The St.Peter's & St.Paul's Church in Kolenchery is one of the most prominent Parish in the Malankara Church. Eventhough the church is closed due to factional fights, it still has a lot of historical as well as religious importance. The church was the headquarters of different metropolitans of Malankara church for several periods after the ‘Koonankurish Oath’. Some of the Mar Thoma metropolitans who ruled the Malankara Church made Kolenchery church and Kadamattom Church as their prime residence. As per the records the seventh Mar Thoma is buried at Kolenchery church on 22nd Mithunam (July 5th), 1809.
The seventh Mar Thoma passed away at Kandanad Church while he was visiting the parishes nearby, and the body was decided to be buried at Kadamattom Church. On their way to Kadamattom Church they entered the Kolenchery Church to pay homages. As Kolenchery was also one of the major residence of Mar Thoma VII for some time, the parishoners at Kolencherry Church strongly demanded the body to be buried here. After a lot of discussion, it was finally decided to bury the body at Kolencherry Church.
People visiting Kolencherry church always pay homages at the tomb of Mar Thoma VII and even though the Church is closed as of now, the tomb is considered very much sacred. The parishioners deeply hope that the disputes will be over one day and the Church will be opened to the people for worship again.
The seventh Mar Thoma passed away at Kandanad Church while he was visiting the parishes nearby, and the body was decided to be buried at Kadamattom Church. On their way to Kadamattom Church they entered the Kolenchery Church to pay homages. As Kolenchery was also one of the major residence of Mar Thoma VII for some time, the parishoners at Kolencherry Church strongly demanded the body to be buried here. After a lot of discussion, it was finally decided to bury the body at Kolencherry Church.
People visiting Kolencherry church always pay homages at the tomb of Mar Thoma VII and even though the Church is closed as of now, the tomb is considered very much sacred. The parishioners deeply hope that the disputes will be over one day and the Church will be opened to the people for worship again.
