The ancient St. Mary Valiya palli Church, erected in 1550 AD is located 2 kms away from Kottyam. This church is also known as the Syrian Knanaya Church and is one of the oldest churches in Kerala. This holy shrine was built by the successors of the Syrian Kanaya, headed by Kana Thoma. These people migrated from Jerusalem and came to India in 345 A.D.
The church is famed for its two Persian Crosses made of granite and has ancient Pahalavi inscriptions on it. Pahalavi was the official these crosses originally belonged to a very old Church near Crangannore and were transferred in St. Mary Valiya palli Church later.
On each of the stone slabs there is a cross with an inscription in the language, which was the official lingua franca of the Sassanian dynasty in Persia. The slab which is the smaller one (75 cm. x 58 cm) is positioned on the northern altar and the greater slab or block (220 cm. x 103 cm.) is placed on the southern altar of the church. There is further inscription in Syriac i.e in Estrangelo script on this big block.
The cross that is placed on the Southern Altar looks like the cross of St. Thomas Mount, Mylapore in Madras. There are extraordinary age-old sculptures and mural paintings at the back of the principal altar and also on the ceiling.
The tomb of H.G. Mor Severios Gheevarghese, the first Metropolitan of Knanaya Diocese lies in this Church.
Connectivity
By Air
: The nearest airport from Kottyam is at Cochin (Kochi) which is 76 km away. Another important airport is at Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) 160 km away.By Rail
: The nearest railway station is located just 2 km away from the main bus station. There are regular trains from Kottayam to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam (165 km), and Kochi(65 km).By Road
: Kottayam is connected to major cities of South India by a good network of roads. There are two bus depots- the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus station on T.B. Road and a private bus stand near the railway station.Last Updated on 24 May 2011
