Milestones in the parish history

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1956	Due to the untiring efforts of our elder parishioners, all Malayalee Non-Catholic Christians assembled in NEC for a worship program and formed the Kuwait Town Malayalee Christian Congregation (K.T.M.C.C)
1957	In order to uphold the orthodex faith and service, the Orthodox members (around 40) came out from KTMCC and started their own service every tuesday evening in National Evangelical Church.
1958	Rev.Fr.E.P.Jacob offered the first Holy Qurbana according to our tradition in NEC during his visit to Kuwait.
1962	Occassional Holy Qurbana by teh coming of the Baharin Parish Vicar Rev.Fr. George Kurain and the establishment of the Kuwait Parish on a temporary basis. Within six months, Rev.Fr.C.V.John was appointed as the first full time vicar of the Kuwait parish with services being conducted every Friday morning except fourth Friday of every month.
1964	Sunday School was prganized and classes were convened at NEC and Sharq area of the city every Thursday evening.
1965	Kuwait wing of Martha Mariam Samajam was started. They arranged the first ever sale by an association connected with our church in Kuwait.
	Our church got an authenticated registration with the Ministry of Awqaf, Kuwait along with other NEC parishes such as Arabic, English language, Marthoma congregations and Coptic Orthodox, Greek Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox Churches.
1966	Kuwait Parish was blessed for the first time with the visit of a Catholicos the Supreme Spiritual Head of our church, Catholicose of the East and Malankara Metropolitan H. H. Moran Mar Baselios Augan I, along with H. G. Daniel Mar Philexinos Metropolitan, on their return to India from Damascus along with the mortal remains of St. Thomas, the Apostle, which was buried at Devalokam Aramana, Kottayam
1967	The Sunday School students with the help and support of the parish organized a miniature sale.
1972	Christmas carol was introduced for the first time in Kuwait parish with house to house carol singing and message giving
1973	Witnessed the formation of the first spiritual movement of our parish, Indian Orthodox Missionary Fellowship with a view to carry out their own charitable works and services. The name of this movement was later changed to the Indian Orthodox Mercy Fellowship.
1974	The second spiritual movement of our parish, Mar Baselios Movement was given birth by another group of members with the same status and aims.
1975	The first annual Fete & Sale of the parish, now the Harvest Festival, was organized and conducted in and around the premises of the National Evangelical Church.
1978	Our parish choir was formed to assist and beautify the Holy Qurbana services and was an integral part of the Friday services.
1980	Parish services in NEC were suspended for three months. During this time services were conducted at the Coptic Orthodox Church, Kuwait and St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Parish, Ahmadi
1981	The first “Washing of the Feet” (Kaal Kazhukal) ceremony in connection with Passion Week, was solemnized by the diocesan metropolitan.
1983	Kuwait Parish was blessed for the second time with the visit of the Catholicose and Supreme Spiritual Head of our church, H. H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews I on the return trip after attending the World Council of Churches (WCC) and historical Episcopal visit to Pope John Paul II.
1984	The third spiritual movement of our parish, Mar Gregorios Movement following the status and aims of their predecessors was formed.
1985	Our parish received the first and only nomination, Mr. C.T. Thomas to the Sabha Managing Committee.
1986	Family Welfare Scheme was started.
	In connection with the lay training project (Divya Bodhanam) introduced by our church, Kuwait parish also started the classes for its members every Tuesday before the evening prayer.
1988	Holy Qurbana was introduced every Tuesday evening for the benefit of those who were unable to attend the Friday services.
1990	Along with the Kuwait citizens, the Kuwait parish experienced the dreadful days and tragic incidents during the Kuwait invasion.
1991	The once closed church services and facilities were regained on the arrival of its members after liberation. An ad-hoc committee rendered their valuable and sincere services to this effect.
1992	Parish services and activities were re-established after liberation on the arrival and taking charge by the pre-invasion vicar.
