Kollam Kallada Malayil family is unique in many ways and different from the rest of the Christians of Kerala. They trace their lineage to the Christian merchants from Persia who came and settled down in Kerala. In the 8th century AD, the southern most princely states like Venadu (present Kerala is the result of the coming together of what was at that time a group of princely.states) was already a flourishing trade centre, the destination of Spice merchants who sailed oceans to buy spices like Pepper, a much sought after spice which grew in abundance in Kerala. In the north it was Kodungalloor (Cragnanore) and in the south it was Quilon where the merchants docked their ships.
Even at that time, unlike Quilon, Kodungalloor had a reasonably big Christian community. It is believed that Saint Thomas one of the disciples of Jesus Christ reached Kerala and built several churches (known as ‘ezhara pally’).
One of them was supposedly built in Quilon though now there is no evidence of the church. This was presumably destroyed in a natural disaster.

 In 800 AD Quilon was part of Venadu. It is believed that around 825 AD, Maruvan Sapir Eso a successful merchant from Persia crossed the seas to reach Quilon. Along with him came Mar Aproth and Mar Sapor, two bishops representing the Persian Catholicos. The then ruling monarch Iyyanadikal Thiruvadikal (849AD) welcomed the Persians and showered them with special privileges and honours and gifted Maruvan Sapir Eso with land to build a church. This is mentioned in ‘Tharisa Pally cheppedu’(QLN, Copper plates, Trav: Arch, Vol, 11, PP 60- 85)

Members of the Muthalaly family are the descendents of Maruvan Sapir Eso and for generations the family members enjoyed the privileges bestowed upon their forefather by the king.

But with time the family dispersed and some of them moved to neighboring places like Chattannoor. Probably this was the result of the persecution the family members had to undergo from other religious groups. In the 16th century they had to face further oppression from the Portuguese who established themselves here.
 

Muthalaly family continued to remain a strong and powerful family. Mention of the family and their business is found in the travel descriptions of John D Marringolli, who visited Kerala in 1348 as an emissary of the Pope. It is mentioned that he stayed with the Pepper merchants of Quilon, the descendents of Maruvan Sapir Eso. (Cathy & the way thither. Vol 111.p.257)

The present Kadisa Syrian Church at Quilon where the Muthalaly family members worship is the very same church built by Maruvan Sapir Eso in the 8th century. Every year the 2nd of the Malayalam month Vrichika is celebrated as the festival of the Kadissas Mar Sapor and Mar Aproth. The church and the land around it still belong to the Muthalaly family of Kallada.









Kollakaran Kochukoshy Muthalay had four sons and five daughters.His son Ninan Muthalaly, Kurumthottikal, Setteled Down in Kozhenchery and Omman Muthalaly, poikayil In chathennoor.

 

Kunju MakandaMuthalaly, this third son had 3 sons and five daughters,

1. Rahel Amma , ollurupil, Kanattil , 2. Maryiamma Kuruvilla, Kannukuzhi, Puthupally, 3. Saramma Ghe Verghese. Koipuram, Chatannoor,  4. Lexmi Koshy vaidiay, Thaiyil Trivandrum, 5. Rebeeca Cherian , Valiya parambil, Kottayam

Koshu Koshy Muthalay the fourth son had 2 sons and 4 daughters.

1. Rahelamma, Edavadikal, velinellor, 2. Annamma Kuttichera, Kaithakuzhi, 3. Chinnamma, Mattithara, Kottayam, 4. Mariyamma, Thadathill, Iroor.

In 1740 AD the five grandsons of Kollakaran Kochukoshy Muthalaly (ie 3 sons of Kunju makanda muthalaly and 2 sons of Kochu Koshy muthalaly) went to Kallada and settled down there. Later on they were known as Kollam Kallada Malayil Muthalalys.

Missionary and Syrian priest outside church, Quilon, India, ca.1900-1910

"Ancient Syrian church at Quilon. Missionary and Syrian Priest.". Missionary and priest standing in front of church.

One of a number of prints captioned and pasted onto numbered boards, used by the London Missionary Society for reference and publications.

The above picture of the Syrian Church at Quilion taken sometimes between 1900 and 1910 is belived to be the original Kadesa Syrian Church. It is said that the thatched roof was replaced by Zinc sheet in early 1900s. Later by the middle of the century the roof was redone using tiles. Along this necessary changes were made to the structure. Big doors were installed for conviencance. In 1973, further addition were made to the Church, the existing faced is part of this. It is interesting to not the transformation our Church under went during the century.