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Our New Diocesan Bishop
H.G. Dr. Mathews Mar Thimotheos
London parish welcomed the metropolitan on 22nd May on his arrival. Please see the photos of the ceremonial reception.
http://picasaweb.google.com/st.gregorios.ioc.uk
H.G.was given a grand reception in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland on his pastoral visit. H.G Dr Mathews Mar Thimothios, visited Armagh on Thursday 11 June 2009 where he and other clergy and members of the Indian Orthodox Church in Ireland were met by the Most Revd Alan Harper, OBE, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. Please see the reports and photos
http://www.ireland.anglican.org/index.php?do=news&newsid=2659
His Grace, Dr Mathews Mar Thimotheos was welcomed warmly to Cork by Bishop Colton at The Bishop’s Palace, Cork.
http://www.ireland.anglican.org/index.php?do=news&newsid=2672
3rd July 2PM Inaugural
Metering of the Diocesan Assembly. Delegates from all the 28 Parishes of
the Diocese of UK, Europe & Africa will be meeting to elect the Diocesan
council and plan the establishment of the diocese.
OVBS July 4 & 5th
Farewell to Vicar Fr. Abraham Thomas 5th July 1PM.
REGULAR SUNDAY SERVICES IN LONDON
St.Gregorios Church,
Cranfield Road, London SE4 1UF
St. Andrew- by- the-
Wardrobe Church, London EC4V5DE Tel:02073293632
Christopher Wren (1685-95) rebuilt this beautiful church, following the great fire of London. Late Rev Fr. K.A. George by his relentless effort secured this Anglican Church from the generous Lord Bishop of London and H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews I sanctified and celebrated Holy Liturgy in July 1978.
PERUNAL 2008
http://picasaweb.google.com/st.gregorios.ioc.uk/Perunnal2008SaturdayEvening
http://picasaweb.google.com/st.gregorios.ioc.uk/Perunnal2008Sunday
Family
Conference 2008 http://picasaweb.google.com/st.gregorios.ioc.uk
Funeral Service of Late Diocesan Metropolitan H.G. Dr.Thomas Mar Makarios
23Feb.2008
PLEASE SEE MORE PICTURES OF THE SERVICE IN
http://picasaweb.google.com/st.gregorios.ioc.uk/FarewellToHGMarMakarios/photo#s5173261739046588498
http://picasaweb.google.com/st.gregorios.ioc.uk/IntermentOfHGDrThomasMarMakariosPartI
http://picasaweb.google.com:80/st.gregorios.ioc.uk/TributeToHGMarMakarios
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk:80/svargis/HGMakariosFuneralPart1FromLondon
SCENES OF THE CONSECRATION
CHARITY PROJECTS.
In 2008, grants of over £8,000 for relief of needy individuals; for Medical treatment, Housing and Education.
In 2007,Twelve families in Kerala were given financial help totalling Rs. Six Lakh, for building house, Hospital treatment and Higher Education.
in 2006,St. John's Orthodox Church , Moolankav, Sultan Bathery, Wayanad, Kerala , we sponsored the complete construction coast of the Church, which is a very backward, underdeveloped part of Wayanad, Malabar. Kerala.
Baby boy to SUNIL & VINITHA John on 26th March 09
Baby girl to Binu & Ciny Chandy on 7th March09
Baby girl to Philp and Chinnu Alexander on 19th February 09
Baby boy to Philip & Ammu Jacob on25 January 09
Baby girl to Anil & Reshma on 1st July 2008
Baby girl to Siby & Tincy June 2008
Baby girl to Shiju & Savitha June 2008
Baby boy (Mat) to Sijy Mathew & Bency on 23 may 2008
Baby girl ( Lara) to Harsh and Marina on 31st January 2008
Wedding bells:Congratulations to:
Rahel & Thomas 29th December 2008
Angela & Shameet 6th September 2008
Mariam & Mark 31st August 2008
Susan & Suneet 23rd August 2008
Roshan &Alphonse 18th August 2008
Rohan & Mariam 18th august 2008
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Brief History of the Parish
The roots of this parish could be traced back to the 1930s. Abu Alexios of the Bethany monastery (later Bishop Mar Theodosius) was the first priest of our church ever to visit UK. This visit was made possible by the tireless efforts of Prof. A. M. Varki of Alwaye, as a member of the 'mission of fellowship to England and Ireland' sponsored by the National Christian Council of India. With the help and cooperation of people like Dr.William Paton, Cannon John Douglas and others, formed an association called 'The Friends of the Syrian Church' to render help to this ancient church in India by offering higher theological training. The first candidate thus chosen was Abu Alxios, participated in the Jubilee celebrations of the Community of Resurrection, Mirfield and made connections with several religious communities in UK.
