Yuhanon Mar Ivanios from Antioch – Apr 21/22 I (Chengannur Pazhaya Suriyani Pally)

Mar Ivanios Yuhanon, a metropolitan from Antioch, Syria, visited Malankara in 1751 and made the western maliga (double storied building) of the Pazhya Suriyani Pally. Mar Ivanios, credited with the propagation the liturgy of Mar Yacob in Malankara.

There is legend regarding Mar Ivanios’ arrival in Chengannur. When he reached Erapuzha Kadavu on River Pampa by boat, his followers took him to the Church in a procession. But the Nair chiefs of the land did not allow the procession to pass in front of the Vanchipuzha Chief’s palace and the procession had to take a different route. When the son of Vanjipuzha Chief fell ill, the royal astrologer found that the curse of a saint had fallen on the son. The Chief is said to have tendered an apology to Mar Ivanios whose prayer rid the boy of his illness. In return the Chief bestowed tax-free land and properties to the Church.

Pazhaya Suriyani Pally (Old Syrian Church), Chengannur is an ancient Syrian Christian church of Kerala. It is considered as one among the oldest still standing church buildings in Kerala and across India, that predates several centuries before the arrival of European Christianity in India. Architectural style is a blend of 18th Century Christian and Hindu temple architecture. Its gopuravathil, nadapanthal, kalluvilakku and doors adorned with carved figurines includes a Hanuman holding a baton. This is indicative of communal and religious harmony exhibited by the localities in yesteryears.  

The Church is famous for the Aval Nercha which is offering of sweetened rice flakes held on every Maundy Thursday, for the last four centuries. It is distributed immediately after the morning service. The faithful here still follow the custom and tradition of accepting the aval nercha in a cloth and not in a container of any kind. It is said that, more than a thousand coconuts, 300 kg of rice flakes, 200 kg of jaggery, and spices go into the preparation of the aval.

Yuhanon Mar Ivanios, passed away in 1794. He is remembered on 21^st/22^nd April and was interred in front of the southern thronos (altar) of the Church.