|
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church traces its origins back to AD 52, when the Apostle St. Thomas, one of the original disciples of Jesus Christ, traveled to India to spread the Gospel. He established the ancient Christian community in the southwestern coastal region of Kerala.
Following new United States immigration legislation passed in 1965, Malankara Orthodox Christians began migrating to the U.S. in the 1960s seeking higher education and professional careers. This migration accelerated rapidly during the 1970s as a vast number of Malayalee Christians-particularly those in the medical and nursing professions-moved to America.
A defining characteristic of these Orthodox immigrants is their deep commitment to preserving their cultural and spiritual heritage. Wherever they relocated, they faithfully sought to recreate the church patterns practiced in their homeland. This determination led to the establishment of numerous congregations and vibrant parishes in major cities across the United States. The liturgy in these parishes reflects their ancient Indian heritage, sung in a mix of Malayalam and English with West Syrian roots.
During the 1960s and 1970s, numerous medical and scientific professionals immigrated to U.S. East Coast cities, settling in major metropolitan areas with promising opportunities. Among these immigrants were Orthodox priests and bishops attending American universities, who established Sunday services to meet the spiritual needs of their growing diaspora. In the 1960s, there were two prominent Orthodox congregations in New York City: the St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Congregation in Manhattan, founded and led by Rev. Dr. K. M. Simon Cor-Episcopa, and St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in the Bronx, where Rev. Fr. A. K. Cherian served as vicar.
Origins of the Fellowship:
The Philadelphia region, in particular, became a prominent center for this diaspora, serving as home to a large and thriving community of Malankara Orthodox Christians. Christians from various denominations who emigrated from Kerala to Philadelphia and its suburbs initially gathered in private homes on Sundays for prayer and fellowship. Members from the Orthodox, Jacobite, Catholic, Marthoma, CSI, and Knanaya Churches attended these gatherings, which eventually evolved into an organized ecumenical congregation.
The First Malayalam Service:
Late Dr. T.V. Philip, one of the earliest immigrants, recalled that the first Malayalam service for the small group of Kerala Christians in Philadelphia was held in the living room of his apartment at Pine Street in July 1962. He noted that the celebrant was Rev. Fr. Dr. K.M. Simon of the Knanaya Church, and that he himself served as the altar boy (acolyte).
Visiting Clergy and Scholars:
Over the years, several priests and bishops from the Orthodox, Knanaya, Marthoma, and CSI Churches traveled to Philadelphia and neighboring states for higher education. Many of these visiting shepherds conducted liturgical services for the ecumenical congregation. They included:
-
Knanaya Church: Rev. Fr. Dr. A.T. Abraham and Rev. Fr. Dr. K.M. Simon
-
CSI Church: Rev. Fr. K.C. Abraham
-
Orthodox Church: H.G. Mathews Mar Coorilos Metropolitan (later His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, Catholicos); Rev. Fr. Dr. K.M. Yohannan Sankarathil (Corepiscopos); Rev. Fr. Dr. K.C. Thomas (later His Grace Thomas Mar Makarios, Metropolitan of the American Diocese); and Rev. Fr. Cherian Neelankal
-
Mar Thoma Church: Rev. Fr. Thomas Varghese, Rev. Oommen Koruthu, and Rt. Rev. Zacharias Mar Theophilius, Suffragan Metropolitan
In the 1970s, a growing Christian congregation in Philadelphia held monthly services, led mostly by Orthodox and Mar Thoma priests with a few CSI and Catholic services mixed in. Starting in the Ashbury Church chapel, they later relocated to the larger chapel at the Episcopal Church of the Savior (3723 Chestnut and 38th Streets) to accommodate more people. Subsequently, Rev. Dn. Dr. Paul Varki, a deacon of the Orthodox Church, (later, ordained as a priest) volunteered as the coordinator of this Philadelphia Ecumenical congregation. He came to America for higher studies in 1957, and worked as a psychologist in Pennsylvania State Hospital after getting a doctorate in Psychology. Varki Semmassan used to invite available visiting clergies for celebrating services on Sunday and they used their own denomination Order of Liturgy (Thaksa) and all members of the ecumenical congregation participated whole-heartedly, and later gathered at one of the participants’ homes for fellowship lunch.
This ecumenical congregation in Philadelphia was neither registered with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania nor sanctioned by any established church denomination. It simply operated as a fellowship of believers who gathered in the name of Jesus Christ to pray and spend time together.
There was no official Orthodox parish or resident priest in Philadelphia until 1976. Furthermore, the American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church was not established until 1979.In April 1976, Paul Varki Semmasan, coordinator of the local Ecumenical congregation, invited Rev. Fr. K. Mathai (Mathai Achen), a newly immigrated Malankara Orthodox priest living in New York, to celebrate that year's Holy Week services. Mathai Achen accepted the invitation, traveled to Philadelphia, and conducted the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday services for the congregation.
