Edappally St. George Forane Catholic Church, a famous pilgrimage center in Kerala, South India, was built in AD 593 on land donated by the King of Edappally (Elangallur Swaroopam). This church belongs to the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly and is considered to be one of the oldest churches after Ezharappallikal or seven and a half churches established by St.Thomas apostle in the 1st century and the Angamaly-Kuravilangad churches in the third century.
Adjacent to the ancient church is the old church built in AD 1080. According to historical records, parts of the Udayamperur Synod which took place in 1599 are said to have taken place here. For a long time, the Archdeacon's residence was the Edappally Church. Important meetings before and after the Coonan Cross of 1653 have been held here.
The feast of St.George which is celebrated every year at Edappally is famous all over Kerala. There was an existing traditional custom before the Edappally Church feast, where they used to offer 101 types of dishes in front of His Excellency. As there is no king in Edappally today, the festal offerings are submitted to the vicar of the parish. On the 25th of April, proclaiming the feast ceremony the flag will be hoisted every year. Then On the 1st of May, the holy statue of the St.George will be taken outside and placed in front of the church with a royal procession. May 3rd and 4th are the feast days followed by the octaves on the 10th and 11th of May. The feast days are always colorful with a variable musical and art performance which is known as Nalangadi Pradhikshnam. Adjacent to the church, there is an ancient fig tree, a bell tower, and a well which is said to have healing powers in its water.
The south church of Edappally Church was built by the Portuguese. The church was built by the Portuguese in the name of St. Peter & Paul, where Portuguese Army Chief Martin D'Souza and his companions were buried when the combined forces of Cochin and Portugal clashed with the Zamorin’s in 1536. Matthew Arcadiocan, who died March 28, 1706, is buried in the South Church. Renovated in 1916, Thekkepalli (south church) has a statue of Infant Jesus presented by the Queen of Portugal.
On January 16, 1994, St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata was the chief guest at the 14th Centenary celebrations of Edappally Church. On September 26, 2003, the then President A. P. J Abdulkalam has visited Edappally Church. The new Edappally church was blessed on April 19, 2015. The renovation of the old church was completed and blessed on April 19, 2017. On April 19, 2018, the ancient church was converted into a chapel of perpetual adoration for devotees.
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