Matters India Reporter

Vadayar, December 29, 2022 – Infant Jesus parish, Vadayar established in 997 concluded its 1025th year of foundation on December 28, 2022, handing over key of the first home in housing project for poor.

The historic church has a Catholic population of over 1,300 faithful belonging to some 255 families.

“The patronal feast of Infant Jesus continues to be solemnly celebrated each year on 1st January, when miraculous statue of Infant Jesus is brought down from high altar for public veneration by people of all faiths,” recalls Vicar Fr Johnson Koovely.

Each year the solemn procession with Infant Jesus winds its way along Muvattupuzha River all the way to the Kottayam-Ernakulam main road, almost 1,200 meters from church, and turns round in front of Elangav Bhadra Kali Temple.

Fr Koovely adds,”The long standing local tradition is that both Christians and Hindus put up illuminations along the route and wait for a darshan of Infant Jesus.”

One of the oldest religious institutions of Ernakulam Angamaly archdiocese, Infant Jesus Church is situated six kilometers from Vaikom in Kottayam district. The parish came to prominence during the invasions of Tipu Sultan in 1790-99 when the Administrative headquarters of Syro-Malabar Church was shifted from Kodungalloor to Vadayar by then Gevernor Paremakkal Thoma Kathanar.

Earlier in 1780, a portion of the relic of the Holy Cross which Pope Pius VI presented Thoma Kathanar on a visit to Rome, as pope’s gift to Syro-Malabar Church, continues to be solemnly venerated in the parish. Also, in 1792 Thoma Kathanar established a seminary at Vadayar.

The army of the former Travancore kingdom commanded by Vaikom Padmanabha Pillai (1767–1809) defeated Tipu in the Battle of Nedumkotta in 1790 and causing severe injuries leaving Tipu permanently crippled.

Infant Jesus Church Vadayar was established in 997 during the reign of Kulashekara King Bhaskara Ravi Varma at the present site of Elankavu Kali temple. In 1,100 due to several misfortunes occurring in the royal household, it was decided that a temple be built and Church be relocated. The king’s council came to the decision that the wooden cross installed in front of the church be uprooted and thrown into Mauvattupuzha river flowing adjacent to the church. It was also agreed that where ever the cross washes ashore, the church would be built.

Even today, a cement cross stands on the riverside marking the place where historically the wooden cross landed.

The present church was built in 1932 and was blessed with a visit and stay of Mother Teresa in 1974.