Before 2020, the Holy Qurbana was conducted in only a handful of cities in Germany—perhaps two or three. Very few believers had access to these services, while the majority lived far away, making participation extremely difficult due to geographical distance. Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy, who arrived in Germany for higher studies at the University of Göttingen in 2019, recognized this challenge and felt a deep need to connect the Malankara Orthodox faithful across the country.

Under the circular letter GEN/ER/19/80 dated 20/10/2019, His Eminence Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios, Metropolitan of the Diocese of UK-Europe and Africa, appointed Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy, Vicar of St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Congregation Bielefeld, as the Coordinator for Germany under the diocesan mission “Reach Out Malankara Orthodox Christians in Europe.” The objective of this mission was to coordinate members residing in various European countries and to organize congregations and prayer fellowships wherever possible.

As part of this mission, Fr. Rohith initiated an online prayer group in Germany in May 2020, aiming to bring together faithful members for regular spiritual fellowship and community building. Fr. Aashu Alexander Mattackal, who was in Belgium as a student and served as the Vicar of St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Congregation Bonn-Cologne, supported this initiative.

The prayer meetings were initially conducted every Saturday evening, and later on Sunday evenings, providing a space for prayer, scripture readings, and spiritual discussions. Rather than just a prayer meeting, Bible Study sessions were provided to enrich our spiritual knowledge. What began as a small gathering quickly grew, with believers from across Germany joining in. Over time, even members from the existing Orthodox congregations in Germany started participating, uniting under the umbrella of the Indian Orthodox Church Germany.

Every week, the following Metropolitans and other Achens of our Church participated in the prayer meetings as Chief Guests:

• H.E. Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios Metropolitan (Diocese of UK-Europe and Africa)
• H.E. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Chrysostomos Metropolitan (Diocese of Niranam)
• H.E. Dr. Mathews Mar Severios Metropolitan (Diocese of Kandanad West)
• H.E. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Meletius Metropolitan (Diocese of Thrissur)
• H.E.  Zacharia Mar Anthonios Metropolitan (Diocese of Kollam)
• H.E. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Diascoros Metropolitan (Diocese of Madras)
• H.E. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan (Diocese of South West America)
• H.E. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos Metropolitan (Diocese of Bombay)
• H.E. Dr. Yakoob Mar Irenaios Metropolitan (Diocese of Kochi)
• H.E. Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius Metropolitan (Diocese of Calcutta)
• H.E. Dr. Youhanon Mar Demetrios Metropolitan (Diocese of Delhi)
• H.E. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Yulios Metropolitan (Diocese of Ahmedabad)
• H.E. Dr. Abraham Mar Seraphim Metropolitan (Diocese of Bangalore)
• H.E. Yuhanon Mar Polycarpos Metropolitan (Diocese of Angamaly)

While the community grew in numbers and strength, it had to overcome several challenges. Holy Qurbana services were only held in a few cities, leaving many Malankara Sabha believers unable to participate due to long distances. The COVID-19 pandemic imposed restrictions on in-person gatherings, and financial constraints were a concern, as the community lacked formal funding and a permanent place of worship. Despite these obstacles, the community remained steadfast in its faith, strengthening its presence through virtual prayer meetings, online Sunday School, and regular spiritual sessions.

With each passing week, more believers joined the online prayer meetings, expanding the reach of the community. By the end of 2020, a total of 34 prayer meetings had been conducted, with an average participation of more than 30 believers from across Germany.

Recognizing the increasing number of students and young professionals, special online meetings were organized. The first meeting was held on 28 September 2020. This session, led by Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy and Fr. Aashu Alexander Mattackal, provided a platform for discussions on faith, community, and spiritual growth. The meetings were held weekly at first and later once a month.

An official Instagram and Facebook page under the name Indian Orthodox Church Germany was launched during the year. These platforms were created to keep our community informed and engaged, providing regular updates on Holy Qurbana schedules, spiritual messages, and other activities.

