the procession. This privilege is start from the 400 AD. The festival is marked by inter-religious harmony and mutual cooperation, as the inhabitants of the neighboring villages participate in the festivities. Nowadays, the Ettu nompu (eight days of lent) is also observed. St Paul's CMS Anglican Church, Vakkadu is an ancient Anglican Church in Kerala.

Kadappoor Ramban

It is believed that Kadappoor Ramban was one of the disciples of Thomas the Apostle, he attended the funeral rituals after death of Thomas the Apostle in Mylapore.^[11]