History of Bombay Diocese

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Christians trace their origin from St. Thomas, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ. India at the time of Jesus Christ's ministry was already famous for its ancient civilization, philosophy and culture. It also had trade relations with West Asian countries. When St. Thomas landed in Cranganore, one of the South India, he was the important trade centers received kindly by the enlightened local rulers under whose patronage he formed the nucleus of an indigenous Church in the first century A. D.

However, this ancient Church remained isolated without expansion to the others parts of the country. It was only recently that the people of the 'Land of Palms' began their Gregorian pursuit to the various parts of India and abroad, especially Arabian Gulf, America and Europe. Bombay, rechristened as Mumbai very recently, a cosmopolitan Indian Metropolis is considered as the commercial capital of India. This premier status, attracted many of the enterprising Keralites who gradually came and settled down here. From humble beginnings they grew in stature as a community of higher social, cultural and economic standing.

It is believed that St. Thomas landed in Kalyan the old sea port near Mumbai before reaching Kerala and till the Muslim invasion there existed a sizeable congregation and a Bishop in Kalyan. In historical records it is mentioned that the Gospel of St. Mathew was in use and there existed a Diocese in Kalyan.

Going by these facts, there were moves to rename the Diocese of Kalyan. Unfortunately the prominence of Bombay over shadowed the move of the Syro Malabar Catholics to name their Diocese (in view of the Apostles work) as Kalyan Diocese

The Diocese owes a great deal of its growth in the beginning to H. G. Alexiose Mar Theodosius of Bethany Ashram Ranni-Perunadu, and Metropolitan of Quilon and Outside Kerala for this dedicated work. Even though the parishes were not yet organized, Mar Theodosius was instrumental in starting the outside Kerala mission through which His Grace trained a group of experienced Priests and appointed them to important cities in India and abroad. His Grace Mathews Mar Athanasius, (H. H. Catholicose Mathews 1") succeeded His Grace as Metropolitan of the outside Kerala Diocese.

The Diocese of Bombay was carved out of the outside Kerala Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in the year 1976. H. G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios was the first Metropolitan who had his headquarters at St. Mary's Church, Dadar, which then included the Gulf countries Europe and North America. The rest of the areas went to Delhi, Calcutta and Madras Dioceses.

The Diocese made rapid strides during the tenure of His Grace Dr. Philipose Mar Theophilus Metropolitan in 1979. Mar Theophilus initially established his headquarters at St. Gregorious Church, Chembur before moving out in the year 1988 to the present headquarters at the Orthodox Church Centre, Vashi, Navi-Mumbai.

The present Metropolitan, His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos took over the reins of the Bombay Diocese spread over the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, a portion of Karnataka, Bahrain, Qatar Abu dhabi and Saudi Arabia. From 1991 onwards till the year 1997, Mar Coorilos had the good fortune of serving along with Mar Theophilus as the Assistant Metropolitan of the Diocese. The year 2012 saw a further reorganization of the outside Kerala dioceses and the Diocese of Bombay shrunk to about 60 worshipping places in Mumbai, Konkan, Maratha and parts of Vidarbha regions of Maharashtra, Southern Gujarat, Northern Karnataka, Doha and Bahrain. Yet the Diocese had grown and retained its position as a giant among the rest of the Dioceses in many ways and more than 50 Churches, Congregations, Schools, Colleges, Clinics, Hostels etc. are efficiently managed by about 45 sincere and dedicated Priests along with lay leaders.

Pearl Celebration

in the year 2006-07 the Diocese as a whole under the able leadership of the His Grace Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Coorilos celebrated the Pearl Anniversary of the Diocese. To celebrate its 30th year of existence in a big way a series of activities were planned throughout the year starting with a pilgrimage to Parumala in a chartered train, according a grand reception to H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Didimos-I, the Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan and starting various social and charitable activities.

Spiritual Awakening Programme

JeevanDhara: The Diocese introduced regional languages in Church services and "Conventions" to attract the younger generation. It is named "JeevanDhara" services and is similar to our extended "Parish Mission".

Lay Leaders Training: Talented adults from our Diocese are selected to be trained to help the parish priests in their ministry.

Catholicate Centenary Celebrations:

In relation with the Catholicate Centenary celebrations, Diocese of Bombay conducted quiz and essay competitions. The quiz was based on the topic of "The Acts of the Apostles" and "The Catholicate History 1912-2012". An Essay Competition was conducted on the topic "The influence of the Marthoman Heritage on the Liturgy and history of the Malankara Church".

To participate in the milestone event "Catholicate Centenary Celebration" held at Kochi, Kerala; the Diocese chartered a special Train for more than 1000 members from the Diocese. This was the third time the Diocese arranged a special chartered train to Kerala, the former two journeys were to Parumala during the Parumala festival.

