Kadamattom Church is an ancient
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) also known as the Indian Orthodox Church (IOC) or simply as the Malankara Church, is an Autocephaly, autocephalous Oriental Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox church headquartered in #Catholicate ...
, located in Kadamattom,
Kolenchery near
Muvattupuzha
Muvattupuzha () is a Municipalities of Kerala, municipalityhttps://lsgkerala.gov.in/system/files/2017-10/localbodies.pdf in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. It is located east of the district headquarters in Thrikkakara and a ...
, in
Ernakulam
Ernakulam () is the central business district of the city of Kochi, Kerala, India. It is the namesake of Ernakulam district. The eastern part of Kochi city is mainly known as Ernakulam, while the western part of it after the Venduruthy Bridge ...
district,
Kerala
Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...
, India.
History
The church is believed to have been established in the 9th century by Mar Abo, an
Assyrian monk.
Location
Kadamattom church is situated next to
National Highway 49 (India) (Kochi-Madurai National Highway) between
Kolenchery and
Muvattupuzha
Muvattupuzha () is a Municipalities of Kerala, municipalityhttps://lsgkerala.gov.in/system/files/2017-10/localbodies.pdf in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. It is located east of the district headquarters in Thrikkakara and a ...
towns in the Ernakulam District. While travelling from
Kochi
Kochi ( , ), List of renamed Indian cities and states#Kerala, formerly known as Cochin ( ), is a major port city along the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea. It is part of the Ernakulam district, district of Ernakulam in the ...
towards the east, the church is seen on the north side of the road beyond the
Kolenchery Medical College Junction. While travelling from Muvattupuzha towards Kolenchery, the church lies after the Peruvammuzhi Junction.
Features
On entering the church, on the left, there is an icon of Mar Abo Metropolitan, who was the mentor of Rev. Fr. Paulose (
Kadamattathu Kathanar). It is believed that Mar Abo, a Persian high priest established the church with the help of Kartha, the then local ruler of Kadamattom. Mar Abo was not only a theologian but also a conjurer. He stayed in a hut with a poor widow and her only son Paulose. Paulose assisted Mar Abo for years and later Paulose was ordained a priest.
The tomb of
Mar Thoma IX (formerly Pakalomattom Iype Kathanar) lies on the left side just outside the Madbaha or altar room.
A 9th-century stone Persian cross with four equal-size arms sits on the right wall of the
Madbaha or altar room. The arms are tipped with floral designs and are claimed to have been made by Mar Abo. Around the cross is engraved a
Pahlavi inscription.
Kadamattom feast is one of the major festivals observed during the January – February period. It marks the death anniversary of Mar Abo.
File:Kadamattom church pallimeda 2.jpg, Pallimeda or Priest's residence
File:Mukhappu Kadamattom pally.jpg, Mukhappu- Kadamattom Church
File:Chithrappani 2.jpg, Wood work
File:Poyyedom church.jpg, Poyyedom chapel of Kadamattom Church
File:Kadamatom church kerala.jpg,
File:കടമറ്റംപള്ളി-അൾത്താര.jpg, Altar
File:Persian Cross Kadamatam church.jpg, Old Persian Cross
References
External links
Official Website of St. George Orthodox Church, Kadmattom
Churches in Ernakulam district
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