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ARTHUNKAL
FEAST
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St. Andrew's Forance Church at Arthunkal,
one of the sacred churches in Kerala, attracts
lakhs of devotees both Christians and non-Christians
every year from all parts of the State. The
feast of St. Sebastian is celebrated on a
grand scale for eleven days in a year. Owing
to the unmanageable crowding of pilgrims and
the resultant confusion on January 20 the
final day of the feast, the church authorities
have instituted another minor feast on the
8th day after the principal feast. This is
known as Ettamperunnal. Of late this feast
also has attained as much importance as the
principal feast .
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EDATHUA
FESTIVAL
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The St. George's church at Edathua stands
on the bank of the river Pampa, sixteen miles
southeast of Alappuzha. This church is famous
for the feast of St. George celebrated every
year in the month of Medam (April-May). It
takes place from 27th April till 7th of May.
Though the festival lasts for 11 days, only the
last couple of days carry all the aspects
of a major festival. Hence calendars reckon
the 6th of May as the feast day.
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MALAYATTUR
FEAST
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St. Thomas' shrine at Malayattur a village
about six miles to the north of Kaladi Ernakulam
District is believed to be one of the ancient
catholic shrines in the northern part of the
state. The chief festival at the shrine is
the second Sunday, since the first moon, after
the Vernal Equinox (March 21). The Feast,
therefore, falls generally in the month of
April or at times in the last week of March.
The Octave is celebrated on the following
Sunday. The pilgrims have to climb a hill
nearly 2000 feet high and on top of it is
the church.
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MARAMON
CONVENTION
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Maramon and Kozhencherry, on the banks of
the river Pampa, 16 kilometers east of Tiruvalla,
have for centuries been recognised as centres
of Christian culture and influence. Maramon
is also famous as the birthplace of Palakkunnathu
Abraham Maplah, leader of the reformation
in the Syrian Church of Malabar in the 19th
century. This village which developed into
a town has the added distinction of being
the venue of a religious gathering known as
the Maramon convention, said to be the largest
Christian gathering in Asia. It is during
the month of February on the vast sand-bed
of the river Pampa below the Kozhenchery bridge
that the Maramon Convention is held every
year. The Maramon Convention displays co-operation
and union between different sections of the
Church in Kerala. It fosters an ecumenical
outlook. It is also a source of spiritual
inspiration and enlightenment for thousands
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VETTUKAD
FESTIVAL
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The most important feast celebrated in this
church situated on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram
is of Christ, the King. This feast is observed
for eleven days ending with the last Sunday
of October. On the tenth day, after the vespers
in the church, there is a procession which
goes round the parish lasting for about 1
½ hours. On the final day there will be a
solemn high mass, sermon, Eucharistic procession
and benediction. The attendance for this feast
is well over 50,000.
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