The Leaning Cross Church – The Historic Monument of Orthodox Revolt against Roman Catholic and Western Imperial Domination

OCP News Service
Prakash Varghese(OCP Delegate–UAE and Gulf Region)
Vipin Varghese (OCP Delegate)

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“ By the Father, Son and Holy Ghost that henceforth we would not adhere to the Franks, nor accept the faith of the Pope of Rome, nor any foreign rule.” – From the Event of Leaning Cross Oath of 1653.  

OCP delegation visited Mattachery Orthodox church during the last week of December 2013.

The St. George Church of Mattanchery; one of the oldest churches in India has played a significant role in the historic event that shaped the leadership of the Malankara Church, as it is today. The church was consecrated in 1751.

The history of Mattanchery Church is closely connected with Mar Baselios Sacrella Maphriyono, the Bishop of Aleppo Town in Bravua. The Koonankurishu Church is a revered pilgrim centre. It has paramount position among other Orthodox churches as it is home to the holy remains of St.George. The land has become sacred with the foot prints of the Persian Prelates, first Catholicos Mar Thoma I and other forefathers of the Malankara Orthodox faith. It was built on the land where the historical Koonankurishu Oath took place.

Leaning Cross Oath- Mass Revolt against Roman Catholic Imperial Domination

The Koonankurish Oath (Leaning Cross Oath) of 1653 is the first recorded mass revolt against the Western colonialism in history. This heroic declaration of independence by the Malankara Christians (also known as Malankara Nazrani’s) was to free itself from the imposition of Western Roman Catholic supremacy in matters concerning the Church and its practices. In 1652, the Persian Catholicos sent Metropolitan Mar Ahatallah from Syria to India. He was however arrested by the Jesuits at Mylapore and handed over to the Portuguese who then put him in a ship at Madras, bound to Goa. Enroute its journey the ship stopped by Cochin. Hearing this, 25000 strong Nazrani Christians marched to Cochin Harbour and demanded the release of Mar Ahatallah. The Portuguese pushed the ship off to Goa and on the way drowned the Persian Bishop. Hearing this, thousands of St. Thomas Nazrani’s assembled at Mattanchery church on the 3rd of January 1653 and took an oath under a big cross. Since all gathered could not touch the cross simultaneously, they all held onto ropes that were tied to the cross in all directions. They then took the historical oath to break free from the clutches of the Roman Catholic supremacy and follow the true Orthodox faith, Malankara Nazrani traditions as well as obey the Marthoma Arch Deacon Thomas I. The Koonankurish Oath was the first proclamation of independence of the Malankara Orthodox Church and it was the first revolt against the colonial rulers of India. The Koonankurishu Oath preserved the St. Thomas tradition helping to protect the Malankara Orthodox Church from losing its heritage and ancient history.

In later years Fort Cochin and Mattanchery Churches were amalgamated to form one Parish. The main reason for the downfall of Mattancherry Church was of the external interference from the local Muslim community.

Members of Mattancherry migrated to Fort Kochi Church due to close proximity and it was a business hub during its glorious period. Hence it was converted to an independent church. As time passed by the local Muslim community of that area took control of the church property and almost destroyed the church structure.

Reclaiming the Church Property , rediscovery of the Relics of St George and Holy Myrrh

Fr Santhosh who is designated by the Catholics of the East, took charge to reclaim the church property.

This is how it all started when Catholicose gave him the assignment to build the church and he took this as his mission. When he first saw the premises, he was shocked to see some Muslim families in the church compound, they dominated the area, and it was a huge challenge to rehabilitate them and one side of the premises was used as slaughtering area of cattle and poultry.

In order to ascertain the property to the Indian Orthodox Church, Fr.Santhosh build a small hut inside the premises next to remains of the old church .This resulted in huge protest and threat to his life .But his strong belief in God gave him strength to survive all odds. He used to offer Divine Liturgy daily that resulted to bring God divine presence in the church. There was a sudden change among the protesters who gave up the fight and humbled themselves to the priest. They said that they were willing to give up the land as they started to suffer from mysterious and strange forces that started affecting their families which made their life difficult to stay within the church compound.The Muslim families were properly rehabilitated thereafter. Fr Santhosh accepts this as a divine miracle from God that resulted to reclaim the land. The divine miracles lead Fr. Santhosh to rediscover the Holy relics of St George and the Holy Myrrh from the Alter which is about 450 years old.

Eco-friendly Renovation

Some of the well-wishers who saw the efforts of Fr. Santhosh provided financial help to rebuild the church. The church is being renovated in the 15th century architecture with eco-friendly construction process using compressed soil bricks with no steel and very less cement, reducing the CO2 emission. Importance is given to natural lighting and air circulation. This endeavour could be fulfilled only with the generosity and whole-hearted support of all those who pride themselves to be part of Malankara Orthodox Christian Tradition.

Fr. Santhosh still remembers and appreciates the effort done by Fr Sunil (Vicar Fort Kochi) who initiated to build a shrine adjacent to the church of St George.

Source:
OCP News Service