, native_name_lang = ml , image = Eaechurch3.jpeg , image_size = , alt = , caption = , pushpin map = India Kerala , pushpin label position = , pushpin map alt = , pushpin mapsize = , relief = , map caption = Location in Kerala, India , coordinates = , osgraw = , osgridref = , location =

Meenangadi Meenangadi is an old town situated on the highway NH 766 between Kalpetta and Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad District, in Kerala, India. This place is one among the Provinces where the existence of Dolmens provide an historical evidence of earlier ci ...

(Post), Wayanad District, Kerala , country = India , denomination =

Syriac Orthodox , native_name_lang = syc , image = St_George_Syriac_orthodox_church_in_Damascus.jpg , imagewidth = 250 , alt = Cathedral of Saint George , caption = Cathedral of Saint George, Damascu ...

, tradition =

Malankara Church The Malankara Church, also known as ''Puthenkur'' and more popularly as Jacobite Syrians, is the historic unified body of West Syriac Saint Thomas Christian denominations which claim ultimate origins from the missions of Thomas the Apostle. ...

, religious institute = , churchmanship = , membership = , attendance = , website = , former name = , bull date = , founded date = 1957 , founder = , dedication =

Saint Mary Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the mother of ...

, Saint Thomas, Saint George , dedicated date = , consecrated date = , cult = , relics =

Holy Soonoro The Holy Girdle, also known as the Girdle of Thomas, Holy Girdle of Mary, Holy ''Zoonoro'', (or) ''Zunoro'', and Holy Belt of Saint Mary the mother of Jesus, is a relic of the Blessed Virgin Mary which is one of the important relics of Syriac Or ...

(Girdle Of

St.Mary Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the mother of ...

), Relics of Patriarch Ignatius Elias III , events = , past bishop = , status = Soonoro Pilgrim Centre , functional status = , heritage designation = , designated date = , architect = , architectural type = Church , style = , years built = , groundbreaking = , completed date = 1991 , construction cost = , closed date = , demolished date = , capacity = , length = , width = , width nave = , height = , diameter = , other dimensions = , floor count = , floor area = , dome quantity = , dome height outer = , dome height inner = , dome dia outer = , dome dia inner = , spire quantity = , spire height = , materials = , bells = , bells hung = , bell weight = , parish = , deanery = , archdeaconry = , episcopalarea = , archdiocese = ''

E.A.E Arch Diocese The Evangelistic Association of the East is a registered Non-governmental organization headquartered at Perumbavoor, Kerala working in the Educational, Social Service and Spirituality sectors. The organization has Educational Institutions, Orphana ...

'' , metropolis = , diocese = , province = , presbytery = , synod = , circuit = , district = Wayanad district , division = , subdivision = , archbishop = , bishop =

Mor Chrysostomos Markose Metropolitan Mor Chrysostomos Markose is a Syriac Orthodox arch bishop. He is the Bishop of E.A.E. Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox church in India . Early years Jacob Markose was born to P. V, Jacob and Annakkutty of ''Pallathu'' House, Thattekkad, A ...

, auxiliary bishop = , abbot = , prior = , subprior = , exarch = , provost-rector = , provost = , viceprovost = , rector = , vicar = Rev. Fr. Varghese Kakkattil , dean = , subdean = , archpriest = , precentor = , succentor = , chancellor = , canonchancellor = , canon = , canonpastor = , canonmissioner = , canontreasurer = , prebendary = , priestincharge = , priest = , asstpriest = , honpriest = , curate = , asstcurate = , nonstipendiaryminister = , minister = , assistant = , seniorpastor = , pastor = , chaplain = , archdeacon = , deacon = , deaconess = , reader = , student intern = , organistdom = , director = , organist = , organscholar = , chapterclerk = , laychapter = , warden = , verger = , businessmgr = , liturgycoord = , reledu = , rcia = , youthmin = , flowerguild = , musicgroup = , parishadmin = , serversguild = , sacristan = , embedded = E. A. E St. Mary's Soonoro Syriac Orthodox Church, Meenangadi ( mal, സെന്‍റ് മേരീസ് 'സൂനോറോ' തീര്‍ത്ഥാടന കേന്ദ്രം മീനങ്ങാടി), is a Marian Pilgrim center of the

