St. George's Forane Church

St. George's Forane Church, locally known as Edapally Church is a Catholic pilgrim church situated in Edapally, Kochi, India. It is a prominent pilgrim centre in Asia as well as the largest shrine of St. George in Asia. Around 5 million people visit the church every year because it is believed that the church has healing powers. At the town St George is known as Edappally Punyalan.

St. George's Miraculous Syro Malabar Catholic Forane Church
St. George Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church
10°1′19″N 76°18′19″E / 10.02194°N 76.30528°E / 10.02194; 76.30528Coordinates: 10°1′19″N 76°18′19″E / 10.02194°N 76.30528°E / 10.02194; 76.30528
Location Edappally, Kochi
Country India
Denomination Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
Churchmanship High church
Website www.edappallystgeorge.org
History
Former name(s) Mart Mariam Church
Status Church
Founded c. AD 593 (593)
Dedication Saint George
(Formerly Mother Mary)
Consecrated 19 April 2015
Architecture
Functional status Active
Architect(s) Vastushilpalaya, Thiruvananthapuram
Groundbreaking 1 January 2001
Completed 19 April 2015
Administration
Diocese Ernakulam-Angamaly

The church is thought to have been founded in 593 AD. It is regarded as one of the oldest churches in Kerala after the seven churches founded by Thomas the Apostle in the first century AD.[1] The church was originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary, called Marth Mariam in the vernacular.[2][3] In 1080, a new church was built adjacent to the old church.[4] Every year, a nine-day festival is celebrated here in the month of April - May as part of the Feast of Saint George, celebrated on 23 April.[5][3] The church is a popular destination for non-Christian as a pilgrimage[5][3] and attracts offerings such as gold, chicken, and eggs.[4][5][6]

Edappally St George

During old days, poverty, battle, and chickenpox affected the lives of the common folk. Poverty was very common while battles among princely states occurred frequently. Chickenpox, however, caused more death since its a contagious disease, spreading like wildfire and killing people by the thousands. Believers used to come in folk before Punyalan with prayers to save them from these worst miseries. They believe that Punyalan will interfere in believers’ prayers.

Legend has it that firm believers could hear the sound of Punyalan’s horse hooves late at night. The marks of beatings with bamboo canes also appeared on walls of such houses. It is also believed that these beatings are done for chickenpox and the disease flees in the wake of Geevarghese's visit.

Today, people who travel the national highway road alight at the church, and offer money and coins at the holy place. People who buy new vehicles, irrespective of religious beliefs reach the courtyard of this church and pray here (Vencharikkuka). Daily hundreds of vehicles reach the church premises solely for this purpose. Apart from Ernakulam and nearby places, vehicles from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are also brought here. The mud from the churchyard is believed to keep a new house blessed. So divinity surrounds each and every particle associated with Edappally church, and it holds tight the firm beliefs of millions of people who believed Punyalan since the 6th century.

Annual Feast Of Edappally St. George

Edappally St George's festival attracts millions of people. It is celebrated on the day of St George's martyrdom, which is 23 April. It is also followed by the Edappally festival, which technically starts on 23 April but the flag is hoisted on 25 April in every year. 1 May is also an important day for Edappally town. The Thiruswaroopam (idol) of Punyalan which is fully decked with gold ornaments is placed in front of the church for the Ezhunnallathu (procession). 3 and 4 May are the main feast days. Octave is on 10 and 11 May. During the Edappally Perunnal season people from all over the world visit the church to pay their devotions to St George.

Edappally Vedikkettu (Fireworks)

The fireworks display during the festival is one of the major attractions in Edappally, also one of the five biggest of its kind in Kerala. Others include Athirampuzha, Kanjoor, Chalakudy, and Pavaratty. The diocese and state government have banned highly explosive fireworks in Edappally due to the firework disaster that happened in Kollam Puttingal temple on 9 April 2016. As per the new rules and regulations the Church has reduced the highly explosive materials and increased colourful dynamites.

Chicken Offering

Many of its beliefs appear similar to those of Hinduism, which is quite uncommon. Water from the temple well is considered divine as per Hindu beliefs. Hindus offer hens to temple to protect them from reptiles, evils, and ghosts. Both these factors are linked to religious beliefs of Edappally church as well. Same is the case of holy soil which devotees take away with them.

