20/04/2020
***** HG YUHANON MAR IVANIOS***** 226th Orma Perunal at Thiru Chengannur Mathapally (Old Syrian Church)
H G Yuhanon Mar Ivanios, a metropolitan from Antioch, Syria, visited Malankara in 1751 and stayed in the Chengannur Pazhya Suriyani Pally . Mar Ivanios, who was born in Musal, credited with the propagation the liturgy of Mar Yacob in Malankara, died in 1794 and was interred in front of the southern ‘Thronos’ (altar) of the Church.
There is legend regarding Mar Ivanios’ arrival in Chengannur. When he reached Erapuzha kadavu on River Pampa by boat, his followers took him to the Church in a procession. But the Nair chiefs of the land did not allow the procession to pass in front of the Vanchipuzha Chief’s palace and the procession had to take a different route. When the son of Vanjipuzha Chief fell ill, the royal astrologer found that the curse of a saint had fallen on the son. The Chief is said to have tendered an apology to Mar Ivanios whose prayer rid the boy of his illness. In return the Chief bestowed tax-free land and properties to the Church.
Pazhaya Suriyani Pally is an ancient Church in Chengannur about 1700 years old in Kerala State of India. The centuries old stone and wooden statues, single stone lamps and the single stone Cross point to the ancient artistic excellence. The gaint 33.5 feet high Single stone Cross is awe inspiring. Some of the stone edicts are valid historical records of the ancestry of Christians in Chengannur. Church is the combination of 18th Century Christian and Hindu temple architecture . The gates gopuravathil, nadapanthal of the churh have many carvings on it with also a Hanuman holding a baton which clearly shows the harmony between two religions.
