About Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church
Niranam Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church is a prominent parish in the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church which is believed to be founded by St. Thomas in A.D.52. Tradition says that St. Thomas founded seven and a half Churches during his missionary travels in Kerala. These Churches are at Kodungaloor, Kollam, Niranam, Nilakkal(Chayyal), Kokkamangalam, Kottakavu(North Parvoor), Palayoor(Chavakad) and Thiruvithamcode the Arappally (half church). Niranam Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church is one among these and the only one church with this great tradition in the Mar Thoma Church. Local tradition is that St. Thomas arrived in Niranam through Kottachal an ancient and important water way of early days and landed at Thomathukadavu. Through the ministry of the word and miraculous deeds St. Thomas brought many high class Hindus to Christian faith. St. Thomas baptized them at Nerkadavu adjacent to the Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church. The first Christians of Niranam were from four families i.e. Pattamukku, Thayyil, Maankki and Madathilan. St. Thomas chose a place of worship near the Thrikpaleswaram Siva Temple in Niranam for the new believers and planted a wooden cross there. Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church is traditionally believed to be situated at that very site chosen by St. Thomas. Some non Christians of the locality did not like this and they desecrated the cross. They threw the cross into the river nearby and it drifted in the river southward and settled at the river bank, which is not too far from the original site. St. Thomas was engaged in preaching the gospel at Nilakkal at that time and the believers in Niranam informed the Apostle about the unhappy turn of events through a messenger. Immediately St. Thomas returned to Niranam, resolved the tension and strengthened the believers. He directed Maliyakal Thoma and other disciples to plant it at a chosen place near where the cross was found. This was properly done and members of the four families who became Christians moved to the new site and settled there. They built a church there and Christian worship has been going on there ever since. The centuries old Niranam St. Mary’s Church or the Niranam Valiyappally is located there.

Popularity of Niranam Valiyappally attracted Christians from different parts of Kerala and many migrated and settled in and around Niranam. They worshipped in the Niranam Valiyappally for years. Palakunnathu Abraham Malpan from Maramon and Kaithayil Geevarghese Malpan from Kottayam spearheaded Reformation movement in the Malankara Church in Eighteenth century. Many superstitious and unscriptural practices followed in the Malankara Church were criticized in the light of Reformation ideas. Consequently rift was formed between those who support Reformation and those who opposed it in the Niranam Valiyappally. Geevarghese Kathanar Yacob Kathanar Vicar of Niranam Valiyappally was an ardent supporter of Reformation movement. Under his leadership those who support Reformation ideas left the church and they started worship in Pulimpally Purayidam. By providence the reform supporters or the Mar Thoma believers got the land where St. Thomas first planted the cross. They constructed a church there in 1906. Geevarghese Yacob Kathanar became the founding vicar of the new church. The church was rebuilt in 1934. Platinum jubilee of the church was celebrated in 1985 and the extension of the church building was accomplished. Centenary of the church was celebrated in 2006.

The Jerusalem Mar Thoma church has given birth to some eminent personalities. Rt.Rev.Dr.Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan and Rt. Rev. Gregorios Mar Stephanos Episcopa are the most esteemed members of this parish. Late Rev. K. J. Philip former Sabha Secretary of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Rev. George Alexander former General Secretary of the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, Mr. K. K. Kuruvilla the first Principal of the Mar Thoma Vaidika Seminary Kottayam and renowned Economist Padmasree Dr. Samuel Paul Bangalore are a few to mention. The parish has a membership of 262 families with more than 1650 members. Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church is a parish under the Niranam- Maramon Diocese. Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan is the Diocesan Bishop. Rev M.S. Daniel is our vicar.
News & Events

2023 December Events
                                      

20/12/2023

Chain Prayer
 

21/12/2023

                    
6:30 PM - St. Thomas Day celebration, Holy Communion (Chief Celebrant : Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Evanious)
 
 

ഇടവക മിഷൻ വർഷാവസാന കൂട്ടായ്മകൾ

 

2023, December 28, Thursday

ശ്രീമതി. മറിയാമ്മ കോശി , കടമ്പങ്കേരിൽ
പ്രസംഗകൻ : ശ്രീ. ബെന്നി വർഗീസ് , പുലിയൂർ.
 
 

2023, December 29, Friday

ശ്രീ. റെജി ജോൺ, മാന്തറയിൽ
പ്രസംഗകൻ : സുവി. തോമസ്. ടി. ഐപ്പ്, മംഗലം.
 
 

2023, December 30, Saturday

ശ്രീ. ചാക്കോ ഐപ്പ് (ജോയി), കുന്നത്തുകുഴിയിൽ
പ്രസംഗകൻ : സുവി. തോമസ് കോശി, കമ്പംമേട് .
 
 

2023, December 31, Sunday

പള്ളിയിൽ 9.30. PM. ന് ധ്യാനയോഗം,
Watch night service 11:00 PM ന്
 
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Bishops
His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan
Mar Theodosius studied at Baselious College, Kottayam (1966) and Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla (1969). After taking a degree in Science he joined Leonard Theological College and took BD Degree in 1972.His ordination as ‘Kasseesa‘ was in the year February 24, 1973.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan
Another distinguished and esteemed member of our Parish
After his schooling at Niranam, he graduated from the Union Christian College, Alwaye and completed his B. Ed training from Titus II College, Tiruvalla. He started his career as a teacher at the Ashram High School, Perumbavoor...
Rt. Rev. Gregorios Mar Stephanos Episcopa
Another distinguished and esteemed member of our Parish
Bishop Mar Stephanos (Rev. K. V. Varkey) was born on March 16, 1959. He is the son of Mr. K.P. Varkey of Niranam Kinattukara Parayil house and Kunjamma of Chengannur Plamoottil house...
Founder Vicar
Geevarghese Kathanar
Yacob Kathanar - 1906
(Pattamukkil Valiyachen)
Present Vicar
Rev M.S. Daniel
2022 - Till Date

Esteemed Vicars who served in the Church
Niranam Souvenir global - Download