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His holiness moran mor ignatius zakka iwas
Prince patriarch of antioch and all the east.
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His Beatitude The Catholicos
Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I
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Some of the faithfuls under the leadership of Big Bazar Tharakans, decided to build this Church and approached the Ruler of Paravur (Paravur Thampuran) for sanction. As per the desire of the Big Bazar Tharakans, Paravur Thampuran donated a plot of land in the midst of the seven bazars of Paravur Town, tax free. The Church built here was consecrated in the name of St. Thomas, the Apostle, under the leadership of His Grace Mar Joseph Metropolitan, on the 29th November, 1566 A.D. This event has been inscribed in old Tamil script, in a plaque in granite stone and embedded in the wall near the front door the church Paravur Thampuran, also donated a very big five tier oil lamp (Alu Vilakku) which is even now used in the Church.
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Ancient wall painting
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Holy Kalkkurisse
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Holly Arulikka
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Alu Vilakku
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Some of the missionaries from Kottayam in a letter dated 13th March 1822, to the Resident, Cononel D. Newall,
had recorded thus: "The Paravur Church can accommodate 1500 persons comfortably at a time". The main alter of this Church is made of ornamental wooden carvings and inlayed with golden leaves, is an architectural wonder. The ancient wall paintings inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Church depicting sixteen Biblical episodes, are over 400 years old. The 16th Century architectural style of the Church is retained as such even to this day.
The Baptism stone (117 C.M. in diameter) in this church, which is one of the biggest in Malankara (Kerala) is carved out of a single granite stone. On the sides of the Baptism stone there is an inscription in old Tamil script thus: "This Baptism stone was donated by a parishner in 1625 (A.D)".
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The Ancient Baptism stone |
Granite Plaque |
Altar |
The roof of the Holy Altar at the Church is covered
with Copper sheets on all the sides resembling with traditional
Hindu Temples in Kerala.
Timings of the HOLY QURBANA
Sundays - 8.30 am
Weekdays - 7.30 am
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