Our story at a glance
From a first gathering of eighteen believers to an active, multi-generational church — here is how St Mary's Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church took root in Sydney. Read the full history for the complete story.
Around eighteen members gathered at a Uniting church in South Strathfield to establish a Sydney-based Malankara Orthodox community.
A general body meeting formally named the church and elected its first leadership. The congregation resolved to hold Sunday services at 4pm.
The inaugural service was celebrated, led by Rev. Fr. George Alkam.
Very Rev. Fr. Zeki Zitoun Corepiscopa, vicar of St Ephraim Cathedral in Lidcombe, began regularly conducting services for the young congregation.
Very Rev. Fr. Peter Velamparambil Corepiscopa, newly arrived from Kerala, celebrated the first Malayalam service, drawing over eighty worshippers.
His Beatitude Baselios Thomas I visited Sydney and celebrated Holy Qurbana.
The church was formally consecrated.
Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, H. H. Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II visited our church.
Successive vicars — Fr. Sabu Paulose, Fr. George Vayalipparambil, Fr. Geevarghese Kuzhiyelil, Fr. Joseph Kunnappillil, Fr. Varghese Paul Thombra, Fr. Manish Kuriakose and Fr. Jerin C Shaji — have shepherded the church, which today is served by Rev. Fr. Eldho Chirangara.
A living, growing church
St Mary's now maintains weekly Sunday services, an active Sunday School, monthly home prayer meetings, and vibrant spiritual organisations including the Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam, the Men's Association, the Youth Association, SOSMA and the Church Choir.
Explore our spiritual organisations