The St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Cathedral Of Kundara: A Symbol Of Roots of Christianity And Faith

Navrang India March 14, 2026

    The St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Cathedral is an important centre of the Syriac Christian tradition in Kerala and stands as a symbol of the deep antiquity of Christianity on the Malabar Coast. Located in Kundara near Kollam, the cathedral belongs to the Jacobite Syrian Christian community, which is part of the universal Syriac Orthodox Church under the spiritual leadership of the Patriarch of Antioch.

The Syrian Jacobite Church in India has a long history dating  as far back as  the first century when  St. Thomas, the apostle  during his visit to Kerala coast in 52 A.D established Seven and a half churches. He came to India on instruction from Christ to spread Christianity among the natives. Having established places of veneration including Kollam District.later he traveled to the north to spread the Gospel of Christ.

Jacobite Syrian Cathedral,Kundara,Kerala
image: Eldhor Rajan 92 upload.wikimedia.org

St.Mary's Church Kundara Stone cross
image: Eldhor Rajan 92 upload.wikimedia.org

The roots of Christianity in Kerala are traditionally traced to the arrival of Saint Thomas the Apostle in 52 CE. According to longstanding belief among the Saint Thomas Christians, the apostle travelled along the Kerala coast preaching the Gospel and established seven and a half churches in the region. These early communities formed the foundation of the ancient Syriac Christian tradition of Kerala. The coastal town of Kollam later became a significant centre of trade and religious activity. In the ninth century, two Persian Christian bishops, Mar Sabor and Mar Proth, visited Kollam, and the local ruler granted them privileges recorded in the famous Tharisapalli Plates. These plates document land grants and rights given to the Christian community, demonstrating the early recognition of their presence and influence. The Venetian traveller Marco Polo also mentioned the flourishing Christian population of Kollam during his travels in the thirteenth century.

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Kundara St. Mary's church, Kollam,Kerala
syriacchristianity.info

The present cathedral at Kundara was established in 1871 with permission granted by the rulers of the former Kingdom of Travancore. Over time it developed into one of the most revered Jacobite churches in the region. The cathedral is particularly famous for preserving the sacred relic known as the “Holy Girdle” or “Soonoro” of the Virgin Mary. According to tradition, this sacred girdle was given by the Virgin Mary to Saint Thomas during the time of her Assumption. The relic is preserved with great reverence in the cathedral and is considered a precious spiritual treasure by the faithful.

Holy Altar of Jacobite Syrian Cathedral Kundara,
Kerala.en.wikipedia.org

Architecturally, the cathedral reflects a blend of Kerala church architecture and West Asian ecclesiastical influences. The structure features a spacious prayer hall, an ornate altar, and elaborate interiors decorated with icons and Syriac Christian symbols. The Holy Altar, which is the most sacred part of the church, follows traditional Syriac liturgical arrangements. The church complex also includes halls and spaces used for religious gatherings and community activities.

Holy Girdle of Virgin Mary
upload.wikimedia.org

The cathedral gained special recognition in October 2008 when Ignatius Zakka I Iwas declared it a cathedral during his visit to the Malankara Church. Today it serves as an important spiritual centre for the Jacobite Syrian Christians of the region, many of whom trace their ancestry to the historic Pakalomattam family.

.Kundara location map, KE google.com

Religious festivals and annual feasts form an integral part of the church’s life. Celebrations dedicated to the Virgin Mary attract large numbers of devotees, and special liturgical services, processions, and community feasts are conducted during these occasions. The cathedral continues to function as an active place of worship while preserving the ancient Syriac Christian heritage of Kerala.

https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2016/01/historical-kundara-st-marys-church-of.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacobite_Syrian_Cathedral_Kundara

https://syriacchristianity.info

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tharisapalli_Plates

https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/St._Mary%27s_Cathedral,_Kundara

K.  N.  Jayaraman