Mar.Gregorios Syrian Orthodox Church(Malayalam)Inc
History of the Church.
At first,in the year 1974,the faithful from Kerala,India assembled together and discussed about the possibilites of a worship place. Till that time, there was no worship place for our community in Staten Island. As a result of this get-together we were able to form a congregation in Staten Island.
In 1975 the Congregation was reformed and later it incorporated as a Church although we had only eight families at that time. During this time,a strong possibility of a split sacramented for the Apostolic power in India. This influence created a ruining reduction in the membership and brought our Church into five families.This was a tremendous test thrown to our faith and unity.On every Sunday we were assembled and prayed in front of a Cross and two lighted Candles in a basement hall of a Roman Catholic Church for many months without a priest.
Later in,1975 we took a unanimous decision and brought our Church under the Jurisdiction of Late H.E. Athanasius Yeshu samuel,Archbishop of the Syrian Orthodox Church in the U.S.A and Canada who is appointed by the Patriarch of Antioch.H.E. took the timely action and advised Very Rev.Isa Cicek to conduct the Sunday services in our church. The first Holy Qurbono was celebrated in the month of January 1976.
Later in,1976 the faithful members of our Church unanimously decided and amended our Certificate of Incorporation as Mar.Gregorios Syrian Orthodox Church(Malayalam) Inc(Under the Holy See of Antioch and all the East)
For a priest to conduct Services in Malayalam,we were able to bring Rev.Fr.John Jacob of Kottayam(Now H.E.Dr.Yuhanon Mor Philexinos, Malabar Diocese)on a permanent resident status as the first Vicar of our church. Our supports and effective efforts of Fr.John Jacob laid foundations for many churches in other states.
In 1979,we have purchaised a privite house(123-Osgood Avenue, Staten island) and converted it with our own hands into a church, the first Syrian Orthodox Church for the Malayalam speaking people from Kerala,India. On Sunday,February 17,1980 Archbishop H.E. Athanasius Y Samuel Consecreated this church and celebrated a pontifical Mass assisted by Rev.Fr.John Jacob and Rev.Fr.kocheril P.George.
The Church membership started to increase.The present building was not enough to accommodate all our members.Decided to move for a bigger and better place.On May 1993 we bought a building at 181-Port Richmond Ave, Staten Island and renovated with a beautiful Alter by our own members and our friends.
Church is located at Corner of New Street and Port Richmond Ave,Staten Island, New York
