Pappathichola hill in Munnar. ScreengrabSooryanelli: The Christian fringe group, Spirit in Jesus, accused of encroaching government land near Munnar claims that the Pappathichola hill is a venue of miracles.
The Spirit in Jesus ministry, based in Kuriachira in Thrissur, had put up a gigantic iron cross on the ecologically fragile hill along with a prayer hall that can accommodate about 500 people and three temporary sheds.
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The group came under the spotlight after the Idukki district administration razed the cross and the illegal constructions. The mainstream clergy were divided over the government action but the chief minister and the CPM leaders went ahead and condemned the administration for its haste.
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The Spirit in Jesus ministry stands out with its unique beliefs and ways of worship. Members of the group have been circulating video clips of what they claim to be a celestial miracle over the Pappathichola hill four years ago. The Sun showed many signs on September 9, 2012, and a huge rainbow appeared around the sun, they claim.
The group even claims that they were signs from the God that he approved the ministry and its founder Tom Zacharia.
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Zacharia started propagating his set of beliefs in 1988. Apart from Kuriachira and Sooryanelli, the group has activities at Palarivattom in Kochi. They also claim to be active in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Velankanni (Tamil Nadu) and Goa. The group has followers in Manchester in the United Kingdom and Dubai in the UAE.
Zacharia and team bring out a Malayalam publication titled ‘Itha Ninte Amma’. There are Tamil and English versions too. The preacher also appears in television programs.
The collective goes up the Pappathichola hill on the 13th day of every month from their base in Maryland. They claim to have the ability to summon dead souls back and absolve them of their sins.
Spirit in Jesus is not recognized by any of the major Christian churches. The Catholic Church has urged its followers to keep away from the activities of the collective.
