11. Contribution of ThulasseryManapurathu family branches on the spiritual sphere
 

Devoutly religious, ThulasseryManapurathu family members were zealous about church planting and their upkeep. The following are a few instances:

   Adoor – (Pathisseril,Kanjirakat)- St.Kuriakos Orthodox Church ,Anandapally was constructed at the instance of Pathiserril family.Koruthu Kochukoruthu of the same family built the St.Mary’s Orthodox church ,Koodal. The fact that priestly tradition of ThulasseryManapurathu family was kept intact by this branch is borne out of the diaries and other records maintained by the Kanjirakatu line of priests which spanned more than four generations.Mathunni Kathanar heads the list , though there is a mention of one Koruthu Kathanar who preceded him .But there is not much of records to substantiate .Mathunni Kathanar was the first priest to offer Qurbana at the the Makkamkunnu  church the first church in Pathanamthitta town  which was built in1844 and consecrated by Mathoma Metropolitan Mathews Mar Athanatius. His son Geevarghese Kathanar built the the St.George Orthodox church Kalanjoor at the wish of Pulikottil Joseph Mar Dionysus in 1892.He was appointed the first priest of Orthodox Valiyapally,Parakode by Parumala Thirumeni .His  son Mathai Kathanar who was the nephew of Baselius Geevarghese II,Catholica Bava, was the first priest of St.Kuriakose Orthodox church at Anandapally which was built by  Pathisseril family He had also served the spiritual needs of 13 churches in and around Adoor. Scaria Kathanar ,the famous Syriac scholar who remained single  was deputed by Wattasseril Thirumeni to succeed Alwarez Thirumeni in building up the church in Ceylon .He was the driving force behind the Sunday School  Samajam(1929) and Marthamariyam Samajam(1934) at Kannamkode. He initiated the construction of Marthasmuni Orthodox Church ,Kottanallur and St.Mary’s Orthodox church ,Aykad .H.H.Geevarghese II was his patron. .Philipose Kathanar of Valliyath branch besides serving as manager of St.George school, Ezhamkulam which was established by his father Ommen Thomas. was also vicar of four churches around Adoor. Mathews Pathisseril ,a prominent founder member of Basil Trust ,Baroda (Gujarat) played a pivotal part in setting up the Basil school  and St.Gregorios Orthodox church both in Baroda. Fr. Mathews John(Koodal)  of Quilon diocese ,Fr.George Varghese(Anadapally)of Kollam diocese who is also professor of English at St.Gregorios College, Kottarakara and Fr. Mathews George ,vicar St.Mary’s Orthodox Church, Dallas  belong to this family .57

Aluvila - (Anchal):-   Blessed with extensive landed property  ,the Aluvila family has donated prime land of no less than an acre each to three churches of different denominations-Bar Sauma Syrian Jacobite Church ,Kumalloor, St.George Orthodox church ,Kampamkode and St.Jude Malankara Catholic Church ,Ayoor.58

Mukkathu- (Chengannur)-Kottoorethu Mammen Joseph Kathanar: One of the architects and strong pillars of the Marthoma church in its infancy  besides being founder of Chengannur Marthoma church served  as Secretary of  Malankara Marthoma Church executive for 22 years .It was his astute handling of the case between Orthodox and Marthoma churches that brought about the agreement of 1053(M.E) ensuring equal propriety rights over Chengannur  old Syrian church for both denominations. He was  the brain behind the launching of the Malankara Sabhathaaraka the official mouthpiece of Marthoma Church . Author of ‘Daiva Makkalude Thenkatta’(Honeycomb for the children of God),an anthology of songs and prayers in Syriac .He was chiefly  instrumental in founding the first Government English School in Chengannur . J.C.Abraham Kaseesa -:While seving as vicar of Chengannur Marthoma church played a significant role  in the social and political affairs of the region. Bishop John  Varghese:The first Bishop of St.Thomas Evangelical Church s was the founder of Puthukottai Chrithudas Ashram(Prakasapuram  in Tamil Nadu) for destitutes and orphans and Ezhumalloor hospital .Started schools in Kuzhalmannam, Pudukottai,and Vemballur. Worked tirelessly for gaining the rights of people belonging to backward  communites and gypsies in Palghat district to use public roads and study in schools.The scope and vision of Palghat Ashram won great popularity under him .Rev.M.P.Job : Educated in Cambridge  and one of the three founders of Manganam Chrithava Ashram. Started the Society  of St.Thomas with an ecumenical vision .He was the traveling  secretary of  Students Christian Mission in Ceylon, Burma and India.  One of the leaders of Karapuram mission in Cherthala ,Rev Job in  the wake of the second world war worked for alleviating the miserable condition  of the poor coir workers of Cherthala  by successfully calling the attention of the government to  the plight of the people  .Fr.Thomas Inchakalodi:one of the prominent members of Malankara Catholic Church was the reputed author of –Keralathile Christhava Sabhakal( Christian Churches of Kerala),Arch Bishop Mar Ivanios, Nammude Pithaakanmaarude Viswasam(Faith of Our Fathers) etc.Very Rev.P.V.Thomas who retired as senior Vicar General of Marthoma Church was instrumental in founding the Houston Marthoma Church which is the first Marthoma Church in USA . Late Fr.Eapen Kaplaserril (Malankara Catholic Church),Rev.George Mathew(Marthoma Church),Rev.Mathew P.Thomas(Marthoma Church), Fr Siby Kannamthanam(Malankara Catholic Church),Dr.Abraham Inchakalodi(Orthodox Church), Rev Jiji John Jacob (C.S.I. Church) and Rev .John Philipose(C.S.I.Church) all belong to this family.Kurian Varghese Kannamthanam served as member of Malankara Syrian Catholic Congress and one of the founders of Malankara Catholic Church in Chengannur.Varkey brothers  played a pivotal role in setting up the CSI St.Andrew’s Church in Chengannur, K.C.Koshy founded the CSI Church ,Pathanamthitta. Kunjunaina Ousep helped found the Keezhvanmazhy Marthoma Chapel . 59

Kunnil - (Edanadu) :Members of this family take pride in founding the St.Mary’s Orthodox Church and Marthoma Church at Edanadu.Fr.Zacharias Cos Episcopa and Bar Sauma Ramban ( Superior at Othera and Chengamanad Ashrams) have made their mark in the Orthodox Church.60

Chirakakathu- (Pandanadu) : St.Thomas Marthoma Church Pandanad stands in the land donated by Palliparambil Mathai of this family .The St.Mary’s Orthodox Church at Pandanad is built  at the land donated by Chirakakathu Thekethayil Alexander . Sunny Punchamannil is a managing committee member of theSyrian Orthodox Church  .61

Manalel-  (Mannar): This family takes credit for establishment of both the Marthamariyam Orthodox Church and Malankara Catholic Church at Mannar.Rev Christophorus Ramban (Superior, Mar Kuriakose Ashram , Mylapra) .Fr.Prof.Alexander George – professor of History at Pathanamthitta Catholicate College and an excellent religious orator and Fr.Zacharias Madathil of Orthodox church and Fr.Varghese Manalel of Malankara Catholic church  uphold the name of their families in their own folds .62

Narickal  -(Punaloor):The St.Jude Malankara Catholic Church was built by this family.63

Vettikamattom - (Muvattupuzha):St.Peters and St.Pauls Syrian Jacobite Church ,Kadathi established in 1040ME was built by the efforts of Mathai kathanar of this family RevFr.Kuriakose Kaseesa and Rev.Fr Paulose Kaseesa have been in the  service of Jacobite Church.64 

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