About Pampady St. John's Cathedral

History & Background

Pampady St. John's Cathedral is situated in the Pampady panchayathu of Kottayam district, just one fourth kilometer south of Kalachanda junction on K.K. Road, by the road leading to Manjadi.

Pampady St. John's Cathedral is one of the largest parishes in the Malankara Orthodox Church. The parish consists of fifteen wards, with more than 700 homes and about 4000 members. It spans across three neighboring panchayaths in Kottayam district. The cathedral is the mother church of fifteen neighboring Orthodox parishes and is closely related to the Malankara Orthodox Church headquarters at Devalokam and the Kottayam diocese center.

Being the only cathedral in the diocese, this parish is at the forefront of church activities. It enjoys representation in the Malankara Syrian Christian association and the diocesan general body with seven members. Mr. Kurian Andrews, Chennattumattathil, from this parish, served on the Orthodox Church managing committee for a long time.

The new cathedral was consecrated on January 6th and 7th, 1998, an event that inspired the entire parish and well-wishers. Over 6900 people gathered for the occasion, and the holy sacrament was ceremonized by H.H. Catholic Baselius Marthoma Mathews II, assisted by H.G. Paulose Mar Militheos and H.G. Dr. Mathew Mar Severios. The cathedral also owns a nearby auditorium that was recently extended with a double-size addition, bringing the dining and seating capacity to 900.

Vicar

Rev. Fr. Kuruvilla Perumal Chacko, Kochukaipalil
Phone : +91 94476 72301

Assistant Vicars

Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Kuriakose, Thekkeparambil
Phone : +91 9048230774

Rev. Fr. P.P. Geevarghese, Ikarapadavil - Ordained in 1950, entered priestly service in 1959. Served as vicar for over half a century.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Chalasseril
Rev. Fr. Jacob Cheriyamadathil
Rev. Fr. Gheevarghese Ikrapadavil
Rev. Fr. Thommen Thomas Kadavumbhagam
Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Moolakara
Rev. Fr. Alexander Kadavumbhagam
Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Pampadykandathil
Rev. Fr. Abraham Vattamala
Rev. Fr. P.K Gheevarghese Cor-Episcopa Pampadykandathil
Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Ramban Koottumkal - Entombed at Thiruvithamcode Church
Rev. P.C Yohannan Ramban Puthenpurayil (June 24, 1935 - Sept. 13, 2008) - Entombed at Pampady Dayara

Rev. Fr. P.A Thomas, Kalarical (1993-1998)
Rev. Fr. Kurian Uthup, Kannanthuruthel (1998-2003)
Rev. Fr. Paulose Ninan Elavuthanathu (2003-2006)
Rev. Fr. Mathew Varghese Valiyapeedikail (2006-2007)
Rev. Fr. James Markose Padiyara (2007-2010)
Rev. Fr. Zachariah Thomas Padinjare Vadakkekkara (2009-2012)

The rays of light from the patron saint, Saint John the Baptist, and the saintly forefather, Pampady Thirumeni, continue to shower blessings upon the community, enriching their spirits as individuals, families, and society.

History of St. John's Cathedral

From humble beginnings to a pillar of faith.

1819

Formation of the First Parish

The Orthodox Syrian Christians residing to the east of Manarcadu St. Mary’s church formed a separate congregation at Pampady in 1819. They built the first church (“pakka” church) on a hill, which became known as ‘Pallikkunnu’ in 1829.

1869

Church Renovation

In 1869, the church caught fire and was renovated the same year under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Joseph Chalasseril, who led the community as vicar.

1880

Rev. Fr. Jacob Cheriyamadom’s Leadership

Rev. Fr. Jacob Cheriyamadom, serving as vicar twice, was instrumental in bringing about spiritual and educational developments. He introduced English education, which was rare in those days.

1899

Ordination of Mar. Gregorious

On February 5, 1899, Pampady Mar. Gregorious, a renowned saintly bishop of the Malankara Orthodox church, was ordained at the age of fourteen. Along with him, two other boys, Kuriakose Moolakkara and Alexander Kadavumbhagam, were also ordained.

1912

Factional Struggles and Litigations

From 1912, the parish faced internal divisions as it struggled with the Malankara Church’s reformation. This led to prolonged litigations, with Rev. Fr. Ikarapadavil and Rev. Fr. Pampadikandathil on the Orthodox side, and Rev. Fr. Kadavumbhagam on the opposing side.

1958

End of Factional Struggles

In 1958, the Supreme Court’s verdict on church litigation ended the fighting factions. Both Catholic and Patriarch groups reconciled, and the peaceful era began. The present vicar, Fr. P.P. Geevarghese, Ikarapadavil, was ordained in 1950 and began his service in 1959.

1970

Renovation and Innovations

The 20th century saw significant renovations to the church building, culminating in a major renovation towards the century’s end, marking the ongoing development of the church’s infrastructure and spiritual life.

1996

New Large Church Renovations

Larger church is constructed to fit-in the increasing count of large family members of the chruch. Irakapdavil achan has played in pivotal role in the construction and building of our iconic church.

