Marthoman Cheriyapally, Kothamangalam
Marthoman Cheriyapally is a Jacobite Syrian Christian Church located in Kothamangalam town of Ernakulam district, Kerala, India. The church is believed to have been established in 1455 by 18 families who separated from Marth Maryam Valiyapally. The church is famous for the feast of Mor Baselios Yeldo, a Syriac Orthodox saint who arrived in Kothamangalam. He is entombed in the altar room of this church.
Marthoman Cheriyapally, Kothamangalam | |
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![]() Main façade of Marthoma Jacobite Syrian Cheriyapally Kothamangalam | |
10.0625°N 76.629°E | |
Location | ![]() |
Denomination | Jacobite Syrian Christian Church |
Website | https://www.cheriapally.org |
History | |
Status | Major Church |
Relics held | Tomb of St.Baselios Yeldo |
Architecture | |
Style | Kerala Architecture |
Completed | 1455 |
Administration | |
District | Ernakulam |
Province | Kerala |
History
The present region of Kothamangalam was historically known as Malakhachira[1][2] (മാലാഖച്ചിറ, which literally means "Place of the Angel"). According to church history, the Syriac Orthodox Bishop, St. Baselios Yeldo Maphrian reached the church in the year 1685, on 11th of Kanni month of the Malayalam calendar.[3]
Yeldo and Basil
The name Yelda (East Syriac) / Yeldo (West Syriac) means Christmas. Yelda/Yeldo lent (Nativity lent) starts 15 December till 25 December. Various spellings are used to write Yeldo (യെൽദൊ) in English (Yeldho, Eldho, Eldo).
Basil is the short form for Baselios, a Greek word that literally means "king" or "emperor", and is used to refer to St. Basil of Caesarea.
Gallery
- Main Madbaho (altar) and tomb of Mor Baselios Yeldho.
- Tomb of Mor Baselios Yeldo
- Manchal (Palanquin) used by Mor Baselios Yeldo.
- View from the Poomukham (front face) of the church.
References
- Journal of South Indian History. Publication Division, University of Calicut. 2005. pp. 84–85.
- In Quest of Kerala: Geography, places of interest, political history, social history, literature. Accent Publications. 1974. p. 57.
- "St. Baselios Yeldho". www.syriacchristianity.info.
External links
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