And I will fill this House with glory The glory of this later house shall be greater than the glory of the former, siith the Lord Haggai 2: 7, 9. Long cherished dream of the parishioners for a bigger church building was fulfilled.
St. Marys Indian Orthodox Cathedral – A view from west side.
Consecration of the new church building was conductedon 9th and 10th of October. The earnest, sincere andhard work of the faithful and the 76 member building executive committee and all those who contributed to make it a reality will be remembered in the Golden History of our church. Foundation stone laying ceremony of the altar and fixing of the cross on the west side of the new church was conducted on 25th April by our Diocesan Metropolitan H.G Geevarghese Mar Coorilos.
Consecration of our new Church
First part of the consecration ceremony was conducted on 9th October on 5:30 pm by His Holiness, the supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Church assistedby, Diocesan Metropolitan. Our former vicars Rev. Fr. Joseph Kalapurayil, Rev. Yohanan Mulamoottil,Rev. Fr. Koshy Plamoottil,Rev. Fr. Mathew Abraham Kandathil and Rev. Fr. N.S.Varghese & Rev. Fr. P.J.James, Vicar Abraham Joseph assisted in the consecrationservice. Fr. Sam Kuttamperoor, Rev. Fr. Joji K. Joy, Rev. Fr. Mathew Thomas alsoassisted in the service.
Hon.Trustee Mr.Sajan Varghese received the key of the church from Vicar Fr.Abraham Joseph handed over by H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathew II & Diocesan Metropolitan H.G.Geevarghese Mar Coorilos.
Church honored all members who completed 25 years by giving Ponnada as well as all ex-office bearers, conveners of building executive committee and former members who attended upon invitation for the consecration of the new Church.
Second part of the consecration ceremony was held on 10th October with holy Qurbana. All former vicars who were present on the occasion were honoured with Ponnada.
A public meeting was conducted in Al Ahli club auditorium on 10th October at 6:30 pm chaired by His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II. H.E P.C. Thomas, Minister of State of Law and Justice, Government of India, His ExcellencyDr. Majeed M Al- Alawi, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Kingdom of Bahrain. His Excellency Sh. Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Undersecretary, Ministryof Islamic Affairs, H.G. Dr. Stephanos Mar Theodosius, Metropolitan of Calcutta Diocese and H.G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, Metropolitan of Bombay Diocese,H.E.The Indian Ambassador to Bahrain, Her Excellency Shiekha Hind Bind SulmanAl Khalifa, assistant Undersecretary, Ministry of labour and social affairs and Rev. Fr. N.S.Varghese, former vicar addressed the gathering.
Our Bava Thirumeni was honoured with Ponnada marking the 50th year of ordinationas metropolitan during this ceremony. A smaranika Bethel was released highlighting memorable events of the Church history. Released a commemorative Gold Coin during this function in two categories, weighing 8 & 4gms respectively.
Last Holy Qurbana and other functions were conducted in the temporary premises on 8th October by our Diocesan Metropolitan H.G. GeevargheseMar Coorilos.