Around sixty Orthodox faithful actively participated in all Holy Week services in 1976. Several requested Rev. Fr. K. Mathai to continue serving their community. Although it was difficult for him to relocate to Philadelphia immediately, he agreed to travel there on Sundays to conduct the liturgy once a month. Additionally, services were offered every Sunday once Mathai Achen and his family had relocated to Philadelphia. In this connection, special mention was made by Mathai Achen in his book for the services of Mr. K. T. Ninan and his wife Mrs. Saramma Ninan who volunteered to take care of the newly born twin babies of Mathai Achen and Kochamma and great help rendered by Rev. Paul Varki Semmasan and Kochamma for newly relocated Mathai Achen family. Also, Semmasan assisted Achen for the Holy Qurbana Service. Mr. K.T. Ninan, and his sons, Thomas Ninan and Mathew Ninan, Mr. V. C. George, and many others including Mr. Korah Mani who were the acolytes helping Achen in the sanctuary for many years from the beginning.
A group within the ecumenical congregation expressed a desire to establish a new Orthodox parish in Philadelphia. The founding members who volunteered for this effort included Dr. M.M. Koshy, V.M. Chacko, P.I. Chacko, V.C. George, Joseph Varghese, Korah Cherian, K.A. Mathai, T. Thomas, and Thomas Varghese, with moral support from Mr. John Vilanilam. Meanwhile, the Mar Thoma members departed the ecumenical congregation to hold regular services at a church in North Philadelphia in October 1976.
Establishment of First Parish in Philadelphia - St. Thomas Orthodox Church of India, Philadelphia (STOCI):
Accordingly, an official meeting of the all orthodox members in Philadelphia were held on 10th of October 1976 at the residence of Dr. M. M. Koshy (a cousin of Dr. Koshy Poovathoor), presided over by Rev. Fr. K. Mathai in presence of Rev. Dn. Paul Varki and officially passed a resolution to establish an Orthodox Parish in Philadelphia under the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in India with the name St. Thomas Orthodox Church of India, Philadelphia, appoint Rev. Fr. K. Mathai as first Vicar and to register same with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as a non-profit organization. His Grace Thomas Mar Makarios was the Metropolitan of Bombay and Outside India. The minutes of this meeting was sent to H. G. Mar Makarios for approval as per the Malankara Church constitution. Later His Grace Mathews Mar Athanasios, Metropolitan of the Outside Kerala Diocese, (who later became the Catholicos, His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews I of Blessed Memory) issued a Kalpana duly authorizing the new parish, St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Church of India, Philadelphia, under the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India.
Late Rev. Fr. K. Mathai, First Vicar of the first Parish in Philadelphia
Later, His Grace Thomas Mar Makarios Metropolitan celebrated the Holy Qurbana at the Episcopal Church of the Savior, located at 3723 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, PA. During the service, he announced to the congregation that the newly formed St. Thomas Orthodox Church of India in Philadelphia was an official parish under the Bombay Diocese, which is part of the Malankara Orthodox Church in India. He also announced the appointment of Rev. Fr. K. Mathai as the vicar of the newly established parish. Upon returning to his residence in Buffalo, NY, His Grace issued an official written Kalpana (an ecclesiastical decree) to formally establish these effects. The American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church was established in 1979, and H.G. Thomas Mar Makarios was consecrated as its first Metropolitan.
A Second Parish was established in Philadlphia - St. Mary’s Orthodox Church (SMOC) :
Following a period of growth, the first parish St. Thomas in Philadelphia experienced growing pains that led to internal divisions. In 1980, some of these members approached the Diocesan Metropolitan to address their concerns. Metropolitan Mar Makarios granted permission to establish a second parish in the city, which was named St. Mary’s Orthodox Church. The Very Rev. Dr. Muttaniyil Idiculla Corepiscopos was appointed as the new parish's first vicar. He was later succeeded by the Rev. Fr. C.J. Johnson, who came to the United States. Subsequently, St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Philadelphia was elevated to the status of a Cathedral by Metropolitan Mar Makarios.
Dissolution of original St. Thomas Orthodox Church of India, Philadelphia (STOCI):
Although the original parish was growing steadily under the leadership of Rev. Fr. K. Mathai, dissension arose among the members around 1984. When the internal conflict spiraled out of control, the vicar sought advice from the diocesan Metropolitan, H. G. Thomas Mar Makarios. His Grace visited the parish and convened an emergency General Body Meeting. After hearing from both sides, he declared the dissolution of the original parish, St. Thomas Orthodox Church, and established two separate, independent parishes: St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church for members residing in Philadelphia City, and St. Baselios Orthodox Church for those in Upper Darby area. The majority of the members joined St. Gregorios Church with Rev. Fr. K. Mathai serving as their vicar.
