Holy Virgin Mary Church (Valiyapally), Kottayam

On top of a small hill, nursed by the Meenachil River at the foot, stands the ancient Syrian Knanaya church.This church is the mother church of most Christians of this area.

The church was built in 1550 AD by the descendants of Syrian Knanaya Christians.

The history of Kottayam in the early centuries of the Christian era is obscure. Geologists are of the view that the western part of Kottayam emerged from the Arabian Sea as a result of some violent convulsion of nature.

This church is also famous for its two granite crosses known as Persian crosses. These crosses were brought here from a much older church near Crangannore built by the forefathers of the builders of this church. On each of the stone slabs there is a cross with an inscription in the Pahalavi language, which was the official language of the Sassanian dynasty in Persia.

Lord Irwin, Viceroy of India, Emperor Haile Sellassie of Ethiopia and many other dignitaries have visited this church.

H.G. Mor Severios Gheevarghese, the first Metropolitan of Knanaya Diocese is laid to rest in this church.

Web : http://sor.cua.edu/ChMon/Knanaya/KtmValiyapally.html