There was a stone cross fixed in the court yard of the Edamana Church, known as Edamana Cross, which was an object of special reverence and respect by the Christians of the locality. This Edamana Cross is now fixed on the wall of the sub-station ( Kurishu Palli) of the Church of Arakuzha, located at Malekurissu, near the main church of Arakuzha.
Shifting of the Cross to the Chapel
In 1859 the Arch Bishop of Varappuzha, Most Rev. Bernard issued an porder to destroy the Edamana Palli and to remove the Edamana Kurissu from there. Accordingly, the Edamana Palli was pulled down and the statue of St. Marthew which was placed in this church was removed and placed in the Aarakkuzha church. A small shrine was built at Malekkurissu near the Aarakkuzha church, and the Edamana Kurissuwas placed in this new shrine. As this shrine was a very small one, the statue of St. Mathew could not be placed here, and it was for this reason that this statue was kept in the church of Arakkuzha.
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Shifting of the Cross
“Edamanakurisu” was erected around 600 A.D by the members of Aarakuzha “Edamana illam” who were Brahmins imigrated to Perumballur from North Paravur and converts to Christianity in 52 A.D by St. Thomas apostle. Other Christians also prayed there and bury their dead there. It was given a facelift as a Kurisupalli (small chapel – Edamanapalli) and consecrated in 1812 by Edathattel Valiachan. But as both Christians and Hindus began to conduct nercha there, it was destroyed in 1859. The cross (“Edamanakurisu”) was placed in the cupola which was erected by the side of Aarakuzha -Thottakkara Road. In 1973, Sri. Chacko Marattukudi while he fell a jack fruit tree, found a stepping stone which was the remains of the demolished Kurisupalli. Sri. Chacko approached the vicar of Aarakuzha church with the request that a church should be erected there. He offered timber worth Rs. 150 for the construction of the church. With the due permission of Fr. Vicar, a church was erected there and it was consecrated on 23 December 1973
“Padiola (inscription on palm leaf)submitted before The Holy Marthamariathumma by Kavanakarayil Vettuparackal Mathula Varugeethum Thampimarum of Aarakuzha parish as per the decision of the palli yogam on 20 makaram 987(1812 A.D.)
Since the time of the forefathers of Vettuparackal family a cross was erected at Edavana and the tax for the land had been paid by us. Later when the family accepted the authority of Aarakuzha church and had been observing all the rituals, it was desired to conduct a nercha at Edavana kurisu. When permission was sought from the higher authorities to conduct the nercha, the family was informed that nercha should be conducted only at a church and it was a sacrilege to conduct nercha at a place not consecrated and without officiated by a priest. If nercha is conducted in violation of the church rules it would amount to a sacrilege on the part of those who conduct the nercha and if anyone does it, the parish priest should question him. Though we obeyed the order of the higher authority, some other people conducted a nercha at Edavana kurisu in violation of the order, following which we were summoned to the General Body held at Aarakuzha church and told that a sacrilege had been committed by conducting nercha in violation of the orders at a non-consecrated place and hence a kurisupalli would be erected at Edamana by Aarakuzha church. In reply to the offer we made a promise that a kurisupalli would be erected at Edamana by Vettuparackal family as the cheriapalli of Aarakuzha Church. Having erected the kurisupalli as per the promise, it was informed to the General Body of Aarakuzha church along with a request that it may be consecrated. It was accepted with the condition that the key of the kurisupalli should be handed over, the office of the vicar should be under the authority of the vicar of Aarakuzha church, the income from the kurisupalli should be collected by the trustee of valiapalli and baptism, marriage, funeral and the annual confession etc. should be conducted at the valiapalli. As we accepted all the conditions and promised to carry them out and handed over the key, Edamana kurisupalli was consecrated .As the kurisupalli was erected under the special efforts of Edathattel Valiachan, he will be put in charge of the church till his retirement after which Edamana kurisupalli will be directly managed by the Valiapalli at Aarakuzha. We, Vettuparackal Varugeethum thampimarum, do hereby execute this padiola promising to follow the above terms and conditions”