A member of the original St. Thomas Orthodox Church of India (STOCI) in Philadelphia sued H.G. Thomas Mar Makarios for dissolving a legal entity. The plaintiff argued a bishop lacks the authority to dissolve a Pennsylvania nonprofit entity. The court, however, ruled in favor of the bishop. It cited the 1934 Constitution of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, which empowers the Diocesan Metropolitan to establish, dissolve, and reorganize parishes.
Initially, members of the St. Baselios Orthodox congregation worshiped in an Episcopal chapel where services had been held prior to its dissolution. After using this facility for over a year, they relocated to a newly built church in North Philadelphia. Eventually, they purchased a house, converting it into a place of worship, and appointed Rev. Fr. Dr. P.S. Samuel from New York as their vicar. During this time, the church was renamed the St. Thomas Center of Upper Darby. When H.G. Mathews Mar Barnabas Thirumeni took charge as the Metropolitan of the American Diocese in 1993, he advised the members to change the name to the St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Church, located at 1622 N. Mascher Street, Philadelphia, PA 19120. Rev. Fr. M.T. Kurian was appointed as the vicar of this parish in 1985. This marks the true origin of the St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Church (STMOC) on Mascher Street in Philadelphia.
Today, the faithful Orthodox Christians in USA are served by structured regional administrations with two diocese, Northeast American Diocese and South West American Diocese. Growing from the original St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church in Philadelphia (STOCI), there are now eight Orthodox parishes in the city and its suburbs. Seven out of eight of these parishes have their own dedicated buildings for worship, and each parish is thriving with a large and active membership.
-
ST. GREGORIOS MALANKARA ORTHODOX CHURCH (SGMOC) BENSALEM
St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church Philadelphia (SGMOC)
St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church (SGMOC) was established in 1984 following the dissolution of the original St. Thomas Orthodox Church of India (STOCI) in Philadelphia. The majority of the original STOCI congregation adopted the new name, SGMOC, that same year under the continued vicarship of Mathai Achen. For a few months, SGMOC rented space in an Upper Darby church to conduct liturgies and other spiritual activities. The parish subsequently relocated to a rented church in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, for a brief period. They then moved to a rented Catholic church located directly opposite the Episcopal Church chapel at 3723 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. SGMOC later relocated again to a rented space in a Methodist church in Center City, Philadelphia. After some time, the congregation returned to the Episcopal Church of the Savior, which they had utilized before the original St. Thomas Church dissolved. In 1995, SGMOC moved to a new owned church building at 7721-31 Torresdale Avenue in Philadelphia, worshipping there for 13 years. Ultimately, the parish purchased a property at 4136 Hulmeville Road in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. They constructed a new church on the site, which was officially consecrated in May 2009.
-
ST. THOMAS INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (STIOC) UNRUH AVE. PHILADELPHIA
St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church Philadelphia (STIOC) Unruh Ave.
Founded in 1996 under the leadership of Rev. Fr. M.K. Kuriakose, this parish began with the majority of the members from the St. Thomas Christian Center of Mascher Street in Philadelphia. Starting as one of the smallest parishes in the area, it has grown into a debt-free, 45,000-square-foot facility.The parish has a rich history of steady growth and careful financial planning. Early Years from 1996 to 2004 the congregation of 28 families initially worshipped at the Cardinal Dougherty High School Chapel. As the parish grew slowly, plans to purchase its own facility began as early as 1997. In the year 2001 the parish purchased six acres of land in the city spending more than half a million dollars. In October 2004, the community acquired the former Oxford Circle Jewish Community Center at 1009 Unruh Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia. To ensure the new building complex was entirely debt-free, the original six acres of vacant land were sold. As per Parish Website, as of December 31, 2012 the membership has risen to 170 registered families and more than a dozen unregistered families. The current facility features a sanctuary that seats 550 people, an Orthodox-style altar, a small chapel for 100 people, and a large social hall that accommodates 1,000 people. It also includes a gymnasium, classrooms, and multiple office spaces. Now this church became the largest Orthodox Church in Philadelphia.
-
ST. MARY'S MALANKARA ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL (SMOC) HUNTINGDON VALLEY, PA
St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral (SMOC) Huntingdon Valley, PA
St. Mary's Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church was established on January 1, 1980, as per the constitution of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, by the Kalpana of His Grace, the late Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios, then the American Diocese Bishop. First location was at 12th and Oak Lane in Philadelphia, PA. This location was a rented hall of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church. At that time, there were only sixteen families as members. Holy Qurbana and Prayer meetings were held only once a month. Beginning 1982, regular Holy Qurbana was held every Sunday. On March 18, 1988, the parish acquired the church at 1424 Orthodox Street in Philadelphia, PA. On May 8, 2016, acquired a beautiful new church building at 1333 Welsh Road in Huntingdon Valley, PA with a membership of 49 families. This 13,800 square foot building on a serene 1.28 acres of land was previously occupied by St. John's Episcopal Church.
