In a significant gesture of faith and community service, the Muthoot family has donated 60 cents of prime land near the Periyar River in Kodungallur to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. This donation paves the way for the construction of the Mar Thoma Smriti Center, a long-cherished dream of the Church to commemorate the arrival of St. Thomas the Apostle in AD 52.
The initiative was spearheaded by the late M.G. George Muthoot, former Almay Trustee, who took the lead in acquiring the land for this historic project. Representing the Muthoot family, George Thomas Muthoot, Joint Managing Director, formally handed over the land to the Church authorities in the presence of H.H. Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, Marthoma Mathews III. Alexander George Muthoot, Joint Managing Director of the Muthoot Group, played a key role in facilitating the land transfer.
The land handover ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Fr. Thomas Varghese Amayil, Trustee of the Clergy; Rev. Jonas Abraham Reesh Cor Episcopa, Principal Secretary of the Catholicate Office; Ronnie Varghese, Almay Trustee; and Adv. Biju Umman, Association Secretary.
The Church has allocated ₹50 lakhs in its initial budget to begin construction work on the Mar Thoma Smriti Center, which is envisioned as a spiritual and cultural landmark honoring the Apostle’s legacy.
“This generous donation by the Muthoot family is a testament to their enduring commitment to the Church and its values. It will help us preserve and celebrate our heritage while creating a space for worship and reflection,” said H.H. Catholicos Marthoma Mathews III.
