Bava

Mor Ignatius dayara (dayro; monastery), well known for the tomb of Patriarch St. lgnatius Elias III, is a major pilgrim centre of the Syrian Christians of India. The monastery, situated atop a hillock in Manjinikkara, near Omallur, Pathanamthitta District in South Kerala, was established by late Mor Yulius Elias Qoro, the patriarchal delegate to Malankara. It was in 1932, Patriarch St. lgnatius Elias III, widely acclaimed as 'Angel of Peace', entered into the heavenly abode in Manjinikkara while on a visit to the churches in India and his mortal remains were later entombed in the dayro. In the subsequent years, faithful from all over Malankara frequented the tomb of the holy father and thus the monastery gained the status of a major pilgrim centre of Christians. The feast of the holy father celebrated on February 13 annually is the most important day for the dayara, when lot of pilgrims from various parts of the country reach here by walking.
The remains of late Metropolitans Mor Yulius Elias Qoro, Patriarchal delegate from 1930-1962, Mor Yulius Yacoub (1975-1992) and Mor Osthatheos Binyamin Joseph (1992-2004), former Patriarchal delegates to Malankara are also interred in this church.
Dayara and its property is belongs to the Holy throne of Antioch. The present owner of this Dayara is 122nd successor of St.Peter in the Apostolic See of Antioch, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas.
The Manjinikkara dayara is the seat of the Patriarchal Delegate to Malankara and the metropolitan of the Simhasana churches (churches administered directly by the Patriarchate). The present abbot of the dayara is Mor Deevanasios Geevarghese.