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St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church,
Philadelphia is a parish of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of
India. Its headquarters is in Kerala, India whose American Diocesan
headquarters is in New York. At present His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas
is the Diocesan Metropolitan and His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos is
the Assistant Metropolitan. We are part of a strong Church of three
million members spread all over the world.
This parish has been in existence since 1976 and serving a group of
immigrants and citizens of Indian origin. We have been involved in
social, humanitarian and spiritual activities to educate and edify the
people to be responsible citizens. Our children are brought up in
discipline to work hard and support this country the best way possible.
Our members are serving the U S Military and one of our members
participated in the Iraq War and another member in Afghanistan. Also we
instruct our members to strive for achievement through the right
education and generous volunteerism. Various activities for different
age groups such as Sunday school, Student Movement, Youth Movement,
Ladies Forum, Couples Forum and Men’s Forum are in full swing. In
addition, we are engaged in different interdenominational and social
activities that bring amity and understanding in the society.
We were successful in initiating various humanitarian activities. We
were able to raise more than $10,000.00 for the victims of Katrina. For
the Victims affected by the Tsunami, we were able to raise more than
$15,000.00. We had raised $10,000.00 towards the 9/11 World Trade Center
disaster fundraiser and donated that amount to the Philadelphia Police
and Fire Service Welfare Association. We also did monetary help to North
Dakota flood victims and Gujarat (India) earthquake victims. Every year
we spend approximately $40,000.00 towards various charities in the USA
and in India. This includes help for education, marriage aid, house
construction, church buildings, medical aid etc.
Our parish did undergo some metamorphosis as time passed. Many other
parishes also came into existence during the course of time. In the year
1996 the parish took a new direction in its life taking a vow to follow
the Lord as much as possible in practical life. The decision to forget
the past and establish a very cordial and cooperative relationship with
rest of the Orthodox/Non-Orthodox parishes brought a new light in the
minds of the people. Thereafter we could see a new impetus and zeal in
the minds of the people to walk in the path of the Lord. Our attempt for
our own worship place was a distant dream as were very few in numbers.
Moreover most of the members are in the lower middle class group. But
our determination and sense of unity worked miracles which indeed was
the biggest blessing from God. In 2004 October we acquired the present
facility which is very spacious. New members keep on joining our parish.
We are trying our best to bear witness to the love of Christ through our
parish..
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