Arthunkal
Perunnal
Arthunkal
St. Andrew's Church at Alappuzha is one of the revered churches
in Kerala. St. Sebastian’s perunnal is celebrated in
the church for eleven days every year. Another minor feast
is celebrated on the 8th day after the perunnal, which is
known as Ettamperunnal.
Bharanamganam
Perunnal
St.
Mary's Church, Bharanamganam at Kottayam is one of the oldest
churches in Kerala. The annual festival of this church is
the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, celebrated in November
and the Feast of St. Sebastian in January.
Christmas
Christmas is the birth day of Jesus Christ. Most members of
the Roman Catholic Church and followers of Protestantism celebrate
Christmas on December 25. Many celebrate Christmas on the
evening of December 24. Members of the Eastern Orthodox Church
celebrate Christmas on January 6, when they celebrate Epiphany,
a commemoration of the baptism of Jesus. Christmas is based
on the story of Jesus’ birth as described in the Gospel
according to Matthew and Luke. Roman Catholics first celebrated
Christmas in 336 A.D. The word Christmas appeared in the English
language around 1050 A.D as Christes maesse, meaning “festival
of Christ.” Scholars believe the frequently used shortened
form of Christmas (’Xmas) might have come into use from
13th century. The ‘X’ stands for the Greek letter
chi, an abbreviation of Khristos (Christ), and also represents
the cross on which Jesus was crucified. In Kerala, Christmas
is celebrated as one of the most significant and spectacular
of festivals. No other celebration is so enriched with so
many customs and ceremonies. Houses are decorated with Christmas
Star, Christmas tree etc. Christmas Carol is an indispensable
part of the celebration. Visit of Christmas Father, presentation
of Christmas cakes and other gifts to the friends and relatives
also take place. Christmas is widely observed as a secular
festival.
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Easter
Easter
is the annual festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus
Christ, and the principal feast of the Christian year. It
is celebrated on a Sunday on varying dates between March 22
and April 25. Easter is the oldest Christian festival, as
old as Christianity itself. According to the New Testament,
Christ was crucified on Friday and then resurrected on the third day.
Thus, the Easter festival commemorates this auspicious moment.
There are four distinct periods in connection with the observance
of Easter. Lent, the forty preparatory penitential days; Holy
Week including the Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday;
Octave of Easter; and the paschal season or Easter time extending
over forty more days. On Maundy Thursday the Last Supper was
held in the evening. Jesus Christ did the washing of the feet
of disciples. Good Friday is a day of grief. Holy Saturday
is a day of mourning and wailing. By ten at night a big candle
is hallowed in the churches indicating the resurrection. Time
of rejoicing that recalls the disciples' discovery that Jesus
was alive, and that he had been resurrected; many churches
keep a vigil throughout Saturday night so that they can greet
Easter Day with services and family meals etc.
Edappally
Perunal
The
Edappally church (near Eranakulam) perunnal begins in April
with High Mass, prayers and invocations of priests.
Edathua
Perunnal
The St. George's church at Edathua in Alappuzha District is
famous for the perunnal of St. George celebrated every year
in April-May. The golden statue of St. George is positioned
on the dais at the centre of the cathedral on Perunnal days. Everyday there
shall be processions in connection with the perunnal. On the
first and concluding days there will be glittering fireworks,
which attracts many devotees.
Good
Friday
Good Friday is celebrated on the Friday immediately preceding
Easter to commemorate the Christ's crucifixion. The name Good
Friday is believed to be a corruption of God's Friday. Since
the time of the early church, the day has been dedicated to
penance, fasting, and prayers.
Koratty
Perunnal
Koratty Muthy's Church near Chalakudy is an ancient church
of Kerala. Koratty Muthy's festival celebrated in October
is the most important festival of the church.
Malayattoor
Perunnal
Malayattoor, near Kalady in Ernakulam district, is an important
pilgrim centre of Christians. Legend says that St.Thomas established
the church at the top of Malayattoor hills and it is one of
the seven churches that he established. The Church has a statue
of St. Thomas and an impression of his feet on the rock. The hilltop
is known as Kurisumudy, which is two km away from the valley.
Perunnal (church festival) is celebrated on the Sunday that
falls after Easter. Pilgrims not only from Kerala but from
the neighboring states also visit the Malayattoor Kurisumudi Church. Pilgrims carrying holy crosses used to mount the hill
chanting Ponninkurissu Muthappa – Ponmala kayattom kadinamen
muthappa (Oh Lord, we are mounting the holy hill, though it
is difficult).
Maraman
Convention
Maraman
Convention |
Maramon
situated on the banks of the river Pampa, near Tiruvalla,
has been recognized as one of the centres of Christian culture.
Maramon is the birth place of Palakkunnathu Abraham,
who devoted his life for the reformations of the Syrian
Church of Kerala. Maraman Convention is the largest
evangelical meet in Asia. It is held during February-March.
Bible classes and evangelical discourses take place
in the Convention that lasts for eight days. Bishops,
Cardinals, Evangelists not only from India but from
foreign countries also participate in the Convention
and deliver lectures and discourses. The Maramon Convention
exemplifies co-operation and unification of various
sections of Church in Kerala and promotes ecumenical
outlook. The convention is a source of spiritual inspiration
and enlightenment. |
Maundy
Thursday
Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, is observed
before Easter to commemorate Jesus Christ's Last Supper.
The name Maundy is derived from mandatum (commandment), the
first word of the anthem sung in the liturgical ceremony on
that day. The ceremony of washing of feet of 12 people
to commemorate Christ's washing of his disciples' feet is
observed as a part of the ceremony.
Niranam Festival
Niranam church is one of the churches established by St.Thomas
in 53 AD. The main religious festival is that of the Holy
Mother on August 15. The birthday of St. Mary is celebrated
on a grand scale in September. The feast of St. Thomas is
celebrated in July.
Osana Perunnal
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Osana
Perunnal is observed to commemorate the reception of
Jesus by the people of Jerusalem. They carried tender
leaves of palm tree and sung Hossanah, which means,
“Oh Lord, save us”. In Kerala, Christians
celebrate the festival on the Sunday previous to Easter.
It is also known as Kuruthola Perunnal as the participants
of the festival carry tender leaves of coconut palm. |
Vettukad
Festival
Vettukad Church is one of the famous churches in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Vettukad church perunnal is celebrated in November for
ten days with a Holy Mass and ceremonial flag hoisting. Thousands
of devotees participate in the Holy Mass and the procession
carrying the statue Christ. On the tenth day there will be
a procession that goes round the entire parish. There will
be holy mass, discourses and Eucharistic procession. |
