IMPORTANT PILGRIM CENTRES
1.THE CATHOLICATE ARAMANA (DEVALOKAM,KOTTAYAM,KERALA, 686038)
his is the official residence of the Catholicos of the East. The mortal remains of three of the former Catholicoses are entombed here in the Catholicate Chapel, His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II, His Holiness Baselios Ougen I and His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews I. A portion of the sacred relics of St. Thomas is also kept here. Hundreds of pilgrims daily visit the shrines.
The Catholicate office which is the Central Secretariat of the Orthodox Church functions here. Office of the Holy Episcopal Synod, Office of the Corporate Management of Malankara Orthodox Church Colleges, Office of the Corporate Management of Catholicate and M. D. Schools, Office of the Malankara Orthodox Church Publications, Office of the Malankara Sabha Magazine, Office of the Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East and Catholicate Press are all in the same campus. This is situated on a beautiful hillock, with extensive paddy fields on three sides which present a panoramic view. The place is called “Devalokam” which means “Abode of Gods”. It is about 5 Kms. South -East from the central place of Kottayam town.
Manager: V.Rev.Christophorus Ramban
Tel: +91 481 2570569, 2578500, 2578499, 2573850
2.PARUMALA SEMINARY (PARUMALA,MANNAR,KERALA, 689626)
The seminary was initiated by late Metropolitan Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius in 1872. From 1877 on wards late Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Gregorios stayed there till his death in 1902 and was responsible for its growth and development. A new church was built in 1895. Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Gregorios is the only declared Saint of the Church. The mortal remains of the saint are entombed in the Seminary Chapel. Mar Gregorios was canonised on November 2, 1947.
The mortal remains of the late Metropolitan Yuyakim Mar Ivanios are also entombed in the Seminary Chapel.This is a very important pilgrim centre of international fame now. People from allover the world are found to visit the tomb of Mar Gregorios and seek his blessings through intercession. A regular flow of believers could be seen at this centre. Hundreds of pilgrims come and stay here for days together and offer prayers and attend to various ceremonies. Accommodation is made available in a three storied building. The ‘T’ shaped Auditorium with three Halls has a total seating capacity of 3000. The arrangement is such that this could be used even for three separate functions at the same time, in the three Halls.
There are several educational Institutions and Hospitals named after the Saint Mar Gregorios. Mar Gregorios Memorial Hospital, Parumala adjacent to the Seminary, is a major hospital in this area. An Old Priests Home provides accommodation for retired priests.One of the most important spiritual organisations of the church is named after the Saint, -Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement of India (M. G. 0. C. S. M) -the student wing of the Church.As the church building had become very old and also keeping in view the convenience of thousands of pilgrims that flock to the seminary every day, the church is being renovated and expanded to accommodate atleast 2000 people inside themainportion itself .The Seminary is about 42 Kms south of Kottayam on the Tiruvalla -Mavelikara Road on the banks of river Pamba.
Official Website: http://www.parumalachurch.com
Manager: Rev.Fr.M.D.John
Tel: +91 479 2312202, 2312226, 2312328
3.ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (KOTTAYAM,KERALA)
Popularly known as ‘Old Seminary’ this was founded in 1815 by the late Malankara Metropolitan Joseph Mar Dionysius II, The seminary is affiliated to Serampore University and offers courses for GST Diploma, B. D. and M. Th. This is a post graduate institution for Theological studies and Research and is an ancient centre for Christian Theological studies in India. The Archives there presents historical documents regarding the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The mortal remains of the late Malankara Metropolitans, Joseph Mar Dionysius II, Joseph Mar Dionysius V and Geevarghese Mar Dionysius VI and late Metropolitcan Paulose Mar Gregorios are entombed in the Seminary Chapel.Sophia Centre an important institution of the Church, is situated in the Seminary Campus. This is a quite place, very convenient for conferences, retreats, study programmes etc. Shruthi is another institution for liturgical music in the campus. Old Seminary is located on the north -western part of Kottayam Town on the banks of river Meenachil.
Principal: Rev.Fr. Dr. K.M.George
Vice Principal: Rev.Fr. Dr. M. Jacob Kurian
Manager (Old Seminary): Rev.Fr. M.C. Kuriakose
Tel: +91 481 2566526, 2568500, 2566650, 2302571
Website: http://www.ots.org.in
4.NIRANAMVALIYAPALLY(ST.MARY’SCHURCH) (NIRANAM,THIRUVALLA,KERALA)
This church was founded by St. Thomas, one of the 12 Disciples of Jesus Christ who came to India in AD 52. Several historical events have taken place here. It is here thatin 1912 the Catholicate was established in Malankara The church is famous for the big golden cross which was stolen once. Instead a new cross was again made later. The big church building in the present form was rebuilt later with five alters. The huge stone cross at the gate is said to be one erected by St. Thomas himself at Niranam. The place is 40 kms south of Kottayam between two rivers – Manimala and Pamba.
Vicar: Rev. Fr. Oommen Paul
Tel: +91 469 2711510
http://www.niranamchurch.com
5.PAMPAKUDA CHERIAPALLY (ST.THOMAS CHURCH) (PAMPAKUDA,MUVATTUPUZHA,KERALA)
The mortal -remains of the First Catholicos of the East in Malankara -after the establishment of the Catholicate here in 1912, His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Paulose I, are interred here in 1913.
Tel: +91 485 2272322
6.VALLIKKATTU DAYARA (ST,MARY’S CHAPEL) (VAKATHANAM,KOTTAYAM,KERALA)
This Dayara was founded in 1869. From 1913 to 1925 it was the Headquarters of the Diocese of Kottayam and from 1926 to 1928 it was the Headquarters of the Catholicos of the East. The mortal remains of the second Catholicos in Malankara His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Geevarghese I was entombed here.
Manager: V.Rev.Joseph Ramban
Tel: +91 481 2462550
7.ST.THOMAS DAYARA (VETTICKAL ,MULANTHURUTHY)
The Vettickal Dayara was the place where St. Gregorios of Parumala spent long time in prayer and fasting. Later it was also the official residence of the Metropolitan of the Kandanad Diocese.
Tel: +91 484 2740220, 2742250
8.MAR KURIAKOSE DAYARA (PAMPADY,KOTTAYAM,KERALA)
Dayara was founded by the late Metropolitan Kuriakose Mar Gregorios. The mortal remains of late Metropolitans Kuriakose Mar Gregorios and Mathews Mar Ivanios are interred in the Dayara Chapel. It was also the official residence of the Metropolitan of Kottayam Diocese
Website: http://www.pampadydayara.com
Manager:
Tel: +91 481 2505431
9. ST. THOMAS ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (Ubali road, Brahmani P.O; Kalmeshwar Nagpur-4 41501)
The Seminary started in Bhilai and later shifted to Nagpur to meet the needs of the outside Kerala dioceses
Principal: Rev.Fr.Dr.Reji Mathew
Vice Principal: Rev.Fr.Ninan K.George
Tel: +91 7118 2711696 , 2711991