Kottayam Cheriapally

A pencil drawing of the church by Bateman in 1835

St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church commonly known as Kottayam Cheriyapally (Little church- English ) is one of the oldest churches in Kerala, India. Built in 1579, the church is well preserved. The architectural style of the church is European, with galleries, pillars, cornices and pediments. The walls are adorned with beautiful murals made in Oriental and Western styles on biblical and non biblical themes.

Three Metropolitans of the Malankara Syrian Church came from three families of Kottayam. They were Mar Dionysious, Malankara Metropolitan of the Punnathara family, Mar Theophilos of the Varikkat family and Mar Athanatious of the Chackalaparambil family. Orthodox Churches venerate departed saints, commemorate their memorial day and seek their intercession.

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