At the Diocesan Catholicate Centenary celebrations Rev.Fr.P.J.James, Rev.Fr.Yaunan Mulammoottil, Rev.Fr.Koshy P Plammoottil and Rev.Fr. Thomas Kurian were elevated as Corepiscopos by H.H Catholicos Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Paulose II on 16th November 2012.

EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (Under Diocese Education Board - MOCCB)

St. Mary's Multipurpose High School & Jr. College, Vashi

This institution got itself initiated into the service of the community in the field of education by purchasing a building and premises from CIDCO in 1986. It started with about 17 students and the great visionary and missionary H.G. Dr. Philipose Mar Theophius (Metropolitan of Bombay and Ankamali Diocese) as its Founder Manager. This institution is open to all without any distinction or discrimination. It is a totally unaided institution following Maharashtra State Education Board syllabus.

The institution saw continuous increase in number of classes, strength, etc every year and in the year 1991 the first batch of students appeared for SSC Exam. In the year 2003 Jr.College in Science & Commerce streams also came into being and the 1st batch of HSC students passed out in March 2005.

Today we have about 6500 students, with 180 teachers and supporting staff. Meanwhile, during the intervening period we expanded ourselves in size of the building as well and presently we have well over 80,000 sq. ft. built up area in the school and Junior College building. In addition we have leased from CIDCO, a sprawling 10,000 + sqm sports ground, adjacent to the school

This institution functions under MOCCB whose President is His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, Metropolitan (Archbishop). It comes under MOCCB Education Board which manages 8 similar schools.

St Mary's ICSE School, Koparkhairane

The school is established by MOCCB. The school was started in June 2001. Ever since it has been providing quality education to students in and around Koparkhairane. Today it is an Institution which enjoys a very good reputation in the education landscape of Navi Mumbai. It is affiliated to the CISCE, New Delhi.

St. Thomas English School, Kalyan

St. Thomas English School, Kalyan, owned and managed by MOCCB was founded in the year 1969 in the eastern suburbs of Bombay. It is a full fledged Secondary English Medium School with all the essential infrastructure which includes sufficient Class rooms, Staff rooms, Auditorium, Library, Reading room, separate laboratories for Physics, Chemistry and Biology and an air conditioned Computer Lab,the school has classes right from Nursery to Standard X. The School has been achieving 100% result with many distinctions and First classes. As on today there are 1600 students & 49 staff (teaching and non teaching) on the roll.

St. Mary's School Valsad

St. Mary's English High School is an English Medium High School run and managed by Malankara Orthodox Church Council Bombay (MOCCB) at Valsad, in Gujarat State. The school was established in the year 1998 and now it is one of the reputed schools in that area. From its commencement the school is securing 100% result in Board Examinations.

H.G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, the Metropolitan of Mumbai Diocese is the President of the committee in which persons nominated by the Metropolitan as members to execute the school activities are working together for the development of the school. A team of dedicated teachers and non teaching staff works behind the success of the school. The school stands for all - round development of children and aims to provide quality education in a holistic manner to enable its pupils to blossom in to useful citizens and excellent human beings to society and nation. The school admits students irrespective of caste, creed or colour and inculcating human and spiritual values in the children and keeping a good testimony of Christian mission and service.

St. Mary's INP School Nava Sheva

St. Mary's INP School has been a very different kind of venture taken up by MOCCB. With the aim of providing excellent education facilities to the wards of JNPT staff as well as to the nearby villages, Malankara Orthodox Church Council of Bombay was selected from among many educational trusts in Western India who expressed interest to run the Port Trust's school and was invited to start an English Medium School at their township in the year 2003. This is a welfare project of the Port Trust in partnership with MOCCB. With a humble beginning in the year 2003, the school today has grown leaps and bounds and is imparting good quality education to its students. At present there are 830 students and 27 members of staff, in the Pre-primary, Primary and Secondary sections of the school. The 100% results of all the batches of students that appeared for SSC Board examination has brought fame and name to the institution.

Dr. Mar Theophilus ICSE School, Dhanori

The stability, strength and life of a building depends on its foundation, Dr. Mar Theophilus ICSE School Dhanori is not merely a modern edifice for all of us to see but it is as fulfillment of the dream and imagination of a great educationalist which the western world and the oriental sphere equally adore. Following in his footsteps we will not leave any stone unturned to fulfill his cherished desire of accomplishing and providing the students the best education. Dr. Mar Theophilus ICSE School Dhanori was opened for enrollment of students on July 02, 2007 at a rented place in Dhanori Village at the hands of His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, President of the Trust and Metropolitan Bishop. On 30th March 2008, His Grace consecrated and laid the corner stone of the School building. We started the School with 18 students and 2 teachers. In it's 5th year we have 644 students and 26 teachers. This campus caters to the educational needs of Dhanori Village.

