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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{refimprove|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox church
| denomination = [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]]
| name = St. George's Syro Malabar Forane Church
| fullname = St. George's Forane Church
| image = Edapally Church.jpg
| imagesize = 220px
| caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|10|1|19|N|76|18|19|E|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| location = [[Edappally]], [[Kochi]]
| churchmanship =
| membership =
| attendance =
| website = {{URL|https://stgeorgeedappally.org/}}
| former name = Mart Mariam Church
| bull date =
| founded date = {{Circa}} [[Anno Domini|AD]] {{start date and age|593}}
| founder =
| dedication = [[Saint George]] <br>(Formerly [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Mary]])
| dedicated date =
| consecrated date = 19 April 2015
| cult =
| relics =
| events =
| past bishop =
| people =
| status = [[Church (building)|Church]]
| functional status = Active
| heritage designation =
| designated date =
| architect = Zeril Jose and Koshy akex, Vastushilpalaya, Prasanth P George
| architectural type =
| style =
| groundbreaking = 1 January 2001
| completed date = 19 April 2015
}}
{{anchor|Location|Edappally St George|Annual Feast Of Edappally St. George|Edappally Vedikkettu (Fireworks)|Chicken Offering|Gold Offering|The shrine in the Cochin city}}
'''St. George's Syro Malabar Forane Church''', locally known as '''Edapally Church''' is a Catholic pilgrimage church in [[Edapally]], [[Kochi]], [[India]]. Asia's largest shrine to [[Saint George]], about five million people visit it every year.

The church is thought to have been founded in 593 AD. It is regarded as one of the oldest churches in [[Kerala]], after the [[Ezharappallikal|seven churches]] founded by [[Thomas the Apostle]] in the first century AD.{{cn|date=October 2020}} The church was originally dedicated to the Marth Mariam (''Virgin Mary'').<ref>http://deepika.epapr.in/c/5008080</ref><ref name="Indian cardinal does a Pope Francis at church blessing">{{cite web | url=http://mattersindia.com/indian-cardinal-does-a-pope-francis-at-church-blessing/ | title=Indian cardinal does a Pope Francis at church blessing | publisher=Matters India | date=20 April 2015 | access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref> In 1080, a new church was built adjacent to the old church.<ref name="Between the old and the new church">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/between-the-old-and-the-new-church/article7113641.ece|title=Between the old and the new church|date=17 April 2015|publisher=The Hindu|access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref> A nine-day festival is celebrated annually as part of the [[Saint George's Day|Feast of Saint George]] (23 April).<ref name="St. George's Miraculous Syro Malabar Catholic Forane Church">{{cite web|url=http://www.webindia123.com/city/kerala/kochi-ernakulam/destinations/churches/stgeorgeferonachurch.htm|title=St. George's Miraculous Syro Malabar Catholic Forane Church|date=2015|publisher=Web India 123|access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="Indian cardinal does a Pope Francis at church blessing" /> The church, also a destination for non-Christians,<ref name="St. George's Miraculous Syro Malabar Catholic Forane Church" /><ref name="Indian cardinal does a Pope Francis at church blessing" /> attracts offerings of gold, chicken, and eggs.<ref name="Between the old and the new church" /><ref name="St. George's Miraculous Syro Malabar Catholic Forane Church" /><ref name="Edappally Church, Kochi, Kerala, India">{{cite web | url=http://www.tourfilla.com/destination/-/dest-details/33525/edappally-church-kochi-kerala-india | title=Edappally Church, Kochi, Kerala, India | publisher=Tourfilla | date=2015 | access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref>

St. George's Forane Church, north-east of Kochi, is 500 metres from the intersection of [[NH 66]] and [[NH 544]]. The nearest airport is [[Cochin International Airport]] in [[Nedumbassery]], about 22 km from the church. The Edappally railway station is {{convert|3|km}} away.<ref name="Makeover for Edappally railway station likely">{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Makeover-for-Edappally-railway-station-likely/articleshow/45674323.cms | title=Makeover for Edappally railway station likely | publisher=Times of India | date=29 December 2014 | access-date=15 June 2015}}</ref> [[Kochi Metro]], the city's rail network, runs in front of the church.<ref name="Kochi Metro route">{{cite web | url=http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/kochi-metro/ | title=Kochi Metro route | publisher=Railway Technology | date=2015 | access-date=15 June 2015}}</ref>

=={{anchor|The Miraculous Well and its curative powers|Mother Teresa's visit}}History==
[[File:Church well.jpg|thumb|220px|alt=Large concrete well, with buckets attached to ropes|Church well]]
The church has a 14-century history. Its perennial well attracted many people, and the church became a pilgrimage site.

According to historians, Thomas the Apostle (Mar Thoma Sleeha in Malayalam/Syriac) built seven churches. The Edapally church was built during the sixth century, shortly after the construction of the seven churches.

