Thekkan Parumala St. Gregorios Orthodox Valiyapally, Peroorkada

This Parish, popularly known as ‘Thekkan Parumala’ took its origin as a Chappel of the St.George Orthodox Valiya pally, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram in the year 1976. Subsequently, it was elevated as a Parish of the Thiruvananthapuram Diocese of the Orthodox Church in May 1985. H.H. Moron Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II has declared it as ‘Thekkan Parumala’ in Januray 2001.

St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Peroorkada, is the first church in Trivandrum to be established in the Holy name of Parumala Mar Gregorios Thirumeni. The church, now-a-days known as Thekkan Parumala, and the Kurishadi (The Holy Cross Kiosk) situated along the adjoining main road, now symbolizes the hope, aspiration and refuge of many.

In the beginning of the twentieth century, the Palayam St. George Orthodox Church, later elevated as St. George Cathedral, was the only church in Trivandrum, for the Malankara Orthodox Christians. Later, acceding to the long felt need and wishes of the parishioners residing in and around Trivandrum, chapels were put up at Peroorkada, Nalanchira, Kumarapuram, Vattiyoorkav and Sreekaryam. With the blessings of the then Palayam church vicar, Rev. Fr. P. M. Eapen and Trustee Mr. Kurien Thomas, 20 cents of land was purchased on the side of the pipeline road at Ambalamukku, Peroorkada on 23rd Nov 1972. Later, a chapel was erected at the above site, utilizing the roof and other materials of the Sunday School shed of the Palayam church. Parumala Thirumeni was chosen as the patron saint of the new chapel. His Grace Mathews Mar Kurilose (then Diocesan Metropolitan, and later elevated as Catholicose of the East, His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews II,) consecrated the chapel on 5th Nov 1976. Priests were assigned from St. George church, Palayam for rendering services for the congregation. From those priests, Rev. Fr. Jacob Cherian, Rev. Fr. George Kurian, and Rev. Fr. M. C. Cherian were later elevated as H. G. Yacob Mar Iranius, H. G. Geevarghese Mar Kurilose and H. G. Zachriah Mar Theophilose respectively.