- Diocese of North America & Europe
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Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church. Diocese of North America & Europe. 
Logo of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian ChurchFounder Saint Thomas the Apostle. Independence Recognition Independent Hierarchical Church Primate His Grace The Most Rev. Dr.Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan Headquarters 2320 South Merrick Avenue, Merrick, New York. Territory North America, South America and Europe Possessions Language Malayalam, English, Adherents Website [http://www.marthomanae.org
The ‘’’Diocese of North America & Europe’’ is a diocese of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church that includes all the Mar Thoma parishes in the North American and European continents. Its headquarters is at Sinai Mar Thoma Centre, Merrick, New York. Present Diocesan bishop is Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa. 1n 2011, 66 parishes and 12 congregations are under this diocese.Contents
Mar Thoma Church
Diocese of North America & Europe is a diocese of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church. This church also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It is one of the Saint Thomas Christian churches tracing its origins to the missionary activity of Thomas the Apostle.
The Mar Thoma Church defines itself as "Apostolic in origin, Catholic in nature, Biblical in faith, Evangelical in principle, Ecumenical in outlook, Oriental in worship, Democratic in function, Episcopal in character and is a Reformed Church.[1]
Members of the Mar Thoma Church, also known as Marthomites began to move out of Kerala by 1940 and some of them settled down in UK in 1950s and USA in 1970s. There they continued to follow their ancient customs, traditions and worship.
Beginning of parishes in England
It was in August 1948 Most Rev Dr. Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan, head ot the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church passed through London to attend the Meeting of World Council of Churches in Amsterdam. Though only very few Marthomites were there in London, at that time, a holy communion service was conducted and this was the first Mar Thoma Holy Communion service held in Europe. In 1957, the first Mar Thoma congregation in London was approved. Rev. Abrham Philip, the first vicar was appointed in 1982. The first parish, St. James Mar Thoma Church, London, was established in 1989.[2][3]
Beginning of parishes in USA
The Church began as a small prayer group in Queens, New York. In 1972 this was approved as a congregation and was later moved to Manhatten. In May 1975 ‘’Mar Thoma Congregation of Greater New York’’ was formed and Rev. K.S. Mathew (now Very Rev.) appointed as its Vicar. The first congregation in USA that was approved as a parish of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church in 1976 was in New York.
As members increased and more Marthomites began to settle down in other parts of USA and Canada, more congregations were formed and later they became parishes.
In Houston, Texas, the first Mar Thoma church building in USA was consecrated by Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius Suffragan Metropolitan, on July 15, 1984 and was named ‘’Trinity Mar Thoma church Houston’’.
Early history of the Diocese
The churches in this part of the world were grouped as a Zone of the Mar Thoma Church in 1982. In its new socio-cultural and geographical habitus, the Church was guided by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius, and The Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma presided over the Zone. However, as per the decision of the Episcopal Synod, the churches in North America and the United Kingdom became constituents of the newly formed "Diocese of North America and United Kingdom". The Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom then took charge as Diocesan Bishop. As the Church continued to expand, the nomenclature of the Diocese would change slightly to its current name, "Diocese of North America and Europe".
Mar Thoma Centre
In the 1990s, the Diocesan Assembly decided to permanently house the Diocese, feeling that this step would help to ground the Church into the reality of the socio-economic situation of the "Western" world. Hence, in 1994, the Diocesan Assembly initially purchased property at Richboro, Pennsylvania, for their Headquarters. but subsequently moved to their current location at 2320 South Merrick Avenue, Merrick, New York.
Dioesan bishops
To spearhead the task of nurturing and developing the young diocese, from 1993, Episcopal Synod of the Mar Thoma Church appointed resident bishops.
- Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus (October 1993 - October 2000)
- Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos (October 2000 - December 2008)
- Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa (Incumbent from January 1, 2009,)
Office bearers
In keeping with the Church's mission and vision of strong lay leadership, Diocesan Secretaries, Treasurers, Councils, Assemblies, have also contributed and continue to contribute towards the molding of the Diocese. Former Diocesan Secretaries include Rev. N.M. Cherian, Rev. A.G. Mathew, Rev. Dr. P.J. Philip, Rev. Jayan Thomas, Dr. P.V. Cherian (Recording Secretary), Rev. P.J. Alex, Rev. Dr. T.P. Abraham, Rev. Dr. P.G. George, Rev. Oommen Philip, Rev. K.Y. Jacob, Rev. Dr. John Joseph, Rev. Dr. K. A. Abraham. Rev. Joseph Oommen, Rev. Biju S. Cherian.and Rev. Vinoy Daniel. At present, Rev. K.E. Geevarghese holds the post as Diocesan Secretary.
Activites
Youth Conference
The first Mar Thoma Youth Conference in America was in 1980 at Stoney Park New York. The leader was Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan
Family Conference
The first family conference was in 1963 (June 26-29) in Toronto, Canada. The leader was Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, Farmers Branch hosted the this Conference, in 2010.
The Church continues to grow, rooted in its vision of providing identity while contextualizing to the dynamic realities of its living situation.
References
- ^ Reformation in the Malankara Church- Living the Gospel. Pub. Mar Thoma Sabha Council. February 2011. Page 7.
- ^ Zac Varghese Dr. & Mathew A. Kallumpram. ‘’Glimpses of Mar Thoma Church History’’. London, England. 2003. ISBN 81/900854/4/1.
- ^ Mathew, N.M. Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charitram, (History of the Marthoma Church), Volume III.(2008). Page 234-235.
External links
- Official Site of the Diocese of North America & Europe
- Official web site of the Mission Board of the Diocese
- Canadian Parishes
- American Parishes
- Europe
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