Episcopal Synod reallocates Yemen Indian Orthodox Church to Ahmedabad Diocese under Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios

The Indian Malankara Orthodox Church
17/7/2012
Liju Cherian
Sultanate of Oman

# Previously, the church was under Diocese of UK-Europe & Africa

# Holy Liturgy at the parish on regular basis since December 2011

AHMEDABAD: The Holy Episcopal Synod of the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church has reallocated St Mary’s Indian Orthodox Church in Sana’a (Republic of Yemen) to Ahmedabad Diocese from UK-Europe & Africa Diocese, since it is placed close to Muscat and Salalah. Three Indian Orthodox churches in Muscat, Sohar and Salalah in Sultanate of Oman are already under Ahmedabad Diocese, headed by HG Pulikkottil Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios. Yemen is part of the Arabian Peninsula and lies west of the Sultanate.

Ahmedabad Diocese Metropolitan HG Pulikkottil Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios, has officially welcomed and included St Mary’s Indian Orthodox (Malankara) Church of Sana’a in Yemen to the Diocese of Ahmedabad and welcomed the vicar, managing committee and faithful members to its fold. This is as per the Bull (HES/HH/09/2012) of His Holiness the Catholiocs of the East dated March 19, 2012.

Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios has in a Bull dated June 29, 2012, acknowledged the support which the parish received from Europe-Africa Diocese of the Church under Metropolitan HG Dr Mathews Mar Timothios and extended his thanks to all the priests who had served from the previous diocese.

Dr Mar Yulios duly acknowledges the commitment and willingness of Rev Fr Mathews Mathews, who volunteered to visit Yemen from December 2011 and his willingness to serve the church as a Vicar despite the political unrest in the country.

The Metropolitan adds: “The Church as a whole was praying for the parish during those turbulent days and continue to pray even now. We are glad and thankful to God Almighty for accepting the opportunity to dispatch a priest from our (Ahmedabad) Diocese so that you were able to conduct the Holy Liturgy.”

Dr Mar Yulios has in another Bull complimented Vicar Fr Mathews Mathews on crossing 70 years and also completing Silver Jubilee in His ministry as a priest of the Church. On this special occasion, the Metropolitan has extended his best wishes to him and his family. May He continue to bless him and guide him in all his duties, Metropolitan notes.

For the record, HG Dr Mathews Mar Thimotheos Metropolitan had declared Sana’a Congregation, as a Church in the diocese of UK, Europe and Africa on July 9, 2010 and the congregation known as St Mary’s Orthodox Church. Rev Fr Blessen Varughese had served as the Vicar of St Mary’s Orthodox Church during its initial days.

Source:
Liju Cherian