2020

Construction of KMG Study Centre And Parish Hall Auditoriums

Large KMG Study Centre And Parish Hall Auditoriums with seating capacity of 10000+ members is constructed under the mentorship of Rev. Fr. Varghese Varghese. Hall has two stories with bottom floor for small events at affordable pricing and top one for large marriage and large group events.

2025

Re-vamping of the Church Front outfit and Interiors

Pampady Cathedral is revamped to the latest look and feel of modern church front look. Interiors were re-vamped completely to a completely unique and glorious heaven like look and feel under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Kuruvilla Perumal Chacko

✝ Spiritual Organizations

The members of St. John's Cathedral have formed many associations.

SOCIAL SERVICE

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SOCIAL SERVICE

“Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” – Mt 22:39 Keeping this verse in mind, St. John’s Cathedral gives much importance to social service. Over the years the church has done many a social work. The social work done by the church is mainly of four types: Construction of houses for the houseless Most of the parishioners contribute their financial as well as physical help to build homes for the poor. Sick Aid As a part of social service, sick people are visited and both financial and moral support is ensured to the needy. Marriage Assistance The church takes up a part of the marriage expenses of financially weak brides. Education to the poor Higher secondary and Degree students are aided every month sufficiently for their educational expense. Mr. C. Mathew Endowment Fund aids the High School course of selected students one after the other.

BALA BALIKA SAMAJAM

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BALA BALIKA SAMAJAM

Bala-Balaika Samjam unit neatly arranging in the Church with help of Sunday School Teachers .Our parishioner, Mr. Joy E Chacko ,Parackal is the Co-ordinator of the Pampady District.

DIVYABODHANAM

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DIVYABODHANAM

Divyabodhanam’ Programme help to uplift the knowledge of our faith,bible study,litrugy,sacraments and Church history under the Coordination of Orthodox Theological Seminary ,Kottayam. From our church so many students are studying in POCE,DOCE,GOCE courses under the lecturing of Mr. Jacob Varghese Pamapdykandathil.Our Parish contribute Mr.Jacob Varghese Pampadykandathil as the Kottayam Diocese Director of Divyabodhanam.

PRATHANA YOGAM

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PRATHANA YOGAM

Prayer is the foundation of Christianity. That is why St. John’s Cathedral gives much importance to Bible studies and prayer. Ward-wise prayer groups of the parishioners assemble regularly for Bible studies and intercession. Mr.M.C Varghese ,Moolakara, is the Co-ordinator of Prathana Yogam.

YOUTH MOVEMENT UNIT

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YOUTH MOVEMENT UNIT

The Youth Movement Unit of the cathedral is very active and has often been estimated as the topper in the diocese with various activities. They are engaged in spiritual, cultural and philanthropic projects. Since its formation, the Youth Movement Unit has been functioning well to form the social, spiritual and cultural character of the young minds. This unit also helps the youngsters to know each other better and to uphold the unity between them. When it comes to activities in the church, it is the Youth Movement Unit, which coordinates the work between its members. The famous MGM ‘Parichamuttu Kalli Sangam’ is working under the leadership of Youth league . The Youth movement members regularly and nicely organizing the Pilgrimage to tomb of Church Fathers-Saint Parumala Thirumeni and Saint Vattasseil Thirumeni. Wth the intention of helping poors, movement collect money by distributing ‘Jeeava Karunya Sahaya Nidhi’ tins on every house of the church.

MARTHAMARIAM SAMAJAM

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MARTHAMARIAM SAMAJAM

The Samajam meets every wednesday at the church being instructed by assistant vicars. This association gives the female members of St. John’s Cathedral an opportunity to get involved in the various activities of the church. Even though many mothers in the parish have little time because of their respective works, the women’s association has several members who are participating actively. Navajyothi MOMS units (Prathyasha & Sreyas) formed in Samajam for trading Home-made products to build up small deposits and thereby helping poors, sick people and raise the power of women in society.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

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SUNDAY SCHOOL

The parish being extensive, runs 3 Sunday schools , one in the nearby Lower Primary School (Pallivathukal) and the others functioning in separate school buildings at Poraloor St.John’s Sunday School and Pothenpuram( KGM Sunday School). A few of the teachers are distinguished with teaching experience for above 50 years and awarded by the Malankara Orthodox church for the same. The head masters are M/s K.K Kuriakose,Kanjirthumootil and P.A Mathai Mattel,both retired secular teachers and Mr.K.T Varghese,Kottoor Vadakethil, a man of wide social and spiritual background. Mr.P.C Chacko Panayambala , former H.M of the KGM Sunday school & Pampady District Inspector successfully held the Director(Kottayam Diocese) of sunday schools.

PRAKASHAM PRATHANA SAMAGAMAM

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PRAKASHAM PRATHANA SAMAGAMAM

PRAKASHAM’ prayer meeting (on every second Sunday) established to fortify our spiritual power and to remedy our life troubles under our Church faith on September 2007. This famous prayer fellowship is initiated under the leadership of Fr. James Markose. Famous preachers from our Church and outside church direct the messages. This fellowship is one of the well-known prayer meeting in Malankara parishes. By the contribution of participants and well-wishers of the ‘PRAKASHAM’ prayer fellowship, we already constructed houses for the houseless and doing so many humanitarian activities.