The clergy of the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church gathered for their Clergy Conference from September 23–24, 2026, at St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Mount Olive, New Jersey, under the leadership of Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos.
The conference provided an opportunity for the clergy brotherhood to come together in prayer, fellowship, study, and reflection upon their shared pastoral ministry.
The main speaker for the conference was Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael Sorial of the Coptic Orthodox Church, one of the sister Churches of the Oriental Orthodox family. Abouna Michael Sorial, is the priest of St. Anianus Coptic Orthodox Church in New Jersey and is also the Co-Founder and Chancellor of Agora University.Fr. Michael offered reflections to the clergy drawing upon the common Orthodox faith and pastoral experience shared by our Churches. His presence also served as a meaningful expression of the close bonds of faith and fellowship that unite the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church.
A particularly joyful and significant moment of the conference was the felicitation of Rev. Fr. Shibu Venad Mathai, who has been elected to the Holy Episcopacy of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. As Fr. Shibu prepares to depart for India in anticipation of his consecration, Metropolitan Nicholovos and the clergy brotherhood offered their heartfelt congratulations, prayers, and best wishes as he prepares to undertake this sacred ministry entrusted to him by the Holy Church.
The clergy gathered around Fr. Shibu in a spirit of brotherly love, praying that the Holy Spirit may strengthen and guide him as he prepares to enter the episcopal ministry and serve the Church in this new calling.
The two-day conference concluded with renewed fellowship among the clergy and a shared commitment to faithfully serve Christ and His Church, strengthening the pastoral and spiritual life of the Northeast American Diocese.
The conference provided an opportunity for the clergy brotherhood to come together in prayer, fellowship, study, and reflection upon their shared pastoral ministry.
The main speaker for the conference was Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael Sorial of the Coptic Orthodox Church, one of the sister Churches of the Oriental Orthodox family. Abouna Michael Sorial, is the priest of St. Anianus Coptic Orthodox Church in New Jersey and is also the Co-Founder and Chancellor of Agora University.Fr. Michael offered reflections to the clergy drawing upon the common Orthodox faith and pastoral experience shared by our Churches. His presence also served as a meaningful expression of the close bonds of faith and fellowship that unite the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church.
A particularly joyful and significant moment of the conference was the felicitation of Rev. Fr. Shibu Venad Mathai, who has been elected to the Holy Episcopacy of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. As Fr. Shibu prepares to depart for India in anticipation of his consecration, Metropolitan Nicholovos and the clergy brotherhood offered their heartfelt congratulations, prayers, and best wishes as he prepares to undertake this sacred ministry entrusted to him by the Holy Church.
The clergy gathered around Fr. Shibu in a spirit of brotherly love, praying that the Holy Spirit may strengthen and guide him as he prepares to enter the episcopal ministry and serve the Church in this new calling.
The two-day conference concluded with renewed fellowship among the clergy and a shared commitment to faithfully serve Christ and His Church, strengthening the pastoral and spiritual life of the Northeast American Diocese.