Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church - Diocese of Northeast America

New York, USA

Indian Orthodox Church Centre, 2158 route 106 Mutton Town

New York, New York USA

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church - Diocese of Northeast America

2153421500

northeastamericandiocese@gmail.com


The history of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of the East in the U.S.A. begins approximately in the mid 20th century. During this period, a number of prominent priests and laity came to the U.S.A. for higher studies and training. We do not have much information about the people who came over during that time period, but we do know that His Grace Mathews Mar Coorilos Metropolitan (late H.H. Moran Mar Baselius Mar Thoma Mathews II) stayed at the General Theological Seminary in 1963 and returned to India in 1964. Mar Coorilos celebrated Holy Qurbana occasionally during his stay here.
At the same time, Rev. Fr. K.M. Simon of the Syrian Orthodox Church in the U.S., came to take charge under the Patriarchate of Antioch. After Mar Coorilos left for India, Fr. Simon continued celebrating the Holy Qurbana in various parts of Northeast America. This service was ecumenical in nature, and all Malayalees, irrespective of cast and creed, participated and enjoyed the hospitality of this group. In the beginning, these services were conducted occasionally, but later, more frequently.

Beginning In 1965, the United States' legislation passed a new bill which cleared the way for thousands of professionally qualified individuals to make their way to America. Many Malankara Orthodox Christians, who were in search of a better life for themselves and their families, came to the United States during this time. After 1970, the Malankara Orthodox Church gradually began to take root in many of the major US cities. Many of the new congregations were faced with uncertainties regarding the fate of the Church in America. As time passed, the growing number of clergy and laity proved that the Malankara Orthodox Church would be a permanent body in the United States. The question of ecclesiastical authority and how this body should be structured was a chief point of concern among the clergy and other church officials. Despite the hardships taking place within the Church, "pioneer" priests worked hard to establish parishes in order to serve the needs of the growing number of Malankara immigrants to the United States.

In 2009, the Malankara Church decided to divide what was known as the 'American Diocese' into two dioceses, namely - the Northeast American Diocese and the Southwest American Diocese.

Today, the Northeast American Diocese can boast of more than fifty parishes, with more than forty priests, 14 deacons and seminarians. The hard work and prayers of all our Hierarchs, Priests, and laity have led to the Diocese's strong foundation, and have provided for us a secure future and outlook for the next generation of Indian Orthodox Christians in the Northeast American Diocese.