St. George's Church, Kadamattom

Kadamattom Church is an ancient Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, located in Kadamattom near Kolenchery, in Ernakulam district, Kerala, India.

Mar Sabor and Mar Proth

St.George Orthodox Syrian Church
St.George Orthodox Syrian Church, Kadamattom
Religion
AffiliationChristianity
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusPilgrim Centre
Location
LocationKadamattom, Ernakulam, Kerala
Geographic coordinates9.9774°N 76.4984°E / 9.9774; 76.4984
Architecture
TypeChurch
StyleKerala Architecture
Completed9th century CE
Direction of façadeWest

History

The church is believed to have been established in the 9th century by Mar Sabor.[1]

Location

Kadamattom church is situated next to National Highway 49 (India) (Kochi-Madurai National Highway) between Kolenchery and Muvattupuzha towns in the Ernakulam District. While traveling from Kochi towards the east, the church is seen on the north side of the road 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) beyond the Kolenchery Medical College Junction. While traveling from Muvattupuzha towards Kolenchery, the church lies 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) after the Peruvammuzhi Junction.

Features

On entering the church, on the left there is a photograph of Mar Sabor Metropolitan, the Reverend Paulose, who was the mentor of Kadamattathu Kathanar. It is believed that Mar Sabor, a Persian high priest established the church with the help of Kartha, the then local ruler of Kadamattom. Mar Sabro 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 Sabor for years and later Paulose was ordained a priest.[2]

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 is claimed to have been made by Mar Sabor. 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 Kadamattathu Kathanar.

References

  1. "Photograph of Kadamattom Church". No. 3133017. The Hindu Images. 17 June 2004. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014.
  2. Shrikumar, A. K. (2001). Stories from Ithihyamala: fables of Kerala. New Delhi: Children's Book Trust. p. 79. ISBN 978-81-7011-903-6. OCLC 51163783.


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