“Ever wondered where Delhi’s Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church first took root?” asks a passing scholar. That would be the St. Mary Orthodox Cathedral. This cathedral stands as a testament to faith and community. It’s a vibrant part of Delhi’s religious landscape.
The story of St. Mary Orthodox Cathedral begins in 1942. Father Mathews, later Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II, started a congregation. Ten years later, in 1952, the parish was officially formed. Father K C Thomas became the first vicar. He later became Thomas Mar Makarios.
Initially, the parish fell under the Diocese of Outside Kerala. Alexios Mar Theodosios was its Metropolitan. In 1975, the Delhi Diocese was established. St. Mary Orthodox Cathedral became its principal church. It even served as the Diocesan Headquarters. This continued until 1984. That’s when the Delhi Orthodox Centre opened. The headquarters then shifted to the new center.
In 1979, a significant milestone occurred. The parish was declared St. Mary Orthodox Cathedral. It became a symbol of the growing Orthodox community in Delhi.
St. Mary Orthodox Cathedral is more than just a place of worship. It has fostered the growth of numerous other parishes. These parishes are in and around Delhi. Over the past five decades, it has played a pivotal role in expanding the church’s presence. These include Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church Janakpuri and St. James’ Orthodox Church, Mayur Vihar Phase-3. Others are St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Faridabad, St. John’s Orthodox Church, Mayur Vihar and St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Sarita Vihar. Also St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Ghaziabad, St. Basil Orthodox Church, Rohini, St. George’s Orthodox Church, Dwaraka. Furthermore St. Stephen’s Orthodox Church, Dilshad Garden, Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church, Noida and Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church, Dharuhera.
The Cathedral’s influence extends beyond its walls. It established a Chapel in St. Paul’s School. Also, it built St. George Chapel in St. Mary’s Medical Centre in Aya Nagar.
St. Paul’s School is another notable achievement of St. Mary Orthodox Cathedral. The foundation stone was laid in 1968. Mathews Mar Athanasios, the Metropolitan, did the honors. The school was dedicated to the memory of Fr. V.C. George. St. Paul’s School welcomes students regardless of background.
In 2001, St. Mary’s Medical Centre became a reality. Job Mar Philoxenos laid the foundation stone for a chapel within the center. The St. George Chapel was consecrated in 2002. Smt. Sheila Dikshit, the Chief Minister of Delhi, inaugurated the first phase of the medical center.
Today, St. Mary Orthodox Cathedral continues to thrive. It serves a large congregation. It stands as a beacon of faith, education, and community service in Delhi. This cathedral is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.