Cocks – is given as one of the main offerings to soldier saint. St. George is considered as the protector of people from snakes. This custom is centuries old. Not only hens are offered, they are also cooked and distributed here. In Malabar regions of Kerala, some temples still hold this custom.

Earlier, chicken was cooked in the houses near the church, and families love to do it as a service to the Lord. But slowly people closed their doors, and the church authorities were prompted to find a new solution. They took a new location, and special cages were built for hens given as offerings. Apart from cocks and hens, people often offer decoration hens to seek blessings of Punyalan. Chicken is now auctioned and is in high demand.

Eggs and figures of humans and snakes in both silver and gold are also received as offerings here. Ambu Nercha (Arrow offering) is yet another popular offering here. Arrows will be specially made for this purpose, and believers pray before Lord and give them as offering to fulfill their dreams and ambitions.

Offering themselves as slaves to Punyalan is yet another interesting offering here. Those people should later believe that their life is given as alms by god. If you become the slave of the holy saint, you will lead a virtuous life. Many believers give themselves up as offerings in this firm belief.

In Hindu worship, there is a practise to keep the soil of holy places and also holy Ganga water at home. It’s the same case of Edappally too, where believers take with them the holy soil and water from the well, which is believed to have divinity. The soil is made holy with prayers (Vencharikkuka) and brought to homes, and later buried in four boundaries of home premises. If so, the house will be protected and safeguarded by Holy Saint Geevarghese. Holy water brought this way will be given to all members of the family to drink, sprinkle a few drops in home interior and kept the remaining portion near the Holy Bible. If so, Holy Saint protects the family members from dangers and diseases.

Gold Offering

St George is the protector of his devotees from reptiles, evil spirits, snakes, accidental death, illness like chickenpox, cholera, viral fever, plague etc. People offer gold to punyalan for getting recovered from all of these things.

History

Church well

The St. George Syro-Malabar Forane Church is known to have a history of 14 centuries. Gradually, the holy well at the front of the church drew attraction of many, and the church changed to a pilgrim place. Now also people come from different parts of the world who believe in the magic power of the well and its holy water. People who visit this place often marvel at the mystery why this centuries-old well has never dried up and its water level has never fallen down.

As per historians, Thomas the Apostle (also called Thoma Sleeha in Malayalam) built 7 churches. Edapally church was built in an era soon after the construction of these 7 holy churches. This church was built in 6th century of course, all the historians agree to this.

The statue of St. George Punyalan is placed prominently for veneration at this church. It shows the Saint mounted on his horseback. His spear pierces the head of the monstrous serpent lying under the hooves of his horse. Believers have firm belief in Punyalan and the church. Edappally church blends the stories of beliefs, magical powers, myths, folklore as well as history.[4] Edappally was then a small hamlet, a part of the princely kingdom of Elangalloor.[7] The Syrian Christian congregation at Edappally was small in number[4] and were the descendants of the people converted into Christianity by St. Thomas the Apostle who came to India in 52 AD. As per records the oldest church was built in 593 AD, and this single room titled building is now preserved as a museum. The steel letters on the wall read ‘Old Church. AD 593. Museum.’ Though the sign board proclaims so, it’s used as a storehouse. It’s the oldest Syrian Catholic Church in the state, and faces west direction. This church was built by some families from Paravur who had to travel to the Kottakavu Forane Church of North Paravur for worship.

After the old church was built in 6th century, a second church was built in the year 1080 AD since original was found to be too small to accommodate the overgrown congregation. Though this church is 9 centuries old, it still exists as a ‘wonder piece’ carrying the reminiscences of past. The main altar and the facade were later renovated in the 1970s and the picture of Virgin Mary was also incorporated. The flooring made of imported tiles remains the same, and no materials have been transported when the third church was constructed later.

The first church faces west direction. Both the churches built later face east direction. Arabian Sea lies in the west direction of church. As the church faces sea breeze, the church courtyard was built in west direction, as per popular beliefs. The church building has witnessed only the changes that time gave it. It’s almost the same since it was constructed. The main structure of church has been retained as such. For the last few years, the old church is closed. As the old church was not opened frequently, the interior has damaged so much. For the same reason, the authorities have a wild thought to reopen it.

