| Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Syrian Church | |
|---|---|
 Front view of Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Cathedral | |
  Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Syrian Church  Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Syrian Church | |
| 11°10′30″N 75°55′07″E / 11.1750°N 75.9187°E | |
| Location | Mulanthuruthy, Ernakulam district, Kerala |
| Country | India |
| Denomination | Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church |
| Tradition | Syriac, Malayalam |
| History | |
| Founded | 1100 AD |
| Dedication | St. Thomas |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Kochi Diocese |
The Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Malankara Orthodox Syrian Cathedral is an ancient church located at Mulanthuruthy in Ernakulam district in Kerala, India. This church was founded and established in the 11th century A.D,the church was consecrated on 3rd Karkkidakkam (July), in between 1100 and 1125 A.D. The church was modified in the 16th century A.D. The carvings on the main door of the church, made of granite, on which is inscribed in Syrian script, read as ʹʹthe door of the Mar Thoman Church was re-erected on 9th Thulam 1575 A.D.ʹʹ It is one of the ancient Churches in Kerala.
The church is a fine example of the architectural style known as Gothic. The carvings, sculptures, symbolic icons and wall paintings are a blend of Middle Eastern, South Indian and European architecture.
The altar of the church with wooden carvings and paintings of unique design, are reminiscent of the church at Jerusalem. There is a massive sculptural covering on the eastern side of the main altar, with carvings of faces of cherubins and representations of the Holy Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The floor tiles are imported from abroad. The rare antique paintings on the ceiling above, have their-own stories to narrate.
The baptism stand of this church, is chopped out of a huge granite and it is about thousand years old. The two stories parish building is about three hundred years old. Its wooden walls and sculptured ceiling, as well as its strong room, have with-stood the ravages of time.
The St. Gregorios Retreat Centre in the church compound, is an example of modern architecture.
A proud heritage of the church is the head circlets for the bride and the bridegroom on the occasion of their marriage. These were in vogue from the time of Knai Thoma and his contemporaries.
Even though Christianity was rooted in this country from the 1st century onwards, there was no constitution or rules and regulations for the church. This vacuum was filled by Ignatius Peter III, Patriarch of Antioch. He came to Malankara and convened the famous Mulanthuruthy Synod in 1876 A.D. at this church, in which, an association was formed by name Syrian Christian Association and a democratic set-up for the administration of the Malankara Church, was adopted. Holy Mooron was consecrated by the Malankara Church, for the first time in India. Holy Mooron was again consecrated here, in 1911 A.D, by Igatius Abdulla II, Patriarch of Antioch.
In appreciation of the historical importance of this church and of its contributions to Malankara Church patriarchs honoured it with the appellation 'The Second Jerusalem'.
Ignatius Yakoob III Patriarch of Antioch, also visited this church in 1964.