Kadamattathu Kathanar was a kathanar (priest) who, according to legends, possessed magical powers. He was an ordained deacon of Kadamattom Church in the 9th century, now affiliated to the Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church. According to legends, his real name was Poulose and he was the disciple of bishop Mar Abo. The church's history is undocumented, surviving solely through local legends. The tales surrounding Kathanar encapsulate the experiences of the local populace, conveyed through elements of magic and sorcery. These tales portray him as a priest with supernatural powers, employed for the common good.[1]
In medieval legends, history and fables were combined inextricably.[2] The story of Kadamattathu Kathanar might be a mixture of history and fables. Currently there is no certain proof that he really existed, but the fact that a real priest lived in that area in the ninth century cannot be denied.[3] Tradition points out the existence of Christians in the area from 5th century of the Christian Era.[4]
Poulose, later known as Kathanar, was born to a poor family in Kadamattom, a small village in North Travancore (now part of Kerala). People fondly called him Kochu Poulose. He had no siblings and his parents died when he was a child. He was taken care of by his mother for a short period before her death, after which he came under the patronage of the Persian priest Mar Abo (also known as Mar Sabor).[5]
Poulose was given a good education under Abo. The priest taught him Syriac and Liturgy of the Mass. In due course he was ordained as a deacon and people began to call him deacon Poulose.
Mar Sabor the bishop who ordained him as a priest left from Kadamattom after the arrival of Paulose. The Bishop built many churches.[6] Sabor settled at Thevalakkara.[7]
Some stories of Kathanar are presented in the collection of legends, Aithihyamala.[8][9]