Though the church is facing east direction, it gets the gentle patting of sea breezes from west. For the same reason, the inner area of church always has comparatively less temperature comparing with its courtyard and premises.

The third church built in the recent times is an excellent piece of architecture. Its foundation stone was laid in 2001. Built in 141 feet height, the church spreads to a vast area of 60,000 square feet –and is one of the largest churches built in India. It combines European and Keralite architectural features. The altar was built using teak wood. 2 Manimalikas (towers with huge bells) are nicely curved. First sin, Noha’s Ark and quarrels between Cain and Abel are curved in Mondalam. Jesus’ story since his birth printed on walls as sculptures and Altar resembling pure gold layers are other highlights. Altar is wrapped by using gold foil imported from Italy. It’s surrounded by carvings done in Vietnam marble.

The walls are decorated with events of Jesus’s baptism, and ceilings with Biblical history. The new church is constructed in the shape of an octagon. You can stand anywhere, but it gives an illusion that you stand near altar. . Quite different from other altars, resurrection of Jesus is printed in altar here. 5000 people can worship here at a time in the main chapel, which measures 19500 square feet. But the church will be occupied with more than 10000 people for Sunday prayers.

Four big fans are fixed on ceiling which brings sea breeze from outside. Though three churches have been already built, they retain the old two churches because of its significance and historic importance.[8]

Since the old church was found to be too small to accommodate the overgrown congregation, a new church was built in the present location in A.D. 1080.[3][9] The main altar and the facade of this church was later renovated. The altar was renovated by incorporating the picture of Virgin Mary which was surrounded by sculptures, angels and vines.[9] The facade also was renovated thirty years back, but the facade of the present day church is a return to the original one.

On 1 January 2001, at 8 A.M., the foundation stone, blessed by Pope John Paul II,[10] was laid for the third church.[11] This new church, which was consecrated in April 2015, has a combination of European and Keralite architectural features[12][13] and is one of the largest in India with a built up area of over 88000 square feet.[11] It can hold 5000 worshipers at a time in the main chapel measuring 19500 square feet.[11] Vastushilpalaya, an architectural firm run by Koshy K. Alex and Zeril S. Jose, are the architects of the project.[11] The church courtyard holds a well and the devotees believe the water in the well has curative powers.[4]

The Miraculous Well and its curative powers

It happened 1425 years ago. Today’s Kochi was then Old Kochi, filled with forests and marshy areas. Less populated area with homes scattered here and there, and small paths. There was an old well on one side, which quenched the thirst of travellers and passersby. It was just an ordinary well, nothing else during early days. Later a church appeared near that well, and people called it ‘Palli’, which literally means Church. Believers who migrated from other regions were the major inhabitants there. Ropes made using banana plant’s fibers, and pot made using aracanut stalks (Paala Thotti) was kept near the well always, so that any passerby can use them to quench his thirst. Slowly the well came to be known for its magical powers of healing ailments. The well not only provided water to the people who passes by, but also cured many diseases.

Activities

St. George's pilgrim centre, Edapally at night

Darsana Samooham

Darsana Samooham is a religious body associated with the church consisting of laymen, dedicated to Virgin Mary or any other Saint with close connection with a religious order. Darshana samooham of Edappally is world's highest in number.[14] They usually wear their religious dress, i.e. the oppa and morise. The working committee of the Darsana Samooham includes a president, treasurer, secretary, iskraman, mesakkar and chemmador and is elected by the laithorumar.[14] The Darsana Samooham at Edappally is involved in the organization of the annual feast and takes part in the festival procession.

Marian Sodality

Marian Sodality was founded by Payyappilly Joseph Kathanar, the then vicar, in 1927.[14] It is engaged in promoting spirituality among the youth of the parish.

Cherupushpa Mission League

It was started at Edappally in 1972.[14] The members of this league work to instill Christian values in the lives of the youngsters of the parish.

