The
advent of Orthodox Christians from Malankara (Kerala)
to the Gulf began with the development of the Gulf countries.
Bahrain at that time was the most developed country in
the Gulf and it was the first country to commercially
produce Oil in the 1950s. The first Orthodox Church established
in the Gulf was St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Bahrain.
With
the finding of oil in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai,
people from many countries of the sub-continent started
coming to these places in search of job opportunities.
Among them were many Orthodox Christians from Kerala,
who were employed in Government and Private organizations.
They formed prayer groups for their spiritual needs and
were frequently visited by the Vicars from St.Mary’s
Orthodox Church, Bahrain. St. George Orthodox Church,
Abu Dhabi and St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Dubai, were
the early congregations to be established in the UAE under
the patronage of St.Mary’s Orthodox Church, Bahrain.
In
1970, at the time of elevation of St. Thomas Orthodox
Church in Dubai as a Parish, a large number of its members
lived in Sharjah. Their travel to Dubai for attending
the Holy Mass at Women’s Society Hall in Dubai
was a great ordeal. So, in the year 1973, a group of
the Orthodox Church members from Sharjah formed a Prayer
Group, under the patronage of St.Thomas Orthodox Church,
Dubai. Prayer meetings were held once in a month, at
the residence of those members, under the leadership
of the Vicar from Dubai Church. This prayer group was
the forerunner for the formation of the present St.
Gregorios Orthodox Church in Sharjah.
The Managing Committee
The
administration of the Parish is being conducted by a
Managing Committee, elected by the General Body, from
among the members, as per the Constitution of the Malanakara
Orthodox Church. The tenure of the office is for a period
of one year. The Vicar of the Parish is the President
of the Managing Committee.The day-to-day admisnistration
is carried out by the Hon. Secretary and the Hon.Trustee
assisted by the Managing committee members representing
various areas of Sharjah.
Group
Life Insurance Scheme members of the parish
In
1999, our parish launched a unique scheme, in assocoiation
with the New India Insurance Company, for the welfare
of the members. It is the first in the history of the
Malanakara Orthodox Church for members of a parish,
where accident & natural death coverage Dhs.50,
000.00 and Dhs.25, 000.00 respectively is being given.
Centenary
Celebration of the Holy Demise of St. Gregorios of Parumala
(1902 to 2002)
Our
Parish celebrated the Centenary of the Holy Demise of
our Patron Saint, Parumala Thirumeni from November 1,
2001 to October 31, 2002. As part of the yearlong celebrations
various seminars and conventions were conducted in association
with the spiritual organizations of the parish. To commemmorate
the event, Gold coins depicting the portrait of Parumala
Thirumeni was brought-out for the devotees
St.
Gregorios Orthodox Church, Sharjah Celebrates Silver
Jubilee (1978 - 2003)
by supporting various humanitarian projects in India
St.
Gregorios Orthodox Church Sharjah, in commemoration
of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations in 2003, is carrying
out a number of humanitarian and developmental projects.
Shantigram
is a Project of the Delhi Diocese, of the Malankara
Orthodox Church in India, for community renewal and
revival of the multi-religious society of Mandavar village
in Haryana, India. The objectives of the project are
to establish basic education, community health and economic
security for the low-income people of the surrounding
villages. St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Sharjah is
supporting the project by financing the constructin
of the Administratve Block at Shanthigram.
Housing
Scheme in various parts of Kerala for 25 poor and unpriveileged
families are fast nearing completion. His Holiness.Moran
Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II will hand over the
key to the beneficiaries on August 15, 2003 at Parumala
Church.
Matrimonial
Blessings: Women from 25 poor and underprivileged families
will be married-off and the couples will be blessed
by His Holiness.Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews
II on August 15, 2003 at Parumala Church.
Self-employment
Scheme: Distributing 100 sewing machines for widows
and handicapped women, in Commemoration of the Centenary
of the Holy Demise of St. Gregorios, our patron Saint.
Machines will be distributed on August 15, 2003 at Parumala
Church.
Charity
Activities
“One man gives freely,
yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes
to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes
others will himself be refreshed.”
Proverb 11: 24-25
St.