A statue of St. George (Mar Geevarghese Sahada) on horseback, stabbing a serpent under his horse's hooves, is prominent. The church blends religion, magic, myth, folklore and history.<ref name="Between the old and the new church"/> Edappally was a hamlet, part of the princely kingdom of Elangalloor.<ref name="Temple history">{{cite web | url=http://thrikkannapuramtemple.com/about-temple/ | title=Temple history | publisher=Thrikkannapuram Temple | date=2015 | access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref> Its Syrian Christian congregation was small,<ref name="Between the old and the new church" /> descendants of those who were converted to Christianity by St. [[Thomas the Apostle]] (who came to India in 52 AD). The oldest Edappally church was built in 593, and the one-room building is preserved as a storehouse. It was built by families from Paravur who had to travel to the [[Kottakkavu Mar Thoma Syro-Malabar Church, North Paravur]] to worship.

The congregation outgrew the old church, and a second church was built in 1080.<ref name="Indian cardinal does a Pope Francis at church blessing" /><ref name="Kerala Tourism">{{cite web | url=https://www.keralatourism.org/kochi/edappally-st-george-church.php | title=Kerala Tourism | publisher=Government of Kerala | date=2015 | access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref> Its main madbaha/altar and facade were renovated during the 1970s, and a picture of the Virgin Mary was added.<ref name="Kerala Tourism" /> The imported-tile floor remains.

The 1400th anniversary of the church's founding was celebrated on 18 January 1994. [[Mother Teresa]] visited from Calcutta as the chief guest.<ref name="Kochi remembers Mother">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/lf/2003/10/19/stories/2003101900130200.htm | title=Kochi remembers Mother | date=19 October 2003 | work=[[The Hindu]] | access-date=14 June 2015}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> To commemorate the occasion, a bell tower was constructed on the church premises and a bell installed. The bell was later moved to the archangel tower of the new church.

The foundation stone for the third church, blessed by [[Pope John Paul II]],<ref name="Consecrated on Birthday">{{cite web | url=http://almayasabdam.com/cardinal-calls-it-cardinal-sin/ | title=Consecrated on Birthday | publisher=Almaya Sabdam | date=2015 | access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref> was laid on 1 January 2001.<ref name="Consecration of St George Forane Church Held">{{cite web | url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Consecration-of-St-George-Forane-Church-Held/2015/04/20/article2773012.ece | title=Consecration of St George Forane Church Held | publisher=New Indian Express | date=20 April 2015 | access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref> The octagonal, {{convert|141|ft|m|adj=mid|-high}} church covers a {{convert|88000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} area, and is one of India's largest churches.<ref name="Consecration of St George Forane Church Held" /> Blending European and Keralite architecture, its madbaha/altar is made of teak covered with gold foil imported from Italy and it has two bell towers.<ref>{{Cite web|title = St George Forane Church consecration today - The Times of India|url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/St-George-Forane-Church-consecration-today/articleshow/46973320.cms|website = The Times of India|access-date = 2015-04-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = An Amalgamation of Style, Piety|url = http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/An-Amalgamation-of-Style-Piety/2015/04/15/article2764336.ece|access-date = 2015-04-23}}</ref> Old (original sin, Noah's Ark and Cain and Abel) and New Testament scenes (the story of Jesus) are depicted as sculptures. The altar, depicting the Resurrection, is surrounded by carvings in Vietnamese marble. The {{convert|19500|sqft|m2|adj=on}} main chapel has a capacity of 5,000, and theoo entire church can hold 10,000 people.<ref name="Consecration of St George Forane Church Held" /> The two older churches have been preserved for their historic importance.<ref name="Syrian Orthodox Churches in India">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lZUBZlth2qgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=isbn:9780802824172#q=Muziris | title=Syrian Orthodox Churches in India | publisher=Encyclopedia of Christianity | date=2015 | isbn=9780802824172 | access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref>

Vastushilpalaya and Prasanth P George were the new church's architects.<ref name="Consecration of St George Forane Church Held" /> The church courtyard has a well, and devotees believe that its water has curative powers.<ref name="Between the old and the new church" />

[[File:St, GEORGE CHURCH.jpg|thumb|:St, GEORGE'S CHURCH, FRONT VIEW]]
=={{anchor|Darsana Samooham|Activities|Marian Sodality|Cherupushpa Mission League|Thirubalasakyam|St. Joseph's Maranananthara Sahaya Fund|St. George's Charitable Fund}}Organizations==
[[File:St. George's Church, Edapally.jpg|thumb|alt=Large, octagonal church lit up at night|The church at night]]

