In 1975, the Diocese of Delhi was formed from the Outside Kerala Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Since its inception, the Diocese in the National Capital Region has served as the Church’s backbone. The Diocese was first entrusted to the late lamented Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios, of blessed memory, a pioneering thinker and world-renowned scholar whose tireless and courageous leadership was important in leaving his mark in the early stages of the Church. Mar Gregorios' tireless efforts had resulted in the Church's expansion, especially in terms of the vast number of parishes and institutions. What the Diocese now boasts of can be traced to the late lamented Job Mar Philoxenos, the second Metropolitan of the Diocese of Delhi. Today, there are thirteen parishes in and around Delhi alone – Hauz Khas, Janakpuri, Tughlaqabad, SaritaVihar, MayurVihar-I, MayurVihar-III, Rohini, Dwaraka, Dilshad Garden, Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurgaon and Faridabad. Overall, there are forty two parishes including some congregations looked after by forty eight priests, spread over Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and the United Arab Emirates.
DIOCESE AT A GLANCE
|
Metropolitan |
HG Dr Youhanon Mar Demetrios |
|
Secretary |
Rev Fr. Saji Abraham |
|
Parishes |
42 |
|
Congregations |
4 |
|
Cor Episcopoi |
1 |
|
Priests |
48 |
|
Mission Project |
Mar Philoxenos Centre for Human and Social Development – Shantigram, Mandawar, Haryana |
|
Retreat Centre |
St. Dionysius Retreat Centre, Aravalli |
METROPOLITANS
|
First Metropolitan |
LL HG Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios |
1976 – 1996 |
|
Second Metropolitan |
LL HG Job Mar Philoxenos |
2002 – 2011 |
|
Third Metropolitan |
HG Dr. Youhanon Mar Demetrios |
2012 – Present |
ASSISTANT METROPOLITANS
|
LL HG Job Mar Philoxenos |
1991 – 2002 |
|
HG Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius |
2008 – 2010 |
|
HG Dr. Youhanon Mar Demetrios |
2010 – 2012 |
TIMELINE
|
1942 |
Congregation is formed and liturgical worship started by Fr. Mathews (later, HH Baselios MarThoma Mathews II) |
|
1944 |
Metropolitan of Outside Kerala Diocese Alexios Mar Theodosius visits Delhi |
|
1952 |
Appointment of First Vicar – Fr. K.C Thomas (later HG Dr Thomas Mar Makarios). |
|
1961 |
Registration of the Delhi Orthodox Syrian Church Society |
|
1975 |
The Holy Synod establishes the new Diocese of Delhi from the Outside Kerala Diocese. |
|
1976 |
Installation of First Metropolitan – HG Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios |
|
1981 |
Foundation stone laid for the Delhi Orthodox Centre – HG Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios (Diocesan Metropolitan) |
|
1984 |
Blessing of The Delhi Orthodox Centre – HH Baselios MarThoma Mathews I (Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan) and Inaugurated – R. Venkataraman (Vice President of the Republic of India) |
|
1991 |
Appointment of First Assistant Metropolitan – HG Job Mar Philoxenos |
|
1996 |
Metropolitan HG Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios enters into heavenly abode |
|
2002 |
Installation of HG Job Mar Philoxenos as Diocesan Metropolitan |
|
2011 |
Metropolitan HG Job Mar Philoxenos enters into heavenly abode |
|
2012 |
Installation of HG Dr Youhanon Mar Demetrios as Diocesan Metropolitan |
|
2019 |
Blessing of renovated Delhi Orthodox Centre – H.H. Baselios MarThoma Paulose II (Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan) |
HEADQUARTERS:-
Delhi Orthodox Centre
2, Tughlakabad Institutional Area,
Tughlakabad, New Delhi -110044
India
011 29956417, 29962799
http://delhiorthodoxdiocese.com/