St. Gregorious Orthodox Syrian Church , Bhusaval

With about 8 families to start with, the St. Gregorios Orthodox Congregation, Bhusawal initiated in the year 1993. Bhusawal is a city as well as a municipal council (established in 1882) in the Jalgaon district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Bhusawal is the second biggest town in the district. Situated on river tapi the National Highway 6 passes through it. Bhusawal Junction railway station has good rail service and is a divisional headquarters of Central Railway. It is on both the Howrah-Allahabad-Mumbai line and the Howrah-Nagpur-Mumbai line. Bhusawal railway division is a subdivision under Central Railway. Its headquarters is at the station. Bhusawal railway yard is one of the biggest yards in Asia. Bhusawal is the nearest junction to Ajanta (83 km away). During the steam locomotive era, a locomotive shed was there. The shed was located there due to the proximity of the river. The train usually stopped there to get water and stock as well as for passenger utility. The shed was later converted to service electrics. Bhusawal is known for banana cultivation. Traders come to Bhusawal to buy raw bananas. Bananas are exported across the world. Bhusawal is also known for its special white brinjals which is grown locally. There were a handful of Orthodox Christian families residing here in Busawal since two decades. They are mainly rendering their services in railways here, and some are into the business field. Priests from Nasik used to come and conduct Holy Qurbana at this place once a while. Now-a-days priests from Nagpur Seminary conduct Holy Qurbana here once in every month. Holy Qurbana is conducted at the St.Paul’s CNI Church here on Sunday Evenings. Rev.Fr.Jiji K. Thomas, Rev.Fr.Jose Chemmun, Rev.Fr. Thomas Myalil, Rev.Fr.Shaji Chacko, Rev. Fr. Thomas Philippose, Rev. Fr. Shaji P John, Rev.Fr. Philippose Venattu and Rev.Fr.P.C.Thomas have served here as vicars. Rev.Fr.B.M.Thomas is the present vicar. (updated as received from parish)