The Beginning of Emigration
The history of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in North America begins approximately in the mid-20th century. During this period, a number of prominent priests and laity came to the United States for higher studies and training. We do not have much information about the people who came over during that time period, but we do know that His Grace Mathews Mar Coorilos Metropolitan (later His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II) stayed at the General Theological Seminary in 1963 and returned to India in 1964. Metropolitan Mar Coorilos celebrated Holy Qurbana occasionally during his stay here. At the same time, Reverend Father K. M. Simon of the Syriac Orthodox Church, came to take charge under the Patriarchate of Antioch. After Metropolitan Mar Coorilos returned back to India, Father Simon continued celebrating the Holy Qurbana in various parts of the northeast United States. These services were ecumenical in nature, and many Keralite Christians participated in this gathering of Saint Thomas Christians in the United States. Initially, these services were conducted occasionally, but later, with the growing number of Orthodox Christians emigrating from India, the Divine Services were conducted more frequently.
In 1965, the United States' legislation passed a new bill which cleared the way for thousands of professionally qualified individuals to make their way to America. Many Malankara Orthodox Christians, who were in search of a better life for themselves and their families, came to the United States during this time. After 1970, the Malankara Orthodox Church gradually began to take root in many of the major cities throughout North America. As time passed, the growing number of clergy and laity proved that the Malankara Orthodox Church would be a permanent religious body in the United States. However, the question of ecclesiastical authority, and how this body should be structured became a chief point of concern among local clergy and the leadership of the Church. Despite the hardships taking place within the Church, many priests sacrificed and pioneered ahead to establish parishes for the growing number of Malankara Orthodox Christians in the United States. Their vision and labors were solely rooted in ensuring the pastoral needs of the faithful were met, and to strengthen their spiritual lives during their transition to a new country.
A Diocese is Born
The year 1976 was a very important year for the Church, especially here in America. The Holy Synod decided to establish more dioceses to better administer the flock in various parts of the world. At this time, the numerous churches in America were placed under the authority of the Metropolitan of the Bombay Diocese, Thomas Mar Makarios, who had spent time in America as a student. Under the leadership of Mar Makarios, the Holy Synod made a momentous decision and granted the parishes in America their own Diocese, creating the American Diocese. Mar Makarios was given authority of the American Diocese and the enthronement of the newly elected Metropolitan Mar Makarios was held at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in Manhattan, under the authority of the Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, Baselios Marthoma Mathews I, on July 14, 1979.
The enthronement was well attended by many leaders of the Orthodox Churches, as well as representatives from various other denominations. Notable during this time was the grand celebration of Saint Thomas Day by parishioners and church leaders across the nation at Union Theological Seminary, NY. During the tenure of Metropolitan Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios, the Diocese saw growth in a dramatic fashion as the number of parishes grew to almost fifty strong. Along with this, the dedicated service of the priests in America added to the unity, prosperity and growth of the Diocese.
A New Metropolitan
In 1991, the American Diocese transitioned to the spiritual care of His Holiness the Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan. During this time, His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas, Metropolitan assisted His Holiness in catering to the spiritual needs of the clergy and faithful of this vast Diocese. Later, His Grace was formally entrusted with care of the American Diocese as her new Metropolitan. Metropolitan Mathews Mar Barnabas was enthroned in March 1993 by His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II at Saint Mary's Orthodox Church of West Sayville, New York. The enthronement ceremony was well attended by clergy and faithful throughout the Diocese, along with the presence of honorable leaders of the ecumenical community.
Under the prayerful leadership and vision of His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas, the American Diocese grew exponentially. Ministries throughout the Diocese were developed, which included youth ministry (MGOCSM) and Sunday School. Such ministries engaged the young people of the Diocese with the beauty of the Orthodox Christian faith. His Grace developed a national structure and administration to ensure such ministries continued to expand.
In 2002, Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, a young, talented leader and orator was appointed as the Assistant Metropolitan of the Diocese. It is with His Grace Mar Nicholovos' energy and vigor, the Diocese was able to further expand its vision and mission - to cater to the spiritual needs of our faithful. Under the joint leadership of both Metropolitans, regional Family & Youth Conferences in the southern and southeast Untied States were initiated and gained strength, in addition to the Family & Youth Conference held in the northeast United States.
The youth ministry department of the American Diocese, known as the MGOCSM, began hosting an annual summer leadership camp which strengthened our young people’s love for the Orthodox Christian faith. This in turn sparked a vast array of local youth ministries on regional and area levels throughout North America as well. In addition this stable ministerial growth, many young men and women left their lucrative careers to join for Theological and Pastoral studies at reputable Orthodox Theological institutions. A liturgical studies program also was initiated at our Seminary in Kottayam, for men graduating with a Master of Divinity from one of the Orthodox Theological Seminaries in America.
The American Diocese also was able to build a proper Diocesan Chancery in Muttontown, New York, to serve as the official residence of the Metropolitan, and headquarters of the Diocese.
Growth in Church in North America
The growth of the American Diocese was leading to another exponential level. The number of the parishes reached close to almost 100 dynamic faith communities spread throughout the vast United States. Recognizing the geographical vastness and obstacles in ministry, the Church divided the American Diocese into two Dioceses - the Northeast American Diocese and the Southwest American Diocese in April 2009.
The Northeast American Diocese continued under the prayerful leadership of His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas, Metropolitan until January 2011. In February 2011 the holy church entrusted Metropolitan Mar Barnabas' auxiliary, His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, the sacred responsibility of leading the Northeast American Diocese. It was a touching moment to witness His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas receive and greet his successor Metropolitan Nicholovos, and witness him prayerfully entrust the new Diocesan Metropolitan care for the Diocese by handing over his archpastoral staff.
On Saturday, May 21, 2011, with more than one thousand in attendance, His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan, enthroned His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos as Metropolitan of the Northeast America Diocese, at Saint Gregorios Orthodox Church of Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Distinguished Hierarchs from the Armenian Orthodox Church and Episcopal Church, and sister Dioceses, also participated in the Enthronement Ceremony.
Our Diocese Today
Our Diocese serves more than six states in the northeastern United States, and two provinces in Canada. It consists of more than 50 parishes, three missions, and one congregation. Through our local parish communities, the Diocese caters to the spiritual needs of over 20,000 Orthodox faithful, by proclaiming the Gospel in accordance with the Orthodox faith, sanctifying the faithful through sacred worship and offering the loving presence of Christ in their spiritual lives.