Thirubalasakyam

Thirubalasakyam is a children's organization associated with the church and most of the children of the parish are members of the organization.[14]

St. Joseph's Maranananthara Sahaya Fund

This is an association of parish members for assisting financially compromised members of the parish to meet the expenses in the event of deaths in their families.[14] The corpus is formed from life membership or monthly subscriptions collected from the members and the interest is used to provide financial assistance to the family of the deceased.[14]

St. George's Charitable Fund

A Charitable fund is managed by the church to provide financial assistance to the poor and is distributed irrespective of the religion of the applicant. The assistance is provided according to the requirement of the applicant after scrutiny.[14]

Mar Geevarghese

This Church was built about 300 years after the martyrdom of Mar Geevarghese. Mar Geevarghese is known to have born in Lod, Syria Palaestina between about 275 AD and 285 AD.[6] He served as a soldier, reaching the rank of Tribunus in the imperial guard of the Emperor Diocletian at Nicomedia.[6] He was a believer in Christ and lived his life true to the Scriptures.[6] During the religious persecution of Emperor Diocletian, he stood up for the faith and was put to death.[6] From that time, the soldier became St. George and thousands of churches sprang up all over Europe and parts of the East in the name of St. George. He was officially recognized as the Patron Saint of England.[15]

In due course, the Edappally Church also came to be known as the St. George's Church. The statue of St. George placed prominently for veneration at this church shows the Saint mounted on his horseback with his spear piercing the head of the monstrous serpent lying under the hooves of his horse. It is believed to be symbolic of the faith and courage of the Saint who overpowered the devil. There is also Italian legend that the Saint was rescuing a noble damsel who was offered to the monster as his daily quota of food.[15][16] St. George is considered by the devotees as a great symbol of popular faith and a dependable source of succour.[15] The church is visited by pilgrims all through the year.

Mother Teresa's visit

The 14th Centenary Celebrations of the founding of the Church was celebrated with great zeal and solemnity by the parish on 18 January 1994. Apart from the holy Masses and other special prayers, there was a public meeting attended by a huge crowd. Mother Teresa came from Calcutta as the Chief Guest.[17] As a monument of the centenary celebrations and the visit of Mother Theresa, a Bell Tower was constructed on the church premises and a mammoth bell was installed. This Church Bell was a major tourist attraction was demolished later for the visibility of new church. Now the gigantic bell was kept in the archangel tower of new church. It sounds around 18 km around the church.

Location

St. George Syro-Malabar Forane Church is located in Edappally, north-east of the city of Kochi. The church is situated 500 metres from the meeting point of two national highways, NH 66 and NH 544. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport Nedumbassery, approximately 22 km from the church. There is a railway station at Edappally situated 3 km from the church.[18] Kochi Metro, the metro rail network of Kochi, runs in front of the church.[19]

The shrine in the Cochin city

The statue of St. George is placed in a small shrine in front of the church nearer to the intersection between NH 66 & NH 544. Everyday hundreds of vehicles from all over Kerala are brought here to be blessed. On the Feast Day of St. George (23 April), a ceremony is held in the church where thousands of vehicles are blessed.

See also

References

  1. ↑ George, Maya (2009). Faith & Philosophy of Christianity. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 9788178357201.
  2. ↑ http://deepika.epapr.in/c/5008080
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Indian cardinal does a Pope Francis at church blessing". Matters India. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Between the old and the new church". The Hindu. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "St. George's Miraculous Syro Malabar Catholic Forane Church". Web India 123. 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Edappally Church, Kochi, Kerala, India". Tourfilla. 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  7. ↑ "Temple history". Thrikkannapuram Temple. 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  8. ↑ "Syrian Orthodox Churches in India". Encyclopedia of Christianity. 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  9. 1 2 "Kerala Tourism". Government of Kerala. 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  10. ↑ "Consecrated on Birthday". Almaya Sabdam. 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "Consecration of St George Forane Church Held". New Indian Express. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  12. ↑ "St George Forane Church consecration today - The Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2015-04-23.
  13. ↑ "An Amalgamation of Style, Piety". Retrieved 2015-04-23.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Churches In India". India mapped. 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  15. 1 2 3 "St. George". Brittania. 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  16. ↑ "St.George- Geevarghese Sahada traditions and rituals among Nasranis". Nasrani. 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  17. ↑ "Kochi remembers Mother". The Hindu. 19 October 2003. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  18. ↑ "Makeover for Edappally railway station likely". Times of India. 29 December 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  19. ↑ "Kochi Metro route". Railway Technology. 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
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