CATEGORY : PILGRIM TOURISM, CHURCHES
Mor Ignatius dayara (dayro; monastery),
well known for the tomb of Patriarch St. lgnatius Elias III, is a major pilgrim
centre of the Syrian Christians of India. The monastery, situated atop a
hillock in Manjinikkara, near Omallur, Pathanamthitta District in South Kerala,
was established by late Mor Yulius Elias Qoro, the patriarchal delegate to
Malankara. It was in 1932, Patriarch St. lgnatius Elias III, widely acclaimed
as ‘Angel of Peace’, entered into the heavenly abode in Manjinikkara while on a
visit to the churches in India and his mortal remains were later entombed in
the dayro. In the subsequent years, faithful from all over Malankara frequented
the tomb of the holy father and thus the monastery gained the status of a major
pilgrim centre of Christians. The feast of the holy father celebrated on
February 13 annually is the most important day for the dayara, when lot of
pilgrims from various parts of the country reach here by walking. The remains
of late Metropolitans Mor Yulius Elias Qoro, Patriarchal delegate from
1930-1962, Mor Yulius Yacoub (1975-1992) and Mor Osthatheos Binyamin Joseph
(1992-2004), former Patriarchal delegates to Malankara are also interred in
this church. Dayara and its property is belongs to the Holy throne of Antioch.
The present owner of this Dayara is 122nd successor of St.Peter in the
Apostolic See of Antioch, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas. The
Manjinikkara dayara is the seat of the Patriarchal Delegate to Malankara and the
metropolitan of the Simhasana churches (churches administered directly by the
Patriarchate). The present abbot of the dayara is Mor Deevanasios Geevarghese.
History
Lord Irwin, the British Viceroy of India,
who visited Malabar in 1931, heard about the schism and litigation of two
factions of Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, one supporting the Patriarch and
the other supporting the Catholicos. Being a true Christian his Lordship
Earnestly desired for everlasting peace in the Malankara Church, and so studied
about the causes of the rift between the rival factions. His Lordship learned
that only the Patriarch of Antioch could find a possible solution on this
matter. So through the representative of Iraq, His Lordship invited the
Patriarch of Antioch of Antioch Moran Mor Ignatius Elias III to Visit India,
and offered him all assistance from the British authorities in India. Patriarch
Ignatius Elias III was also deeply concerned about the schism in Malabar and
was thinking of a solution by visiting India. Inspite of his old age sickness
and physical weakness, His Holiness decided to visit India. His doctors
dissuaded such a long journey, but his Holiness was firm in the decision for
the sake of peace in Malankara Church. Traveling by ship named S.S Varsova from
Basra port in Iraq with followers His Holiness reached Karachi on 4th March
1931. From Karachi, the team travelled by train to Delhi and stayed there as a
guest of Viceroy. After a few days the Patriarchal team moved to Madras by
train to meet the Governor General. Initial talks were held with the British
Bishops and later His Holiness proceeded to Malabar. His Holiness and party
reached Aluva on 21st March 1931, and stayed in the Thrikkunnathu Seminary.