ST. MARY'S JACOBITE SYRIAN CHURCH, NAIGAON

H. H. Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I

OUR CHURCH

St. Marys Church Naigaon

The history of “St. Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Church, Naigaon – Vasai” is connected to the history of “St. Thomas Syrian Church Congregation, Byculla, Mumbai” which was established in the year 1975.

As the number of Jacobite Syrian Christian families increased, many members of the above congregation came and settled in the North-Western suburbs of Mumbai viz Mira Road, Bhayandar, Naigaon, Vasai, Nallasopara and Virar. However, for Holy Qurbana and other spiritual needs, they were dependent on “St. Thomas Jacobite Syrian Church Congregation, Byculla” and “St. Peter’s Jacobite Syrian Church, Malad”.

Subsequently, a service center was setup and the first Holy Qurbana was conducted on 29th November,1987 by then Vicar of “St. Thomas JSC Congregation”, Rev. Fr. Varghese Valayil.

Initially, the service was on every 5th Sunday, which later graduated to Holy Qurbana on every Sunday.

A service center was also established at Bhayandar under “St. Peter’s Jacobite Syrian Church” and a bi-monthly service was held regularly.

The parishioners of both centers felt the need to unite under a single banner and decided to form a Public Charitable Trust. Thanks to the untiring effort of just 19 loyal families, we could formulate and register a Public Charitable Trust in 1996 in the name of St. Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church Society – Vasai”.

Finally, the Vasai center was declared as an independent service center, with the appointment of Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Kadavumbhagam in the month of December 1998 by H. G. Thomas Mor Themotheos, the Metropolitan of Outside Kerala Diocese.

From the formation of the society, the members were looking for a plot of land in and around Vasai for building a Church cum Community center. We were fortunate to get a plot of land at Naigaon East, admeasuring 65 cents donated by Mr. Antony John Pereira by the constant effort of Chev. K. V. John.

In order to accommodate families residing from Mira road to Virar, the Vasai service was declared as independent parish, amalgamating Vasai service center and Bhayandar service center under a single banner of ‘St. Mary’s Jacobite Syrian orthodox Chruch – Naigaon Vasai” and Rev Fr. Kuriakose Kadavumbhagam was appointed as the first vicar of the Church by H. G. Thomas Mor Themotheos.

We feel proud to announce that the church has now more than 100 families as members.

H. H. Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I (Patriarch Of Antioch and all the East, Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox church) blessing the foundation stone of our church

With the abundant blessings of God Almighty, the congregation grew tremendously. The following are some of the landmarks in the history of Parish.

The foundation stone laying ceremony of this church was consecrated on 13th September, 1999 by H. G. Thomas Mor Themotheos, the Metropolitan of Outside Of Kerala Diocese.
The first ever Penta – Mass in the history of Jacobite Syrian Community of Mumbai was conducted by H. G. Thomas Mor Themotheos assisted by priests from all over Mumbai.
On 10th April, 2000 the Altar stone for the church was blessed by H. H. Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I, Patriarch Of Antioch and all the East, Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox church. This happened when His Holiness visited Mumbai in connect with His Holiness’s apostolic visit to India.
Our Parish was able to establish a Service Center at Nallasopara West on 21st January, 2001.
H. G. Thomas Mor Themotheos celebrated the first Holy Qurbana and named the center as “St. George”.
Subsequently, with the initiative of Chev. K. V. John, a plot of land with a building was constructed in the year 2008.
Consecration of the center was conducted on 15th June, 2008 by H. B. Mor Catholicose Baselious Thomas I (Catholicose of the East) in the honorable presence of H. G. Thomas Mor Themotheos Metropolitan, H. G. Pathrose Mor Osthatheos and H. G. Kuriakose Mor Eusebius.

The Holy Mooron Consecration of the New Church was conducted on 8th and 9th June, 2002, by H. G. Thomas Mor Themotheos Metropolitan, H. G. Joseph Mor Gregorious Metropolitan and H. G. Markose Mor Kurilose Metropolitan.
Fr. Abraham Padanilathu Memorial Library was inaugurated at the Church premises on September 2002 and we have a collection of over 5000 books, today. Our sincere thanks to Chev. C. M. Joy, for donating over 4000 books.

H. G. Pathrose Mor Osthatheos

H. G. Kuriakose Mor Eusebius

Chev. K. V. John

Chev. C. M. Joy

H. G. Yuhanon Mor Philexnios

We have the privilege of being the Parish, where two of our members were awarded with prestigious title “Chevalier” by H. H. Ignatius Zakka 1, the supreme head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church. This was conducted at our church on the 10th April, 2005 under the honorable presence of H. B. Mor Baselious Thomas I, H. G. Yuhanon Mor Philexnios, H. G. Thomas Mor Themotheos and other dignatries.
The Kurishumthotti dedicated to Mother Mary at Pereiera Nagar, Naigaon was consecrated on 4th September, 2005 by H. G. Yuhanon Mor Milithose.
With the abundant blessings of God Almighty, the congregation grew tremendously.
Blessing and rededication of the newly painted Holy Altar of our Church was conducted on 18th December, 2005 by H. G. Thomas Mor Themotheos, the Diocesan Metropolitan.
We are also proud to have our own Cemetary, the only Jacobite Church around Mumbai to have their own cemetary.
By the grace of God we purchased a flat for the parsonage and its blessing was performed by H. G. Kuriakose Mor Eusabious, Diocesan Metropolitan on 20th February, 2011.

H. G. Joseph Mor Gregorious

H. G. Yuhanon Mor Militheos

Late Lamented H. G. Markose Mor Kurilose

Besides, the regular church services conducted at St. Mary’s J. S. Church, Naigaon on all Sundays and other obligatory days, services are also held at St. George Service Center, Nallasopara on 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month. Over and above, evening Prayers and intercessory prayers to Mother Mary are being conducted on every Wednesday. This Wednesday meetings have proved beneficial to many faithful devotees.

Sunday School is conducted for the benefit of our children. Prayer meetings are being held regularly at different areas for the Spiritual enlightenment of the members and to foster Christian fellowship. The parish youth Association and Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam which from the two major wings of the parish assist in fulfilling its social charitable objectives.

To serve the poor and needy, we would like to start a Charitable Hospital, a Creche, and a vocational training center for women. We take the opportunity to thank all those who helped and contributed towards completing the first part of our goal, the Church dedicated to Mother Mary. We also look forward for the same assistance in all our future projects.

We are grateful to our H. H. Mor Ignatius Zakka I, was the Prince-Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, H. B. Mor Baselious Thomas I, Catholicose of the East, H. G. Thomas Mor Themotheos, H. G. Kuriakose Mor Eusebius and all other metropolitans, priests and well-wishers for their cooperation