The American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
History, Faith and Practices
by
Fr. Joy Pyngolil, Ph.D.
NCC Welcomes Malankara Church as its 35th Member
Introduction
The American Diocese (the diocese, hereafter) of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is in full accord with the faith and practices of the Mother Church -- Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, or the Indian Orthodox Church. The diocese, with headquarters in New York, is not a separate church but a national or missionary entity of the Indian Orthodox Church. The diocesan Metropolitan is His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas.
An Immigrant Diocese
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church established an American diocese in 1978 to serve her immigrant members in America. This diocese is a new phenomenon with great challenges and potentials, composed of immigrant Indian Orthodox members and their American born children.
The Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965 has opened a new chapter in the immigration history of the Indian Orthodox members. It was a great experience for the immigrant Indians who were banned from coming to the United States under the Asian Exclusion Act of 1882....Slowly these immigrants, clergy and laity met together and formed prayer groups and "mobile churches." Major concentrations of these immigrants were in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Houston. Many American churches opened their doors and provided them with rent-free worship places. By the early eighties these immigrant groups got together and obtained their own worship places. However, by the nineties one could find at least one Indian Orthodox parish in most metropolitan cities. This is a church growing era for this immigrant church....
As years passed, this immigrant church is entering into an indigenous era with the second generation Indian Orthodox members. Currently there are 60 parishes, 68 clergy and about 12,000 members of this church in the United States. This diocese is growing with immigrants and native members. Still, the faith and practices of the church is the faith and practices of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.