From the Vicar’s Desk

Hearty Congratulations to our 135 members and families in the Parish, as we have reached a milestone in our journey towards our ultimate goal. Our Church, St. Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Pune, part of Mumbai Diocese and under the Holy Apostolic See of Antioch & All the East, celebrates its 25^th Anniversary on 15^th Aug 2020 since the establishment of our own Church in Pune on 15^th Aug 1995. On this occasion I thank God for making this possible. Let us also offer our prayerful obeisance to Mother Mary our Patroness Saint (main Altar), St. George (left side Altar) and St. Gregorios (right side Altar) and all our spiritual fathers. We also remember all those members who are now no longer with us but whose foundational contributions led us to be where we are now. I offer my prayers for all.

(Prior to 1952, there is a mention of Syriac Orthodox Patriarch, Ignatius Peter IV of having visited Pune to meet Pulikkottil Mar Dionysius on their way to Madras in the year 1875 and to meet the Governor to address matters concerning the faithful in Kerala.)

In 1964, after the litigation between two factions of our Church was settled, both Parishes, Jacobite Syrian Church and Orthodox Syrian Church functioned as a single unit here under the Bishop of Outside Kerala Diocese. However, in 1972 the controversial issue of the Throne of St. Thomas cropped up again. The devoted faithful discussed with L.L. HG Geevarghese Mar Gregorious of Perumpally and on HG’s suggestion, Very Rev. Fr. Anthroyose conducted the Holy Qurbana in All Saints’ Church, Kirkee.

Subsequently, as per request and advice of HG Geevarghese Mar Gregorious, Very Rev. Fr. Jacob Kuriakal of Bombay came to Pune on 10^th January 1975 and conducted Holy Mass in Dehuroad which was a red-letter day in the history of St Mary’s Jacobite Church, Pune. Thereafter regular services were conducted in different Churches of Pune.

On 15^th August 1976, L.L. HB Baselios Paulose II, the Catholicose of the East, appointed a young, dynamic priest, Rev. Fr. A. A. Mathews (Now, HG Mathews Mar Evanios, Metropolitan of Kandanad, residing near Kadamattam) as Vicar. Under his leadership, the infant parish progressed considerably for 8 years. It was during this time that St. Marys Society was formed in 1979 with Late Mr. D. Mathews, Late Mr. K M Thomas, Late Mr. V A Varkey, Late Mr. P J John, Late Mr. P J Joseph, Late Mr. K A Abraham, Late Mr. N M Jacob, Mr. V K Kurian, Mr. T Joykutty, Mrs. Saramma Mathew, Mr. P U Kuriakose as Trustees.

In due course, the infant Parish felt the necessity of having its own place of worship and part of the plot on which our Church stands today was purchased on 17^th January 1979. It was on 15^th August 1983, the then Catholicose, HB Baselios Paulose II; and the Diocesan Metropolitan L.L HG Thomas Mor Theophilos came to Pune and HB laid the foundation stone for the Church building after celebrating the Holy Qurbana.

On the initiative of Vicar Rev. Fr. Raju John, in May 1984, the remaining part of the plot was purchased. To overcome the financial shortfalls, musical programmes were conducted which were performed for free by the well-known singer K. G. Markose. The response from coupon sales and souvenir was very good and helped us overcome the dire financial need of the time. On the 3^rd of January 1991, HG Thomas Mar Thimotheos was appointed as Diocesan Bishop and under his efficient and able leadership and guidance motivated us to start the construction of a Church-cum-Community Hall. Rev. Fr. Wilson Jacob was appointed as Vicar in 1992 following which we planned the construction of a prayer hall, and the ground floor was completed. The Holy Mass was conducted on 15^th August 1995 and temporary consecration was done by our Diocesan Bishop HG Thomas Mor Thimotheos when Rev. Fr. K.V. John was the Vicar.