Kolenchery Church Dispute – 4th Round of Discussion to be Held Today Night

The 4th round of the Kolenchery St. Peter's and St. Paul's Orthodox Syrian church dispute discussion would be held today at 8 PM at Muscat Hotel, Trivandrum. The discussions would take place between both the factions in the mediation of cabinet ministers. The 4 th  round of discussion between the Orthodox and Jacobite faction is being held due to the failure of the 3rd round of discussions which was held few days back.

The 4th round discussion seems to be the last chance given to both the factions to settle the issue. Recently Puthencruz St. Peter's and St. Paul's was ruled in favor of the Jacobite faction and the Orthodox faction had welcomed the court decision without any issues. On behalf of that, Kolenchery Church might be given to the Orthodox faction and some agreements might also be reached regarding the Kotoor Chapel of the Kolenchery Church.

Right now Kotoor Chapel is having the privilege of 3:1 for Orthodox and Jacobites respectively and if the fourth round of discussions tastes any success, then it would be updated as 2:1. Some agreements have also been reached regarding the funerals at Kolenchery church and Jacobites priests might be allowed to conduct the funeral rituals at the Church.

A land plot of 25 cents which lies near to the Jacobite Chapel would be purchased by the Orthodox faction and this would be given to the Jacobite faction. As per the Orthodox faction, if today’es meeting does not yield any results, they would be conducting a managing committee meeting on 19th of October and enhance the protest.

Historical Facts on Kolencherry St.Peter’s & St. Paul’s Orthodox Church

1.In the 7th century under the leadership of a merchant Thankan Mappilai from Kolencherry family ( who migrated from Kozhencherry), the parishioners belonging to the Kadamattom and Piravom Church built a Church in the name of St Peter & Paul at Kolenchery, which was previously called Elamkulam and began worship. This is inscribed in the marble plaque placed on the front wall of the present Church.

2.On 5th July 1809 the 7th Marthoma of the Malankara Church was buried in this Church.

3.In 1844 Malankara Metropolitan Cheppad Mar Dionesius and Mar Yuakim Coorilos from Antioch resided in this parish for a short time

4. But in 1844 the Palakunnath Mar Mathews Athanasios, the Anglicanised Metropolitan, though originally ordained from Patriarch Alias III in 1842, was not allowed to enter this church.

5. In 1876 parish representatives from the churches of Kolenchery and Kottoor participated in the Mulanthuruthy Synod initiated by Pulikottil Joseph Dionesius. (A shrine of St. George was built at the South West of the present Kolenchery Church in the property which belonged to the Kottoor Brahmins in the 1 St Century which later became St. George Orthodox Parish Church, Kottoor ).

6. In 1877 Paulose Mar Ivanios of Murimattathil family in Kolencherry was consecrated as the Metropolitan of  Kandanad  Diocese by Patriarch Peter III and he administered the Diocese for long 36 years, being Kolenchery church as his Diocesan center.

7. In these years priests appointed by Paulose Mar Ivanios conducted parish ministry in the Kolenchery church.

8. On 15th September 1912 Paulose Mar Ivanios was installed as Baselios Paulose I Catholicose of the East and resided at the Kolenchery Church.

9. On10th November 1912 after the Holy Qurbana celebrated by the Catholicose, a group of the parishioners lead by one of the priests Fr. Peter Kunnath created
problems against the stay of the Catholicose at the Kolenchery church and he bid farewell to the church for ever.

10. On 15th November 1912 the Catholicose shifted his residence to Kottoor St. George Orthodox Church near by and the Kolenchery church came under Receiver Administration.

11. In 1943 a great reception was given to His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II and Augen Mar Thimothios Metropolitan of Kandanad Diocese at the Kolencherry Church.

12. In 1943 the Kolenchery Church remained closed for 89 days in the months of May, June and July due to the fight between the factions.

13.In 1943 itself Very Rev Thenumkal Geevarghese Malpan and Fr. Geevarghese of Murimattom, both being the parish priests of the Kolenchery church received special order from the Government and opened the church. And from thereafter under the administration of Augen Mar Thimothios worship was conducted uninterruptedly in the Kolenchery church

14.As a result of the Peace established in the Malankara church, resulting from the Supreme Court verdict in 1958, on 8th March, 1959 the parish assembly of the Kolenchery church was summoned. Mar Augen Thimothios, the Metropolitan of the Kandanad Diocese and Paulose Mar Philoxinos the co-Metropolitan of the Diocese were present in it. And it resolved that the Kolenchery St.Peter’s and St. Paul’s church should be administered according to the 1934 constitution of the Malankara Orthodox church. Accordingly Shri K.V Thomas was selected as the Treasurer of the Kolenchery church.

