About St. George Orthodox Koonan Kurish Old Syrian Church
The St. George Orthodox Koonan Kurish Old Syrian Church is a historic pilgrim center in Mattancherry, Kochi, built on the site where the Coonan Cross Oath was taken on January 3, 1653. This significant event marked the Saint Thomas Christian community's resistance to Portuguese colonial religious authority. The church, consecrated in 1751 and renovated using eco-friendly compressed earth blocks, houses holy relics of St. George and serves as a revered pilgrimage destination under the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
Visitors guide
Visitors can explore a historic church built with distinctive compressed earth block architecture featuring catenary vaults and arches. The site includes the location where the famous Coonan Cross Oath took place, with visitors able to see the leaning cross memorial. The church provides a peaceful atmosphere for prayer and meditation, with special Friday services and alternative Sunday masses. Visitors can observe traditional Syrian Christian worship practices and learn about this pivotal moment in Indian Christian history.
Key highlights
- 01
Site of the historic Coonan Cross Oath of 1653
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Holy relics of St. George
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Unique compressed earth block architecture
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Historic leaning cross memorial