To ensure the effective organization and management of activities, Mr. Libin Varghese was appointed as Secretary of the Prayer Group. He along with Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy, the President, played a vital role in coordinating prayer meetings and other community-building activities.

The Indian Orthodox community in Germany also found support through ecumenical partnerships. Through the efforts of Dn. Ilija Jovic, a Ph.D. student from Göttingen University and a deacon of the Serbian Orthodox Church, our community secured its first venue for conducting Holy Qurbana in Hannover. Later, he introduced the community to Mr. Johannes Ebelsmeyer, the Ecumenical Officer of the Diocese of Hildesheim, further strengthening relationships with the Diocese and other Christian denominations in Germany.

A significant milestone in the journey of our new Prayer Group in Germany was reached on 12 September 2020, when the first Holy Qurbana organized by the group was celebrated in Hannover. The service was conducted at the Serbische-Orthodoxe Kirchgemeinde in Hannover, with Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy as the chief celebrant. This event marked the beginning of a structured Malankara Orthodox community in Germany and laid the foundation for the future Parish.

With the success of online prayer meetings, discussions began regarding the need for regular  Holy Qurbana services. Due to geographical distances, many faithful had long been unable to attend church regularly. This need fueled the movement toward creating a registered congregation.

On June 27, 2021, a General Body Meeting was convened with the permission of H.E. Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios. This historic meeting, held online via Zoom, brought together 55 members from across Germany and neighboring countries. Several key decisions were made, including the establishment of a Managing Committee, the decision to register the congregation under German law, and the selection of St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church Germany as the official name.

To ensure the smooth functioning of the congregation, Mr. Sino Varghese Thomas was elected as the Trustee and Mr. Libin Varghese as the Secretary of the Congregation. The following representatives were elected as the managing committee members from different regions:

• Bielefeld – Trustee and Secretary of St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Congregation: Mr. Varghese Aalintemelethil and Mr. Mathew Mathew
• Bonn – Trustee and Secretary of St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Congregation: Mr. Mathews Kakkanattuparambil
• Ludwigshafen/ Heidelberg – Mr. Kuruvilla Koshy
• Stuttgart – Mr. Jiju Kurian George
• Frankfurt – Mr. Bijoy Varghese
• Munich – Mr. Mathews P. George
• Paderborn – Mr. Mathew George
• Göttingen – Mr. Febin Varghese
• Hannover – Mr. Anselm Varghese
• Hamburg – Mr. Sarath Varghese Joy
• Berlin – Mr. Jinu Mathew Philip

A second General Body Meeting was convened on October 31, 2021, where further structural decisions were made. Mr. Jittu Kurian was appointed as the Internal Auditor, and a church constitution was formally created and accepted in accordance with the 1934 Constitution of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Verein laws in Germany. The Parish Constitution was drafted to provide clear governance and operational guidelines.

This marked a significant milestone in the journey of the St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church Germany, ensuring a structured and legally recognized foundation for its future growth and administration.

2021 also saw the expansion of Holy Qurbana services across Germany, under the initiative of the prayer group, allowing members to actively participate in the sacraments:

• Göttingen (28 March 2021) – St. Paulus Kirche, Wilhelm-Weber-Str. 15, Göttingen – Chief Celebrant: Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy
• Berlin (24 April 2021, including the Feast of St. George) – St. Thomas Kirche, Mariannenplatz, Berlin – Chief Celebrant: Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy
• Stuttgart (31 July 2021) – Kirchgemeinde Petrus und Paulus, Alt Vaihinger Str., Schwieberdingen – Chief Celebrant: Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy
• Essen (22 August 2021) – St. Ignatius Kirche, Essen – Chief Celebrant: Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy
• Frankfurt (18 September 2021) – Herz Jesu, Alt Fechenheim, Frankfurt am Main – Chief Celebrant: Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy

These services provided an opportunity for members to worship in person and strengthen their faith as a community.