St. Thomas Public School, Khadki, Pune

St. Thomas Public School was started in the year 1989 with 23 students and 2 teachers. Now we have 600 students and 17 teachers in the campus under St. Thomas Orthodox Education society. "Rome was not built in a day" so is the outstanding performance demonstrated through good results. In the last 14 years we have achieved 100% results with distinctions and First class. St. Thomas Orthodox Education Society will be merged with Malankara Orthodox Church council, Bombay (Mumbai) shortly.

Arch Bishop Mar Theophilus School, Khadki, Pune

Arch Bishop Mar Theophilus Educational and Medical Foundation runs a pre School at Khadki with 150 students and 5 teachers. Training the child in the way he should go, and what he is old he will not depart from it". That is when exactly this Pre School does. Shortly this Pre School will be merged with Malankara Orthodox Church Council Bombay (Mumbai).

Gregorian Public School, Roha, Raigad.

Gregorian Public School is situated in Killa village in Roha taluka of Raigad district. This school is affiliated to C.B.S.E. (Delhi) from 01.04.14 till secondary level. The school is presently running with strength of 1168 students from Nursery to X class with 45 teaching staff and 10 nonteaching staff. In Gregorian Public School we continue to inculcate an excellent mind set and strong ethics in our students through every phase of school life. The academic curriculum, school routine, rituals & traditions, discipline, co-curricular activities, service learning and teachable moments all become opportunities to develop the full range of assets needed for an ethical, productive and fulfilling life. The routine and culture at home must also support and enhance the public belief in excellence and promote strong character growth too.

A student centric value based education will remain as the trademark of our education especially to equip our pupils with relevant 21st century skills and competencies such as civic literacy, global awareness and cross cultural skills critical and innovative thinking, information and communicational skills too.

Indira Institute of Management College at Sanpada, Navi Mumbai.

The Diocese has recently acquired majority stake in an existing Registered Educational Society "Vishweshwar Education Society" at Sanpada, Navi Mumbai. The Diocesan Metropolitan is the President and the Chief Managing Trustee of the Society.

The Society has two colleges in the same premise viz an under graduate and a graduate college. The under graduate college now conducts the following courses which are B.Com approved by the University of Mumbai a) b)B.com (CAF) c)BMF. d) BSC (IT) MSC (IT) (applied for permission)

The graduate college currently conducts classes for MMS (Master of Management Studies equivalent to MBA) approved by AICTE and affiliated to University of Mumbai. As on date, total in take in a year is 120 Students. This year we have applied for 2nd shift permission, which if approved will give another 60 seats to accommodate students who cannot attend the college in the morning.

Under Parishes/Trusts) St. Mary's English School, Malad

The idea of starting a school blossomed in the minds of the Parishioners and accordingly the foundation stone of the school building was laid down by the then Metropolitan of the Diocese H. G. (late) Dr. Philipose Mar Theophilus. The school started functioning in the year 1981 with mere two divisions with a strength of 75 students. Today the school is recognized as one of the best schools in the Western suburbs. At present the school has about 1500 students and a band of dedicated teachers and non teaching staff. The school is functioning in an eight storied building with all modern facilities including Smart Classes.

St. George School, Mulund

The St. George School was started in the year 1985. Initially, only the kindergarten section was functioning with a few students. The classes were accommodated in the parish hall. As the number of students increased additional space had to be found and the only alternative was to go in for the construction of temporary tubular structures at considerable expenses.

In the year 1987, a separate Trust viz. "St. George Education and Welfare Centre" was formed to run the school under the Societies Act 1860. Since then, the school is managed by the above Trust. The administration of the school is controlled by a Governing Council elected by the General Body members. The General Body consists exclusively of the members of the St. George Orthodox Church. The President and Vice-President of the Council is the Biship of the Bombay Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church and Vicar of St. George Church respectively. The primary section of the school was recognized by the B.M.C. in 1990. In the year 1996, the secondary section was also accorded recognition by the Government of Maharashtra. Thus, the St. George School became a full fledged recognized high school. The first batch of students appeared for the S.S.C examination in the year 1996 and they came out glorious. The subsequent batches too performed very well and the school was thus able to maintain its reputation of achieving 100% result every year.

