Yesterday, we were at the St.George's Church, Edappally, attending the feast (perunnal) of St.George

The St.George's Forane Church has a glorious history of 14 centuries. Fourteen centuries ago, there was no nation called India. Nor a state called Kerala. And no city called Cochin. Much of what is called the city of Cochin today simply did not exist and the waters of the Arabian Sea reached all the way up to the shore of Edappally. Edappally was then a small hamlet, a part of the princely kingdom of Elangalloor. The people of Edappally lived a simple life, the comforts of life being non-existent at that time. The Catholic congregation at Edappally was rather small and they were all descendants of the Hindus converted into Christianity by St.Thomas the Apostle (alias Dideemos) who came to India to preach the Gospel.

Since the old church was found to be too small to accommodate the overgrown congregation in A.D. 1080 a new church was built in the present location. The main altar and the facade of this church was later renovated. The altar renovated by incorporating the picture of Virgin Mary which was surrounded by sculptures, angels and vines. The paintings depicting the heaven on the wall behind the altar fills one's heart with joy and piety. The facade also was renovated thirty years back to the existing one in the name of modernization, but today acknowledging the fact that 'Old is Gold' we are changing the existing facade to the original one. On the first day of the Third Millennium at 8 A.M. the foundation stone, blessed by His Holiness Pope John Paul II, is laid for the New Church.

The Catholic Church observes the feast of St George on 23rd April . The feast of St George in Edappally Church starts on that day and lasts till May 15th.The annual feast at the St. George's Forane Church is celebrated on 3rd and 4th of May and the Octave on 10th and 11th. The Flag is hoisted on 25th of April. There are 40 hours' Adoration and 9days of Novena in preparation to the Feast. 

Pilgrims flocking to pay their respects to St.George, protector against all evil.