Holy Week services were held in Göttingen, enabling the faithful to experience the solemnity of Lent in a communal setting. The services took place at St. Michael Kirche, Turmstraße 6, 37073 Göttingen. Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy was the Chief Celebrant.

Despite the spiritual growth, challenges remained, particularly in securing places of worship. Through ecumenical relationships, the church received support from various Orthodox and Catholic dioceses across Germany. The Diocese of Essen, Diocese of Limburg, Archdiocese of Cologne, Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, and Archdiocese of Hamburg played key roles in providing venues for worship.

An online memorial event, “Ewiges Gedenken!”, was held on 10 August 2021, to commemorate the 30th Memorial Day of Late Lamented Baselios Marthoma Paulose II. The participation of distinguished church Bishops and Metropolitans from Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, and Catholic Churches made this a historic occasion. The event featured distinguished guests:

• H.E. Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios, Metropolitan, Diocese of UK-Europe & Africa, Indian Orthodox Church
• Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c.mult. Martin Tamcke, Professor of Ecumenical Theology, Oriental Church and Mission History, Georg August University, Göttingen
• H.E. Anba Damian, Diocesan Bishop of Northern Germany, Coptic Orthodox Church, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Ecumenical Commission for the Support of Orthodox Priests in Germany
• Archpriest Radu Constantin Miron, Chairman, Association of Christian Churches in Germany (ACK)
• H.G. Dr. Peter Birkhofer, Auxiliary Bishop of Freiburg, Representative of the Catholic German Bishops’ Conference and its Commission for Ecumenical Relations
• Rev. Dr. Wolfram Langpape, Chief Church Councilor, Officer for Orthodoxy, General Ecumenism, and Scholarship, Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD)
• H.E. Metropolitan Jean of Dubna, Archdiocese of Orthodox Churches of Russian Tradition in Western Europe, Moscow Patriarchate, Deanery for Germany
• H.E. Dr. Serafim Joanta, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Germany, Romanian Orthodox Church
• H.G. Bishop Serovpé Isakhanyan, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Germany
• H.G. Abba Diyonasiyos, Archbishop of Germany and Surroundings, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
• Rev. Dr. Dionisie Nicolae Arion, Scholarship Officer, Brot für die Welt (Bread for the World), Ecclesiastical-Theological Scholarships Officer, Evangelical Work for Diakonia and Development and the German National Committee, Lutheran World Federation
• Adv. Biju Oommen, Association Secretary, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
• Fr. Happy Jacob, Secretary, Diocese of UK-Europe & Africa, Indian Orthodox Church
• Rev. Johnson Mathew John, Marthoma Syrian Church, Germany
• Fr. Jacob Vazhakunnath, Malankara Catholic Church, Germany

To enhance communication and outreach, our official website, iocgermany.church, was launched by H.G. Dr. Peter Birkhofer on 10 August 2021. This platform serves as an information hub for parish activities and was developed with the support of Mr. Mathew George from Paderborn and designed by Mrs. Binita Mary Varghese.

The Sunday School initiative continued to thrive, providing a strong foundation for the younger generation to grow in Orthodox faith and wisdom. In 2021, the Sunday School had 38 students and 14 dedicated teachers from various regions of Germany. Mr. Jiju Kurian George remained at the helm as the head teacher. Additionally, the OVBS (Orthodox Vacation Bible School) was also conducted for the first time in Germany in an online mode with the support and guidance of the Diocesan OVBS Team.

To actively engage students and young professionals across Germany, youth meetings were held regularly, covering a wide range of thought-provoking topics. These gatherings fostered enthusiastic participation, strengthening the bond between young members and church activities. There were approximately 50 youth actively involved in these initiatives.

