St. George Orthodox Syrian Church , Mulund

ST. GEORGE ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH, MULUND The story of the church is the story of dreams, dedication, devotion, prayers and blessings of around 30 members residing in Mulund, Bhandup and Thane. They had to travel to St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Dadar to attend worship and the distance was a deterrent. The spiritual urge to worship and pray urged them to form a prayer group. Thus began the history of St. George Orthodox Church, Mulund. His Holiness Beselios Mar Thoma Mathews-I gave permission to start a new parish in the name of St. George Orthodox Church. Rev Fr George Pannakkamattom conducted first Holy Qurbana on 18th July 1976 at St Plus School Hall. The Church was registered as a charitable trust under the Bombay Public trust act 1950. A lease agreement between the landlord Mr. Lakhpatrai Agarwal and this trust was executed on 30th March 1979 for a plot of land at Model town. The Church members contributed generously for the construction of the Prayer hall. The foundation stone was laid on 8th March 1981 and the consecration of the Prayer hall was held on 11th April 1981 by His Grace Dr Philipose Mar Theophilus, assisted by Rev Fr Philipose Thomas (His Grace Philipose Mar Eusebius). The St George School was officially inaugurated by Shri. Trivedi, then local MLA in 1985. In 1987 a separate Trust viz ‘St. George Education and Welfare centre’ was formed under the Societies Act 1860 to run the school. Considering the space limit for the church and the School General Body unanimously authorized Mr M T Kochukunju to carry out the construction work of a Church and School building. Diocesan Metropolitan, His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos blessed the Foundation stone and it was laid on 6th May 2000, by His Grace Geevarghese Mar Ivanios, the Metropolitan of Kottayam Diocese. With the leadership of Mr. M T Kochukunju, Mr. M J Mathai and Mr. Saji Mathews, the construction was completed and the consecration of the present church was held on 27th and 28th April 2001 by His Grace Dr. Stephanos Mar Theodosius, Metropolitan of Calcutta Diocese and assisted by His Grace Philipose Mar Eusebius, His Grace Yacoob Mar Iraneus and the Diocesan Metropolitan His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos. The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Chhagan Bhujbal inaugurated the new School building. Civil Suppliers Minister Shri Nasim Khan and MLA Shri Sardar Tara Singh were also present on the occasion. The present membership of the Parish is 350. Holy Qurbana has been started on all 3rd Sundays at Bhandup since 2009 with the persmission of Diocesan Metropolitan.