An Overview of Manjanikkara Perunal (Feast)

By Thomas Abraham Thiruvanchoor

Manjanikara Tomb

Prelude

The 73rd Dukhrono (Remembrance Day) of the late Patriarch H.H. Ignatius Elias III, who is entombed at Manjanikkara near Pathanamthitta, Kerala, started with the hoisting of Patriarchal flag on Sunday, 6th February, 2005. The Metropolitan of Simhasana (Patriarchal) Churches H.G. Kuriakose Mor Julius hoisted the flag at Omalloor Kurishumthotti (Coupola), which was brought there after offering prayers at the tomb of Elias III Bava.

All of the Jacobite Churches in Malankara hoisted the Patriarchal flags in their respective churches, showing respect and allegiance to the Holy Throne of Antioch.

The evening prayer and flag hoisting at Omalloor Kurishumthotti (Coupola) was attended by Metropolitan Geevarghese Mor Divanasios, V. Rev. P.E. Mathews Ramban, Anthrayos Ramban, V. Rev. E. K. Mathews Corepiscopa Elavinamannil, V. Rev. P.J. Joseph Corepiscopa, scores of priests, deacons, and laities.

Pilgrimage

Every year thousands of people from all parts of Kerala State attend the Perunal (feast) by pilgrim tours arranged from their places. Manjanikkara is the only place in the world where pilgrims arrives by walking hundreds of kilometers, starting their journey several days before the feast day. The combined pilgrimage processions from different northern dioceses of Malankara Church coming through M.C. Road, which is known as ‘Northern Area’ pilgrimage, arrived at Kottayam on Wednesday, 9th February. The pilgrims were received at St. Mary’s Church, Neelimangalam, where they took rest for the night and proceeded to Manjanikkara the next day. As every year, Neelimangalam Church provided food and shelter for the pilgrims at the Church premises.

The ‘Eastern Area’ pilgrimage started from St. George Church, Nedumavu, Idukki on Thursday, 10th February. While they were proceeding to Kottayam through K.K. Road, they were joined by the pilgrims of different Churches en-route, and together reached St. Mary’s Church at Manarcad by evening. H.G. Markose Mor Koorilos blessed the pilgrims at Pangada, near Pampady. A public reception was accorded to the pilgrimage at Illivalavu, near Manarcad. The Manarcad St. Mary’s Church provided food and shelter for these pilgrims at the Church premises.

The ‘Western Area’ pilgrimage started from the Kurishumthotti (Coupola) of Aattamangalam St. John’s Church, Kumarakom, on Thursday, 10th February.

Manjanikara Pilgrimage

The ‘High Range Area’ pilgrimage reached Ranni on Thursday, 10th February evening. The Iythala Church received the pilgrims and provided food and shelter for them at their Church premises. Together with the Ranni area pilgrims, they proceeded to Manjanikkara on 11th Friday early morning.

The pilgrims from ‘Eastern Area’ and ‘Western Area’ joined together with the ‘Northern Area’ pilgrims at Kottayam and proceeded to Manjanikkara on Friday, 11th early morning. The kilometers long procession was an unusual fete for the people en-route.

Public Meeting

Every year, along with the feast of St. Elias III, the Manjanikkara Mar Ignatius Diara does various charity projects. The Chief Minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy was the Chief Guest for this year’s public function. He inaugurated the donation of ‘dress kits’ to the poor and needy.

“Millions of pilgrims arrive here at the tomb of St. Elias III Bava for intersessory prayers and all are going back with satisfied hearts” the Chief Minister told in his inauguratory speech. “The government will give all facilities and support for the success of this pilgrim centre” he added.

The State Minister for Water Resources Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan was the Guest of Honour for this function. Assistant Metropolitan for Simhasana (Patriarchal) churches H.G. Gevarghese Mor Divannasios presided over the meeting. H.G. Yuhanon Mor Militius and Diara Secretary T. U. Kuruvilla addressed the meet.

Reception to the Pilgrimage

A rousing reception was accorded to the pilgrimage processions from different parts of the State at Omalloor Kurishumthotti (Coupola), at 4 p.m. on Friday the 11th under the leadership of Perunal committee and Metropolitan of Simhasana (Patriarchal) Churches H.G. Kuriakose Mor Julius, Mor Stephanos Church Vicar V. Rev. E. K. Mathews Corepiscopa Elavinamannil, V. Rev. P.J. Joseph Corepiscopa, scores of priests, deacons and laities. The pilgrims were also given a reception at Omalloor Temple junction and at Cheekkanal by the people of the respective areas. Many families and various associations provided food and soft drinks to the pilgrims at various places en-route.

The official ending of this year’s pilgrim tour was declared in the public meeting held at Mor Ignatius Daira Church premises in the evening. The Catholicos of India, His Beatitude Baselius Thomas I presided over the meeting.

“The government should intervene to settle the disputes between Churches” the Catholicos said in his Presidential speech.

The State Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Adoor Prakash was the Chief Guest for this function. All the Bishops of Jacobite Church, Mor Stephanos Church Vicar V. Rev. E. K. Mathews Corepiscopa Elavinamannil, V. Rev. P.E. Mathews Ramban, Pilgrimage Committee Joint Secretary V. V. John and Diara Secretary T. U. Kuruvilla addressed the meet. H.G. Gheevarghese Mor Divannasios welcomed the gathering and V. Rev. Sleeba Corepiscopa proposed vote of thanks.

Manjanikara Meeting  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perunal Celebration

The conclusion of the Perunal (feast) celebration was on Saturday 12th, with Holy Qurbana and Rassa (procession). At 3 a.m. on Saturday, a tri-mass was offered at Mor Stephanos Church. The Diocesan Bishop H.G. Yuhanon Mor Militius was the Chief celebrant. At 5 a.m., a tri-mass was offered at Diara Church, for which H.G. Kuriakose Mor Dioscoros was the Chief celebrant and H.G. Kuriakose Mor Theophilos and V. Rev. Benyamin Ramban were the co-celebrants.

The main Holy Qurbana was at 8 a.m. at the Diara Church. The Chief celebrant for this tri-mass was the Catholicos H.B. Baselius Thomas I and the Co-celebrants were H.G. Kuriakose Mor Severios and V. Rev. Anthrayos Ramban.

The Perunal concluded with the Rassa, prayers at the tomb of St. Elias III, benediction and the traditional 'Nercha Vilambu'.
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