Syriac Orthodox Church , native_name_lang = syc , image = St_George_Syriac_orthodox_church_in_Damascus.jpg , imagewidth = 250 , alt = Cathedral of Saint George , caption = Cathedral of Saint George, Damascus ...

located at

in Kerala, India. The church is under

, ( mal, പൗരസ്ത്യ സുവിശേഷ സമാജം) the first missionary association of Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, and is currently under the direct control of Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church. In 2006, the church was elevated to the status of "Marian Pilgrim Centre", and in 2018, it celebrated its diamond jubilee. It is the first church to adopt the

8 Day Lent Ettu Nombu ( Malayalam: എട്ടു നോമ്പ്) or the Eight Day Lent of Mary, mother of Jesus is a solemn remembrance of Mother Mary for Saint Thomas Christians in Kerala, India. The custom is observed in the Oriental Orthodox (J ...

in Malabar Region.

Feasts

* 1 February – Commemorative of the Foundation Day of the Church. * 2 February – Commemoration of Ignatius Elias III. * 23 April – Commemoration of

St. George Saint George (Greek: Γεώργιος (Geórgios), Latin: Georgius, Arabic: القديس جرجس; died 23 April 303), also George of Lydda, was a Christian who is venerated as a saint in Christianity. According to tradition he was a soldier ...

. * 1–8 September – Feast of the

's birth – Thousands attend the annual

celebration, known as Ettu Nombu Perunnal. * November – Commemoration of

Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala Saint Geevarghese Mor Gregorios, popularly known as Parumala Thirumeni (Bishop of Parumala), (15 June 1848 – 2 November 1902) was a Metropolitan of the Malankara Church. Parumala Thirumeni became the first person of Indian origin to be can ...

(Parumala Thirumeni (Bishop of Parumala) or Chathuruthiyil Kochu Thirumeni). *Mor Basil Chapel, Mepperikunnu-Commemoration of Baselios Yeldo. * 24 December – Commemoration of the Nativity of Jesus.

History

The migration of

Syrian Christian Syrian or Syriac Christians may refer to * Adherents of Christianity in Syria * Adherents of Syriac Christianity, various Christian bodies of Syriac traditions, especially: ** Syriac/Assyrian/Aramean people, Christian neo-Aramaic speakers through ...

families from Travancore, especially from Kothamangalam, Perumbavoor and Muvattupuzha to India's Malabar region started in the early 1920s. St. Thomas Church Malankarakunnu was one of the first churches of Syrian Christians but due to the lack of transport in rural areas, the people had no access to the church so new parishes were established,

was a major trade hub of the Malabar region. The 20th century schism of the

caused a feud between members of the church, leading to their isolation. In 1958, a

caucus A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures. The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to a meeting ...

excluded some parishioners from holy sacraments and forced them to move to other parishes for their sacraments. This led to the establishment of the Meenangadi church. According to a local tradition, the parishioners fasted and prayed according to a bible verse they found; . Under the leadership of K.O Varghese, a parishioner built a temporary prayer shed on high terrain on his land at Meenangadi town. E.A.E missionary Corepiscoppa Geevarghese Athunkal, the founder of

Evangelistic Association Of The East The Evangelistic Association of the East is a registered Non-governmental organization headquartered at Perumbavoor, Kerala working in the Educational, Social Service and Spirituality sectors. The organization has Educational Institutions, Or ...

(EAE) discussed the establishment of a church.

Mor Yulios Elias Qoro Mor Yulios Elias Qoro (Elias Mar Julius) (1881–1962) was a Syriac Orthodox Church Bishop and the Patriarchal Delegate of India, Born as Elias Malke Qoro at Mardin on August 1, 1881,educated at school of the Church of the Forty Martyrs of Sebast ...

, third patriarchal delegate to Malankara, approved the order for a church from the guidance of patriarch

Ignatius Jacob III Moran Mor Ignatius Jacob (Yaʿqub) III (October 12, 1913 – June 26, 1980) was the 121st Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and head of the Syriac Orthodox Church 1957-1980. He was skilled in and knowledgeable in Syriac sacral music or Beth ...

. The new, independent church was built in the name of

St. Mary Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the mother of ...

