John's Jacobite Syrian church Vadakara is one of the oldest Syrian Christian churches in Malankara. It is believed to have been established before the 10th century.Though considered to be very ancient, no specific historical records are available till date on the exact date of establishment. John the Baptist, kept in the madbho, are closely related. The story about the church's establishment is like this: A large portrait of St. John was being brought from the place called Vadakara in Malabar region to Marth Mariam Church at Manarcad some thousand years ago. On their way the persons who were carrying this portrait happened to rest for a while in this place which is now called Vadakara. But later when they were about to restart their journey, they found it impossible to lift this portrait from the place where they kept before resting. Hearing the unusual news, people from nearby areas gathered there but they too were helpless. At this moment some elders of the community advised them to keep the portrait there itself; a church was subsequently built there. It is this old portrait of St. John the Baptist that is kept behind the main thronos (altar) of this ancient church. The church, belonging to the Kandanad diocese, is situated in the village of Vadakara in Ernakulam district and is at a few distance away from the Koothattukulam town.
