St. Gregorios Orthodox Syrian Church , Mira Bhayandar

ST. GREGORIOS ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH, MIRA-BHAYANDER Thirty-five orthodox Christian families residing at Mira-Bhayander who were the members of St. George Orthodox Church, Borivili felt the need for a place of worship at the township. A delegation met His Grace Philipose Mar Theophilus, Metropolitan of Mumbai and Asst. Metropolitan His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos with this plan. The faithful assembled at the residence of Mr. K U Abraham passed a resolution confirming the erstwhile decisions of independent parish and its proposed name and also emulated future plans for raising funds for immediate needs. The first Holy Qurbana and the feast of St Gregorios was celebrated on 6th November 1994 at Holy Cross Convent school, Mira Road by Rev Fr Paul Mathew, St Pauls Ashram Puthupady and afterwards occasionally as per the availability of the priests. St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Mira-Bhayander has been declared as independent parish with effect from 1st June 1995, by the order of Diocesan Metropolitan and appointed Rev Fr C J Varghese as first Vicar. Sr. Johanna of Holy Cross convent permitted to use the 4th floor corridor of their school building to conduct holy Qurbana on every Sunday morning. The foundation stone was laid on 8th June 1997 by His Grace Philipose Mar Theophilus metropolitan, which was His Grace’s last public function. Rev Fr M S Geevarghese was appointed as assistant vicar and fund raising for the project was rejuvenated from the Church members and from members of various churches and also through souvenir, gift coupon etc… The church was temporarily consecrated by His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos on 13th December 1998. The hard work and sincere effort of Rev Fr C J Varghese the first Vicar of the parish is greatly appreciable and praise worthy. The new church was consecrated on 8th November 1999, by late lamented Sabharathnam His Grace Geevarghese Mar Osthathios, Metropolitan of Niranam jointly with His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, His Grace Abraham Mar Saverios of Ankamaly and with several priests and multitude of faithful. On 2nd of July 2006, a cross vault was dedicated by His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, which was constructed and donated to parish by Mr Viju C Varghese and Mr Issac Kottadiyil. Mr Jose Parumala has donated a part of holy relics of St Gregarios of Parumala gifted by Rev Fr K B Mathews Karicott, Mattakkal to parish which was installed and dedicated on 15th June 2008 by His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos Metopolitan. Rev Fr Siby Babu is a member of this parish. Rev Fr C J Varghese, Rev Fr M S Joy, Rev Fr Varghese Yohanan, Rev Fr Koshy Plammoottil, Rev Fr Koshy Alex, Rev Fr Jiji K Thomas, Rev Fr Thomas Kurien, Rev Fr Benjamin S Philip, Rev Fr Geevarghese Abraham served as Vicars. Rev Fr Yesudasan served as Asst. Vicar. Presently, Rev Fr Jacob Thomas is the Vicar of this Parish