Introduction
Saint George Syro-Malabar Basilica, Angamaly, Kerala, India was established in A.D 450. Angamaly was the first Syrian Archdiocese in India, established on 29 August 1567. Its jurisdiction was extended whole over India till the 16th century. The most ancient University for Malpan training was established at Angamaly before the arrival of the Portuguese. The Chaldean bishop Mar Abraham was ordained as the Archbishop of Angamaly diocese and Mar Hormiz Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Angamaly was the Cathedral church at that time.
The New Saint George Syro-Malabar Basilica, Angamaly was constructed under the bold leadership of late Very Rev. Fr. Paul Kariatty and it was consecrated on 31 December 2006. On 24, June 2009 Pope Benedict XVI raised St George Forane Church to the status of Basilica. The Present Rector of this Basilica is Very. Rev. Dr. Kuriakose Mundadan. Along with an underground Parish hall where weddings gatherings are commonly held, it covers about 24,000 sq ft (2,200 m2). It has a large chandelier as an added accessory, switched on daily along with two others in each and every mass. It is one of the most Visited Churches in Kerala.
History of St. George Catholic Basilica, Angamaly
In ancient years, Angamaly was infested with bushes and reptiles mostly snake; which created a fearful environment for the residents. To surmount this situation, the people used to keep aside milk, eggs, fruits etc as an offering.
Knowing this, the Christian missionaries tried to eradicate their phony beliefs by enlightening gospel. They imparted knowledge about the gracious and audacious St. George. Soon after, the people became obliged to St George (locally called Geevarghese) by experiencing the miraculous powers of St. George. The existing miraculous statue of St George at Saint George Syro-Malabar Basilica, Angamaly was brought from Persia about six centuries ago. There are lot of mythical stories lively active about this statue among the people.
A folklore dance known as Thullal, sometimes mockingly called devil’s dance, was used to play during this festival to attract people, which are now banned by the ecclesiastical authorities. This annual feast is one of the widely celebrated catholic festivals in Kerala, in which many people from all over South India arrive in legions, especially from Udmelpettu (Tamil Nadu), with prayers and offerings. The offerings by the people’s mainly constitutes models and statues of snakes and eggs made of gold or silver, statues of saints, hens , oil etc. The Octave is also celebrated on Sunday in grand manner.
Architecture
The construction work of newly built Saint George Syro-Malabar Basilica, Angamaly, was initiated by the then Vicar, Very Rev. Fr. Paul Kariyatty. The foundation stone was laid by Cardinal Mar Varkey Vithayathil on 16th November, 1997 and the Church was consecrated on 31st December, 2006. It stands as the biggest church in Kerala having an area of 24,000 sq. feet and can accommodate 8,000 people at a stretch. The alter covers 2000 sq. feet and is furnished with statues of Holy men in glittering crystal and in metal.
At a time 50 priests can celebrate the Holy mass in Altar. A 24 feet length statue of crucified Christ along with St. Mary and St. John is affixed on the Altar. The dome of the church is about 185 ft height from the floor, which is mounted with a globe weighing 750 kg and a stainless steel 450 kg. The 16 windows surrounding the dome is decorated with the portraits of the Apostles, and the 64 windows of the church are imprinted with the Holy Men and the incidents of the New and the Old Testaments, on Belgium glass.
Pope Benedict XVI raised the Forane church into a Minor Basilica and informed through a decree to Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church of Ernakulam-Angamaly. The decree was signed on 24th June, 2009 by the Prefect Cardinal Anonius Canizares Lovera of the Congregation for the Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments. The Official declaration function was conducted in the evening of 27th August, 2009; and twenty eight bishops from all over the India were participated in the majestic historical function.
Angamaly parish with more than 2400 catholic families – the origin of St Thomas Syrian Christians in Malabar (Kerala), is now spiritually progressing by convincing and retrieving its lost antiquity.
Feast Day
The annual feast of Saint George Syro-Malabar Basilica, Angamaly is celebrated as” Puthunjayar Perunnal” in the name of Parish patron saint ‘St George’. According to traditional belief, St. George (A.D.275 – 23 April 303), a Christian Martyr, was a Roman soldier and priest in the guard of Diocletian. In Hagiography St George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic (western and Eastern Rites), Anglican and Orthodox churches. He is commemorated in the tale of St. George and the Dragon and is one of the fourteen holy helpers.
At Angamaly the “Puthunjayar Perunnal” is celebrated on Sunday and Monday, which come just after the Easter. There is no clear evidence about the commencement year of this festival.
Church Visiting Time
Contact Info
St. George Syro-Malabar Catholic Basilica,
Angamaly Basilica Road, Angamaly,
Kerala – 683 572, India
Phone No.
Tel : 0484 – 245 2678
Connectivity
St. George Syro-Malabar Catholic Basilica, Angamaly, Kerala, India is well connected with Bus Station, Railway Station and Airport facilities rest of the country.
Airways
Cochin International Airport, Kerala, Which is (5 Kms) from St. George Syro-Malabar Catholic Basilica, Angamaly.
Railways
The nearest railway station is Angamaly Railway Stop which is (3.1 Kms) from St. George Syro-Malabar Catholic Basilica, Angamaly.
Roadways
The nearest is Angamaly Bus Stop which is (1.3 Kms) from St. George Syro-Malabar Catholic Basilica, Angamaly.