The musical wing, Die Harfe, was formed, and we proudly released several songs on our YouTube channel – Indian Orthodox Church Germany, including Vismaya Sahitham, Aboon D’Bashmayo, Aaritha Verunnaritha, and Janani Parishudha. Additionally, the original song Mor Gregorios Mahithacharyan was launched, followed by Thedunnu Pulkooditha, a special Christmas release in collaboration with the St. Basil Association, Pathanamthitta.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

On 20 August 2021, an online Onam was celebrated, bringing the entire community together in a spirit of joy and togetherness. Since the COVID-19 pandemic made physical gatherings impossible, the church took the initiative to ensure that no one felt isolated during this beloved festival, which is traditionally celebrated with family and friends back home in Kerala.

On 16 September 2021, H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews III was chosen as the Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan. His Holiness was enthroned as the 22nd Malankara Metropolitan, 9th Catholicos, and 92nd Primate on the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas on October 15, 2021.

Additionally, the community welcomed Fr. Jibin Thomas Abraham, who arrived in Germany in April 2021 for higher studies at the University of Bonn.

The year 2022 was a time of spiritual renewal and growth for our church community. Holy Qurbana services were regularly conducted in multiple cities, including Göttingen, Frankfurt, Berlin, Hannover, Essen, and Stuttgart, allowing members across Germany to participate in the sacramental life of the church. A new milestone was achieved with the first-ever Holy Qurbana celebrated in Paderborn on 15 January 2022.

The community actively participated in the commemoration of various saints through special feast day services:

• The Feast of St. Gregorios was celebrated on 30 October 2022 in Berlin, on 5 November 2022 in Ludwigshafen, and on 12 November 2022 in Göttingen. The Chief Celebrants were Fr. Jibin Thomas Abraham and Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy, respectively.
• The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul was celebrated on 30 June 2022 in Stuttgart, with H.E. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Yulios, Metropolitan of the Ahmedabad Diocese, as the Chief Celebrant.

The first-ever Christmas services in the history of the Malankara Orthodox Church community in Germany were held in Frankfurt and Göttingen on 24 December 2022. The services were led by Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy and Fr. Aswin Varghese Eappen, bringing the community together in a joyous celebration of the birth of Christ.

We aim to convey the truth about our history with honesty. The truth is not merely a bed of roses; it also comes with its thorns.

As the community grew, conflicts began to emerge. The members of the existing congregations, who arrived in the late 1960s and early 1970s and played a pivotal role in establishing the first Holy Qurbana in Germany – held in Düsseldorf in 1969 with L.L. Mathews Mar Coorilos, Metropolitan of Kollam Diocese (later H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, Catholicos of the East) as the Chief Celebrant – began to feel that their foundational contributions were being overshadowed by newer developments. This sentiment gradually found resonance among other senior members, leading to several dilemmas within the congregation.

As a result, the existing congregations opted to withdraw themselves from the new initiative and decided to continue independently under the name St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Congregation Bielefeld and Bonn-Cologne. They also appealed to the Diocesan Metropolitan to not proceed with the establishment of a new parish for the time being. This significantly slowed our progress that year. This presented significant challenges and contributed to a slower pace of progress that year

However, the younger generation and those without a parish stood resolutely with our Achens, moving forward with the initiatives, seeking refuge in God, and making the necessary arrangements to advance as a community. These efforts regained momentum when H.E. Abraham Mar Stephanos assumed office as the new Diocesan Metropolitan towards the end of 2022.

Throughout 2022, our church strengthened its ecumenical relationships. The Freiburg Auxiliary Bishop, who had previously attended the memorial event for H.H. Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, played a crucial role in securing venues for worship. The church continued its association with major Catholic and Protestant dioceses across Germany, fostering interdenominational collaboration and Christian unity.

A significant ecumenical milestone was our participation in the Ecumenical Carol Evening in Frankfurt on 17 December 2022. As an ancient church upholding the St. Thomas tradition, we co-founded this event for the first time, uniting all churches following the St. Thomas traditions in Frankfurt for a shared celebration of faith and fellowship.

The Sunday School continued to flourish, providing a strong foundation for the younger generation in the Orthodox faith. In 2022, the Sunday School had 38 students and 14 teachers from different parts of Germany. This year, the Online OVBS was once again conducted for the children.

