On Saturday, September 19, 2026, the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church was represented at the consecration of The Right Reverend Dr. Adam J. Shoemaker as the Ninth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island.
Fr. Daniel Mathai participated in the historic celebration alongside other ecumenical representatives, and community leaders who gathered to welcome Bishop Shoemaker as he began his episcopal ministry.
On behalf of Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, the clergy and faithful of the Northeast American Diocese, Bishop Shoemaker was presented with a gift by Fr. Daniel, who conveyed the prayers, and fraternal greetings of the Diocese.
The presence of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church at the consecration also recalled the longstanding bonds of friendship between the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Episcopal Church, a relationship that was especially significant during the formative years of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in North America.
Among the pioneers of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in America was Rev. Fr. K. C. Thomas, who came to the United States for his theological studies at the Nashotah House, and Virginia Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church on invitation of Bishop Lauriston Scaife. Following his return to India and subsequent consecration to the Holy Episcopacy, Metropolitan Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios returned to North America to shepherd the growing Malankara Orthodox community.
The establishment of the American Diocese marked an important new chapter in the life of the Church on this continent. Significantly, on July 14, 1979, Metropolitan Makarios was formally enthroned as the first Metropolitan of the American Diocese at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, one of the most prominent cathedrals of the Episcopal Church. The historic enthronement remains an enduring reminder of the friendship and hospitality extended by the Episcopal Church to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church during the foundational years of its organized ministry in North America.
These bonds were further strengthened through theological education. Over the decades, a number of esteemed Malankara Orthodox hierarchs and priests pursued advanced theological studies at Episcopal institutions, including the General Theological Seminary in New York City. Such encounters fostered relationships between clergy and theologians of both traditions and contributed to the development of the Malankara Orthodox Church's ministry in North America.
Today, this history of hospitality, theological exchange, friendship, and Christian fellowship provides a meaningful foundation upon which new relationships can continue to be built.
Fr. Daniel conveyed the prayerful wishes of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church to Bishop Shoemaker for a blessed and fruitful episcopal ministry. He expressed the hope that the Northeast American Diocese and the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island might continue to deepen their friendship through dialogue, and common witness.