1993	We had the rare and golden opportunity to receive our present Catholicose and Supreme Head of our church H. H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II on the invitation of our parish. Our parish was lucky enough to have His Holiness’ physical presence for fifteen days, through which His Holiness could see and bless our parish and its members who were under the grip of the terrifying invasion and give relief from liberation anguishes. H.H. also paid a visit to the Prime Minister and the Crown Prince of Kuwait.
1994	Rev. Fr. Abraham Iype Mangattu was raised to the highest rank ever given to a married priest by our church. He was bestowed with the Cor-episcopa position by the diocesan metropolitan.
1995	The Kuwait Parish was adjudicated as St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Syrian Church in its general body held under the chairmanship of the diocesan metropolitan.
	Our parish undertook to complete the library of the proposed Theological seminary at Bhilai Mission Center and the general body allotted Indian Rupees 10 Lakhs towards the expenses.
	The seven area prayer groups were formed in the name of seven declared saints.
	The student movement - MGOCSM was formally inaugurated.
1996	Not only in the history of Kuwait, but also of the entire Gulf region, an ordination ceremony of our church took place for the first time. Rev. Dn. M.T. Thomas was ordained as Kassesso (priest) at the Coptic Church. The diocesan metropolitan being the main celebrant, the sacrament was assisted and blessed by H. G. Thomas Mar Athanasios and H. G. Geevarghese Mar Ivanios and heads of other churches and priests from Gulf .
	St. Mary’s Indian Orthodox Syrian Church/ Chapel started functioning in Salmiya.
1997	St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Syrian Church, Ahmadi was released from the charge of the Kuwait parish vicar on the appointment of a full time vicar for that parish.
1998	It was unbelievable that the Kuwait parish could raise an amount of more than Indian Rupees 50 Lakhs within a short period of three weeks by way of loans and donations towards the capital fund for the first Engineering College in the Calcutta Diocese, to mark the Silver Jubilee of the St. Thomas Mission, Bhilai. A grant of KD 10,000 was also approved by the General Body of the parish for this project.
1999	Our first Parish Directory comprising the data of 1123 members was released under the editorial leadership of Mr. Koshy Mammen.
2001	For the second time, we had the rare and golden opportunity to receive the Catholicose and Supreme Head of our church H. H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II.  Our parish was lucky enough to have His Holiness’ physical presence for three weeks, during which His Holiness could see and bless our parish and its members. It was unbelievable that for the second time, the Kuwait parish could raise an amount of more than Indian Rupees 1.07 Crore within a short period of two weeks by way of loans and donations towards the capital fund for the Mar Baselios College of Engineering in Peeremedu, a dream project of our Catholicose and Supreme Head of our church, H. H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews II.  A grant of Indian Rupees 23 lakhs was also approved by the General Body of the parish and dispersed for the construction of a chapel at the College premises. The Sunday School Final Certificate (SSFC) examinations were started.  28 students took the examination.
2002	To cater to the ever growing population of our congregation, the number of prayer groups in our parish was increased from seven to eleven.  The parish website, http://www.iocq8.org was inaugurated on Nov 7th by H. G. Dr. Yakob Mar Irenios, Metropolitan of the Madras Diocese, with Mr. Cheriyan V Kurien serving as the inaugural webmaster.
2003	Our first Associate Vicar, Rev. Fr. Jobby Peter arrived in December.  A second parsonage was started in Salmiya.  Mr. E. P. Varghese was elected to the Sabha Managing Committee. Under the stewardship of the vicar, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) George Mathew, the first issue of the monthly newsletter, the “Gregorian” with announcements of monthly parish events and activities is released with Mr. Reji Philip Koshy and Mr. John Philipose V. as its editors.  Our Parish Choir took part in the Christmas Carol program aired by Jeevan TV. In order to identify the residences of parish members, a sticker bearing a Biblical verse was distributed to all parish members.  The Bachelor’s Prayer Fellowship was started under the guidance of the vicar, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) George Mathew.