15. On 24th May 1959 the parish celebrated the Memorial Day of the late Catholicose His Holiness Baselios Paulose I in the Kolenchery church as decided by the Parish Assembly.

16. On 28th January 1961, Mar Augen Thimothios laid the foundation stone for the re-construction of the present Kolenchery church. Mar Paulose Philoxinos did not participate as he was leading with an " Antiochean Movement" against the Malankara Church.

17.On 29th January 1963 the reconstructed church was consecrated by H.H Baselios Geevarghese II Catholicose assisted by all the Metropolitans, except Mor Paulose Philoxenos, of the Malankara church.

18.Rev.Fr.Elias Valayil, Vicar, Mr. K.V Thomas, Trustee and Mr.M.Chackoppillai were the conveners of all the arrangements for that function as well as the construction of the Church building.

19.In 1964 when Mor Augen Thimotheos was installed as the Catholicos Baselios Augen I, Mor Paulos Philoxenos returned to the Church and became Metropolitan of Diocese of Kandanad including the Kolencherry Church.

20.In 1965 Mor Paulose Philoxenos appointed Rev.Fr.John Kalappurackal as Vicar and Rev.Frs.O.I.Paulose, M.V. Abraham as co-Priests in the Kolencherry Church

21.On 15th May 1965 Mor Philipose Theophilos,Mor Yuhanon Severios and Mor Thomas Thimotheos were consecrated bishops by the Episcopal Synod of the Malankara Church presided by the Catholicos H.H.Baselios Augen I in Kolencherry under the auspices of the Kolencherry Church.

22.In 1975 Mor Paulos Philoxenos revolted against the Catholicos Augen and eventually was installed as a rival Catholicos by the Patriarch of Antioch. Therefore the successor of Catholicos Augen, Catholicos Baslios Marthoma Mathews I assumed the charge of the Diocese of Kandanad, according to the constitution of the Church. Instead of Fr. John Kalapurackal H.H.Baselios Marthoma Mathews l Catholicos appointed Rev Fr.O.I.Paulose as the vicar of the church and the Civil Court recognized it.

23. In 1976 Joseph Mor Pachomius took the charge of the Diocese of Kandanad and he put his seal and signature in the concerned Documents of the Kolencherry Church

24. In 1980, 6 persons from the patriarch faction filed a petition (OS 19/80) against 24 persons of the catholicate side, demanding the prohibition of the then existed Managing committee.

25.On 12th July, 1984,on the day of the Annual Feast (Perunal) Fr. John Vallikattil of the Patriarch side conducted a ‘Fasting Strike’ in front of the ‘ Madbaha ‘ of Kolencherry church. He demanded to be appointed as a priest of the Kolencherry Church.The police interfered in the issue and 144 was declared in the premises of the Church. People were dispersed after Feast Qurbana, without conducting procession

26.In 1984, K.V. Thomas, the Trustee of the Church died and his children handed over the key to the court.

27. In 1984 people of the Catholicos side pursued the case through an IA petition and the Civil Court appointed a Receiver for the Administration of the temporal matters of the Church. Worship was continued under the leadership of three priests.

28. In 1987, Fr. John Kalapurackal of the patriarch side died and in his place Fr. Zechariah Ichikkottil from the patriarch side was appointed through another sanction of an IA petition as a temporary priest by the Civil court on 10-4-1987 till the verdict of the case.

29. On 19th August 1991 Joseph Mor Pachomius Metropolitan entered into eternal rest. Dr. Mathews Mor Severios was appointed as the Metropolitan of the  Kandanad Diocese.

30.According to the Supreme Court Verdict in 1995 Kolencherry Church also came under the provisions of 1934 constitution as far concerned with all its affairs.

31. On Feb. 1997, the suit O.S.19/80 in 1st Additional District Court was finally disposed with the Verdict issued as " Since the suit is dismissed his (receiver) appointment is terminated and he will hand over the charge within 2 weeks to the previous managing committee".

