Mulanthuruthy marthoman church

Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Jacobite Syrian Cathedral
Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Church
Location	Mulanthuruthy
Denomination	Jacobite Syrian Christian Church
Tradition	Syriac, Malayalam
Website	mulanthuruthypally.com
History
Founded	1100 AD
Dedication	St. Thomas
Administration
Diocese	Kochi diocese

Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Jacobite Syrian Cathedral is located at Mulanthuruthy in Ernakulam district of Kerala. This church is among the ancient and famous churches of the Malankara Church and a pilgrimage center of Syrian Christians. It is the home parish of Saint Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala who was a Syrian Orthodox religious leader and later canonized by both the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church and Indian Orthodox Church.

This church is built between AD 1100 and 1125. Kunnassery Kunchakko Tharakan who was the minister of the king of Kaduthuruthy was instrumental in building this church. The noteworthy feature of this church is a relic of St Thomas, which was brought from Mosul. The Patriarch of Jerusalem, Mar Gregorius Yuhanon resided at this church from 1751 till he died on 10 July 1773. His grave can be seen on the northern side of the church.

The church is famous for its historical importance. Mulanthuruthy church was the venue of the famous Mulanthuruthy Synod in 1876 convened by the Holy patriarch of Antioch Peter III. Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Yakoob III visited this church, during 1964. The present Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas have visited the Church twice, during 1982 and 2000.

The altar of the church is a reminiscent of the Altar of the first Christian Church of the Syrian Orthodox Church at Jerusalem. That is why, the Church is called as the 2nd Jerusalem. This church is also the home parish of the famous bishops of the Malankara Church known popularly as Kattumangattu Bavamar, the lone saint of the Malankara Church, Metropolitan Kochuparambil Paulose Mor Koorilose. Qasheesho Shrambikkal Pallathittayil Gheevarghese, the spiritual master of Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala was laid to rest in this church on 23 December 1863.