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The origin and growth of the Vithayathil family can be traced back to the first nine centuries in Kodungallur. Christians there were forced to quit the land following the communal violence which broke out there. Thereupon they shifted to Ankamaly, Kanjoor, Chovara, Edapilly and such places. Among them were the members of the Vithayathil family.
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VITHAYATHIL FAMILY IN KANJOOR
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The members of the Vithayathil family who accompanied the Christians who left Kodungallur settled in Kanjoor. This conjecture is based on the written history of Kanjoor Forane Church. And in the history it is stated that the first church in Kanjoor was set up in the 9th century and among the four Christian families at Kanjoor then was the Vithayathil family that was also known as Valiyaveetil. And Elisho of the family wanted a priest who came to her residence by boat, to offer a mass at her residence and this was the first holy mass in Kanjoor. This event is recorded on page 10 of the history book mentioned above. The event led to the building of the famous Kanjoor Church. Valiyathirumeni of Kanjoor mana contracted cholera and was treated and cured by Elisho. As a reward for the cure Valiyathirumeni handed over some land for the construction of a church. And on one of the beams of the Church thus built, the name ‘Vedethi’ is inscribed. These facts one can read on page 11 and 15 of the history book. These historical facts point to the existence of the Vithayathil family in Kanjoor in the 9th century.
- VITHAYATHIL FAMILY TO VARAPUZHA
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On the banks of the Periyar between Kochi and Alwaye is situated Varapuzha, a beautiful island teeming with coconut palms. Varapuzha was a shelter for those who travelled from southern lands by boat to Kalady, Malayatoor & Kanjoor of historic importance. Thus this land of Varapuzha was growing famous historically and geographically. Following the declaration of Koonankurish in 1653, Fr. Joseph Sebastiani was sent from Rome to end the split in the Kerala Catholic Church in an amicable manner. When this Carmalite Priest made Varapuzha his head quarters, Varapuzha became increasingly famous and the Carmalite missionaries who came subsequently made Varapuzha their centre of activities. It became so famous that it came to be known as ‘Small Rome’ The head quarters of Malabar Vicarage and Varapuzha Vicarage was Varapuzha itself. St. Joseph’s Pontifical seminary, Mangalapuzha the largest in the world, had its origin in Varapuzha. It was set up in Varapuzha in 1682. The increasing fame of Varapuzha lured numerous Christian families towards it. A number of Catholics began to settle down in Varapuzha and before long the famous Varapuzha bazaar came into being. We read in history that several impediments cropped up in the land of Kanjoor to safety. The feudal lords and Nampoothiris opposed Valiyanamputhiri of Manakkal for giving land for the construction of the church in Kanjoor. It is said that the members of the Vithayathil family were forced to leave Kanjoor under the circumstances. Another version is that they left Kanjoor when Tippu invaded Kerala in 1790. Some say that the family left due to the persecution by Sakthan Thampuran. A few are of the opinion that they left following marriage alliances. Owing to lack of authenticity everything is not explained here. No wonder, they were led to Varapuzha when they found themselves in a dilemma as to where to go before leaving Kanjoor. Transportation facilities, Christian supremacy, fertility of the land, the possibilities of coconut and paddy cultivation and the natural interest of Christians in agriculture must have led them to Varapuzha. This must have been the reason why an elderly member of the Vithayathil family came to Varapuzha under the circumstances.