32. Following this verdict, the ruling group including 11 members of the previous managing committee along with the permanent priests of the church, Fr.O.I. Paulose and Co-Vicar Fr. M.V Abraham assumed charge on 10-03-97. Since Ichikottil Fr. Zechariah of the patriarch side was a temporary priest appointed by the court, he lost the possibility of continuance.

33. After a compromise talk on 14-03-1997 two of the committee members Shri Cheria Pathrose and K.S.Varghese sworn allegiance before the Diocesan Metropolitan, Mathews Mar Severios through an affidavit. Hence they were appointed as Trustees.

34.In the same way on 14 –03-1997, Fr. Zechariah Ichikottil also wrote an affidavit to Mathews Mar Severios Metropolitan and was appointed as Co-Vicar of the Kolencherry church.

35. Within one month after this, both Fr. Zechariah and K.S.Varghese organized "Antiochian faith defense forum" meetings and created problems at Kolencherry Church, offending the Diocesan Metropolitan as well as the 1934 Constitution. The Metropolitan then asked for explanation.

36. Against this, Fr. Zechariah Ichikottil filed a suit at Munsif Court, Perumbavoor against Metropolitan Mathews Mar Severios (O.S 340/97)

37. On 31st March, 1998 the Munsif court issued a verdict favoring the Metropolitan which reads" The 1st defendant (Mathews Mar Severios Metropolitan)has got every right to take action against their priests and vicars…………They want to maintain discipline in the church and proper administration in accordance with the constitution(1934)".

38.On the basis of the above verdict of the court, on 1-04-1998 Fr, Zechariah Ichikottil was transferred to Manakunnam Mar Augen church from the Kolencherry church. Instead of him Fr. John Thenumkal was appointed as Co-Vicar in Kolencherry church.

39. Thus Fr. O.I. Paulose as Vicar and Fr. M.V. Abraham and Fr. John Thenumkal as Co-Vicars, continued their services in the Church.

40. On 18th April 1998 the District authorities interfered and closed the church due to the influence of the patriarch side.

41. District authorities demanded the key of the church. Vicar did not hand over the key to the civil authorities. The Civil authorities broke the lock of the church and again locked with a new lock and handed over the key to the representatives of the committee.

42.The above act of the District authorities were questioned in the High Court and through the Court’s direction they have handed over the key back to the Vicar Fr. O.I. Paulose on 17-6-1998.

43.A suit O.S. 31/98 was filed to prevent Fr. Zechariah Ichikottil from entering illegally and disobeying the Kalpana of the Diocesan Metropolitan.

44.In the prohibition order of 21st December 1998 against Fr. Zechariah Ichikottil, it is recorded as follows " It follows that the plaint church is to be administered under the provision of the said constitution (1934). The plaint church (Kolencherry St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s church) is a parish under Kandanad Diocese. It cannot be disputed that Dr. Mathews Mar Severios is the Metropolitan of the Diocese and the contention of the dependant challenging the authority of Dr. Mathews Mar Severios has no merit". (1st Additional District Court, 21st December, 1998. IA 1569 in O.S 31/98)

45.Though they went for an appeal questioning this Verdict of the District, court their appeal was rejected by the High Court on 23-03-20000 ratifying the prohibition order to Fr Zachariah Ichikkottil. A further appeal over the verdict of the High court was filed by Fr Ichikkottil in the Supreme Court, which also rejected it, on12-07-2000 ratifying the decisions of the District Court and of the High Court.

46. On 10th January 2000 Vicar Fr. O.I. Paulose died. In his place Fr. M.V. Abraham was appointed as Vicar and Fr. C.M. Kuriakose was appointed as Co- Vicar together with the other Co-Vicar Fr John Thenungal by the Diocesan Metropolitan Mathews Mar Severios.

47. In 2002 December Malankara Orthodox Church conducted a Fasting prayer program at Kolencherry to get the unjustly closed churches opened for worship for the lawful custodians.

48. Even though the church was opened on the basis of the discussions with the sub-committee of three Ministers from the Kerala UDF Government on 17th December 2002, the church was again closed after one day’s worship since the patriarch side broke the agreements.


49.An S L P is pending in the Supreme Court now concerning the execution of the decisions of the Malankara Association 2002 in Parish churches.


50. It was decided in the Synod held in July 2004, "that the stand taken by the Church in 1974 when new cases began, should be the stand of the Church for all times. Malankara church is ‘One’ and it cannot share or divide its churches or institutions with somebody else. This is recognized through the Supreme Court verdict of 1995. The responsibility of the Church is to get the verdict executed. The church is bound to fulfill this responsibility".

