Kottayam Cheriapally - History and Importance | കോട്ടയം ചെറിയപള്ളി മഹാഇടവക

Kottayam Cheriapally Mahaedavaka (കോട്ടയം ചെറിയപള്ളി മഹാഇടവക) St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church, commonly known as Kottayam Cheriapally Mahaedavaka, is a Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church located in Kottayam, Kerala, India. Kottayam Cheriapally is one of the oldest and well-preserved churches in the state. Cheriapally is located on the way to Kumarakom from Kottayam. The length and breadth of the church is constructed with innovative paintings, mural, and architecture. Kottayam Cheriapally has the unique distinction of being the first church in India to get the Relics of St. Mary (a small part of the Holy girdle of St. Mary) installed at the church. This relic is also known as the Soonoro or Holy belt of St. Mary. The Holy girdle was presented by His Holiness Ignatius Yacub III, the Patriarch of Antioch to His Holiness Baselios Augen I, the then Catholicos & Malankara Metropolitan who ceremoniously installed it at Kottayam Cheriapally on 16 January 1966.