. The fathers of the church renovated the building. The church was

consecrated Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service. The word ''consecration'' literally means "association with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different grou ...

and the foundation stone was laid on 1 February 1958. The first Holy Mass was celebrated by Vicar Malphono Naseeho Geevarghese Athunkal Corepiscoppa. In 1974,

Geevarghese Mor Gregorios Perumpally Dr. Geevarghese Mor Gregorios (Perumpally Thirumeni) (10 October 1933 – 22 February 1999) was a bishop of the Syriac Orthodox Church, President of the Episcopal Synod of the Church in India, President of the Synod of the Malankara Jacobite Sy ...

, Thomas Mor Dhivanyasos ( Baselios Thomas I) arrived to the church and consecrated the St.Mary's shrine. In 1976, a youth association was started in the church. In 1982 there was a grand welcome for the Apostolic Visit of Patriarch of Antioch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas to the church, and Baselios Paulose II

Catholicos Catholicos, plural Catholicoi, is a title used for the head of certain churches in some Eastern Christian traditions. The title implies autocephaly and in some cases it is the title of the head of an autonomous church. The word comes from ancient ...

Mor Athanasius Paulose II Metropolitan Athanasius Paulose (27 June 1915 – 7 March 1991) was the First Metropolitan of Evangelistic Association of the East. He was consecrated as Metropolitan in 1973. Early life Paulose was born to Kunjannam and Kadavil Kurien Paulose (the son of ...

and

Mor Polycarpose Geevarghese Mor Polycarpus Geevarghese (1933 2011) was the Metropolitan of Evangelistic Association Of The East and Honnavar Mission of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church. Early life Mor Polycarpus was born on April 5, 1933 to Mr. Mathew Philipose and Mrs. El ...

, also supported the church. Baselios Paulose II visited the church frequently and gifted relics of Ignatius Elias III to the church. which was installed by Mor Polycarpose Geevarghese and the

was installed on 28 April 1991.

Relics

Holy Soonoro (Holy Girdle of St.Mary)

According to

Oriental Orthodox Church The Oriental Orthodox Churches are Eastern Christian churches adhering to Miaphysite Christology, with approximately 60 million members worldwide. The Oriental Orthodox Churches are part of the Nicene Christian tradition, and represent o ...

tradition, the Virgin Mary died in the presence of all apostles except Thomas the Apostle. At the time of the assumption, Thomas was in India and he returned to Jerusalem and travelled on the sky by the help of

Holy Spirit In Judaism, the Holy Spirit is the divine force, quality, and influence of God over the Universe or over his creatures. In Nicene Christianity, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is the third person of the Trinity. In Islam, the Holy Spirit acts as ...

to attend the assumption of Mary. He arrived late and the saint visualised that Mary's body was taken by the Angels. At that time, St. Thomas could reach there. Thomas had doubtful nature; to persuade others, he asked Mary to give him a sign of her for her memory and remembrance. Then a chariot stopped in the air and Mary gave her girdle (soonoro) to Thomas. He showed this girdle to other disciples of Jesus and convinced them. He took the girdle on his journey. Many miracles have been reported after people have seen or touched this girdle. It was taken to Şanlıurfa and was then kept in a church in

Homs Homs ( , , , ; ar, حِمْص / ALA-LC: ; Levantine Arabic: / ''Ḥomṣ'' ), known in pre-Islamic Syria as Emesa ( ; grc, Ἔμεσα, Émesa), is a city in western Syria and the capital of the Homs Governorate. It is Metres above sea level ...

, Syria. The original girdle is a relic belonging to Saint Mary Church of the Holy Belt. Soonoro of St

Saint Thomas kept the holy belt with him. After he died as a martyr in Mylapore, his and relics have been kept in India. In 394 AD, the holy girdle moved from India to Şanlıurfa on 22 August 705. and established in Saint Mary Church of the Holy Belt. This church is also known as the Church of Holy Girdle or The Church of the Lady of the Girdle. Some manuscripts and a

Garshunian Garshuni or Karshuni (Syriac alphabet: , Arabic alphabet: ) are Arabic writings using the Syriac alphabet. The word "Garshuni", derived from the word "grasha" which literally translates as "pulling", was used by George Kiraz to coin the term "garsh ...

book containing stories and speeches were send by the people of Homs in 1852. The

Archbishop of Homs In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archd ...

