Maramon Convention

The Maramon Convention is a Christian convention held at Maramon, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India annually during the month of February on the vast sand-bed of the Pampa River next to the Kozhencherry Bridge. It is organized by the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma Church.

The origin and growth of this annual get together for one week at a stretch can be traced to the great revival movement which gathered momentum along with the reformation in the ancient Syrian Church of Malabar under the pioneering leadership of Abraham Malpan. This brought about the resurgence of the ancient apostolic Church in Kerala founded by St. Thomas the Apostle of Jesus Christ, believed to be in AD 52.

Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association.

By 1877, there were two factions in the Malankara church, known as Methran Kakshi and Bava Kakshi. By a court verdict on July 12, 1889 Methran Kakshi lost all the properties. Just before the verdict was given, on 5 September 1888, 12 members of the Methran Kakshi formed a missionary group called “Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association”. These 12 members are considered to be the founding fathers of the Maramon convention. The names of these 12 members are:-

1. Kottarathil Thomas Kasseessa, Chengannur
2. Edavamvelil Mathai, Eraviperoor.
3. Kottooreth Yohannan, Chengannur
4. Chempakasseril Kadavil Abraham, Kallissery
5. Chakkalayil Cherian Upadesi, Puthencavu
6. Chempakasseril Kadavil Mathew, Kallissery.
7. Azhakinal Thommi, Kallooppara
8. Nathaniel Upadesi, Chengannur
9. Kurichiath (Vattadiyil) Ittiyavara, Niranam
10. Arangat Philipose, Maramon
11. Ottaplammoottil Kunju Mathew, Kallissery
12. Kochumannil Skariah, Edayaranmula

They met at the Kadavil Malika in Kallissery, the house of Kadavil Abraham and Kadavil Mathew. This house was built by their grandfather Unnithan Kathanar and father C. Abraham in the early 1800s. (This historic Kadavil Malika was reclaimed by the Marthoma church and has recently been renovated and recommissioned )

Beginning.

By 1894 a number of small prayer groups were formed in the Methran Kakshi and this was followed by a big revival. They had regular meetings in various parishes. Because the number of people attending these meetings was growing it was decided to have a meeting of all these groups at a central place. The duty of organizing this meeting was given to the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association and the first convention was held in 1895 at Maramon.

By 1900 Methran Kakshi adopted the name Malankara Marthoma Suriyani Sabha now known as the Mar Thoma Church.