Palakkad: Steps have been initiated to elevate the Yakkara St Mary’s Orthodox Church as a Major Parish church. An order in this regard, issued by the Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III and read out in the parish.

When Geevarghese Mar Pachomios, Metropolitan of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, unexpectedly read the order during the Vaangippu festival ( the feast of the assumption of the blessed Virgin Mary) yesterday, it came as a double delight for parish members. The formalities will be completed once the church’s general body meeting on the 31st gives its approval. The official declaration will follow on September 14, after which the church will be known as Palakkad St. Mary’s Major Parish church.

The church was established on August 15, 1969, with fewer than 30 families in the parish. Today, it has grown to over 175 families, with more than 600 parish members. Several organisations, including the youth movement and Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam, are active under the church. It is also actively involved in social activities, extending assistance for marriage, medical treatment and education.