St. Marys Indian Orthodox Church, Sunderland | Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Church

The Indian Orthodox faithful in Sunderland had its first spiritual gathering at the Sunderland Royal Hospital Chapel on July 8 2004 and the first Holy Qurbana was conducted by Fr Happy Jacob at St. Joseph RC Church in Sunderland on September 4, 2004, with the permission and blessing of Late Lamented Metropolitan Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios. It was recognized as a Congregation on July 21, 2007, dedicated to the patron saint St Thomas. Metropolitan Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios elevated the congregation to the status of a parish on January 5, 2008, with Rev. Fr. Happy Jacob appointed as the first Vicar.

The Parish has a history of steadfast growth, starting with eight families and currently catering for the spiritual needs of fifty-six families residing in the North East of England. Many non-members, including newly migrated faithful as well as students also visit this church on worship days to participate and experience the joy of spiritual unity.

In October 2016, owing to conveniences, the Parish moved its place of worship to Blaydon. From November 2016, the families from Sunderland and neighbouring areas resumed as St Mary's Indian Orthodox Prayer Group in Sunderland. The prayer group continued to conduct monthly prayers, Sunday school and MMVS activities. With the approval of the Diocesan Bishop, HE Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios, St Marys prayer group conducted Holy Qurbana every month from January 21, 2018. On December 1, 2021, the Diocesan Metropolitan HE Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios declared St Mary's prayer group as St Mary's Indian Orthodox Congregation. As of March 25, 2023, the Diocesean Bishop, HE Abraham Mar Stephanos elevated St Mary's Indian Orthodox Congregation as St Mary's Indian Orthodox Parish.

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Sunderland St. Marys Indian Orthodox Church

England, United Kingdom

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