-
ST. THOMAS MALANKARA ORTHODOX CHURCH (STMOC) MASCHER ST. PHILADELPHIA
St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Church Philadelphia (STIOC) Mascher St.
Following the dissolution of the original First Parish Church of India (STOCI) in Philadelphia, the newly formed St. Baselios Orthodox congregation began worshipping in the same Episcopal chapel that the original parish had used. After a year in this location, they relocated to a newly constructed church in North Philadelphia. Eventually, they purchased a house and converted it into a place of worship. Later, after H.G. Mathews Mar Barnabas assumed leadership as the Metropolitan of the American Diocese, the parish was renamed as St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Church, located at 1622 N. Mascher Street, Philadelphia, PA 19120.
-
ST. MARY'S ORTHODOX CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA (SMOCP) DEVEREAUX AVE.
St. Mary's Orthodox Church of Philadelphia (STMOCP) Devereaux Ave.
A few members of St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral Church left that parish and started their services in a rental place. It was organized by Very Rev. P. S. Samuel Corepiscopos, and was established as a parish by name St. Mary’s Orthodox Church of Philadelphia under the Northeast American Diocese in 1991. The first Holy Qurbana of the new parish was celebrated at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Philadelphia PA. Rev. Fr. M. Johnson (Now, H.G. Joshua Mar Nicodimos Metropolitan) was the first full time Vicar who served the parish in 1992 and 1993. A new Church building was acquired at 514 Devereaux Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19111 in 2000 and consecrated as current parish building.
-
ST. JOHN'S INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH DELAWARE VALLEY (STJIOC) DREXXEL HILL, PA
St. John's Indian Orthodox Church Delaware Valley (STJIOC) Devereaux Ave.
Some of the members of St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church (SGMOC) living in Upper Darby and Drexel Hill communities desired to have parish in the south-western suburb of Philadelphia and requested the diocesan Metropolitan. Metropolitan, H. G. Mathews Mar Barnabas was pleased to announce the new parish as St. John's Orthodox Congregation, Delaware Valley in 2006. Thirumeni appointed Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Erakkathu as the first vicar of this parish. The parish started regular service in the chapel of St. John the Baptist Church in Drexel Hill, PA. Later in 2016, the parish bought the entire property with the church building and the adjoining school.
-
ST. GEORGE MALANKARA ORTHODOX CHURCH FAIRLESS HILLS PA (STGMOC)
St.George Malankara Orthodox Church Fairless Hills PA (STGMOC)
In 2013, a group of members from St. Mary’s Malankara Orthodox Cathedral left to form a new parish named St. George Malankara Orthodox Church. They purchased a church building set on 2.5 acres at 520 Hood Boulevard in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania PA 19030. Rev. Fr. Abu Varghese Peter was appointed as their first Vicar. The congregation began with 34 families and grew to 50 within just a month. In 2014, the church building was consecrated with Diocesan Metropolitan His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos serving as the chief celebrant.
-
ST. LUKE ORTHODOX MISSION CHURCH BENSALEM PA (STLOMC)
St. Luke Orthodox Mission Church is a parish that focuses on young families and individuals who prefer to fully understand Orthodox services. Members are primarily from Philadelphia-area parishes, and the community conducts all liturgies, sermons, and teachings in English. The St. Luke Orthodox Mission Church is under North East American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and was founded in 2004. Led by its vicar, Rev. Fr. Geevarghese John, the parish hosts its services and spiritual activities at Our Lady of Fatima Church, located at 2933 Street Road, Bensalem, PA.
All eight parishes in the Greater Philadelphia region trace their historical roots back to the original St. Thomas Church of India in Philadelphia (STOCI), regardless of their current names, memberships, or founding dates. Although founded in 1976, STOCI was dissolved by the Diocesan Metropolitan in 1984 and is no longer an active entity. All these current parishes are richly blessed by Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, under the spiritual guidance of Diocesan Metropolitan H. G. Zacharias Mar Nicholovos. It is also a fitting time to honor and seek the intercession of the late Metropolitans H. G. Thomas Mar Makarios and H. G. Mathews Mar Barnabas. This is a wonderful opportunity for all Malankara Orthodox Christians in Philadelphia and its suburbs to celebrate this Golden Jubilee year. Congratulations and best wishes on this joyous occasion!
[If you liked the Article please share it with your friends, subscribe for Updates or Send your Feedback clicking button below]
 Subscribe for EMail Updates / Send Feedback
OTHER FELICITATIONS IN THIS MAGAZINE
HOMAGE TO V. REV. K. MATHAI COR-EPISCOPA
| |
