H.G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos
Metropolitan
Message from the Metropolitan
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Tithing is not merely a religious duty or financial obligation—it is a sacred act of worship and communion with God. In the Orthodox tradition, the offering of our first fruits is a tangible expression of our gratitude and love for the Lord, who is the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Just as the faithful in the Old Covenant gave a tenth of their produce to honor God, we too are called to offer from our blessings—not under compulsion, but with joy and thanksgiving as St. Paul reminds us in II Corinthians 9:7. In giving our tithe, we do not lose but rather participate in the redemptive work of the Church. Through your faithful stewardship, the Body of Christ is empowered to care for the poor, educate the young in the path of righteousness, uplift the broken-hearted and marginalized, and proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
St. John Chrysostom reminds us that our material possessions are not ours alone, but entrusted to us for the service of others: “The rich are not those who have much, but those who give much.” In this way, our tithe becomes a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice that ascends to God as an act of love and faith.
May your giving be blessed, not only in the fruits it yields in others' lives, but also in the transformation it brings within your own heart. Let your tithe be a means of grace—a holy participation in the life of the Church and the divine economy of salvation.
— H.G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, Metropolitan
Message from the Assistant Metropolitan
Honoring God through Tithes: A Call to Faithful Stewardship
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Tithing—giving a one tenth of our income to God—is a sacred and time-honored practice that reflects our gratitude, obedience, and trust in the Lord. It is not simply a financial transaction; it is a spiritual act of worship and a profound declaration that “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). So that the church insists the tithing along with prayer, fasting, lent, and other liturgical practices.
The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of tithing. In Malachi 3:10, God invites His people, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… Test me in this… and see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” This is one of the few places in Scripture where God directly invites us to test His faithfulness. Many of us may think that by giving away our resources sources will be depleted. But is absolutely a wrong concept but we will be blessed with the abundant gifts of God.
Tithing is not about loss—it is about love. It is a way of saying, “Lord, I place my trust in You, not in my wealth.” As St. John Chrysostom once said, “The rich are not those who have much, but those who give much. For what they give away remains theirs forever.”
Our giving enables the Church to continue her divine mission: proclaiming the Gospel, supporting clergy, caring for the poor, educating the young, and serving the faithful. The early Church lived this truth: “They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability… entirely on their own” (2 Corinthians 8:3). It was not out of compulsion but from joyful hearts.
Let us remember: we are not owners but stewards of God’s blessings. St. Basil the Great reminds us, “The bread you store belongs to the hungry; the coat hanging in your closet belongs to the naked.” Our tithe is a tangible expression of our responsibility as members of the Body of Christ.
Let us therefore give with joy, give with faith, and give with love. For in giving, we receive far more than we offer.
— H.G. Geevarghese Mar Theophilos, Assistant Metropolitan
H.G. Geevarghese Mar Theophilos
Assistant Metropolitan
The Spiritual Essence of Tithe
Tithing is not merely about giving—it is a quiet, sacred expression of our faith, gratitude, and love for God. As caretakers of all that He has entrusted to us, we offer back a portion—traditionally a tenth—not out of obligation, but as a heartfelt act of worship.
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your produce.”
(Proverbs 3:9)
When we tithe, we gently affirm that all we have comes from God's hand. It becomes a way of placing Him first in our lives and trusting in His continued care and provision.
More than a personal act, tithing also builds up the life and mission of the Church. It fosters a spirit of generosity within us, loosens our attachment to material things, and deepens our connection to the ministry of the Diocese and the needs of the faithful.
“God loves a cheerful giver.”
(2 Corinthians 9:7)
May our offering, however small or great, be made in love—drawing us closer to Christ and to one another in His Body, the Church.
Celebrating 50 Years of Grace: Diocese of Bombay (1975–2025)
This year marks the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese of Bombay—a journey of 50 years of ministry, mission, and mercy.
Over five decades, through the unwavering faith and commitment of our faithful, the Diocese has:
- Planted vibrant parishes
- Raised generations in faith and service
- Built institutions of learning, care, and healing
- Embraced the vulnerable in the love of Christ
Your tithe has been a vital part of this journey.
Together, we celebrate a legacy of hope and look forward with courage and vision.
Your Tithe at Work: A Ministry of Compassion and Hope
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” —Matthew 25:40
In the spirit of Christ’s love, the Diocese of Bombay serves not only within church walls but reaches into the hearts and homes of those most in need. Through your tithes, the Church is empowered to bring:
- Light into darkness
- Healing into broken lives
- Hope into struggling communities
Each tithe you offer becomes the heartbeat of these 15 sacred ministries transforming lives and spreading Christ’s mercy:
Feed the Hungry
Annayojana
Lead by the Light
Tejaswini School
Embrace
Gregorian Special School
Care 2 Share
Gregorian Care Centre
Canshare
Dr. Mar Theophilus Ashraya Bhavan
Share 2 Grow
Mar Alvares Welfare Centre
Medical Mission
Mar Alvares Sneha Sadan
Five Loaves and an Egg
Nutrition for TB Children
Empowering Women
St. Mary’s Training Centre
Be Thy Light
Education Aid
Shelter under Thy wings
Housing Aid
Come to Me
Counselling Centres
Join Hands
Marriage Aid
Healing Hands
Medical Aid
My Lord and My God
St. Thomas Research Foundation
A Tithe. A Testament. A Transformation.
Every faithful tithe is a quiet seed sown in faith, yet its fruit reaches far and wide. Without banners or boasting, your offering becomes part of something eternal: the building of God’s Kingdom on earth. The Diocese remains deeply grateful to all who give with open hearts. May your generosity continue to be a light to others and a reflection of the love of Christ. Your tithe is not just given it is lived.