Gregorios Orthodox Church, Sharjah, eversince it’s
establishment in 1978, has been giving importance to
helping the poor and the needy. To quote from the managing
committee’s Annual report for the year 1978, “The
Parish opened a generous hand towards the fund declared
by the Malankara Orthodox Church for the cyclone-hit,
poverty-sticken state of Andhra Pradesh in India, during
1978. Collections were were made from members of the
Parish and an amount of Indian Rupees 7500.00 was sent
to H.G. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios, the Metropolitan
in Charge of the relief activities.” A notable
event during 1979 was the establishment of a Charity
Committee - MGOC Charity Committee, to look after the
charity activities of the Parish, a unique among Malankara
Orthodox Parishes all over the world. Even today, St.
Gregorios Orthodox Church, Sharjah stands-out as a great
provider for the needy.
“But
when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand
know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving
may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is
done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:1-4
The Charity activity of the Parish at present amounts
to 1.5 Million Indian Rupees, distributed among the
poor and the needy. The fund is raised from among the
generous members of the Church and through fund raising
programs as below.
*
Birthday and Wedding anniversary donations - Members
contribution during the Birthday and Wedding anniversary
* Self-denial fund - Members contibute by fasting
during the 50 day lent and contibute an amount towards
charity.
* Blood donation camps - Conducting blood donation
camps among members of the community.
* Tin collection - Each household is given a
coin-tin for contribution towards charity on a daily
basis and collected once in a year.
* Education Sponsorship - One can sponsor a deserving
student by paying Dhs.100.00 towards the educationl
expense for one year.
* General donations - General donations received
from among the members of the community towards charity.
“If anyone has material
possessions and sees his brother in need but has no
pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear
children, let us not love with words or tongue but with
actions and in truth.”
I John 3:17-18
SGOC Charity committee, consisting of 15 members presided
by the Vicar, scrutinizes each application and decides
the quantum of aid to be given to each applicant.
* Medical assistance : About 33 % of the total
charity budget is earmarked for assitance to applicants
seeking aid for medical treatment.
* Educational assistance : Given for outstanding
students from School level to Higher education and to
various job-oriented courses.
* Marriage assistance : Poor and deserving parents
are given aid to meet part of the marriage expense of
their daughters.
* Housing assistance : Assistance is given for
consruction of houses.
* General assistance : General assistance given
as local aid to people in distress.
More quotes from the Holy Bible
about giving
“But when you give a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay
you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Luke 14:13-14
“In
everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of
hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words
the Lord Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed
to give than to receive."
Acts 20:35
“
For riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not
secure for all generations.”
Proverbs 27:24
“Each
man should give what he has decided in his heart to
give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves
a cheerful giver”
II Corinthians 9:7
“Heal
the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,
drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
Matthew 10:8
Whoever
loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth
is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10
“Do
not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some
people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Hebrews 13:2
Church renevated and consecrated on 5th November 2010
Milestones in the History of the Parish
|
|
1973 |
Formation of St. Thomas Syrian Prayer Group, Sharjah |
|
Establishment of St. Gregorios Orthodox Church. |
|
Inaugurated the activities of the Youth Movement and Martha Mariam VanithaSamajam |
|
Charity Committee formed |
|
Gregorian Magazine started |
|
Sunday School activities inaugurated |
|
Choir organized |
|
Parish Bye-Law passed as a guidance to carry out the spiritual and administrative functions of Parish |
|
St. Thomas Library inaugurated |
|
Sharjah Ecumenical Church dedication |
|
First Edition of Parish Directory |
|
Parish By-Law revised |
|
10th Anniversary celebrated |
|
DivyaBodhanam Classes Inaugurated |
|
Second Edition of Parish Directory |
|
