St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Parish , Dombivli

Dombivili St. Mary's Orthodox Church By the Grace of God, around 30 families in and around Dombivli ,who were earlier belonged to St. Mary’s Church, Dadar and St. Thomas Church, Kalyan started a prayer group in 1983 at Dombivli with the guidance of Late Rev. Fr. C J. Varghese, the vicar of St. Thomas Church, Kalyan. This prayer group have started the Sunday school, Carol singing group and thought about various strategies for organizing a congregation in Dombivli and approached the then Diocesan Metropolitan Late Lamented His Grace Philippose Mar Theophilos for his permission .He was kind enough to grant the permission to start an independent congregation from 1st December 1986. The first Holy Qurbana was conducted by Rev. Fr Thomas Kurian on 15th August 1986. Rev.Fr. P. J. James was appointed as first Vicar of the congregation with 86 members on its roll. L L H. G. Philipose Mar Theophilos kindly granted the status of Parish on 1st January 1988 as a new year gift. The parish obtained the registration from Charity Commissioner ,Thane on 15th April,1988. On 22nd Aug.1991, then the Managing Committee headed by Rev. Fr. P. J. James, Vicar approached MIDC for purchasing a plot of land measuring 680 sq. mtrs at a cost of Rs.1,36,000.00 The foundation stone was laid by His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, Asst. Metropolitan of Mumbai on 26th Jan.1992. Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Thannikot was the vicar during that time. During the course of time and the wholehearted efforts by the members, the parish building was constructed and its temporary consecration was performed on 19th Sept 1993 by His Grace Dr.Philippose Mar Theopilos and started functioning our spiritual activities. Rev. Fr. Mathew Thannimoottil appointed as the vicar at this time. The parish started a charitable clinic in 1993 and a number of people are still benefited from the clinic. By the Grace of God and wholehearted supports from the members, we could construct the first floor and second floors of the building during 1995-97. The consecration of the Parish was performed on 6th and 7th Dec 1997 by His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Mathews II Assisted by H.G Paulose Mar Pacomios and H.G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos along with number of priests from the neighboring churches.