St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral

Hauz Khas, New Delhi

Prayer Timings

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PASSION WEEK 2025

About Us

In 1944, the feasibility of establishing a Parish in the capital city of India. However, due to the sparsity of population, it was out of scope. This idea was revived in 1952, and formally  established on 19 December 1952, during the nineteenth centenary celebration of the arrival of St. Thomas in Kerala. Members of the parish continued to dream about having a place of worship of their own.

As a first step, The Delhi Orthodox Syrian Church Society was registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 in 1961, with the three-fold aim of establishing places of worship, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. Intensified efforts in 1964 helped us secure a plot of land from the Delhi Development Authority, on a priority basis, and the foundation stone of the church was laid by His Holiness Moran Ignatius Yacob III, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, on May 19, 1964, during His Holiness’ brief visit to the Capital city.

The construction work started on April 13. 1966, and it was completed in two years. i.e. was consecrated by His Grace Mathews Mar Athanasios, Metropolitan of the Diocese outside Kerala, on April 6 & 7, 1968. A generous timely donation of Rs. 50.000 from His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia helped us immensely, and in gratitude, the Parish hall has been named after the Emperor and His Majesty inaugurated it on April 30, 1968.

St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, the principal church at the headquarters of the Diocese, assumed the new name of St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral in 1979 and continued to function as the Diocesan headquarters. In 2011, the Cathedral was renovated and dedicated for worship on October 21, 2011 by H.H. Baselios Marthoma Paulose II. The parish hall was also renovated and re-dedicated on 24th May 2015, named as HAILE SELASSIE HALL.

Major Spiritual Events

Events in July 2025

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
30 June, 2025(1 event)

Category: General
Feast of Twelve Apostles

1 July, 2025
2 July, 2025
3 July, 2025(1 event)

Category: General
Feast of St. Thomas (Dukrono)

4 July, 2025
5 July, 2025(2 events)

Category: General
Comme. of Mar Thoma VII, Kolenchery

Category: General
Feast of 72 Evangelist

6 July, 2025(1 event)

Category: General
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

7 July, 2025(1 event)

Category: General
Comme. of H.G. Zachariah Mar Dionysius, Pathanapuram

8 July, 2025
9 July, 2025
10 July, 2025(1 event)

Category: General
Comme. of H.G. Yuhanon Mar Gregorios, Mulanthurthy

11 July, 2025(1 event)

Category: General
Comme. of H.G. Joseph Mar Dionysius V, Pulikottil

12 July, 2025(1 event)

Category: General
Comme. of H.H. Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II Catholicos, Devalokam

13 July, 2025(1 event)

Category: General
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

14 July, 2025
15 July, 2025(2 events)

Category: General
Feast of St. Abhai

Category: General
Feast of St. Kuriakose & Mother Marth Yulieti

16 July, 2025
17 July, 2025
18 July, 2025
19 July, 2025
20 July, 2025(2 events)

Category: General
Feast of Prophet Elijah

Category: General
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

21 July, 2025
22 July, 2025(1 event)

Category: General
Feast of Mary Magdalene

23 July, 2025(1 event)

Category: General
Comme. of H.G. Geevarghese Mar Diascoros, Holy Trinity Ashram, Ranni

24 July, 2025
25 July, 2025(1 event)

Category: General
Feast of Mar Epiphanios of Cyprus

26 July, 2025
27 July, 2025(2 events)

Category: General
Feast of Shemavoon Destuni

Category: General
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

28 July, 2025
29 July, 2025
30 July, 2025
31 July, 2025(1 event)

Category: General
Feast of Mar Gregorios, Bar Hebraeus, Anthimos of Constantinople

