India FDC on "Holy Cross Church"

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Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

India

Holy Cross Church

Date of issue : 14 September 2009

(The following information is from the website : http://www.smcim.org/mapranam/about.htm)

The Mapranam Holy Cross Church, which is part of the Irinjalakuda Diocese is a historically renowned and noted Pilgrim Centre ideally located in the enchanting rural ambience of Kerala. One of the oldest Churches, founded in 928 AD, it was recently renovated (1989) and attracts worshippers beyond the religious barriers. It is perhaps for the first time in the history of the world that a religious Sanctum has combined and practiced the cultural, spiritual and ethical values of different religions- especially Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. The Church is already accepted and acknowledged by masses across the region and serves as a parent institution to several Churches that belong to the localities such as Irinjalakuda Cathedral (The Head Quarters of Irinjalakuda Diocese) Porathussery, Karuvannur, Chemmanda, Karalam, Pallissery, Kuzhikkattukon, Pullur, Thanissery, Thuravankunnu, etc..

There are only a few churches in Kerala that are established in the name of the Holy Cross. The Mapranam Holy Cross Church is the only one of its kind in the Dioceses of Irinjalakkuda, Thrissur and Palakkad. Besides, Mapranam is one of the very few churches that is blessed with the possession of a relic of the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ. So the Holy Cross Church Mapranam holds a unique history in the Syro Malabar Archiepiscopal Church. On the 21st of September 1887, Mar Selinose Thereesa, Apostolic Vicar of Varapuzha, conferred his recognition and granted permission to the Holy Cross Church Mapranam to place the relic of Holy Cross in the Church. Every year on the 14th of September is celebrated as the feast of the Holy Cross when the worshippers could experience the mercy and the blessings of relic of the Holy Cross. Besides, the faithful get a chance to kiss the relic of the Holy Cross on 21st September, the eighth day of the feast and on Good Friday.