51. In order to get the verdict of the Kolencherry church executed, execution petition has been submitted in Munsif Court. Overlooking this circumstances, a few orthodox members (11) of the Kolencherry Church, out of some selfish motives, joined with the Patriarch sympathizers of the Kolencherry Church gave birth to a so called "Joint Council". In revolutionary strikes and public meetings in the style of the political parties in Kerala they tried to get the Kolencherry Church opened for worship including the patriarch parties without the due appointment or permission from the diocesan metropolitan whose rights for the same are approved by the Apex Court of this country. Hence they are trying to achieve through revolutionary methods those rights which are denied to them by the Civil Courts of India. This is what we see in Kolencherry now. This is not with the knowledge or permission either of the Malankara Church leadership or the Metropolitan of the Diocese .

52. There was no consensus regarding the opening of the Kolenchery church till 10-July-2005. Even though there were many discussions conducted by the duly appointed Orthodox Church leaders including the Catholicos designate H.B.Thomas Mar Thimotheos, the Priest Trustee Rev.Fr.Dr.O Thomas, Association Secretary Dr. Alexander Karakkal of the Malankara Church with the Chief Minister and District Collector and DSP. But on 10-07-2005, Muvattupuzha R.D.O unjustly braked the lock of the closed church and opened it. And on 12-07-2005,he gave permission to the patriarchal section to enter the church and they conducted their worship from 6.00AM till 9 AM. This is a challenge to the Law and order and irreverence to the Supreme Court verdict. Against this, the Orthodox members of the parish have submitted a written petition in the High court, in which the Ernakulam District authorities were made defendants. Their prayer in the suit is to get the Kolencherry Church fully under the authority of Dr. Mathews Mar Severios, the Metropolitan of the Diocese of Kandanad

Kolenchery Church Dispute

 After the intervention of the High Court on 30th September, it has become clear that the court is not at all  going to give any interim relief in the Kolenchery issue. The case has been posted on 2nd November for hearing of the appeal. The court suggested to try mediation. It is clear that one of the reasons why the court did not interfere on 30th was the fact that the Government had taken a stand to solve the issue in 15 days. The Patriarch’s faction is continuously asking for mediation efforts and the Orthodox Church has never turned its back on mediation efforts. There was something which happened during the argument in the supreme court in 1995. Justice R. N. Sahai one of the three judges describes the incident as follows.

“ When hearing of these appeals commenced it was felt both at the outset and in the midst that if both parties agreed, the dispute could be referred to some high-powered committee of religious authorities. But probably the issue being less religious and more legalistic and technical, both the parties through their counsel reposed confidence in this court and entreated the Bench to bring an end to this litigation. Therefore, now after dealing with various legal matters which could not have probably been satisfactorily resolved it is appropriate to declare that…..” (Judgment page No. 165-166. This is not his opinion but he is describing an incident which happened in the court.)

Once again the inconsistency of the demands of the Patriarch’s faction is exposed in these words. They themselves had told the Supreme court that they have confidence in the cour verdict and they are not ready to entrust the matter to some other high-powered committee. But now they are saying that the problem cannot be resolved through court verdicts; the problem can only be solved through mutual negotiations. In the Kolenchery issue, they themselves approached the court and when the verdict of the court is against them they are not ready to accept it. When we begin the negotiations with the cabinet sub-committee, we don’t forget that we already have a bunch of agreements which were never respected by the Patriarch’s group.

Kolenchery Church Judgment by Fr. Dr. Johns Abraham KONAT

This is the Kolenchery Church Judgement by Fr. Dr. Johns Abraham KONAT  which I got from one of the Groups in Yahoo. Thought of sharing this judgement on this blog. Go through the judgement given below.

Kolenchery Church Judgment by Fr. Dr. Johns Abraham KONAT

KOLENCHERY CHURCH JUDGMENT
Fr. Dr. Johns Abraham KONAT

The judgment pronounced by the District Court Ernakulam on 16th August 2011 about the administration of the St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s church, Kolenchery was the verdict on an Original Suit filed by the Partiarch’s group in 2007 (OS 43/2007) for obtaining the following reliefs.