1 August, 2025
2 August, 2025
3 August, 2025

Our Shepherds

Rev. Fr. Shaji Mathews

Vicar

Rev. Fr. Ansal John

Asst. Vicar

Spiritual Organizations

SUNDAY SCHOOL

MGOCSM

YOUTH LEAGUE

DIASPORA

MMVS

PRAYER GROUPS

Message of the Month

Dearly Beloved,
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith. As St. Paul declares, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14). The early Church Fathers, in their reflections, affirmed this as the moment of divine victory over sin and death. St. Athanasius in his On the Incarnation writes: “He endured death and made it of no account, and by the grace of the resurrection He abolished it as utterly as straw is consumed by fire.” This victory calls us to live in the newness of life, embodying the resurrection hope in our daily existence.
Witnessing the Resurrection in Our Lives
Easter is not just an event to be celebrated but a reality to be lived. St. Augustine reminds us, “We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song.” This means that as Christians, we are called to be agents of hope, justice, and love in our world today. In the context of India’s socio-political realities, how can the Christian faith be made manifest?
Commitment to Peace and Reconciliation
St. Cyprian of Carthage wrote: “Peace must be preserved with all one’s strength, nor should the unity of the Church be rent.” In an India often divided by religious, political, and caste-based tensions, the message of Easter calls us to be ambassadors of peace. By promoting dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation, we reflect the love of Christ who came to unite, not divide.
St. John Chrysostom exhorts: “If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door, you will not find Him in the chalice.” Jesus’ resurrection is a call to care for the least among us—the poor, the oppressed, and the voiceless. In India, where economic disparity and social injustices persist, Christian faith must be visible in acts of charity, social work, and advocacy for the rights of the downtrodden.
Tertullian once remarked: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” While India is home to a rich religious diversity, Christians are sometimes called to bear witness to their faith amid challenges. This does not mean aggressive proselytization but a steadfast, joyful, and humble testimony of Christ’s love, engaging in respectful interfaith dialogue and standing for truth and righteousness.
St. Irenaeus teaches: “The glory of God is man fully alive.” In a time where corruption and ethical compromises are often seen in public life, Christian witness must shine through honesty, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
The challenges of modern society also include the increasing issue of drug abuse and the struggles of teenagers with their identity, including questions of sexual orientation. St. Basil the Great warns against the destruction caused by addiction: “Nothing is so hostile to the soul as the distraction of the senses when overindulged.” The Church must provide support, guidance, and a loving presence to those struggling with substance abuse, fostering rehabilitation programs and pastoral care.
St. Gregory of Nyssa reminds us: “Let all things be done with love.” While the Church upholds moral teachings, it is essential to approach young people with compassion, understanding, and a willingness to walk with them in their journey, ensuring they feel valued, heard, and supported in a world that often confuses identity with worth.
The joy of Easter is a commissioning—to go forth and be witnesses of the Resurrection. As St. Ignatius of Antioch urged: “It is not that I want merely to be called a Christian, but to actually be one.” May our Easter celebration not remain within the church walls but inspire us to live out the Gospel in the public square, offering the hope of Christ to our nation. Let us all rejoice in his resurrection and proclaim the good news along with the departed saints and the departed souls, saying: Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!

Yours in His Service
Fr. Ansal John
(Asst. Vicar)

UPCOMING EVENTS

23 Apr

Wednesday

Feast of St. George & Aya Nagar Perunnal

Felicitation of Sunday School Teachers

Dr. Jessy Abraham (31 yrs); Mr. Samuel PM (27 yrs); Ms. Mariamma Thomas (24 yrs) were felicitated for completing moe than 20 years of service at the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Nagpur, on Sunday, November 24, 2024.

Organised by OSSAE-OKR

Our team secured the first position in Job Mar Philoxenos Musical Talent Meet-XII

Organized by St. Stephen’s Orthodox Church, Dilshad Garden.

Joshua Paul secured 1st runner up & Robin Varghese secured 2nd runner up in ASM

Organized by Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church, Janakpuri

Layam Kalasagar Puraskaram

Mr. Nainan Thalassery was presented the Layam Kalasagar Puraskaram  on 27.10.2024 by Layam Ochestra & Cultural Group. Congratulations!

Henosis Basketball Tournament

Our Basketball team, both Men & Women, participated in the ‘Henosis Basketball Tournament’ organized by Infant Jesus Forane Church, Palam. We secured the first position in both the categories. Congratulations!

Diocesan Level Sunday School Competition

Mevin Saji secured the second position in Bible Verses Writing from Intermediate category.

Diocesan Level Sunday School Competition

Alvin Geo Jojy, Kezia Mariam J, Mevin Saji secured the second position in Group Song from Intermediate category.

Diocesan Level Sunday School Competition

Eliza Anna George secured the third position in Solo Song from Secondary category.

Paying tribute to Shri. Sitaram Yechury

Our Cathedral paid homage to Shri. Sitaram Yechury, the Indian Marxist politician and General Secretary of the CPI(M)

Diocesan Level Sunday School Competition

Our Cathedral secured the Third position in South East District.

Mrs. Kunjamma Mathew was felicitated by NCCI

Mrs. Kunjamma Mathew, our member, was felicitated for her remarkable achievement as the All India President of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) during the general body of National Council of Churches in India (NCCI)