Draft:Mar Sleeva Forane Church
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| Submission declined on 1 July 2025 by Gommeh (talk). This draft's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article. In summary, the draft needs multiple published sources that are:
This submission does not appear to be written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. Entries should be written from a neutral point of view, and should refer to a range of independent, reliable, published sources. Please rewrite your submission in a more encyclopedic format. Please make sure to avoid peacock terms that promote the subject. Declined by Gommeh 16 days ago. | |
| Cherpunkal Church | |
|---|---|
| Mar Sleeva Forane Church Cherpunkal | |
 | |
  Cherpunkal Church Location in Kerala, India  Cherpunkal Church Cherpunkal Church (India) | |
| 9°41′23″N 76°38′6″E / 9.68972°N 76.63500°E | |
| Country |  India |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Founded | 1111 AD |
| Dedication | Mar Sleeva | Infant Jesus |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Gothic |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Changanassery |
| Diocese | Palai |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Joseph Kallarangatt |
| Vicar(s) | Fr Mathew Thekkel |
| Assistant priest(s) | Fr Martin Kallarackal
Fr Thomas Pariyarath Fr Joseph Mookkenthottathil |
[2]Mar sleeva forane church also known as the Holy Cross forane church is a Syro malabar church located in Cherpunkal [3]of Kottayam district,Kerala,India.It is one of the most prominent churches in the Eparchy of Palai and is also a notable shrine.The church is dedicated to the Holy Cross (Mar Sleeva) and holds a significant historical,religious,and architecural importance in the region.
History
[edit]The traces its origin back in the 11th century,making it one of the oldest christian communites in central kerala.According to local tradition,the christian pressence in cherpunkal was established by Saint thomas christians.It is beleived that Saint Thomas reached here on his way through the meenachil river and gathered the local people and set up a place for them to pray near the moonnupeedika kadavu.But he forgot his cherippu here and the place then came to be called as cherippunkal later called as Cherpunkal.
The first church was in the northern bank of meenachil river later it was relocated to the southern bank in accordance with the order issued by the king of poonjar.The current church building, constructed in the Gothic style, was completed in 1912.
Location
[edit]Cherpunkal is situated along the Ettumanoor-Poonjar highway and is easily accessible from nearby towns such as Pala, Ettumanoor, Bharananganam and Kottayam.The church[4] is a notable landmark in the area and also serves as a popular pilgrimage and tourist destination due to its religious heritage.
Adminstration
[edit]The church is administered by a vicar appointed by the Bishop of Palai.The current vicar is [5]Rev Fr Mathew Thekkel serving since February 2025.The parish council along with 3 assistant vicars coordinate liturgical activities, festivals, construction and maintanence, as well as the religious organizations functioning under the parish.
The parish has over 1200 families.There are different organisations functioning under the parish such as SMYM, AKCC, CML, Mathruvedhi, Pithruvedhi, Vincent De paul society etc.
Education and contributions
[edit]The parish runs several educational and health care facilities under its territory.The Holy Cross Hss cherpunkal is one of the leading schools in Kottayam district.The [6]BVM Holy Cross College, [7]Mar Sleeva Forane Sunday School and the Infant Jesus Nursery School are other educational Instituitions.The church also had a superspeciality hospital named Mar Sleeva Medicity inside its parish terittory.
Festival
[edit]The main festival is celebrated on december 31 and january 1 on behalf of infant jesus.The starts with the Holy mass and flag hosting on the christmas eve and ends with the day for the ancestors on january 2nd.
The church also celebrate the day of holy cross on september 14 which is also known as the kallitta thirunnal of the church.Other than these the church celebrates the thirunnals other saints like Saint Thomas, Saint George, Mother Mary, Saint Sebastian, Saint Antony, Saint Alphonsa.
Reference
[edit]- ^ "Eparchy of Palai". palaidiocese.com. Archived from the original on 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ "Cherpunkalchurch.com". Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ "Cherpunkal · Kerala, India". Cherpunkal · Kerala, India. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ "MAR SLEEVA FORANE CHURCH".
- ^ Fr mathew, Thekkel. "eparchy of palai".
- ^ bvm. "Study and earn: How these college students are redefining financial independence". Keralakaumudi Daily.
- ^ mar sleeva, medicity. "mar sleeva medicity".