Saint Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala (1848-1902) is the patron saint of the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church, established in the state of Kerala, India. In 1876, the Patriarch of Antioch, Ignatius Peter IV elevated Saint Gregorios as a bishop. At a very young age, Saint Gregorios received recognition for his ability to sing traditional Syriac hymns, defend the Christian faith, establish charitable organizations and heal the sick. In 1947, he was canonically declared as a saint of The Church.

The Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement (MGOCSM) ministry is named after the patronage of Gregorios. Parumala, the birthplace of St. Gregorios, is a sacred pilgrimage destination for believers.

Patron Saint

We believe in the theological declaration of the Council of Ephesus that Jesus Christ is one person who is both divine and human. Virgin Mary, declared as the Theotokos ("God Bearer"), earnestly intercedes for us. A 6-ft icon of Holy Virgin Mary, imported from a Monastery in Mount Athos, Greece in 2005, is located above the left side altar inside our church.

Feast Day is celebrated on August 15.

The Nasrani Cross, an ancient symbol, represents the St. Thomas Christians in Kerala. Several churches utilize this emblem in its logo. Features of this symbol include a dove as the descending Holy Spirit; flower buds to reflect regeneration; Menorah an ancient symbol of the Hebrews; steps to represent Faith based upon hope and love; and finally the cross itself to represent that Jesus sacrificed his life to redeem us.

Saint Thomas, the Apostle, is regarded as the patron saint of India. According to historical accounts of the commissioning of the Twelve Apostles, "doubting Thomas" travelled from Rome to the continent of India. He successfully established seven Christian communities in Kerala in the 1st century.

Our Church is an independent, spiritual community of Saint Thomas Christians following the Divine Liturgy of St. James intertwined in Malayalam, English and Syriac languages. We participate in the World Council of Churches (WCC) and continue to remain in communion with Oriental Orthodox churches.

Saint Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril (1858-1934) was the 110th Successor to the Holy Apostolic Throne to St. Thomas. He was a man of prayer and an advocate of sovereignty and autonomy of the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church. He studied under the tutelage of our Patron Saint Gregorios of Parumala and established the Parumala Seminar, the first theological institution for Orthodox priests.

As the Malankara Metropolitan and a scholar, Mar Dionysius helped publish the order of Church worship to assist the laity participate in worship. He translated the Holy Qurbana Book from Syriac to Malayalam. Mar Dionysius was successful in establishing the official constitution of the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church.