| St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church | |
|---|---|
| St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church | |
St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Meenkunnam
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| Location | Meenkunnam, Muvattupuzha |
| Country | India |
| Denomination | Syro-Malabar Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Founder(s) | Mar Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly[1] |
| Dedication | Saint Joseph |
| Consecrated | 1925 |
| Past bishop(s) | Mar George Punnakkottil |
| Associated people | Saint Thomas Christians |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Administration | |
| District | Ernakulam |
| Synod | Syro-Malabar |
| Diocese | Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Kothamangalam[2] |
| Clergy | |
| Archbishop | Mar George Alancherry |
| Bishop(s) | Mar George Madathikandathil |
St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is situated in Meenkunnam village, 6 km from Muvattupuzha, India. It was founded by Venerable Mar Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly in 1921.[3] The church belongs to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Kothamangalam.
Meenkunnam village has a large population of Syrian Catholics. These Nasrani Christians, who were previously under Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Arakuzha, have more than 1500 years of recorded history.[4]
A main landmark of Meenkunnam is a copy of Michelangelo's Pietà, which was created by the artist Appukuttan. This sculpture at Meenkunnam is roughly 4 times the size of the original Pietà, located at the St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. Owing to its size, the artist could make a compromise on intricate details and created a sculpture lacking realism, ideal beauty, harmony and balance observed in the original sculpture which showcases a balance of Renaissance ideals of classical beauty with naturalism.
