Malecuriz Dayro

by Shroro Editorial Board

The Malecuriz St.George Dayro (monastery) is situated on a panoramic hill top at a short distance from Puthencuriz, a small township about 25 km due east of Kochi and 35 km from the Cochin international airport. The English equivalent of its name 'Malecuriz' is 'Holy Cross Monastery on the Hill'. The monastery is administered through the delegates of Moran Mor Ignatius Patriarch. Mor Kuriakose Dioscoros is the present Metropolitan of Malecuriz Dayro.

The site of the monastery and the surrounding areas were mere forests a hundred years ago, owned by Late Mr. Kuriakose Valiyel relative of late lamented Mor Geevarghese Gregorios Metropolitan, endearingly know as Parumala Kochu Thirumeni. Soon after his death in 1902, a small plot on the hill top was cleared of wild bushes and a cross was raised there, in accordance with the wishes of the late metropolitan expressed during one of his visits to the neighboring churches. Also a tooth of the saint removed on account of decay and preserved by his disciples was placed in a small chest and deposited there. People from the surrounding places used to climb up the hill and seek the intercession of the saint at the Cross and they had experienced abundant divine help.

Later here Mr. Kuriakose Valiyel constructed a chapel and donated the whole land with the church to the Holy Apostolic Throne of Antioch to be owned and administered by the Holy See directly or through the delegate for ever. The title deed was thus registered in the name of Saint Mor Osthatheos Saleeba Metropolitan, the delegate of the Holy throne of Antioch. Saint Mor Osthatheos Saleeba Metropolitan, took charge of Malecuriz, and stayed here for many years raising it to a Dayro (monastery). Till recent years it remained as the training centre for the clergy of the Syrian Orthodox Church in India.

The Holy relics of Mar Kaumo, St. Kuriakose, HH Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Elias III, St. Gregorios Geevarghese of Malankara and St. Mor Osthatheos Saleeba have been installed here. To crown these all HB Mor Baseliose Paulose II, Catholicose of the East was laid to rest here as per the will and desire of His Beatitude.

His Beatitude was a true loyal servant & faithful soldier of the Holy Apostolic Church. His Beatitude lives in the hearts of all people for his simplicity and affection. His Beatitude is known as the “Beacon Tower” of the Church. Now Malecuriz has become a center of pilgrimage for the believers in India. Many of the pilgrims who visit here, stay in the premises and pray in this holy place on all occasions, especially during the lent season. Pilgrimage by foot takes place to the Holy tombs as well as to the sepulcher of His Beatitude Mor Baselious Paulose II on the annual celebrations of the blessed memory of His Beatitude on August 31st and September 1st every year 

The Renovating Sanctuary

Since the existing church is too small for the devotes whose number is increasing day by day the Church is being renovated by including the tomb of His Beatitude as well as the other tombs also within the walls of the new church. The foundation stone for the new church was blessed and laid by H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the Prince Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, on Friday 7th April 2000 during the second Holy Apostolic visit to India. 

Compiled from:

http://www.malecuriz.com

http://catholicose.org/PauloseII/Dayro.htm