HISTORY

Mor Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church Prakkanam is one of the prominent churches in the Thumpamon Diocese in Malankara. The members of the church has expressed their ardent desire to follow in the footsteps of their forefathers and declared their allegiance to the Holy Apostolic Throne of St. Peter in Antioch.

The church dates back to June 7th 1930 when Mr. Orikkombil Geevarghese Idichandy, a devotee of the Antioch faith offered 64.25 cent of land to Thumpamon Diocese Metropolitan HG Late Lamented Mor Dionasious Michael under the approval of HH Moran Mor Ignatius Elias III, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East.

As the founders of the church foresaw the delay in the completion of the construction of the church, they decided to erect a chapel. An important milestone of our church history was the celebration of the first Holy Qurbono on May 12th 1932 offered by Late Rev. Fr. Thomas Parackal, appointed as first Vicar by HG Late Lamented Mor Dionasious Michael.

Mor Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Church Prakkanam stood high above the ground in 1953, a consecration ceremony was held on 13th & 14th February. The historic event was blessed by Thumpamon Diocese Metropolitan HG Late Lamented Mor Dionasious Michael along with Knanaya Diocese Metropolitan Mor Clemis Abraham. The main altar was sanctified in the name of St. Ignatius Noorono, the side altars in the north and the south were sanctified in the names of Mother Mary and St. Geevarghese Sahadho respectively.

A Cross Cradle was sanctified in the name of St. Ignatius Noorono and consecrated on 13th February, 1953 by HG Late Lamented Mor Dionasious Michael. The Cross Cradle was renovated in the year 1962. The Cross Cradle has always been a place of hope, refuge and trust to the prayers of people belonging to different denomination and religion.

When a split occurred in the Malankara Church in 1970s, the members of Mor Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Church Prakkanam decided on 14th July 1974 to stand by the faith of the Holy Throne of Antioch. The members declared their allegiance to HH Moran Mor Ignatius Jacob III, Patriarch of Antioch & all the East. This is considered as a remarkable milestone in the history of the church.

To mark the 50th year of establishment of the church, the Golden Jubilee Celebrations were conducted on 9th and 10th January 1982. On January 9th 1982 evening, a public meeting was held chaired by HB Baselious Paulose II Catholicose, HG Mor Theophilos Thomas, HG Mor Julius Yakoob, HG Mor Kurilose Kuriakose, Very. Rev. MK George of CSI denomination, Rev. Fr. Thomas Kumbukkaatt of Malankara Syrian Catholic denomination. On this auspicious occasion, the speech by the Vicar of the church, Very. Rev. E.O. Thomas Cor Episcopa, welcoming HB Catholicose, other Metropolitans and guests has been a memorable event in the history of the church. On 10th January, HB Catholicose celebrated the Holy Mass. During the Holy Mass Rev. Yohannan Vakayil Korooyo was ordained as Yauppedhuyakino (5th step to priesthood). After the Mass, HB Catholicose paid tribute to deceased forefathers and advised the members to renovate the church.

In 1993, during the Church Feast, one of our members Mr. Paul E Varghese decided to dedicate his life for the service of the Church and become Deacon. The ordination ceremony took place in the church on 20th December and Thumpamon Diocese Metropolitan HG Mor Koorilose Kuriyakose was the chief celebrant. This was a proud moment of the members of Mor Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Church Prakkanam.

On behalf of the Church Feast in 1994, the foundation stone of the new church was blessed and laid by HG Mor Koorilose Kuriyakose on 20th December. On 12th and 13th May 1996, the new church was consecrated by Thumpamon Diocese Metropolitan HG Dr. Geevarghese Mor Gregorious, HG Abraham Mor Clemis assisted by priests belonging to Kollam, Niranam & Thumpamon Dioceses.

Mor Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church Prakkanam became a member of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Association formed in 2002 and approved the Jacobite Syrian Christian Constitution on 30th June 2002.

Our sincere thanks and prayers to HH Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, HB Mor Baselious Thomas I Catholicose  and Thumpamon Diocese Metropolitan HG Mor Milithios Yuhanon for decorating Dr. Saji P Thomas as Commander and Mr. PK George as Chevalier in 2006 and 2004 respectively.

Our profound thanks to HG Mor Koorliose Markose and HG Mor Milithios Yuhanon for decorating our Vicar, Rev. Fr. EK Mathews and Asst. Vicar, Rev. Fr. TV Thomas with the honor of Cor-Episcopa in 2003 and 2006 respectively.

On 28th December 2006, a new Cross cradle sanctified in the name of Mother Mary was consecrated by HG Mor Dionasious Geevarghese.

To mark the 75th year of establishment of the church, the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations were conducted on 26th to 29th December 2006. The Platinum Jubilee Celebrations were inaugurated by HG Mor Osthathious Pathrose. On behalf of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations the foundation stone of the Platinum Jubilee Memorial Hall was blessed and laid by Thumpamon Diocese Metropolitan HG Mor Milithios Yuhanon. As part of our Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, we constructed a house for a poor family in Prakkanam.

The success and faith borne growth of our church is dedicated to the hundreds of worshippers who without faltering worked in solitude and eternal grace to develop the church and create in it the magma belief in His Almighty.

We extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to our Holy Father H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East for his magnanimous and steadfast support and dedicated prayers. Also sincere thanks go out to our Diocese and all our Metropolitans for their love, care, support, concern and guidance. Deepest gratitude is due to all our bishops and priests who have showered blessings with their prayers and Holy Qurbono.

Sincere thanks to all the members and all those who laboured hard for the establishment of the church, its growth and smooth functioning.

And above all let us thank the Lord Almighty for His kindness and gentle benevolence, for helping us through troubles and sorrow for bringing us joy and happiness we deserved and creating in us a love for brotherhood and peace.

To one and all, a sincere and dedicated acknowledgement.