St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral Brahmavar all set for Inauguration on January 12
Udupi: The 129-year-old Renovated Church building of the St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Brahmavar is all set to be Consecrated and Inaugurated on January 11th & 12th of 2018 said Fr Noel Lewis assistant Vicar of the Cathedral. He was speaking at a press meet held at the press club here on Saturday, December 23.
The Consecration shall be led by the Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, the Supreme Head of Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Church. His Holiness will be assisted by Yakob Mar Elias (Bishop, Brahmavar Diocese), Geevarghese Mar Coorilos (Bishop, Mumbai Diocese), Joseph Mar Dionysius (Bishop, Kolkata Diocese), Geevarghese Mar Yulios (Bishop, Ahmedabad Diocese) and Abraham Mar Seraphim (Bishop, Bangalore Diocese).
Ramalinga Reddy (Home Minister, Govt. of Karnataka), K.J. George (Minister for Bengaluru Development and Town Planning, Govt. of Karnataka) and Pramodh Madhwaraj (Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Fisheries and Udupi District in Charge, Govt. of Karnataka), will be the Chief Guests for the event. Along with them, other notable religious and political leaders will grace the occasion.
Narrating the Brief History of the Cathedral Fr C A Isaac Vicar General said that The Cathedral was founded in 1889, by the Saintly and Revolutionary Bishop, Blessed Alvares Mar Julius and nurtured in the hands of the miracle worker, Blessed Fr R.Z. Noronha.
The Church had its humble origins in a thatched roof building where the First Holy Mass was celebrated by Blessed Fr R.Z. Noronha. Soon, the foundations for the huge Old Church with a tiled roof was laid by Blessed Fr R.Z. Noronha. The structure of the Old Cathedral was completed during the tenure of the Charismatic Priest, Fr P.G. Koshy, in 1960, which would become a monument of Pride, Piety and Devotion.
But with time and the growing number of the faithful, need was felt for renovating the existing Cathedral to accommodate all.
On August 4, 2013, the Brahmavar Diocesan Bishop, H.G. Yakob Mar Elias laid the foundation for the renovation, during the tenure of Fr Lawrence Dsouza, as the Vicar General.
The Renovation has now completed during the tenure of the present Vicar General, Fr C.A. Isaac.
Uniqueness of the Renovated Church
The Church has a blend of Portuguese, Kerala and modern architecture. Thus elegance and purposefulness both are well maintained. The beautiful front elevation, with rising in the middle, is a reminder of Portuguese architectural influence over the Konkani Christians of Mangalore. The huge blue dome above the altar is the influence of Orthodox Church architecture, found mainly in Byzantine Churches. The Front Stone Cross, Seven step Stone oil lamp and the 40 ft. Steel Flag Post with Golden coat bring in the feel of Classical Indian / Kerala architecture, thus resonating the Indian-ness of the Malankara Orthodox Church. Inside the Church, we can see beautiful stained glass paintings, a key feature of European Churches. And the most beautiful part of this entire structure is the Altar, completely decorated with wooden designs, first of its kind in the entire Mangalore – Udupi District.
Programme Schedule
The Consecration programme will begin officially by Flag Hosting at 10.30 am after the Holy Mass on Sunday 07th, 2018.
From 08th to 10th January there will be Holy Mass at 08.00 am and Special Evening Prayers at 06.00 pm.
On 11th January, the main festivities will begin by “Hore Kannike” procession from Akashvani Circle to Cathedral at 03.00 pm, which will be flagged off by H.G. Yakob Mar Elias (Bishop, Brahmavar Diocese).
At 05.30 pm Consecration prayers will begin, followed by Supper at 08.30 pm
On 12th January, the second part of the Consecration prayers will begin by 06.30 am, followed by Holy Mass at 08.30 am.
After the Holy Mass, there shall be a Public Meet.
The Public Meet shall be presided by H.G. Yakob Mar Elias (Bishop, Brahmavar Diocese). The Meet shall be inaugurated and the inaugural address shall be delivered by the Catholicos His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II.
The other dignitaries for the Meet shall be Ramalinga Reddy (Home Minister, Govt. of Karnataka), K.J. George (Hon’ble Minister for Bengaluru Development and Town Planning, Govt. of Karnataka), Pramodh Madwaraj (Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Fisheries and District In-Charge for Udupi, Govt. of Karnataka) H.G. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Coorilose (Bishop, Diocese of Bombay), Dr. Gerald Issac Lobo (Bishop, Udupi Diocese, RC), Oscar Fernandes (M.P. of Rajya Sabha For Karnataka), Shobha Karandlaje (M.P. Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Constituency), Vinaya Kumar Sorake (MLA, Kapu Assembly Constituency, Karnataka), J. R. Lobo (MLA, Mangalore South Assembly Constituency, Karnataka), Ivan D’Souza (MLC & Govt Chief Whip in the State Legislative Council Govt. of Karnataka), Priyanka Mary Francis (Deputy Commissioner, Udupi District), Laxmivar Thirtha Sripadangalavar (Sri Shiroor Math, Udupi), Haji. K. Ismail Navoonda (Musliyar Mohmadiya Jumma Masjid, Akalbail, Kirimanjeshwara), Jayaprakash Hegde (Ex-MLA Brahmavar, Ex-MP Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Constituency), Navin Nayak (President, Varambally Panchayat, Brahmavar), Fr Dr M.O. John (Priest Trustee Malankara Orthodox Syrian Association), George Paul (Lay Trustee, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Association), Biju Oommen (Secretary, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Association).
A Brief Note on St. Mary’s Cathedral
St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Brahmavar, is the only Konkani Orthodox Church in the entire world with 125 years of Glorious Past as a part of the 2000-year-old Indian Church, namely the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church, which was found by St Thomas the Apostle in 52 AD in India.
The Triune blessed presence & the intercession of St Mary, Blessed Alvares Mar Julius and Blessed Fr R.Z. Noronha has established the Cathedral as the epitome of Piety and the Centre of Devotion. Thus, it has been attracting thousands of devotees every year, from all castes, creed and religion.
The Cathedral has 6 chapels in Kolalgiri, Kurady, Sastan, Kandlur, Hosangady and Hulikel, Shimoga; and 5 congregations in Mumbai, Bangalore, Mandya, Kuwait and UAE.
As much it’s a centre of religious fervour, it is also a symbol of cosmopolitanism. Its Institutions having a deep impact in the field of education and the economic growth of Brahmavar and beyond. The Cathedral has around 8 educational institutions ranging from Kindergarten to Post Graduate Studies.
Late Fr Damien Lopez, Late Fr P.G. Koshy, Late Fr K.K. Kuriakose, Late Fr K.T. Varghese, Fr Lazarus, Late Fr N.J. Thomas Ramban, Late Fr T.M. Kuriakose Ramban, Fr G.M. Skaria Ramban, Fr P.A. Johnson and many other vicars have given selfless service to the growth of the Cathedral and its community, in the bygone eras. Today it is served by Fr C.A. Isaac, Fr Lawrence D’souza, Fr David Crasta, Fr Abraham Kuriakose, Fr Noel Lewis and Fr Joseph Chacko.
Alan Rohan Vaz convener, Renovation committee, Anil Rodrigues Trustee, Stephen Lewis Trustee were also present in the press meet.