A Brief History of the Diocese of Calcutta
Calcutta Diocese is one of the 22 dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. This diocese was part of the Outside Kerala (Bahyakerala)diocese till 1975. In 1975, it was included in the newly created Madras Diocese. In 1979 the present diocese of Calcutta came into existence. The Orthodox parishes in the North and North Eastern states of India, Kuwait & Muscat in Gulf region are included in this diocese, viz. Chattisgarh, Madhyapradesh, parts of Maharastra, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh,and Manipur. The Diocesan Head Quarters is in Bhilai, Chattisgarh state. This was consecrated by H.H. Mathews I, the Catholicose in 1986. The founder Bishop, His Grace Dr. Stephanos Mar Theodosius, lives in St. Thomas Ashram, Kailash Nagar, Bhilai. Ours is a missionary diocese. The Diocesan Metropolitan is also the Director of St. Thomas Orthodox Church Mission, one of the pioneer missions outside Kerala. The Mission is mainly concerned with Education and Social Development. We have 25 schools, one Arts and Science Post Graduate & B.Ed. College and an Engineering College. We have village mission projects in Makodia, Sarni, Samad Piparia, Bhopal, Bastar, Bokaro, Ranchi, Itarsi, Chandrapur and Bhilai. The largest centre is Makodia near Itarsi where we work in around 102 villages. In Samad Piparia, near Jabalpur, we built 60 houses for the victims of the earthquake and now we are doing their development works. Our projects include literacy (adult as well as child), balwadies, women empowerment, Gramjyoti, Jeevanjyoti, Vimochan-(prisoners rehabilitation project), Asha kendra etc. The Diocese celebrated its silver Jubilee in 2004. The theme of the celebration was “Witness and Service 2004”. The Jubilee was inaugurated by H.B Thomas Mar Timotheos in the presence of H.G Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios, H.G Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, H.G Dr. Yakoob Mar Ireneus & Prof. Dr. Alexander Karackal. The concluding ceremony was blessed by His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Didymos I, Mr. Joy Oommen, IAS, Priests and other guests.Total number of Priests - 47
Ramban - 02
Deacons - 01
Seminary students - 7
Parishes (In India) - 37
Parishes (In Gulf Countries) - 04
Congregations - 18Diocesan Metropolitan
H. G. Joseph Mar Dionysius Metropolitan
H. G. Joseph Mar Dionysius Metropolitan was born on 15th June 1956 as the son of Mr. T. V. Mathai and Mrs. Aleyamma Mathai of Thekkil Kandathil family in Valanjavattom, Thiruvalla. His Grace is a member of St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Valanjavattom in Niranam Diocese. His Grace became a member of Mount Thabor Ashram on 15th July 1971. His Grace stood first in the Master's Degree Exam of Ma dras University and won the “Chithanass" award and the gold medal in 1981. His Grace took the M. Phil, Ph. D. Degrees from the University of Kerala and his B.D. degree from the University of Serampore. His Grace was ordained deacon in July 1980. He was ordained as a priest on 4th December 1985. He got training in Christian leadership from the Haggai International Institute Singapore in 2005.
His Grace had been teaching in the Dept. of Zoology at St. Stephen's College Pathanapuram. From 2000 His Grace had been the director of the research department of Zoology. His Grace won the “Man of the year" award from American Biographical Institute in 2003 and St. Berchman's award for the Best University Teacher in 2008. His Grace is ever active as a guide and mentor in meditation, preacher, researcher and ecological theologian. His Grace became ordained as a Ramban at Parumala of 4th December 2008.
Address:H.G. Dr. Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius
Metropolitan of the Diocese of Calcutta
St. Thomas Mission Centre,
Kailash Nagar, Bhilai, Chattisgarh 490 001.Mob: 94461 81314
Ph: 0788 2285309
2286882
Spiritual Organizations
MOSC Managing Committee Members from Calcutta Diocese
Rev. Fr. Jose K Varghese
Christian College of Engineering & Technology , Kailash Nagar Bhilai, Durg, Chathisgarh-490026 Mob: 9685966567, 9826141686 frjose_kvarghese@yahoo.com
Sri.Babu Varghese
Post Box No. 80, Kuwait Mob-00965-99871009
Sri. K C Eapen
B-18, St.Joseph Town Amlidhri, Raipur, C.G Mob-9425315713 kceappendm@gmail.com kceappen@orientalinsurance.co.in
Sri. Jose Mukkathu
Ground Floor, 6 B Circus Avenue, Kolkatta, West Bengal-700 017. Mob: 09830314004, 09903974050 Ph: 03322268273, 03322268274 jmukkathu@yahoo.co.in
MOSC Sabha Managing Committee Members from St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church (Maha Edavaka), Kuwait.
Mr. Babu Varghese
(Calcutta Diocese Elected Member)Mr. Mathew K E (Shaji Elanjickal)
(HH Bavas Nominee to the Managing Commitee)
Calcutta Diocesan Council Member (nominated By Diocesan Bishop H.G Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius
Calcutta Diocesan General Body Representatives 2017-2022 from Kuwait Maha Edavaka
