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REGULAR SUNDAY SERVICES IN LONDON
St.Gregorios Church,
Cranfield Road, London SE4 1UF
St. Andrew- by- the-
Wardrobe Church, London EC4V5DE Tel:02073293632
This beautiful Sir Christopher Wren's (1685-1695)construction with memorials to Shakespeare and Dowland. was secured by relentless effort of late Rev Fr. K.A. George from the generous Lord Bishop of London. H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews I sanctified and celebrated Holy Liturgy in July 1978, ever since on all Sundays Holy Eucharistic service is conducted.
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
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.
OBITUARY
Mr. George Abraham (Aju) a member of our parish left for eternal abode on 8th November 2009. He is survived by his wife Fiona, son Mathew and daughter Sarah.
Funeral services were conducted on 17th November at St Paul's Church, Leamington Spa, CV32 4TE; and interring of the mortal remains at St Mary's Church cemetery, Cubbington, Leamington Spa.Offering prayers and intersession for the departed soul and the bereaved family.
Family has requested not to send any floral tribute, instead, donations are welcome to Aju's favourite charity 'Marion Play Home, Trivandrum
Baby girl to Praveen & Anitha on the 15th December 2009
Baby boy to Binoy & Reshma on the 10th December 2009
Baby girl to Jayin & Anu on6th November,2009
Baby girl to Jay & Anila on 5th November,2009
Baby girl to Leni & Anuja on 3rd October,2009
Baby boy to Dr.Koshy Thomas & Shireen on 30th July,2009
Baby girl to Saji & Neetha on 3rd July 2009
Baby boy to SUSHIIL & 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
Wedding bells:Congratulations to:
Navin & Amrit 28th June 2009
Rahel & Thomas 29th December 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 UK under 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,
Rev.Fr.Abrahm Thomas, 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 , HG. Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios took charge as the Metropolitan
London parish.
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, and since
2005 in St.Gregorios Church Brockley , London. 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.