2004	Regular Holy Qurbana in English was started on the Thursday before the fourth Friday of every month.  Holy Qurbana was introduced every 4th Friday at the Marina Hall, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, the first being celebrated on March 26th by H. G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos.  Due to the increasing number of members in the prayer groups, the number of prayer groups was increased once again from eleven to fifteen. Formation of the Youth Forum.  For the first time, “Nercha Kanji” was served to about 5000 attendees after the Good Friday services held at the Marina Hall in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh.  Revised “Parish Manual” was updated and published by Mr. Varkey Monsey Kuruvilla.  Under the guidance of the vicar, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) George Mathew, the first issue of the Annual Gregorian, a compendium of the annual reports of the parish, various spiritual organizations and records of events of significance is released with Adv. Thomas  Panicker and Mr. Suresh Elias Thomas as its editors.  A prayer book containing about 335 Christian songs, family prayers and special occasion prayers was published in Kerala and released for the benefit of the parish members.  Mr. Shaji Varghese was nominated as the new webmaster for our parish website.
2005	A Jubilee Committee was formed to celebrate 2006 – 2007 as our Golden Jubilee year.  On this special occasion, the parish has undertaken four major projects in India totaling more than Indian Rs. 1 crore.   H. H. Baselios Marthoma Didymos I assumed the throne as the 7th Catholicose of the East and 92nd Malankara Metropolitan of the Malankara Indian Orthodox Church.
2006	Our Parish mourned the loss of our 6th Catholicose, H. H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews II.  Our parish celebrated its Golden Jubilee. We had the honor to receive the Catholicose and Supreme Head of our church H. H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Didymos I.  Our parish was lucky enough to have His Holiness’ physical presence for the inaugural function of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of our parish. Holy Qurbana in Hindi was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Jobby Peter.  2nd Annual Gulf Orthodox Youth Conference was held in Kuwait under the auspices of OCYM, Kuwait Unit and graced by the presence of the OCYM President, H. G. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Milithios.   Mr. Kurien Varghese was elected and Mr. Shaji Abraham was nominated to the Sabha Managing Committee.  Our second Parish Directory comprising the data of 1520 members was released under the editorial leadership of Mr. Varkey Monsey Kuruvilla.
2007	The first Dedication Service for children above the age of 12 years was held.  Regular Holy Qurbana was started on Saturday evenings at the Abbasiya parsonage.   Our parish had the honour and privilege to be the first in the Kolkatta diocese to be elevated to the status of Maha Edavaka on Nov 2nd by H. H. Marthoma Didymos I in a kalpana read by H. G. Kuriakose Mar Cleemis.  On Nov 5th, with deep sorrow, our parish mourned the loss of our beloved diocesan metropolitan, H. G. Dr. Stephanos Mar Theodosius, who loved and guided our parish as a shepherd would care for his sheep during His Grace’s tenure.    H. G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos was appointed as acting Metropolitan of the Kolkatta diocese.
2008	Due to the increasing number of members in the prayer groups, the number of prayer groups was increased once again from fifteen to seventeen. The parish instituted the Mar Theodosius Memorial Gold Medal for First, Second and Third rank holders of the Sunday School Final Certificate examination in the Outside Kerala Region.  As part of the Centenary Celebration of the MGOCSM, the Kuwait chapter along with the Ahmadi St. Thomas Orthodox Church held a 3 day conference and Summer camp.  The St. Gregorios Geriatric Center (Mar Theodosius Memorial Kuwait Home), launched in celebration of the parish’s Golden jubilee celebrations, was inaugurated on September 13th.  The strength of our Sunday School students rose an amazing 37% and reached 1054 students with 75 teachers.  Our former vicar, Rev. Fr. C. J. Punnoose was elevated to the religious order of Cor-episcopa.  Our former vicar, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) George Mathew was elevated to the religious order of Remban.
