Services
9:45AM - Holy Qurbana
St. Mary's Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church was established on January 1, 1980, as per the constitution of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, by the Kalpana of His Grace, the late Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios, then the American Diocese Bishop. Our first location was at 12th and Oak Lane in Philadelphia, PA. This location was a rented hall of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The first Vicar for St. Mary's Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church was M.E. Idiculla Cor Episcopa. At that time, there were only sixteen families as members. Holy Qurbana and Prayer meetings were held only once a month. However all the members gathered at the church every Sunday for Morning Prayers and Bible reading along with Sunday School and Martha Mariam Samajam.
Very Rev. M. E. Idiculla served as Vicar from January 01, 1980 to January 31, 1983. Rev. Fr. C.J. Johnson came to our parish at the end of 1981. Beginning 1982, regular Holy Qurbana was held every Sunday. On February 1983, Rev. Fr. C.J. Johnson became the Vicar as per the Kalpana of His Grace, the late Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios and he continues to be the Vicar today.
On March 18, 1988, the parish acquired the church at 1424 Orthodox Street in Philadelphia, PA. The artist Mr. Tiruvalla Baby built three beautiful altars in the church. His Grace, the late Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios and His Grace, the late Dr. Paulose Mar Gregorios held the sanctification ceremony on April 29th and 30th of 1988.
On May 8, 2016, with truly great blessings from above and the charitable contributions of many individuals, especially from the 49 families of St. Mary's Malankara Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, the parish was able to acquire a beautiful new church building at 1333 Welsh Road in Huntingdon Valley, PA.