About Us
Our History Our Patriarch Our Catholicose Our Archbishop Our Vicar
The 1980s and the early 1990s witnessed the migration of a few Jacobite Syrian Christians from India to Switzerland, the country situated in the valleys of the Alps. This small community was sincere in upholding the Holy Apostolic Faith, the Syrian Orthodox traditions and the legacy handed over by their ancestors. Though the Holy Qurbana was a long cherished dream at that time, it could not be realized due to the lack of available resources. God indeed answered the prayers of the people.
On March 1991, a long cherished dream came to reality. Rev. Fr. Joseph Maramkandathil,
who came to Vienna for his higher studies, celebrated the first Holy Qurbana
in Basel, Switzerland. The heavenly light lit in that Holy Qurbana gave a
new life to the faithful. Even though he continued to celebrate Holy Qurbana
up till July 1994, the concept of congregation could not be realized.
Mean while in August 1992, the then Angamally Diocesan Metropolitan H. G.
Mor Dionysius Thomas(now H. B. Mor Baselious Thomas I, Catholicose of the
East) visited Switzerland for the first time and celebrated Holy Qurbana in
Basel, which provided the much needed encouragement for the faithful to bring
up their children in the faith and belief of the church.
Rev. Dn. Eldhose Koungampillil who came to London for his higher studies made
visits to Switzerland during that time and organized prayer meetings. After
his priestly ordination, he came back and celebrated the Holy Qurbana and
this sowed the seeds of a congregation. The blessed bulls from H.G. Mor Dionysius
Thomas and late lamented H.G. Mor Julius Jesu Cicek (Arch bishop of Europe)
gave the permission to organize a congregation and on November 1994 late lamented
H.G. Mor Osthathiose Bennyamin Joseph (Metropolitan for the Simhasana Churches)
celebrated the Holy Qurbana in Basel, and thereafter he declared the name
of the congregation as St. Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Congregation.
St.
Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Congregation
In the beginning, there was Holy Qurbana four times in a year and that included
the Passion Week. In August 2000, a Tri- Mass was celebrated and it was a
memorable day in the history of this Church. In course of time, Rev. Fr. Joy
Maracherry, Rev. Fr. Daniel Thattarayil, Rev. Fr. Kuruvilla, Rev. Fr. Biji
Chirathilatu and Rev. Fr. Biju Parekkattil visited this Church and celebrated
Holy Qurabana.
In 2003, this congregation had the privilege to get the congregational status enjoyed by other Churches in the city of Zurich. September 11 2004 became another milestone in the ecumenical life of this congregation, for the church participated along with other Orthodox congregations to celebrate the feast of the Saints of Zurich city.
September 2003 was a memorable day in the history of this congregation and
the European Diocese at large. The young theologian and dynamic personality
Rev. Fr. Dr. Saji Varkey was consecrated as H. G. Dr. Mor Theophilose Kuriakose,
who through his long sojourn in Germany was well accustomed to European realities.
The first metropolitan to be consecrated by H. B. Baselious Thomas I, thus
became the Bishop to the European Diocese according to the bull of H. H. Moran
Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch, and all the East. H.G. Dr.
Mor Theophilose Kuriakose was the chief celebrant for the passion week services.
In April 2004, on Easter day, the diocesan metropolitan H.G. Dr. Mor Theophilose
Kuriakose appointed Rev. Fr. Eldhose Koungampillil as the first vicar of this
congregation and it was literally an Easter gift to this congregation and
there after Holy Qurbana was celebrated on the third Sunday of every month.
In November 2004 the congregation had its 10th annual day celebrations. The
day was blessed with the presence of H. B. Baselious Thomas I, the Catholicose
of the East, late lamented H.G. Mor Julius Jesu Cicek and H.G. Dr. Mor Theophilose
Kuriakose. On that day the congregation gave a fitting welcome to the Catholicose
and the Metropolitans and this was followed by a Tri- Mass in the Basel Church.
The public programme was enriched by the presence of distinguished guests
from all walks of life and a colourful performance from the Sunday school
students, which was another day written in golden letters in the life of this
congregation. On that occasion H.B. Mor Baselious Thomas I, the Catholicose
of the East, in the presence of other Metropolitans, declared the congregation
a “Church.” On December 2005, Rev. Fr. Jomy Joseph was appointed
as the new Vicar of the Church.
In 2007(18-20 May), we have privileged to host the Third European Family Conference of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Churches in Europe (MSOC).This marvellous Event was venued at Bieneberg/Basel, attended by Families from Austria,Germany,UK,Ireland and Switzerland, was another achievement in the life of our church.
We have a well-organized Sunday school through which our children are oriented into the Holy Bible and our traditions.We are having vibrant Organisations -Syrian Orthodox Youth & Marthamariyam Vanitha Samajam- which promote Social Activities upholding the Charisma of Jesus` Ministry.
Qurbana is celebrated on the third Sunday of every month alternatively in
Basel and Zurich. An elected managing committee from the general body ensures
the smooth functioning of the Church activities. The office bearers include
the President (Vicar), Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and managing committee
members. The main feast of the Church is the feast of ascension of St. Mary,
which is observed in August. The Church from the beginning and even as a congregation
has had an ecumenical upbringing and has actively participated in all the
ecumenical forums like AGSK, Orthodox Forum and their activities.
His
Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka Iwas I Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church |
His Beatitude Baselios Thomas I Catholicos of the East |
|
His Grace Dr. Mor Theophileos Kuriakose |
Fr. Prince Mannathoor |