Mr. Jiju Kurian George continued as the Head Teacher throughout the academic year. To align with the academic year of the Diocese of UK-Europe and Africa, as well as to coincide with the examination schedule at the diocesan level, it was decided that from 2023 onwards, the academic year would follow a January to December format.

To actively engage students and young professionals, regular youth meetings and discussions were held both online and offline after the Holy Qurbana Services. These meetings encouraged participation, strengthened their connection with church activities, and provided a platform for spiritual growth, leadership development, and faith-based discussions.

Prayer meetings, which have been the foundational backbone of our community, continued to grow spiritually. During the challenges of this year, our members deepened their relationship with God, seeking refuge in Him and praying for His divine intervention in the future of our community. These meetings were coordinated by the secretary, Mrs. Ancy Kiliyanal Baby.

In 2022, various community events were organized, fostering fellowship and strengthening our bond as a parish family. These included:

• Christmas Programs
• Onam Celebrations

These initiatives played a crucial role in cultivating a sense of belonging and commitment among the faithful.

Lent is a sacred time of prayer and repentance. As the diaspora is far from home, the church aimed to help members stay connected to their faith and prepare spiritually for the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Daily Great Lent prayers were conducted every evening, providing a familiar experience akin to the evening prayers held regularly back home. The youth actively participated in these sessions, deepening their spiritual discipline.

To bring the essence of Christmas closer to home, a Christmas Carol house visit was organized for the first time in Göttingen, Hannover, Hildesheim, and Kassel. Led by Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy and Fr. Aswin Varghese Eappen, this initiative was a great success. The carol team, filled with enthusiasm, was warmly welcomed by residents in these regions.

The year 2022 saw visits from two esteemed Metropolitans, bringing blessings and spiritual encouragement to our community:

• H.E. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Yulios, Metropolitan of the Diocese of Ahmedabad, visited our Stuttgart gathering on June 25, 2022.
• H.E. Dr. Yakoob Mar Irenaios, Metropolitan of the Diocese of Kochi, visited our Frankfurt congregation on September 4, 2022.

These visits reinforced our shared commitment to faith, service, and the growth of our church in Germany.

TThis year marked an important transition in our Diocese’s leadership. We bid farewell to H.E. Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios, whose steadfast support and spiritual guidance had been a source of inspiration for our community.

A new chapter began as H.E. Abraham Mar Stephanos took charge as the Diocesan Metropolitan of UK-Europe & Africa from 1 November 2022. His Eminence’s arrival renewed hope and direction for our church’s future.

Additionally, we warmly welcomed Fr. Aswin Varghese Eappen, who arrived in Germany in October 2022 for higher studies at the University of Erfurt and took an active role in leading our community.

As per the Statement (On the Malankara Orthodox Parishes in Germany) dated 15 August 2023, our Diocesan Metropolitan, H.E. Abraham Mar Stephanos mentioned:

“For over half a century, Germany has borne witness to the establishment of worship communities formed by the devoted members of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The formative years of the community were characterized by the guidance and visionary leadership of prominent metropolitans of blessed memory, including figures such as Dr. Philipose Mar Theophilos, Mathews Mar Athanasius (later Catholicos Marthoma Mathews I), and Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios. A pivotal figure in this journey was Rev. Fr. Korah Varghese, whose remarkable contribution spanned more than three decades. Under his dedicated service, the community grew steadily, drawing strength from his unwavering commitment and guidance. Initially, services were conducted in Bielefeld and Hamburg. Later, services were expanded to other cities such as Bonn, Frankfurt, and Heidelberg. Europe was subsequently incorporated into the episcopal jurisdiction of the Diocese of Delhi. Under the spiritual guidance of Dr. Paulose Mar Gregorios Metropolitan of blessed memory, a resilient and lively community of believers upheld our tradition and faith through regular worship and spiritual activities. Nonetheless, as the twenty-first century commenced, regular services faced certain obstacles due to factors like the return of numerous members to their homeland and the absence of resident priests in Germany. Despite this, our priests who arrived in Europe for higher studies continued to extend support to the communities by organizing worship and fulfilling pastoral responsibilities.