Darsana Samooham is a lay religious organisation associated with the church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary or a saint connected with a religious order.<ref name="Darsana Samooham">{{Cite web |url=https://stgeorgeedappally.org/ministry/darsana-samooham/ |title=Darsana Samooham |date=2017-09-27 |website=St. George Forane Church |language=en-US |access-date=2019-07-16}}</ref> Edappally's Darsana Samooham is the world's largest. Members usually wear religious dress. It is governed by an elected committee which includes a president, treasurer, and secretary. The Edappally's Darsana Samooham helps organize the annual feast and participates in the festival procession.<ref name="Edapally Perunal">{{Cite web |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/1000festivals//assets/uploads/pdf/1507791488-0.pdf |title=Edapally Perunal |date=2019-07-16 |website=Kerala Tourism |access-date=2019-07-16}}</ref>

The [[Sodality of Our Lady|Marian Sodality]], founded by [[Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly|Payyappilly Joseph Kathanar]] in 1927, promotes spirituality among parish youth.<ref name="Edapally St. George Church">{{Cite web |url=http://keralaphotos.in/2015/07/edapally-church-ernakulam-kerala/ |title=Edapally St. George Church |last=Photos - |first=Kerala |date=2015-07-17 |website=Kerala Photos - Kerala |language=en-US |access-date=2019-07-16}}</ref> Similarly, the Cherupushpa Mission League (founded in 1972) works to instill Christian values in the youth of the parish. Thirubalasakyam is a children's organization associated with the church, and most children in the parish are members.

St. Joseph's Maranananthara Sahaya Fund is an association of parish members to assist financially stressed parish families with funeral expenses.<ref name="Edapally St. George Church" /> It is funded by life memberships or monthly subscriptions collected from members. St. George's Charitable Fund is managed by the church to provide financial assistance to the poor, regardless of religion.

[[File:St.GEORGE'S CHURCH, INSIDE VIEW.jpg|thumb|St.GEORGE'S CHURCH, INSIDE VIEW]]
[[File:St.GEORGE'S CHURCH, MAIN ALTAR SIDE VIEW.jpg|thumb|St.GEORGE'S CHURCH, MAIN ALTAR SIDE VIEW]]
[[File:St.GEORGE'S CHURCH, WITH CHURCHYARD VIEW.jpg|thumb|St.GEORGE'S CHURCH, WITH CHURCHYARD VIEW]]
[[File:St.GEORGE'S CHURCH ENTRANCE.jpg|thumb|St.GEORGE'S CHURCH ENTRANCE ]]
[[File:St.GEORGE'S CHURCH INSIDE VIEW.jpg|thumb|St.GEORGE'S CHURCH INSIDE VIEW]]
==Mar Geevarghese Sahada==
The church was built about 300 years after the martyrdom of [[Saint George]] (Mar Geevarghese Sahada). Mar Geevarghese is known to have born in [[Lod]], [[Syria Palaestina]] around AD 275–285 .<ref name="Edappally Church, Kochi, Kerala, India" /> A soldier, he reached the rank of [[tribunus]] in the imperial guard of the Emperor [[Diocletian]] at Nicomedia.<ref name="Edappally Church, Kochi, Kerala, India" /> Mar Geevarghese was a believer in Christ and lived his life according to the scriptures.<ref name="Edappally Church, Kochi, Kerala, India" /> During the [[Diocletianic Persecution]], he defended his faith and was put to death.<ref name="Edappally Church, Kochi, Kerala, India" /> Many churches sprang up throughout Europe and parts of the East dedicated to St. George, the patron saint of England.<ref name="St. George">{{cite web | url=http://www.britannia.com/history/stgeorge.html | title=St. George | publisher=Brittania | date=2015 | access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref>

The Edappally church became known as St. George's Church. The statue of St. George on horseback depicts the saint and his horse killing a serpent, a symbol of [[Satan]].<ref name="St. George" /><ref name="St.George- Geevarghese Sahada traditions and rituals among Nasranis">{{cite web | url=http://www.nasrani.net/2007/06/12/st-george-geevarghese-sahada-traditions-and-rituals-among-nasranis/ | title=St.George- Geevarghese Sahada traditions and rituals among Nasranis | publisher=Nasrani | date=2015 | access-date=15 June 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Kottakkavu Mar Thoma Syro-Malabar Church, North Paravur]]
* [[Mar Hormizd Syro-Malabar Church, Angamaly]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|St. George's Forane Church, Edapally}}
* {{official|http://www.edappallystgeorge.org}}

{{Christianity in Kerala}}
{{Churches of Kerala}}
{{Kochi (India) topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Edapally, George}}
[[Category:6th-century establishments in India]]
[[Category:Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly]]
[[Category:Churches in Ernakulam district]]
[[Category:Eastern Catholic churches in Kerala]]
[[Category:Syro-Malabar Catholic church buildings]]

[[sv:Edappally]]

St. George's Forane Church, Edappally - Revision history

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