The second priest who came to UKunder this scheme was Rev.Fr.T.V.John of U.C. college Alwaye in 1934.He conducted Holy Qurbana in Malayalam in Kings College chapel and several others came to UK under this programme. the important milestone in the history was the visiit of H.H.The Catholicose,Moran Mar Baselios Mar Geeverghese II in 1937, accompanied by the very Rev.Rambans C M Thomas (later Metropolitan Mar Dioionysius) and Abu Alexiosto participate in the second "Faith and Order Conference" of the World Council of Churches in Edinburgh. After the conference Ramban C.M.Thomas stayed with the Cowley fathers for studies in Oxford and conducted services.
In the 1950s and 60s the Malayalee Christian community had grown gradually, however, services were held only occasionally by visiting priests and prelates. They include Metropolitan Mathews Mar Coorilos (late catholicos H.H.Moran Mar Baselios Marthomma Mathews II) Rev.Fr.K Philipose ( late metropolitan Mar Theophilus) Rev.Fr.Dr.C.T.Eapen, Rev.Fr.P.S.Samuel, and others.
Rev.Fr.P.V.Joseph (late Mar Pachomios), Rev.Fr.Yohannan (late metropolitan Mar Athanasius) came to UK for higher studies and served the community. Rev.Fr. Philipose visited the congregation on several occasions during his trips to Europe in connection with the various programs of the World Council of Churches. Even after his enthronement as bishop Mar Theophilus, his grace continued his adorable interest in the community.Rev.Dn. K.G.George (now bishop Geverghese Mar Ivanios) followed the footsteps and stayed with Cawley Fathers in Oxford for six years giving invaluable service to the community. All these years services were conducted in Indian YMCA chapel, Fitzroy Square, London and all the Malayalee Christians participated irrespective of their denominational differences.
In early 1970s H.G. Geverghese Mar Osthathios organized the St. Gregorios fellowship during one his pastoral visits. It is one of life's little ironies that when the community grew in size with the arrival of more migrants, in 1974, the inevitable segregation on denominational basis happened. Members of Orthodox Syrian Church and Marthoma Church formed separate congregations and commenced worshiping separately.
The year 1976 is another important milestone in the history of the church. When the diocese outside Kerala was re-organized, this church was under Bombay diocese and the then diocesan metropolitan H. G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios visited us and declared as a parish: -St.Gregorios of Parumala as our patron saint. Rev. Fr. Abraham Aluckal (now bishop Mar Severios) was appointed as the first vicar of the parish. In the 1979 re-organization of the dioceses, London parish came under the diocese of Delhi and had the privilege of pastoral care of eminent scholar late H. G. Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios who visited the parish on a regular basis. This prelude of the history of the parish can not be complete with out the names of Rev. Fr. Mathews M. Daniel, H. G. Philipose Mar Eusebius, Late Ver. Rev. Kuriakose Cor-Episcopa, Rev. Fr. O. Thomas, H. G. Geverghese Mar Coorilose, Rev. Fr. V. M. James, Rev. Fr. Thomas Yohannan, Rev. Fr. M.S.Skariah, who served in succession as vicars of the parish, bringing new life and vitality. When the new diocese of Europe, UK and Canada was formed in 1993, this parish came under the jurisdiction of an elite in the Malankara Orthodox Church, late H. G. DR. Thomas Mar Makarios. With the establishment of the new diocese of UK, Europe and Africa with HG. Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios as the Metropolitan London parish acts as the head quarters.
It can only be a gift of Grace that this parish greatly privileged by getting the services of the outstanding priests who rose to higher ecclesiastical positions. We have been fortunate to have our service in the heart of the great city Of London since 1978 on all Sundays in the beautiful St. Andrew-by-the- wardrobe Church by the generosity of Church of England.
We are fostering a culture of excellence within our church and ever since the parish was formed we had a dream of having our own church which we achieved in 2002. We have now our own property and we are proud that this is the first church in UK and all Europe.
The dedication and consecration ceremony was conducted by H. G. Dr.
Thomas Mar Makarios , the diocesan bishop on the 1st January 2005.