MGM English School, Dighi

Under the Management of St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Dighi, M.G.M English School was started under the leadership of Rev. Fr. C.V. Kuriakose, during 1994 and developed under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Prisquillas T peter. Presently, classes are conducted from Nursery to 10^th Std (SSC) with the Recognition of Maharashtra Education Board.

Ongoing Social Projects

It is well known that tremendous of efforts have been put in by the Diocese of Bombay in the field of Education, providing quality education to one and all. It may however be not so obvious to the general public that the Diocese of Bombay has in its fold a number of Social Projects as well. A glance at the ongoing Social Projects undertaken by the Diocese shall prove this point. Diocese of Bombay takes particular care to ensure that also such social and charitable projects and programs are created and they are open for the benefit of all citizens of India without any distinctions of any kind whatsoever. Some activities undertaken by the diocese are briefly brought out under.

1. St. Mary’s Tejaswini School, Vashi

While the affluent and middle class can afford the present education by regular schooling economically downtrodden, regardless of their religion, caste etc cannot afford to send their children to the regular school they have no access to the present day formal education and they invariably end up as ‘Street Children’. The Diocese believe that access to education is the basic right of every child born and hence takes special care to ensure that such children are not deprived quality education just because of their poor economic condition and they are made to join the main stream of society.

St. Mary’s Tejaswini School at Vashi is a classic example. This school provides best of education through English medium upto the level of SSC totally free to all those deserving and it encouraged them not to miss the opportunity for any reason. The Diocese provides education through this School with – Free monthly tuition fees, term fees and all other fees. Free text book, work books, note books etc. Free uniform, show, school bags and necessary accessories, Free bus transport from residence to school and back after the classes, Free snacks and milk – chocolate drinks during recess, Free Smart class (Educomp) facility which even for the regular students come at an additional premium.

This Night School was started in the year 2004 as Std. I only with a few students availing the facility. Over the years it has grown in size and texture. In the year 2009 it had a strength of 220 students and today the number is at 350 and catering to classes right from Std I to Std. X. It is obvious that in the absence of efforts by the Diocese of Bombay the children in this school come from, would have never even dreamt of such prospects.

2. Concession to the economically weak.

In all the educational institutions of the Diocese of Bombay there is a concessional scheme of studies to the economically weaker sections as well as to those children who have lost the earning member in the family or have met with temporary / permanent upsets in earning capability. This is to ensure that the regular students once admitted in any of the schools under Diocese of Bombay are never disturbed in their studies due to the financial upsets at home. Approximately 100 – 120 students every year are given total tuition fees concession under this scheme. 

3.HIV & AIDS Care Centre, Turbhe

A centre for HIV/AIDS care was set up by the Diocese of Bombay in 2007 at Turbhe, having realized that this region, popularly known to be slum capital of Navi Mumbai, has maximum concentration of people afflicted with HIV/AIDS. They, being extremely poor, lead life of hell with deplorable hygienic conditions. HIV/AIDS centre was the most urgent need of the hour. In this Care Centre run by the Diocese a Doctor, a Nurse, a Counselor and two additional volunteers are stationed to provide free consultations, free medicine and any other free services such as free blood checks, etc as specified by the Doctor. On an average 10 to 15 patients visit the Centre daily to avail the free services.

4.Nutritious food to TB afflicted patient, Turbhe

Turbhe also has maximum concentration of children affected with TB. Being too poor and also in the absence of awareness of the disease itself and its consequences the parents remained indifferent to the illness of their children. A scheme was therefore started by the Gregorian Community, coinciding with the “Shastipoorti” of Mar Coorilose in 2009 to provide those poor TB patients with nutritious foods daily. Gregorian Committee volunteers prepare and organize the nutritious food and distribute it to those issued with identity cards for this purpose.

5.Free Medical Aid to the needy

People in general at Turbhe region being economically weak, a free medical check up camp was set up in 2010 under the Diocese of Bombay. This Centre provides medical support in collaboration with the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine of Terna Medical College. Free Medical check up and free medicines are availed by approximately 350 patients on an average every month for this centre. 

6.Other Social Service Activities

Many humanitarian initiatives have been going on since many years and the same are continuing with vigour, some directly by the Diocese of Bombay and others in collaborations/ association with Sister Organizations.

Some of such activities are:-

1. Medical Aid Centres & Charitable Clinics at Dadar
2. Medical Aid Centres & Charitable Clinics at Dombivali
3. Medical Aid Centres & Charitable Clinics at Andheri
4.  Medical Aid Centres & Charitable Clinics at Powai
5. Medical Aid Centres & Charitable Clinics at Thane 
6. Night Study Centre consisting of Balwadi at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Dadar providing free teaching & free food etc. In this Centre the ladies are provided with free vocational training especially in tailoring etc.