… In recent years, a significant number of our members migrated to Germany. Our existing structures were not sufficient enough to address their spiritual needs. Amidst the pandemic, Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy undertook the initiative to establish a weekly online prayer meeting and an online Sunday school system. These endeavors garnered positive responses, leading many of our devoted members to engage with the Church. Gradually, liturgical services were arranged for our followers across various parts of Germany. A desire arose within them to become an official congregation or parish of the Church. Consequently, owing to geographical implications, a new Parish was formally established in April 2023, bearing the name of St. Thomas, the Apostle of India.”

The Catholicate Day was celebrated in Munich on 26 March 2023, with:

• Chief Celebrant: Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy
• Flag Hoisting
• Online Meeting
• Catholicate Day Message by Bava Thirumeni
• Presidential Address by H.E. Abraham Mar Stephanos
• Keynote Speaker: H.E. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Chrysostomos (Holy Episcopal Synod Secretary & Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese)
• Felicitations by Mr. Soji T. Mathew, Fr. Aswin Varghese Eappen, and Fr. Jibin Thomas Abraham
• Catholicate Day Oath was led by Mr. Libin Varghese

A historic milestone was achieved on 16 April 2023, when three years of dedicated efforts culminated in a momentous event. His Eminence Abraham Mar Stephanos, Metropolitan of the Diocese of UK-Europe & Africa, officially confirmed and declared the establishment of our parish through Circular Letter No. E/118/AMS/2023.

As a community, our focus was on creating a spiritual and faithful congregation rather than engaging in unnecessary conflicts. Therefore, we decided to name the parish under the intercession of St. Thomas, the Apostle of India, as suggested by our Diocesan Metropolitan. He recommended choosing St. Thomas as our patron saint, emphasizing the significance of St. Thomas’ mission in India and our church’s apostolic foundation. The official establishment of the parish came into effect on New Sunday (2023), the day the Church commemorates St. Thomas the Apostle’s profound proclamation of faith: “My Lord and my God!”

Fr. Jibin Thomas Abraham was appointed as the Vicar, along with Assistant Vicars Fr. Rohith Skariah Georgy and Fr. Aswin Varghese Eappen, for this newly established parish.

Our parish functions in full alignment with the 1934 Constitution of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Individuals seeking membership must meet all stipulated requirements, including obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their home parish along with a duly signed application form. Notably, it covers the largest geographical area and serves faithful members across various cities in Germany where no parish previously existed.

The official logo of the parish was released by the Vicar on 29 April 2023.

As per the Kalpana E/118/AMS/2023 dated on 14 April 2023, the following members were appointed as the ad hoc committee by the Diocesan Metropolitan for the year:

• Trustee – Mr. Sino Thomas
• Secretary – Mr. Libin Varghese
• Berlin – Mr. Jinu Mathew Philip
• Göttingen – Mr. Febin Varghese
• Frankfurt – Mr. Bijoy Varghese
• Hamburg – Mr. Sarath Varghese Joy
• Hannover – Mr. Anselm Oommen Varghese
• Munich – Mr. Ajee Mathew John
• Nuremberg – Ms. Rinu Mariam Geevarghese
• Stuttgart – Mr. Jiju Kurian George
• Internal Auditor – Mr. Jittu Kurian

The story of St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church, Germany e.V. is more than a sequence of dates and events — it is a living testimony of God’s providence, the steadfast faith of our members, and the unity that binds us as one body in Christ. From scattered individuals longing for fellowship to a fully established parish serving ten cities, every step has been marked by prayer, dedication, and love for the Orthodox tradition. As we look to the future, we remain committed to nurturing the spiritual life of our faithful, expanding our witness in Germany, and passing on the treasured heritage of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church to generations yet to come. May the Lord who began this good work among us bring it to completion, for His glory and the strengthening of His Church.