Mar Anthrayos Bava – Kallada Valiyaappoopan

Mar Anthrayos, also called Kallada Valiyappoopan arrived in Kerala in A.D. 1678, along with three brothers, one of them was a Ramban. He is considered as a saint mainly based on his devout and pious life. They arrived at Mulanthuruthy Church, where they spent many years. It is said that the Bava came with riches but gave it away as alms to the poor and finally became penniless. He stayed for a long period there but later travelled eastward.

He reached Vettikkal which was a trading centre between Kochi and Travancore. There, he found a chapel. He acquired a small piece of land near to it and started living there.

From Vettikkal Mar Andréws Bava travelled to Piravam, Kuruppampadi, Puthenkavu, Manarcad and from there to Kallada. The wooden horse of Mar Anthrayos is still preserved in the Puthencav Church. There are a lot of folktales stories around this horse, on which the Anthrayos Bava used to travel at night.

Mar Anthrayose passed away on 2 March 1692 and his mortal remains were entombed in Kallada Church. After his demise the brothers set out on a journey to the northern parts of Kerala. The Ramban who went along with them passed away at Chennithala and was entombed there. The faithful believers consider his tomb a holy place.

The remaining two brothers returned to Mulanthuruthy after visiting Kuravilangadu and staying at Srambikkal adjacent to the Church building. One of them named Joseph married from Palasana family and settled down on the northern side of the western market. Two sons were born to them. One married into the Kattumangadu family and the other settled down with Thanangattil (Thanangukadu) family. Most families in Mulanthuruthy can trace their roots back to these two families. It is considered a heavenly benediction that these zealously religious who were laid to rest in Malabar Independent church, Thozhiyoor (Anjoor).

It is said that Parumala Thirumeni and the Kattumangadu clergies who are born in this ancestry, hailed from this ancient family. The ancient and reputed Kattumangadu family has many priests and cultural leaders who can trace their lineage back to this ancient family tree.

There is a legend connected with the travels of Mor Anthrayose. A family in a central Travancore village who did not hold him in high respects served him jackfruit on his visit. They provided him cotton to wipe his hands clean. The bishop unaware of the consequences used the cotton and struggled when his hands became messy and sticky. The members of the family made fun of him and he was embarrassed and sad as he left them. Later on, many in their family contracted the fatal venereal disease and it was passed down to many generations. While staying at Manarcad Church he ordained a priest from Vallikunnel family and they still remember his blessing with gratitude.

The Tomb of Mar Anthrayos Bava is in this Church. His last days were spent at Kallada. So, the Church called as Mar Anthrayos Pilgrim Church. A Church in the name of Mother Mary which was established in AD 9th century was present here. The antiquity of this shrine attracted Mar Andrews Bava. St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church at West Kallada is one of the most important pilgrimage centres in the Malankara Church. The Church has a history dating from AD 9th century.

When he passed away, his body was buried below the Madbaha of the shrine. That many people received blessings through his intercession was a testimony to his saintliness. He died on the Kumbham 18^th and 19th of the Malayalam calendar and so his commemoration feast is celebrated on that day. The feast of Mor Anthrayose is celebrated on 2 March.