2009	H. G. (Dr.) Joseph Mar Dionysius was appointed as the second Metropolitan of the Kolkatta diocese.  His Grace paid his first visit to the parish as our Diocesan Metropolitan.  Master Kevin John, son of our parish member Dr. John K. John and Dr. Elizabeth John, received the First Rank in the Kerala Medical Entrance Exam The Bachelor’s Prayer Fellowship was renamed as the St. Behanan’s Prayer Group. Our parish undertook the complete responsibility to construct the Vattasseril Mar Dionysius Memorial chapel next to the Holy Synod Conference Hall and the first installment for this special project was handed over to H. B. Paulose Mar Milithios, during His Beatitude’s first visit to our parish as the Catholicose Designate.  The AMOSS unit of our parish was established.  The strength of our Sunday School students reached an amazing 1289 students with 79 teachers. Our parish established the “Mar Theodosius Memorial Gold Medal” award for the OKR-SSFC rank holders.  We had the honor to receive for the first time in our parish, the Hon. Ambassador of India to Kuwait, His Excellency Dr. Ajai Malhotra who attended the Holy Qurbana as a distinguished guest.  Mr. Jaison P. Varghese was nominated as a Council Member of the Mattancherry Koonan Kurissu Church project by H. H. Baselios Paulose II.
2010	Regular Holy Qurbana was started on Saturday mornings at NECK beginning October 9th.  Regular Holy Qurbana was started on Friday mornings and Saturday evenings at Abbasiya prayer Hall beginning November 6th.  With this a total of 6 Holy Qurbanas was celebrated every week.  The Brahmavar community was joined to our parish.  In September, Holy Qurbana in Konkani was celebrated by Rev. Fr. David Crasta.  H. H. Baselios Marthoma Paulose II assumed the throne as the 8th Catholicose of the East and 93rd Malankara Metropolitan of the Malankara Indian Orthodox Church.
2011	The parish office was established in Abbasiya and our Vicar moved to a new parsonage in January. Revised “Parish Manual” was updated and published by Mr. Varkey Monsey Kuruvilla and uploaded to the parish website.  Mr. Jerry John Koshy was appointed as Media Secretary for the Kolkatta Diocese.  The Abbasiya Parsonage chapel was renamed as the St. George Chapel by our Diocesan Metropolitan, H. G. Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius.  On September 30th, the St. George Chapel started regular worship.  Sunday School classes KG – 5 for the Abbasiya area commenced at the St. George Chapel.  His Highness the Amir of Kuwait acknowledged our Church and parish.  The Catholicate Centenary celebrations were held in much grandeur in conjunction with the parish Harvest Festival on 11-11-11.  During this one week, the offices of the Malankara Orthodox Church was temporarily shifted to Kuwait parish as the occasion was graced by the presence of the Supreme Head of our Church, H. H. Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, our Diocesan Metropolitan, H. G. Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius, the Priest Trustee, Rev. Fr. Johns Abraham Konatt, Lay Trustee, Shri M. G. George Muthoot and Association Secretary Dr. George Joseph.   A group of members from our parish requested the Diocesean Metropolitan for the establishment of a new parish in Kuwait.  The request was approved by the General Body of the parish and the St. Basil Orthodox Church, Riggae was established with financial support from our parish for a period of one year to see it through its establishment phase.
2012	The parish had the honour of having 3 members in the Sabha Managing Committee.  Mr. Sabu T George was elected and Mr. Shaji Abraham and Mr. Jaison Varghese were nominated to the Sabha Managing Committee.  Mrs. Jojy Jacob secured the First Rank within the Kolkatta diocese and the Third Rank overall in the All Malankara Martha Mariam Samajam exam.  The strength of our Sunday School students reached an amazing 1300 students with 130 teachers. Our third Parish Directory comprising the data of 1977 members was released under the editorial leadership of Mr. Biji Paul.
2019	First Assistant Vicar Rev.Fr. Liju Ponnachan has arrived on 3rd July 2019