ordered the renovation of the church. On 20 July 1953 A.D, The Holy Girdle was discovered at the Altar of the church by Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem I Barsoum in the presence of Alexandros, the Greek Orthodox bishop of Homs, Syria. This girdle is considered to be one of the most important relic in

Relics of Patriarch Ignatius Elias III

Saint Ignatius Elias III (died 13 February 1932) was the 119th Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch from 1917 to 1932 who arrived in Malankara and spend his last days there, and is buried at the monastery of

Manjinikkara Dayara Manjanikkara Dayara is a monastery of the Syriac Orthodox Church. It is situated at the top of the hillock in Manjanikkara, near Omallur, Pathanamthitta District, in South Kerala, India. The monastery was established by Mor Yulios Elias Qoro, P ...

in Kerala, India, which is now a site of pilgrimage for Syriac Orthodox Christians. The church at Meenangadi also holds the sacred relics of Ignatius Elias III.

Historical visits to the church

Apostolic Visits of Patriarch of Antioch

Maphrians

Baselios Paulose II, the second Catholicos/Maphrian of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church.
Baselios Thomas I, Catholicos/Maphrian of the Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church.

Patriarchal Delegates and Metropolitans

, Third Patriarchal Delegate to Malankara.
Mor Athanasius Paulose (Kadavil II)(Metropolitan of E.A.E Arch Diocese)

Geevarghese Mor Gregorios Dr. Geevarghese Mor Gregorios (Perumpally Thirumeni) (10 October 1933 – 22 February 1999) was a bishop of the Syriac Orthodox Church , native_name_lang = syc , image = St_George_Syriac_orthodox_church_in_Damascus.jpg ...

Perumbalil (Perumbally Thirumeni)

Mor Clemis Abraham Mor Clemis Abraham, the Great Metropolitan of the East (born as Abraham, 1918–2002) was the senior metropolitan (1957–58) of Syriac Orthodox Church. He was in charge of Knanaya Syrian Archdiocese. Education Mor Clemis Abraham did his prima ...

, 'Great Metropolitan of the East' of Knanaya Diocese.

Mor Philoxenos Shamuel Samuel Mar Philexinose (4 May 1930 – 17 January 1985) was the first bishop of the Malabar Diocese (Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church), Malabar Diocese of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church. Early life 1930 May 4: (Malayal ...

Metropolitan of Malabar Diocese.

(Metropolitan of E.A.E Arch Diocese)

Yuhanon Mor Philoxenos Mor Philoxenos Yuhanon (born John Jacob Elappanal; 5 December 1941 – 30 December 2015) was a Syriac Orthodox bishop. He was the Bishop Emeritus of Malabar Diocese. Early years John Jacob was born to the ''Elappanal'' Family of Pampady on ...

Valiya Thirumeni, Bishop Emeritus of Malabar Diocese

Clergy

'Malphono Naseeho' Athunkal Geevarghese Corepiscopa (First Vicar & Founder of the Church)
'Malankara Malpan'

Kurien Kaniamparambil Corepiscopa Malankara Malpan Arch Corepiscopa Curien (Kurian) Kaniyamparambil was a priest in the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church and a scholar in Syriac language, who translated the Bible (വിശുദ്ധഗ്രന്ഥം) from ancient Peshit ...

Fr. Philip Pallichira Kathanar (Ass. Vicar of Church During 1958)
Fr. Boniface Kathanar, Manglore (Ass. Vicar of Church During 1958)
Fr. P.K Mathews Pazhamadam (Ass. Vicar of Church During 1958)
Fr. T. C. Alexander Alexander Corepiscopa

Sub-organisations

* Mor Basil Chapel, Mepperikunnu * St. Mary's Sunday School under M.J.S.S.A (Malankara Jacobite Syrian Sunday School Association) * Mor Ignatius Youth Association * Mor Baselios Paulose II Charitable Trust * St. Mary's Women's League

Daughter parish

E.A.E Mar Behnam Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church Kallinkara – Cheeral

References

External links

Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate

The Evangelistic Association of the East

Pain and Palliative care
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Mary's Soonoro Church Meenangadi Shrines to the Virgin Mary Syriac Orthodox churches in India Churches in Wayanad district Soonoro churches in Kerala Churches completed in 1958 1957 establishments in Kerala Churches completed in 1991 20th-century churches in India 20th-century Oriental Orthodox church buildings