St. Mary's Church
St. Mary's Church
A living community of faith in the tradition of the St. Thomas Christians — worshipping, growing and serving together for over a century.
“Do not move the ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers.”
1937
Year Established
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church traces its origins to the Apostle Thomas, who is believed to have brought the Gospel to the shores of Kerala in the year 52 AD. For nearly two thousand years, the St. Thomas Christians have kept the faith alive with a liturgy and heritage of rare beauty.
St. Mary's, Alencherry is a proud inheritor of this tradition. From a small gathering of the faithful, our parish has grown into a vibrant family — yet the heart of our life remains unchanged: the Holy Qurbana, celebrated with reverence, gathering us around the altar of the Lord.
The convictions that shape everything we do as a parish family.
To be a welcoming family of faith — worshipping God in the beauty of the Malankara Orthodox Holy Qurbana, forming disciples of every age, and serving our neighbours with the compassion of Christ.
A vibrant parish rooted in the ancient Thomistic tradition of Kerala, radiant with prayer, unity and charity, and always open to all who seek the Lord.
The Holy Qurbana is the source and summit of our life together.
We treasure the St. Thomas Christian tradition handed to us.
Through koottaymas and forums, no one journeys alone.
Faith becomes real in works of mercy toward the least.
Our parish is dedicated to Mary, Mother of God, under the title of her Nativity. As the Church celebrates the birth of the Blessed Virgin — the dawn that heralds the Sun of Justice — our community looks to her as mother, model and intercessor. In the Malankara Orthodox tradition her honour is woven through the liturgical year, and the parish feast in September is the great gathering of our whole family.
Parish Feast Programme
Milestones in the story of God's providence at St. Mary's, Alencherry.
George Ummen of Bethel Bungalow, Eapen of Kandathil, Kochu Koshy of Poykavilayil, Koshy of Bethel Vadakkethil, Ummen of Vattavilayil Mukalupurathu, Tharian of Kalangazhikathu, Joseph of Kochukonathu Puthenveettil, Chacko of Thekkethil Veedu and Chacko of Kizhakkekara Charuvila Veedu drew up and registered an agreement to establish the first church.
St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Alencherry was consecrated by H.G. Puthenkavil Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos Metropolitan and included in the Diocese of Kollam. First vicar: Ayoor Mavilazhikathu Koshy Kathanar.
Shimona, a monk of the Mount Athos monastery, dedicated an icon of the Mother of God and a cross to the church.
Shimona dedicated a wooden cross encased in metal.
The Ettunombu (eight-day Lent) feast was celebrated for the first time.
H.G. Mathews Mar Coorilos consecrated the second church.
The church was included in the Diocese of Thiruvananthapuram.
H.G. Geevarghese Mar Dioscoros Metropolitan consecrated the meditation shrine (Dhyana Mandiram) of the Mother of God.
H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews II Catholicos laid the foundation stone for the third church.
H.G. Zacharias Mar Athanasios Metropolitan consecrated the second meditation shrine (Dhyana Mandiram) of the Mother of God.
H.H. Baselios Marthoma Didymos I Catholicos consecrated the third church.
The church was declared an International Martha Mariam Pilgrimage Centre by H.H. Baselios Marthoma Didymos I Catholicos.
H.G. Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios Metropolitan consecrated the renovated meditation shrine of the Mother of God.
H.G. Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios Metropolitan consecrated the renovated Madbaha (sanctuary) and Haikala (nave).
H.G. Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios Metropolitan laid the foundation stone for the St. Jude Chapel.
H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, enshrined the relics of St. Gregorios of Parumala.
Home to hundreds of families and a dozen ministries, the parish continues its journey of faith and service.