St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, Hamilton, New Zealand

About

Welcome to St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church located in Hamilton, New Zealand. We are a parish under the Madras Diocese of the Orthodox Church, India.

Story

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

Welcome to the official Facebook page of the St.Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, Hamilton, New Zealand of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, otherwise known as the Indian Orthodox Church, traces its apostolic roots to St. Thomas, the Disciple of Jesus Christ.

Hamilton Orthodox Congregation started in June 2004 as a congregation of St.Dionysius Indian Orthodox Church, Auckland. Over this period this Congregation grew in numbers. During the recent visit of the Diocesan Metropolitan Dr. Yuhanon Mar Diascoros the faithful expressed their desire to become an independent Parish dedicated to the first Saint of Malankara St.Gregorios of Parumala.

His Grace considered their request and through Kalpana 100/2011 declared the Hamilton Congregation as an Independent Parish named, St.GREGORIOS INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, in the Chennai Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church with its Supreme Head the Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan under the Holy Apostolic See of St.Thomas.

As a humble servant of God I bow my head before the leaders who had been guided this congregation from its birth, our beloved Bishops His Grace Dr. Yakob Mar Irenaios who was instrumental in setting up the first parish in New Zealand, His Grace Dr. Yuhanon Mar Diascoros the Diocesan Bishop who has approved this as an independent parish. Moreover, the determined and dedicated work of the Reverend Vicars Fr.Varghese P. Idichandy, Fr.Shinu K Thomas and the Trustees, Secretaries, Managing Committee members and the faithful.

With Love n'Prayers

SGIOC Executive Committee

"Charitable PurposeTo maintain, teach, promote, without any changes or alterations the teachings, traditions and culture of The Orthodox ChurchTo provide religious assistance to the Parish Members To promote the Christian education for the youth and the moral family valuesTo promote the language, culture, tradition and spirit, thus contributing to the enrichment and development of the local multicultural societyTo maintain the Church buildings of The Parish for the religious servicesTo practice the Christian charitable work, supporting the people in need, according to the Holy Gospel and Holy Tradition of the ChurchTo promote a more active and effective influence of the Church Teachings among the parishioners and in the local society."