Niranam Church (Niranam)

India / Kerala / Tiruvalla / Niranam
Niranam Valiya Palli
Niranam, almost midway between Quilon and Kokkamangalam is now in the hands of Jacobites. The church underwent many reconstructions and modifications. At present, the fourth building is in the place of the original Church that was believed to be founded by Apostle St. Thomas. It was consecrated by His grace Vattasseril Geevarghese Deanious, The Malankara Metrapolitan on 14 Fabruary, 1912 AD.

What the Ramban Song Says?
The Apostle and Prince Kepha proceeded from Quilon in a northeasterly direction and arrived at Thrikapaleswaram, near Niranom. Thrikapaleswaram had Hindu temples at that time, and to provide a place of public worship to the Christian community, the Apostle planted a cross a few furlongs away to the west of one of the temples. The non-Christian people in the locality did not like this and they pulled it out and cast it into the nearby river.

This desecration took place sometime after the Apostle had left the place for Chayal or Nileckal. Two Christians from Thrikapaleswaram went there and requested the Apostle to re-visit their place and set matters right. The cross that had been thrown out into the river moved downwards floating on the waters for some distance, and eventually rested on a strip of land on the opposite bank of the river. Here at Niranom a new site for a church was secured. During this second visit, the Apostle stayed at Niranom for two months and during this period two hundred persons were baptized by him giving new vigor and strength to the Christian community. Local tradition is that most of the Nambutiris having been made Christians by St. Thomas, left the place after giving the boxes containing the documents relating to their landed properties to a Kymal or Nair chieftain, who has since been known as Niranam Petti Kaymal. Of the various miracles performed by St. Thomas at Niranam, the most remarkable was the restoration of life to a child of a barber put to death by anti-Christian families, who wanted to throw the responsibility for the crime on the Apostle.

St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church, Niranam, popularly known as Niranam Valiyapally, is a parish under the Niranam diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. This church was founded by St. Thomas (Mar Thoma), the Apostle of Jesus Christ, in AD 54. The present building, supposedly the fourth, was constructed in 1912 and was reinforced during the year 2000. Among the attractions at the church are a huge Cross made of granite, relics of St. Thomas, remnants of the old church, the golden cross etc

Epiphany (Denaha), the Baptism of Jesus Christ, is an important feast in the liturgical cycle of Orthodox Churches. The word “epiphany” comes from two Greek words, 'epi' and 'phainen', and can variously mean, "to shine upon", “to reveal” or “manifest". This day is also known as 'theophany', which means ‘manifestation of God’. May this year’s Epiphany day observance enable us to grow in spirit and reciprocate to God’s manifestation to humanity.

Service Timings

Day Time Service
Sunday
7.30 am Prayer
8.30 am Holy Mass
Wednesday
7.00 am Prayer
7.45 am Holy Mass
10.30 am Retreat
Every Day
6.00 pm Evening Prayer
Since a very large parish, on most of the days, there will be Holy Qurbana, in connection with remembrances, baptisms, marriages etc.

Niranam Diocese
Head Quarters
Bethany Aramana
Thiruvalla
Kerala State, India.
Pin - 689101


Sr. Diocesan Bishop
H. G. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios

Diocesan Bishop & Metropolitan
H. G. Youhanon Mar Chrysostomos
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Coordinates:   9°20'34"N   76°31'38"E

Comments

  • VERY NICE
  • Niranam Church has a rich history of being the symbol of Christian faith in Kerala and a citadel of Orthodox Christianity since its inception in AD 54 by St Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. St Thomas reached Kerala in AD 52 and started preaching the gospel. He founded 8 churches, which are called 'Ezhara Pallikal', meaning seven and half churches. These were at Kodungallur, Kollam, Niranam, Nilackal (Chayal), Kokkamangalam, Kottakkayal (Paravoor), Palayoor (Chattukulangara) and Thiruvithamkode (the half church). St. Thomas who had great respect for the Holy Virgin, named all these churches after St. Mary. At Niranam, St. Thomas baptised many people and ordained people with social eminence as priests, to administer the church. The church founded by St Thomas at Niranam was adjacent to Sri Thrikpaleswara Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva. Some adversaries of the new faith later took out the cross, founded by the Apostle and threw it into the neighboring river. When St Thomas returned to Niranam after two years (AD 54) he heard about this and went in search of the cross. He found it at a place in the down stream and again founded the church at that place, which is believed to be the present location of the church. According to the available records, the present building is the fourth, which was built in 1912. The third building was built in 1259.
  • This church is Situated 7 km from Thiruvalla, this famous church is believed to be among one of the seven-and-a-half churches originally established by St. Thomas (52 AD) in Kerala. This church displays a marked influence of ancient temple architecture and is a renowned centre of worship for the Christian community
  • It is very wrong to say that niranam palli is in the hands of jacobites.
  • BEAUTIFUL SPACE
This article was last modified 5 years ago