Anchal Achan
Anchal Achan | |
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Anchal Achan (Rev: Younan Kathanaar) (Mor Yaunan Kasheesho) is a saint of Anchal (Quilon District) and nearby areas. He lived in the first half of 19th century. The saint was born in Marunthalizhikathu family in Anchal. The exact date of his birth is unknown. According to historic assumptions the Saint was born some time around AD 1770-80.
Ordination
He started his Priesthood Life as a priest in the Kottarakkara church. He used to go 16 km to Kottarakkara by walking from Anchal. Later he moved to the church compound. He was a living saint, and conducted a very pious life. Very soon people realized the saintliness of Anchal Achan.
Lifestyle
He used to do all of his work on his own.One day after returning from his morning bath, he saw his elder brother's wife sweeping his room. Standing outside, (without entering the room), he asked for his Bible and other books and he left for Kottarakkara. He stayed the whole of his remaining life at Kottarakkara church. Kottarakkara church made all arrangements for his stay in the premises of the church itself. During his life and after his death, there were many miracles that happened in and around Anchal / Kottarakkara He never differentiated between Christians and people following other faiths
Death
Before his death he asked his church people at Kottarakkara church to open his "kabar" on 41st day of his death and will find his body intack position. He died on one "Karkidakam 22". After his death on 41st day the people of Kottarakara church opened the kabar and found the body intact position, except the top of the nose and top of two fingers decayed, the reason for that says-one day he plucked a rose flower before Kurbana) However, later we had lost Kottarakara Church to Marthoma Sabha on litigation. Now it is Marthomite church. On every Sunday perspiration was seen on the top of the Kabar, as Marthomites have no faith in prayer for departed, one "Kapiar" of marthoma church removed that perspiration with his legs by saying something, and after that stopped coming of perspiration from that Kabar, never it happened. The Kabar of Anchal achan is situated in the altar of Kottarakkara Marthomite church. We the people of Anchal and nearby areas still believe, Anchal achan's body is still lying in the Kabar at Kottarakkara church intack position. We feel his presence in Saint George Church Anchal also. If we had not Kottarakkara church for Marthomites Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church · now it became a great pilgrimage centre. Every year on Karkidakam 22 at St. George Orthodox Church, Anchal we celebrate his feast & festival.
Anchal Orthodox Valliya Pally
Anchal St.George Orthodox Valiya Pally is one of the prominent churches in south Kerala. It gets its fame from the spiritual presence of St.George and St.Anchal Achan. Recognizing the importance of this spiritual place, H.H The Catholicos of East Mor Baselios Thoma Didymos I declared the parish as Valiya Pally (Great Parish) and a Georgian Pilgrim Centre.
See also
Sources
- Annammayum Pasterum by Father K. Gheevarghese, Manoor, Anchal
- The Mirror of Apostolic Faith by Shri E.S. John
External links
- "Anchal Church - Holy abode of Saint Anchal Achan". anchalchurch.org. Retrieved 2014-06-06.
- "Anchal St. George Orthodox Valiyapally - Pourasthya Georgian Pilgrim Centre - The Church of Anchal Achan". web.archive.org. Retrieved 2014-06-06.