1. For obtaining a declaration that the Kolenchery church and its assets are liable to be administered only in accordance with the terms of an Udampady registered in 1913 and not in accordance with the 1934 constitution.
2. To settle a scheme for administering the church and its assets and its institutions.
3. For getting an order from the court to appoint a receiver who may prepare a voters list of all the parishioners and conduct fresh
elections to the managing committee.
4. To issue an injunction prohibiting the handing over of keys of the church to Fr. Jacob Kurian, the vicar appointed by H. G. Dr. Mathews Mar Severios.

The court after considering the various issues passed a verdict on these crucial issues as follows.

1. Whether a declaration that the church is administered by the 1913 Udampady is allowable?

The patriarch’s party’s main contention was that 1934 constitution was not accepted by the Kolenchery church. The judgment says that the Supreme Court (SC) judgment 1995 upholds the 1934 constitution and there is no mention that each parish should accept this constitution by convening a general body of the parishioners. This means that each parish of the Church is bound by the SC judgment to accept the 1934 constitution. No special decision of the parishioners is necessary for this. The SC verdict is applicable to the Kolenchery church even if  the church was not a party to those suits. So the verdict clearly says the Patriarch’s group even cannot contend that the 1934 constitution
is not valid and not applicable to the Kolenchery church. So it cannot be declared that the church should be governed by the 1913 Udampady.

2. Whether a scheme of administration has to be settled ?
The Patriarch’s party claimed that after 1972 elections were not held to the managing committee of the parish and the governing body of its institutions. The Orthodox Church argued that elections were held regularly according to the 1934 constitution, and such elections were recognized by the metropolitan. Evidences of such elections were produced before the court. The verdict says that the stand of the Patriarch’s group cannot be accepted as it is against the SC finding. “First of all they have to accept and recognize 1934 constitution and then only their prayer for conducting election to committees can be considered. There is no question at all to frame a scheme (for administration) when 1934 constitution is in existence and when it is held valid and applicable to the 1st defendant (Kolenchery church)”. Thus the court dismissed their prayer to settle a scheme of administration. The judgment further says that “the parish members in the church has right to decide regarding the administration of the
properties and the educational institutions under it. But as stated earlier, only when the plaintiffs (Patriarch’s group) or other members in the Patriarch faction accept and recognize 1934 constitution, their contention can be entertained”. So the point is answered against the Patriarch’s group.

3. The court also considered whether election to managing committee has to be conducted by a receiver. The finding of the question in No.2 does not allow for such an action and thus it was not allowed.

4. The plaintiffs prayed for an injunction to restrain Fr. Jacob Kurian and his agents from receiving the keys of the church. No such injunction was allowed.

The court dismissed all the prayers of the plaintiffs (Patriarch’s group) and confirmed that Fr. Jacob Kurian is entitled to get the keys of the church – the keys were already in his possession as per the interim order in IA 3984/2010

EVALUATION

This order is very important for the future litigation of the Church. It upholds the SC verdict and affirms that the 1934 constitution is binding on the parish churches. The basic contention of the Patriarch’s group that the SC judgment is not binding to the parishes is quashed. The verdict says that those who do not accept the 1934 constitution do not have any claim on the administration of the church and its properties. By asking to hand over the keys to Fr. Jacob Kurien the court has recognized the authority of the bishop (H. G. Dr. Mathews Mar Severios) who appointed him over the administration of the church and its properties.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PRESENT LITIGATION

The original suite (OS) which culminated in the present judgment was filed by the Patriarch’s party in 2007. During the pendency of the OS both parties (The Patriarch’s party as well as the Orthodox Church) filed IAs seeking interim reliefs. Both the IAs were heard together by the District Court and an order was given in 2 – 12 – 2010. According
to this the court ordered that the church be opened. The Orthodox Church can celebrate Qurbana on two Sundays and the patriarch’s party may be given freedom to celebrate Qurbana on every third Sunday. The keys were to be given to Fr. Jacob Kurien who was recognized as the rightful vicar of the parish and the administration has to be carried
out by the existing managing committee which was elected by the Orthodox church according to the 1934 constitution. This arrangement was fixed till the disposal of the OS. According to this order the Kolenchery church was opened once again in 2 – 12 – 2010. and we took possession of the church and its properties. The maintenance work of
the church was initiated. The patriarch’s party had no other right except to celebrate liturgy every third Sunday. The patriarch’s party filed an appeal in the High Court challenging this interim order. But the High Court did not give them any additional relief but directed the district court to dispose off the OS within 2 months. Thus the District court took up the matter and issued the judgment on 16th August 2011 and H. G. Dr. Mathews Mar Severios Metropolitan celebrated Holy Qurbana at Kolenchery church on
17th August 2011. The Patriarch’s party approached the same court for a stay order. On 18th August the same District court stayed the operation of the judgment for 15 days in order to get reasonable time to file appeal.The parties are directed to maintain status quo with regard to the services conducted by both parties. No judgment or any verdict was issued from any Honorable Court to restrain H. G. Dr. Mathews Mar Severios Metropolitan from exercising His Grace’s Episcopal authority and celebrating Holy Qurbana at Kolenchery church.

