Kadamattom Church in Ernakulam district, Kerala

Kadamattathu Kathanar was a kathanar (priest) who, according to legends, possessed magical powers. He was an ordained deacon of Kadamattom Church in the 9th century, now affiliated to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. According to legends, his real name was Poulose and he was the disciple of bishop Mar Abo. The church's history is undocumented, surviving solely through local legends. The tales surrounding Kathanar encapsulate the experiences of the local populace, conveyed through elements of magic and sorcery. These tales portray him as a priest with supernatural powers, employed for the common good.[1]

Historicity

Mar Sabor (also known as Mar Abo) and Mar Proth

In medieval legends, history and fables were combined inextricably.[2] The story of Kadamattathu Kathanar might be a mixture of history and fables. Currently there is no certain proof that he really existed, but the fact that a real priest lived in that area in the ninth century cannot be denied.[3] Tradition points out the existence of Christians in the area from 5th century of the Christian Era.[4]

Legends

Poulose, later known as Kathanar, was born to a poor family in Kadamattom, a small village in North Travancore (now part of Kerala). People fondly called him Kochu Poulose. He had no siblings and his parents died when he was a child. He was taken care of by his mother for a short period before her death, after which he came under the patronage of the Persian priest Mar Abo (also known as Mar Sabor).[5]

Poulose was given a good education under Abo. The priest taught him Syriac and Liturgy of the Mass. In due course he was ordained as a deacon and people began to call him deacon Poulose.

Mar Sabor the bishop who ordained him as a priest left from Kadamattom after the arrival of Paulose. The Bishop built many churches.[6] Sabor settled at Thevalakkara.[7]

Some stories of Kathanar are presented in the collection of legends, Aithihyamala.[8][9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Kathanar's Kadamattam". The Hindu. 18 February 2005. Archived from the original on 6 April 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ↑ "A symbol of amity". The Hindu. 1 August 2004. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  3. ↑ "Chera times of the Kulasekharas". kerala.cc. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  4. ↑ Kottoor_kulangattil Family Magazine 2012 (Kottoor Church History)
  5. ↑ "St. Mar Abo festival". The Hindu. 28 January 2011. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  6. ↑ Joseph, Thomas. "Mor Sabor-Mor Aphroth, Akaparambu". sor.cua.edu.
  7. ↑ "മര്‍ത്തമറിയം ഓര്‍ത്തോഡോക്സ് സിറിയന്‍ ചര്‍ച്ച്‌, തേവലക്കര - Mar Abo". Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  8. ↑ A. K. Shrikumar (2001), Stories from Ithihyamala: fables of Kerala, Children's Book Trust, pp. 79–94, ISBN 9788170119036
  9. ↑ Kottarathil Sankunni. EithihyamaalaIythiha Maala (legends of Kerala). Chapter 72. pp 380-391.
  10. ↑ "Kadamattathu Kathanar". The Hindu. 30 April 2004. Archived from the original on 17 September 2004. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  11. ↑ "Bhavan's Adarsh Vidyalaya emerges winner". The Hindu. 3 October 2004. Archived from the original on 17 September 2004. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  12. ↑ "TV Listings- Surya TV". tvlistings. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  13. ↑ "Jai Hind- Serials". The Hindu. 8 February 2008. Archived from the original on 12 February 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2011.

Further reading

  • Kottarathil Sankunni, Aithihyamaala (legends of Kerala in Malayalam). Current Books. 1909. ISBN 81-240-0010-7.
  • Mathew, N.M. Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charitram, (History of the Marthoma Church), Volume 1. Tiruvalla. 2006.
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