Pallippuram
It is a very ancient Church dedicated to Our Lady of Assumption which is said to be established in 52 AD. It is traditionally believed that the cross that St. Thomas erected at Kokkamangalam, not far from here, happened to be thrown away into the Vembanad lake by fanatics. But the cross safely floated over the surface of the lake and reached "Mattel" a small island, adjacent to Pallipuram. The miraculously found cross was solemnly taken by the people and a small Church was built to commemorate the event. In later years the cross was taken over to Pallippuram Church and it is preserved there today. At Pallippuram there was a seminary, for the training of the Syrian clerics, the remnants of which can be seen even today. Some of the ancient paintings about Our Lady's Assumption are of great attraction for visitors to this place.
Malpan Thomas Porukara had the original inspiration for the starting of a religious community. He shared his thoughts, aspirations and dreams with this friend Yakob (Jacob) Kanianthara. In their spiritual discourses Malpan Thomas Porukara clearly said: "If we live in this world, it is hard to save the soul, so let us go to the forest for a hermit's life". This great aspiration of his, Porukara shared with Malpan Thomas Palackal, who was the Malpan (director) of the Malpanate (seminary) at Pallippuram. Both together approached the Bishop to request for his blessing and permission. The Bishop replied: "If you who are among the few learned, go for hermitage who will be there for teaching the people". This has given a turn in their thinking and they planned to give shape to a religious congregation, according to the directives of the Bishop, with pastoral apostolate as the basic orientation.
LOCATION : About 13 km north of Cherthala on the way to Arukutty. Pallippuram is on the western shore of Vembanad, opposite to Vaikom.
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