Fr. Dr. Johns Abraham KONAT
20 – 08 – 2011

Fr. Johns Abraham Konattu Explaining the Kolenchery Church Case

This is a video in which Fr. Johns Abraham Konattu explains in details about the Kolenchery Church case. This speech was conducted few days back and would be much beneficial for those who still don't have a clear idea about the reasons behind the Kolenchery St. Peters and St. Pauls Church issue.

Will the Kolenchery Church Issue be Solved in 15 Days?

The officials have promised to solve the Kolenchery Church issue in the enxt 15 days, which has given a huge relief to the believers and members of this parish. Tension arouse between the two sects of the Malankara Church 2 weeks back due the dispute that prevailed on behalf of the owner ship of the Church. The Orthodox factions have the court order in favour of them, but the Jacobite factions are not able to digest the court order and they started agitation and protest. The Orthodox faction also started fasted near the Church which made the scenario more tense.

After a week of fasting, officials intervened in the matter and have promised to bring about a solution in the next 15 days. But HOW? Both the factions are standing firm of their decisions and it doesn't seems that there would be a peaceful solution for this. All the government has to do is to implement the court order which is in favour of the Orthodox Church. Even though the Jacobite factions are making claims over the Kolenchery Church with some other reasons which are not at all valid, they are sure to make strong protest against the implementation of the court order, resulting in more head ache to the officials.

The Orthodox factions have already stated that they have no objection in the believers of the Jacobite faction entering the Church and attending rituals and conducting mass. The only thing Orthodox factions demands is that no Priests and Bishops from the Jacobite faction should enter the Church. They have even stated that there would be no issues in the sharing of cemeteries associated with the Kolenchery Church. But the Jacobite factions (especially the leaders) are not at all in a mood to accept this offer and this leads to more issues as far as finding a solution in considered.

Kolenchery Church Issues to be Solved in 2 Weeks

As per the written assurance by Ernakulam District Collector, the Kolenchery Church Issues would be solved in 2 weeks. In case the Kolenchery church dispute does not get solved in 2 weeks, then the court order would be executed. This has given hopes for the Orthodox factions as the court order is in favour of them. On the other hand, the Jacobite faction would not be able to digest this and would go to any level to prevent the court order from being executed.

Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan Baselios Marthom Paulose II has stoped his fasting after the assurance by the authorities. On the other hand the Jacobite Catholicos Baselios Thomas I has warned people to be vigilant and alleged that the Orthodox faction was trying to overpower the churches belonging to Jacobites. He also stated that the Jacobite faction would prevent any such moves. Two days ago, he also made  a blunder statement saying that the Orthodox faction had bribed the Supreme court officials to get the judgement in favour of them.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has also assured to solve the Kolenchery Church issue at the earliest. Meanwhile the Orthodox faction has stated that it would not cooperate with the mediation committee appointed by the court. There are still many other major Churches in Kerala which are in dispute such as Kadamattom Church, Kothamangalam Cheriyapalli, Manarcad Church, Mulanthuruty Church etc and all of these churches were declared as the assets of the Orthodox Church as per the 1995 Supreme Court verdict.

Kolenchery Church

Kolenchery Church or Kolenchery St.Peters and St. Pauls Church is one of the ancient Churches of Malankara Orthodox Church or Indian Orthodox Church. The Kolenchery Church has been in the news recently for the factional feuds that exists between the Official (Orthodox) and the Unofficial (Jacobites) factions. Spiritual heads of both the Orthodox and Jacobite sects conducted fastings and prayers in the nearby Chapels.

The court order has been ruled in favor of the Orthodox faction, as it clearly states that Kolenchery Church belongs to the the Orthodox Church on behalf of the 1934 constitution.  But the Jacobite faction is not at all in a position to accept the court order and they are using all types of protest to stop the execution of the court verdict.