Parish
Colchester St. Stephens Indian Orthodox Church
England, United Kingdom
St. Stephens IOC Colchester had its humble beginnings in a prayer meeting held at Well Methodist Church, Colchester, attended by 40 faithful, including Rev. Fr. Liju Varghese and Rev. Fr. Ranju Skariah on 23/10/2022. It was very evident at this initial meeting that there was strong interest in having a Holy Qurbana in Colchester. Accordingly, the first HQ was solemnised by Rev Fr. Liju Varghese, at St Mathew’s Church, Colchester with over 70 attendees on 26/11/2022.
Subsequently, a formal written request signed by 22 families was submitted to the Diocesan Metropolitan, requesting congregation status. Formation of the congregation was approved, and named after St Stephen by His Eminence Abraham Mar Stephanos, effective from 1/1/2023. Rev. Fr Liju Varghese was appointed as the Priest in Charge. Parish status was granted by the diocesan metropolitan on 28/4/2024.
The Parish has since grown in strength, both numerically and spiritually over the last 2.5 years. Currently, Holy Qurbanas are held on the first and third Sundays of every month, in addition to other feast days and special services, like Passion Week and Christmas. Spiritual organisations are functioning actively in their respective areas - AMOSS, Sunday school, OCYM, MMVS and Prayer Meeting Group.
Place of Worship & Timings
St. Theodore of Canterbury Church,Prince Philip Road, Colchester
CO2 8PA
Every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month - 9am
Useful Links
- Email: ioccolchester@gmail.com
Vicar / Priest in Charge
Rev. Fr. Sajan C. Mathew
+44 7774 640675
frsajancmathew@gmail.com
Office Bearers
Trustee
Mr. Benny Varghese
+44 7957 724187
Secretary
Dr Alexander Philip
+44 79631 88950
Spiritual Organisations
OSSAE (Sunday School)
Head Teacher
Mrs Loveena Simon
OCYM (Youth Movement)
Secretary
Mrs Tina Ann Thomas
MMVS (Women's Fellowship)
Secretary
Mrs Lino Mariam Sunny
AMOSS (Acolytes)
Secretary
Mr Joby Rajan
Prayer Group
Secretary
Mr Sachin Varghese