St. Thomas Church, Kothamangalam
Marthoman CheriyaPally is a Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church situated 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 became famous in Kerala after the arrival of Syriac Orthodpx Bishop Baselios Yeldo in Kothamangalam. He was buried in the altar room of this church.
| Marthoman Cheriyapally, Kothamangalam | |
|---|---|
![]() Marthoman Cheriyapally, Kothamangalam | |
| 10.0625°N 76.629°E | |
| Location | |
| Denomination | Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church |
| History | |
| Status | Major Church |
| Relics held | Tomb of St.Baselios Yeldo |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Kerala Architecture |
| Completed | 1455 |
| Administration | |
| Province | Kerala |
| District | Ernakulam |
History
The present region of Kothamangalam was historically known as Malakhachira.[1][2] According to church history, Syriac Orthodox Bishop Baselios Yeldo reached the church in the year 1685. He reached the church 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 meaning "king" or "emperor".
Gallery
Altar and Tomb.
Tomb of St.Baselios Yeldo
Manchal of Mar Baselios Yeldo
View from the Poomukham
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
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to St. Thomas Church, Kothamangalam. |

