Church Milestones

1972 – The first Holy Qurbana of the St. Gre­gorios Indian Orthodox church, Edmonton was conducted by Rev. Fr. A. K. Cherian from New York. His visit prompted the members of the Orthodox Church to form a prayer group. It was also decided that Holy Week Services will be held every year.

1974 –  onwards – We are indebted to the fol­lowing priests who graciously accepted our invitations to come and conduct the holy week services, until a resident priest arrived in 1986. Fr. K.C. George (1974), Fr. T. C. Mathai (1975 & 1976), Fr. T.M. Zachariah (1977), Fr. P.T. Abraham (1978), Fr. Lazarus OIC (1979), Fr. K.K. Kuriakose (1980), Fr. Geevarughese OIC (1981), Fr. T.P. Mathew (1982), Fr. K.C. Mathews (1983 & 1984), Fr. Daniel George (1985). We are thankful to the following churches for their generosity in providing the space for conduct­ing our church services. They are, St. Barbaras Russian Orthodox Church, St. Mark Anglican Church, St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Our Lady of Fatima Portugese Catholic Church and All Saints Orthodox Church.

1975 –  H.G. Dr. Paulose Mar Gregorios of Bless­ed Memory, then Vice President of the World Council of Christian Churches, visited Edmon­ton and celebrated Holy Qurbana. It was the first time a Metropolitan of the Malankara Or­thodox Church visiting Edmonton. The Malan­kara Orthodox members with the full support and cooperation of the Edmonton Malayalee community and the Malayalees from other places in Alberta including Calgary, arranged a Grand Reception for Thirumeni, which was attended by the Bishops from other churches, Ministers of the Provincial Government, the Mayor of the City of Edmonton, MPs, MLAs, Aldermen, and leaders of other communities.

1976 – St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Con­gregation was formed. H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios, then Diocesan Metropolitan of the American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church, officially approved the congregation.

1977 – H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios, the Metropolitan of the American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox church, visited Edmon­ton and conducted services including Holy Qurbana. The religious reporter from the Ed­monton Journal, arranged a press meet with Thirumeni and published a full page report on his visit and the details and history of the Malankara Orthodox Church in the Sunday Journal.

1982 – The Parish is incorporated and regis­tered under the Religious Societies Act of the Province of Alberta. The Diocesan Metropol­itan, H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios officially declared it as a Parish under the Diocese of America and appointed Rev. Fr. Dr. M.E. Idicul­la as the non-resident Vicar.

1983: Developed and Registered the first Bylaws of the church. Bylaws team members: PV Joseph, KG John, Babu Zachariah, George Mathew

1983 – We obtained charitable registration from the Government of Canada, which was the first time a church from India to receive such a status in Canada.

1983 onwards – Morning prayers and Sun­day school classes were held regularly on Sundays at All Saints Orthodox Church. Since then, this Parish served the spiritual needs of the Malankara Orthodox church members in various cities and places in Alberta, including Fort McMurray and Calgary, until St. Mary’s Malankara Orthodox Church was formed in Calgary about 9 years ago.

1986 – Rev. Fr. George John was appointed as the first resident vicar of the parish and the regular services were started upon his arrival.

1986 – H.B. Mathews Mar Coorilos, Catholi­cose Designate, visited Edmonton and con­ducted Services. A public reception was held at St. Barbaras Russian Orthodox Church, at­tended by Distinguished Guests and Bishops from various churches, Political Leaders and various Community Leaders.

1987 – The church building was acquired and renovated. The regular services were held in our own church from December 1987 on­wards.

May 1988 – The official consecration of the church was celebrated. H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios was the chief celebrant assisted by the Vicar Rev. Fr. George John, Very Rev. Fr. Idiculla Cor-Episcopa and Rev. Fr. A.K. Cheri­an. The Dignitaries and Bishops from the Rus­sian Orthodox Church, Ukrainian Orthodox Church, other churches and denominations from Kerala, Members representing the Gov­ernment of Canada, Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton attended the cele­brations and public meeting.

1988 – The Holy Qurbana was conducted in English for the first time. Since then, we had Holy Qurbana in English once a month. (From 2004 to 2011 we had Holy Qurbana in English twice a month).

1989 – H.G. Mathews Mar Barnabas was ap­pointed as the Metropolitan-in-charge for the American Diocese and our Parish was as­signed under His Grace’s administration.

1992 – We have paid off the mortgage for the church and received the clear title of the property.

1993 – The parish became part of the newly created Diocese of Canada, UK, and Europe under the Diocesan Metropolitan, H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios.

1995 – The first batch of the funeral lots was purchased at the Westlawn Memorial Gar­dens. The last batch of funeral lots was ac­quired in 2010. Currently the parish owns ap­proximately 150 lots.

1999 – The church was renovated and ex­tended to its present state. While we thank all those who actively participated in the ren­ovation, we are particularly indebted to John Thomas and K.O. Geevarughese for their time and ideas. The newly built and renovated part of the church was re-consecrated by H.G. Mar Makarios Thirumeni.

2009 – The parish became part of the newly created Diocese of South-West America un­der the Diocesan Metropolitan, H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius.

2010 – Rewrite church bylaws and Registered: Bylaw Amending Team: Fr. Philipose, K.P Thomas, C. Thomas, V.P George, John Thomas, George Mathew, A.C Chacko, John George (Coordinator)

2011 – The first time in the history of this Par­ish, the special service of the “Maundy Thurs­day Feet Washing” was held in our church by our Diocesan Metropolitan, H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius on Thursday April 21st, 2011, assisted by Rev. Fr. Binny M. Kuruvilla and Rev. Fr. Dr. Paul T. Varghese. The members and Altar Assistants from St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Calgary, also participated in the service.

2012 – We have celebrated the Silver Jubilee of acquiring the church, from September 8 – 9, 2012. The Diocesan Metropolitan, H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius was the chief guest and the first resident vicar, Rev. Fr. George John was the guest of honour. The cele­brations started with Evening Prayer on Saturday, September 8th. Holy Qurbana was held at 8:30 am on Sunday, Septem­ber 9the at the church, followed by a Pub­lic Meeting at Festival Place in Sherwood Park at 3:30 p.m. The program included re­ception, honoring the founding members and variety cultural programs followed by dinner. Priests and dignitaries from other denominations were also present.