page_title: St. George's Forane Church, Edappally
section_title: Organizations
hierarchical_section_title: St. George's Forane Church, Edappally / Organizations
caption_attribution_description: English: St.GEORGE'S CHURCH ENTRANCE
context_page_description: St. George's Syro Malabar Forane Church, locally known as Edapally Church is a Catholic pilgrimage church in Edapally, Kochi, India. Asia's largest shrine to Saint George, about five million people visit it every year.
  The church is thought to have been founded in 593 AD. It is regarded as one of the oldest churches in Kerala, after the seven churches founded by Thomas the Apostle in the first century AD. The church was originally dedicated to the Marth Mariam. In 1080, a new church was built adjacent to the old church. A nine-day festival is celebrated annually as part of the Feast of Saint George. The church, also a destination for non-Christians, attracts offerings of gold, chicken, and eggs.
  St. George's Forane Church, north-east of Kochi, is 500 metres from the intersection of NH 66 and NH 544. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport in Nedumbassery, about 22 km from the church. The Edappally railway station is 3 kilometres away. Kochi Metro, the city's rail network, runs in front of the church.
context_section_description: Darsana Samooham is a lay religious organisation associated with the church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary or a saint connected with a religious order. Edappally's Darsana Samooham is the world's largest. Members usually wear religious dress. It is governed by an elected committee which includes a president, treasurer, and secretary. The Edappally's Darsana Samooham helps organize the annual feast and participates in the festival procession.
  The Marian Sodality, founded by Payyappilly Joseph Kathanar in 1927, promotes spirituality among parish youth. Similarly, the Cherupushpa Mission League (founded in 1972) works to instill Christian values in the youth of the parish. Thirubalasakyam is a children's organization associated with the church, and most children in the parish are members.
  St. Joseph's Maranananthara Sahaya Fund is an association of parish members to assist financially stressed parish families with funeral expenses. It is funded by life memberships or monthly subscriptions collected from members. St. George's Charitable Fund is managed by the church to provide financial assistance to the poor, regardless of religion.
caption: St.GEORGE'S CHURCH ENTRANCE
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