The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, otherwise known as the Indian Orthodox Church, traces its roots to Saint Thomas, the Disciple of Jesus Christ. Saint Thomas preached the Gospel in the southeast Asian subcontinent of India, specifically in a state presently known as Kerala. It is there that the Apostle Thomas established the Christian Church, which grew from hundreds of souls to more than 3.5 million faithful. More than 15,000 of those humble faithful live in the northeast North American continent.
The Malankara Orthodox Church belongs to the family of Oriental Orthodox Churches, which include the Syriac, Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Churches. The Church enjoys being a leader in the ecumenical world, as being a co-founder of the World Council of Churches, and a member of the National Council of Churches in the United States, and Canadian Council of Churches.
Canonically formed and established as a Diocese in 1979, the then known American Diocese, grew from Her humble beginnings of a handful of congregations to more than 90 parishes and congregations scattered all across North America. In April 2009, to better minister to the faithful of this continent, the Holy Church divided the North American Church into two Dioceses. Our Diocese, remains under the spiritual patronage of the ancient Apostolic See of Saint Thomas, known as the Catholicate of the East, and has its headquarters in the quiet Long Island suburb of Muttontown, New York.
The Northeast American Diocese serves more than six states in the northeastern United States, and two provinces in Canada. It consists of more than 50 parishes, three missions, and one congregation. Through our local parish communities, the Diocese caters to the spiritual needs of over 20,000 Orthodox faithful, by proclaiming the Gospel in accordance with the Orthodox faith, sanctifying the faithful through sacred worship and offering the loving presence of Christ in their spiritual lives.
We are a parish community rooted in the Orthodox Christian faith, while expressing it in an American cultural context. Our community strives to be strengthened in our ancient Christian faith, while seeking to serve the greater community through service and witness.
We welcome all people with joy, and love on their journey to Theosis and salvation. We hope to foster love, acceptance, support for all individuals through service to one another and the community.