Edmonton St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church to celebrate Silver Jubilee

• 1976 – St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Congregation was formed.  H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios, then Diocesan Metropolitan of the American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church, officially approved the congregation.
• 1982 –The Parish is incorporated and registered under the Religious Societies Act of the Province of Alberta. The Diocesan Metropolitan, H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios officially declared it as a Parish under the Diocese of America and appointed Rev. Fr. Dr. M.E. Idiculla as a non-resident Vicar.
• 1983 onwards - Morning prayers and Sunday school classes were held regularly on Sundays at All Saints Orthodox Church.
• 1986 – Rev. Fr. George John was appointed as the first resident vicar of the parish and the regular services started.
• 1987 – The church building is acquired and renovated. The regular services were held in our own church from December 1987 onwards.
• May 1988 – The official consecration of the church was celebrated. H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios was the chief celebrant assisted by the Vicar Rev. Fr. George John, Very Rev. Fr. Idiculla Chor Episcopoi and Rev. Fr. A.K. Cherian. The Dignitaries and Bishops from the Russian Orthodox Church, Ukrainian Orthodox Church, other churches and denominations from Kerala, Members representing the Government of Canada, Government of the Province of Alberta and the City of Edmonton attended the celebrations and public meeting.
• 1989 – H.G. Mathews Mar Barnabas was appointed as the Metropolitan-in-charge for the American Diocese and the parish was assigned under Thirumeni’s administration.
• 1993 – The parish became part of the newly created Diocese of Canada, UK and Europe under the Diocesan Metropolitan, H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios.
• 1999 – The church was renovated and extended to its present state. The newly built and renovated part of the church was re-consecrated by H.G. Mar Makarios Thirumeni.
• 1995 - The first batch of funeral lots was purchased. The last batch of funeral lots was acquired in 2010. Currently the parish owns approximately 150 lots.
• The Resident Priests served as Vicars are:   Rev. Fr. George John (1986-1989), Rev. Fr. C. Daniel Pullelil (1989-1992), Rev. Fr. George Daniel (1992-2001), Very Rev. Fr. Ramban Lazarus Chor Episcopoi (2001-2005), Rev. Fr. Philipose Philip (2005 -2012), Rev. Fr. Dr. Paul T. Varghese (2010-2012 as Assistant Vicar and 2012 June onwards as the present Vicar).
• 2009 – The parish became part of the newly created Diocese of South-West America under the Diocesan Metropolitan, H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius.

The 25^th Anniversary of acquiring the church will be celebrated on Saturday September 8^th and Sunday, September 9^th, 2012. Diocesan Metropolitan, H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius will be the chief guest and the first resident vicar, Rev. Fr. George John will be the guest of honor. The celebrations start with evening prayer on Saturday. The Holy Qurbana will be celebrated by Mar Eusebius Thirumeni assisted by Rev. Fr. George John and Rev. Fr. Dr. Paul T. Varghese at 8:30 am on Sunday, September 9^th at the church. The public meeting and celebrations will be held from 3:30 pm onwards at Festival Place in Sherwood Park. The program includes reception, honoring the founding members and variety cultural programs followed by dinner. Priests and dignitaries from neighboring churches and other denominations are expected to attend.

For further information please contact the vicar, Fr. Paul T. Varghese at 780-250-6286 or the Jubilee Celebration Coordinator, Mr. Binu Mathew at 780-483-8221.

News provided by:  George Geevarughese, Diocesan Council Member.