Kottoor

Kottoor
Kottoor Church, 2024.jpg
Kottoor Church
PrimateCatholicos of the East
HeadquartersKottayam, Kerala
TerritoryIndia
FounderKottoor family 5th century
IndependenceUnder Kolenchery Church, St Peter's and St Paul's Orthodox Church,
RecognitionOriental Orthodox

Kottoor Church or Kottoor St. George Orthodox Syrian Church is an ancient chapel of Kolenchery Church. It is situated 0.5 km south of Kolenchery town, towards Karukappilly road and Muvattupuzha river. This Church is considered as the oldest of all structures founded in Kerala, India after Saint George. Kottoor church is believed to be the second oldest Christian structure constructed in Ernakulam District after Kottakavu Church at Paravoor.

The Kottoor Church is believed to be founded in 5th century AD as a chapel of Pallippuram Church near Cherthala in the initial periods. From there, it was transferred as a chapel of Piravom Church at its establishment. In the 9th century AD, when the famous Kadamattom Church was established nearby, Kottoor Church became its chapel. At last, when the Kolenchery Church was constructed in the 6th century AD, Kottoor Church became its part as a chapel. The church is governed according to the 1934 constitution of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, and is part of the Kandanad West diocese of the church. A metropolitan conducted Holy mass in the Kottoor church after a long gap of 90 years on 23 July 2017, after a recent (3 July 2017) verdict of Honourable Supreme court of India, ending the dispute that lasted past 100 years in the parent Kolenchery church.