Parish By-Law revised |
|
Third Edition of Parish Directory |
|
H. H Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, allocates Plot of Land as a Gift for the Church Building at Al Yarmook Area. |
|
Laying of the foundation stone of the Church by Late H.G. Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios |
|
Consecration of the Church by Late H. H. Moran Mar BaseliosMarthoma Mathews II Catholicos assisted by Late H.G. Job Mar Philoxenos, Late H. G. Philipose Mar Eusebius and H. G Paulose Mar Militheus. |
|
Relocated the Holy Relics of ParumalaThirumeni old Parsonage to Church 17th November |
|
Flag Pole erected |
|
Visa Facility granted |
|
MGOCSM formed |
|
Fourth edition of Parish Directory |
|
Foundation Stone Laid for Parsonage & Parish Hall |
|
Parish Bye Law revised |
|
Inauguration of Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios Memorial Hall |
|
Holy Saints name given to area prayer groups |
|
Group Life Insurance Scheme for Parish members commenced |
|
Fifth Edition of Parish Directory with members photo |
|
Centenary Celebrations of ParumalaThirumeni |
|
Church Accounts Computerized |
|
Election rules and Procedures introduced |
|
Website of the Church launched with web address www.gulfparumala.com |
|
Gold Coin released on the occasion of Centenary Celebrations of ParumalaThirumeni |
|
The ‘Land Allocation Certificate’ in our Church’s name received from Sharjah Municipality |
|
Silver Jubilee of the Parish celebrated with yearlong colorful events. |
|
The Church honouredSabhakaviShri. C.P. Chandi during the public meeting of the Silver Jubilee Celebration’s ‘KudumbhaSangamam’ at Parumala |
|
Parish Bye-law was revised. |
|
Started evening Holy Mass services on second and fourth Fridays of the month. |
|
Introduced Wednesday fasting Prayer. |
|
Licence for our church from the Municipality received. |
|
Sixth Edition of Parish Directory published. |
| |
MGOCSM Unit celebrated its 10th Anniversary |
| |
Members Welfare Scheme introduced. |
|
Relocated the Holy Relics of ParumalaThirumeni to a more convenient place within the chancel of the Church. |
|
Our Parish hosted OCYM & MOMS UAE Zonal conference |
|
Our Parish took over the complete financial commitment of the construction of St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Kanjikkuzhy, Idukki Diocese. |
|
Holy Qurbana Service began in UAQ area. |
|
Seventh edition of Parish Directory published. |
|
Our Parish was declared as “MarubhumiyileParumala (Parumala of Gulf)” by the Holy Synod of the Church. |
|
Consecration of the renovated Church was held |
|
The Church honouredfamous South Indian play back singer Sri. K.G. Markose at the public meeting held on the occasion of Consecration of the renovated Church |
|
Parish Bye-law was revised |
|
Our Parish took over the complete financial commitment of the construction of St. Thomas Catholicate Centre, Kamplikandam, Ankamally Diocese |
|
As part of the Centenary celebrations of the re-establishment of Catholicate of the East in India our parish have under-taken a commemorative Charity Project by sponsoring and extend financial assistance towards the construction of the Intensive Care Unit Block at the St. Gregorios International Cancer Care Centre at Parumala. |
|
Introduced Medical Assistance Scheme for members |
|
Our Parish took over the complete financial commitment of the construction of St. George Orthodox Church, Karuvarakkundu, Malabar Diocese |
|
Centenary of the re-establishment of Catholicate of East in India was celebrated by the Parish with yearlong various programs. |
|
The Church honoured with “Gregorian Honour” Mrs. MariammaVarkey an educator, Captain Raju a veteran artist of Malayalam cinema, Mr. Soman Baby a Journalist |
|
Our Parish hosted OCYM UAE Zonal conference. |
|
Introduced H. G Job Mar Philoxenos Educational Award and Endowment. |
|
Introduced H. G Job Mar Philoxenos Kidney Foundation Aid under the auspices of St. Gregorios Orthodox Charity Committee. |
|
First Assistant Vicar for the Parish was appointed |
|
First permanent Security for the Parish was appointed |
|
Our Parish hosted OCYM & MOMS Gulf Orthodox Family Conference. |
|
As part of the help to undeveloped Diocese, our parish have under-taken by sponsoring and extend financial assistance up to a maximum of Indian Rupees 50 Lakhs towards the construction of the Chapel at the diocesan center Kottarakkara - Punaloor. |
|
8th edition of Parish Directory published. |
|
Parish Bye-law was revised. |
|
OVBS Silver Jubilee celebration ( 25th Year ). |
|
MOHE formed. |
|
First permanent accountant for the Parish was appointed. |
|
MGOCSM 20th Year Celebration. |
|
Consecration of new Shrine (Kurishadi ), OSSAE UAE ZONAL Competition & OCYM Annual Conference, OSSAE Evening Shift started. |
|
H. H. Baselius Mar Thoma Paulose II Catholicos was the chief Celebrant of Passion Week. |
