Pilgrim Center

An ancient Kerala church declared as Global Georgian Pilgrim centre, India

The 1300-year old St. George Cathedral at Karingachira near Kochi, was officially declared as the "Georgian Pilgrim Centre of India" by His Holiness Ignatius Zakka-I Iwas, the Patriarch of Antioch & All the East and the Supreme head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, during the concluding ceremony of the Centenary celebrations of Karingachira Cathedral deed-submission and Platinum Jubilee of the re-election of St. Athanasius Paulose Valiya Thirumeni as Malankara Metropolitan held on October 16th 2010. It was a historic moment for thousands of Jacobite's Christian devotees in Kerala when their most ancient St. George Church Karingachira in Kerala south India is declared the Global Pilgrim Center.

The declaration letter was read out in public on the occasion of the church’s Centenary and Platinum Jubilee celebration in presence of the Beirut Archbishop HG Mor Clemis Daniel Kurieh from Beirut, later the higher clergy read the Apostolic Bull of His Holiness on October 16th at Kochi.

Earlier in the morning, Holy Qurbono was celebrated at the Cathedral by His Beatitude Catholicos Baselios Thomas-I. Assisted by Patriarchal Delegate Mor Clemis Daniel Kurieh, Metropolitans Their Eminences Mor Gregorios Joseph, Mor Ivanios Mathews, Mor Dioscorus Kuriakose, Mor Milithios Yuhanon, Mor Athanasius Geevarghese, Mor Athanasius Elias, Mor Philoxenos Zacharias and Mor Aphrem Mathews. Later a special session of the Malankara Church managing Committee was also held at the Cathedral premises. Devotees and dignitaries from various socio political sectors participated in the historic function held at the church.

Karingachira Cathedral as the Georgian Pilgrim Centre of India attracts thousands of pilgrims from across Kerala state and after declaration it will attract from across globe. The Cathedral was believed to be built in 722 AD and the inscriptions done inside the alter has Ten Commandments and many intricate works on bible related verses.

Following several renovations and modifications, the qdush-qudshin of the church was constructed over the side altars in 1949, dedicated to Holy Virgin Mary and John the Baptist and was consecrated. Irrespective of the religious and communal distinctions, many people offer prayers at this church. As part of the Syriac Orthodox communion the church uses the West Syrian liturgy and is part of the Oriental Orthodox group of churches. It has dioceses in most parts of India as well as in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Western Europe, and the Persian Gulf nations