Akaparambu

This is one of the ancient churches of the Ankamaly diocese of the Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church. In the title deed of the church and in ancient revenue and tax records the church is referred to as the Akaparambu Valiyapally.[3] Mar Sabor and Mar Proth are said to have been two saintly men who came to Malankara to preach the Gospel with a group of Syrian Christian immigrants led by a merchant named Sapor Esho. They are said to have disembarked at Quilon (Kollam) in c. 822. The church at Akaparambu is believed to have been established in A.D. 825.

All the Patriarchs of Antioch who visited India have visited Mor Sabor and Afroth Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Cathedral.

The church is noted for its murals,[4] which are of great antiquity.[5] The Malankara Metropolitan bishop St.Mor Athanasius Paulose Pynadath(1918–1953)[6] was christened in this church. The Jacobite Bishop and educationalist Mor Gregorios Vayaliparambil Pynadath(1899–1966) belonged to this parish church. For centuries the Church at Ankamaly and the Mor Sabor and Mor Afroth chapel at Akaparambu were a united parish and was administered by one council as is evident in the record of a general body meeting of 16-8-1069 (Malayalam Calendar).[7]

Catholic Church at Akaparambu is situated about 1.5 km. away east of Kariyattil, near Cochin-Shornoor railway line and on Angamally-Aluva national high way. The Akaparambu Catholic Church, which is one of the twin churches, is named after twin brothers, Saints Gervasis & Prothasis, who were martyred for protecting the Christian faith. This is the only church in the patronage of these twin Saints in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamally.

A division in Catholic community was complete following the Coonan Cross Oath (Koonan kurisu Sathiyam), which took place in Mattancherry on Jan. 3, 1653. Catholic faction in Akaparambu, which showed loyalty to Rome, moved to kapela to conduct prayers. This kapela was renovated to a bigger Church later. Akaparambu church was raised to a parish by Governador Prajom Athe of Diocese of Kodugalloor on Dec. 3, 1836. Writings of Blessed Kuriakose Aliyas of Chavara gives an account of Akaparambu Church that few priests and faithful abided to Bishop Thomarocos in 1860.Historical documents of Akaparambu show that Rev. Fr. Varu Thannickal Kodamkandathil served here as the parish priest in 1898.

Pilgrims from all walks of life visit this church throughout the year. Dumb begin to speak with the special blessings of Patron Saints. Bell and bell-rope are the main offerings at this church. There are living witnesses who were cured of depression, stammering etc.

Parishes of Mattoor, Maykadu, Chengamanadu, Kavaraparampu, Neduvannoor, Nayathodu, Kapprassery, Athani and Josepuram were part of Akaparambu parish and they were made independent parishes later.