Kottoor
Encyclopedia
Kottoor is the second oldest of all Christian Churches in Ernakulam District
. Kottoor Pally functions as a chapel of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Orthodox Syrian Church in Kolenchery
, Kerala
, India
from the 15th Century AD. Though the date of establishment of this Kottoor Pally is unknown, certain family histories like Kottoor Kulangattil family, Udaymperroor- Kottoor family etc.. points out to the consntruction of Kottoor Pally.
The Kottoor Pally is said to have been a chapel of Pallippuram Church near Cherthala
in the initial periods. From there, it was transferred as a chapel of Piravom Church
at its establishment. In the 9th Century AD, when the famous Kadamattom Church
was established nearby, it became its chapel. At last, when the Kolenchery Church was constructed in the 15th Century AD, Kottoor Pally became its part as a chapel.
. The family had many lands and estates throughout the kingdom. Though, most of the family members preferred to stay with their old customs, two within the family started to think differently. They were inspired by the acts of Christ and were baptised.
The brother and sister, converted were not allowed to mingle with their parental community in those days. They were thus forced to leave the ancestral house at Piravom. Tradition says, that their father though was objecting to their conversion, with deep love to his children gave lands as their share in the family.
Vikramadathan of 'Pazhoor mana' converted to Christianity by taking the name 'Geevarghese' after then famous Saint George
of Lod
. Its not known now what name his sister adopted at baptism. But it is clear that its Vikramadathan's deep love towards the said Palestine
saint, which mold his Christian conversion and later the construction of Kottoor Pally near his residence in Kottoor Purayidam.
After the tensions with Marthoma Church got over, Mar Paulose Evanios Metropolitan of Kandanad diocese ( later Catholicos Baselios Paulose I )took incharge of reconstruction of Kottoor Pally.
Kottoor Kulangattil family, one of the branch families associated with Kottoor church published the Kottoor family history which includes a short history of the ancient Kottoor pally on May 1, 2010.
There are some Hindu families in Nooranad Village in Alapuzha District using the name 'Kottoor'.
Ernakulam district
-Economy:Agriculture constitutes the most important segment of the district’s economy and it is the biggest source of employment. Of the geographical 235319 hectares, crops are grown in 0 hectares. Coconut is the principal crop followed by rubber, paddy, and tapioca...
. Kottoor Pally functions as a chapel of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Orthodox Syrian Church in Kolenchery
Kolenchery
Kolenchery is a small town located on National Highway 49 , 27 km east of Cochin city in Ernakulam district of Kerala State, India. Just a hamlet with a church, handful of schools and cinema theatre five decades ago, it has grown rapidly through large-scale real estate developments. The...
, Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
from the 15th Century AD. Though the date of establishment of this Kottoor Pally is unknown, certain family histories like Kottoor Kulangattil family, Udaymperroor- Kottoor family etc.. points out to the consntruction of Kottoor Pally.
The Kottoor Pally is said to have been a chapel of Pallippuram Church near Cherthala
Cherthala
Cherthala is a town located in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India. It is located 30 km south of the city of Kochi and 22 km north of Alappuzha town, on the Kochi-Alappuzha streatch of both the National Highway 47 as well as the costal Rail-route.lt is 85 km from the...
in the initial periods. From there, it was transferred as a chapel of Piravom Church
Piravom Valiya Palli
St. Marys Church is one of the prominent Jacobite churches in Kerala. The church is situated on the eastern banks of Muvattupuzha river running through piravom. The river takes 60 degree angle in front on the river which gives scenic view from the church. Though the Church is named after St...
at its establishment. In the 9th Century AD, when the famous Kadamattom Church
Kadamattom Church
Kadamattom Church is one of the ancient churches in India. The church is situated near to Kolenchery town near Cochin, India.The church is believed to have established in the 9th Century AD. Kadamattom church is an integral part of the syrian Orthodox Church in India...
was established nearby, it became its chapel. At last, when the Kolenchery Church was constructed in the 15th Century AD, Kottoor Pally became its part as a chapel.
Construction of Kottoor Pally
The family by name "Pazhoor Mana" was a traditional Hindu Brahmin family, situated near the present town of PiravomPiravom
Piravom is a town situated in Muvattupuzha Taluk of Ernakulam district in Kerala state, south India. It is 33 km South East of Cochin city & 42 km north of Kottayam town. Piravom is famous for historic Hindu temples and Syrian Christian churches. The town lies 22 km from the Taluka...
. The family had many lands and estates throughout the kingdom. Though, most of the family members preferred to stay with their old customs, two within the family started to think differently. They were inspired by the acts of Christ and were baptised.
The brother and sister, converted were not allowed to mingle with their parental community in those days. They were thus forced to leave the ancestral house at Piravom. Tradition says, that their father though was objecting to their conversion, with deep love to his children gave lands as their share in the family.
Vikramadathan of 'Pazhoor mana' converted to Christianity by taking the name 'Geevarghese' after then famous Saint George
Saint George
Saint George was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier from Syria Palaestina and a priest in the Guard of Diocletian, who is venerated as a Christian martyr. In hagiography Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic , Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox...
of Lod
Lod
Lod is a city located on the Sharon Plain southeast of Tel Aviv in the Center District of Israel. At the end of 2010, it had a population of 70,000, roughly 75 percent Jewish and 25 percent Arab.The name is derived from the Biblical city of Lod...
. Its not known now what name his sister adopted at baptism. But it is clear that its Vikramadathan's deep love towards the said Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
saint, which mold his Christian conversion and later the construction of Kottoor Pally near his residence in Kottoor Purayidam.
Recent history of Kottoor Pally
During the days of Marthoma Church-Orthodox split tensions in the 19th century, Kottoor palli stood as a strong hold of the Orthodox Christians in the Kolenchery area. At that time, the parish church at Kolenchery was in the occupation of Marthoma fraction.After the tensions with Marthoma Church got over, Mar Paulose Evanios Metropolitan of Kandanad diocese ( later Catholicos Baselios Paulose I )took incharge of reconstruction of Kottoor Pally.
Connections with Kottoor Pally
Many families are also identified with this name "Kottoor". The base of those families are connected with this chapel and the region. Tradition says that the chapel was established by the first Christian convert of the Kottoor family.Kottoor Kulangattil family, one of the branch families associated with Kottoor church published the Kottoor family history which includes a short history of the ancient Kottoor pally on May 1, 2010.
See also
- There is another set of Knanya Christian family using the name 'Kottoor'.
- Kottoor is a well known Hindu family name in Kidangayam ward at village Nooranad in Alappuzha District. This family's contribution to the traditional ayurvedic treatment and social work is acknowledgeable. The new generation from the family consists of well known social activists, professionals,business men.Kottoor is in the visinity of Vadakadathukavu Temple which is associated with the "Pazoor mana".
There are some Hindu families in Nooranad Village in Alapuzha District using the name 'Kottoor'.
- Kottoor Kulangattil Family