HH. Baselius Mar Thoma Didymus I, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, has relinquished his authority as head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, to the Catholicos Designate, H. B. Paulose Mar Milithios. The Enthronement Service took place on Monday, November 1, 2010 at 6 am at Parumala Church in the presence of clergy and thousands of faithful. For more information on our new Catholicos, please click here.

The members of St. Mary's Indian Orthodox Church of Northern Virginia congratulate our new Catholicos and pledge our solidarity. We humbly pray for Almighty God to shower him with His precious gifts of wisdom, discernment, understanding, and love to faithfully shepherd and guide the Holy Church in the years to come. May God grant him many years.

Fr. George C. Mathew Jr. (Benny Achen) has been appointed as the new Vicar of St. Mary's NoVA. Achen will celebrate his first Holy Qurbana as Vicar on May 2nd.

We take this opportunity to congratulate Achen and welcome him and his family to our parish.

Click here for related diocesan announcement. Pics of Achen's first Qurbana at St. Mary's.

OVBS (Orthodox Vacation Bible School) 2009 was held on 27th June (Sat) at Reston Government Center.

The theme for this year was 'The LORD is near to all who call upon Him'.

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By the grace and mercy of Almighty God, St. Mary's NoVA has received Parish Status from the Diocesan Metropolitan, HG Mathews Mar Barnabas. Rev. Fr. Joshua John has been appointed Vicar. We thank God for His goodness.

2008 OVBS (Orthodox Vacation Bible School) was held on 16th August (Sat) at Reston Government Center.

The theme for this year was 'God Who Heals'.

A day of Bible lessons for kids through classes, music, and fun filled games and activities

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Our annual picnic 2008 was at Bull Run Park on June 14th (Sat).

Families got together for a day full of fun, food, and games in the summer sun.

Click here for pictures.

With deep sorrow we announce the passing of our beloved senior metropolitan H G Dr Thomas Mar Makarios.

His Grace entered his eternal rest at 11 am (GMT) on 23rd February 2008 at the New Castle General Hospital (UK) where H G had been admitted with multiple injuries after a serious car crash on January 5th.

We at St. Mary's NoVA are blessed to have had Thirumeni visit our parish and celebrate Holy Eucharist twice in 2007. We bow our heads in the blessed memory of this pioneer of Indian Orthodox faith in the western hemisphere.

Interring will take place at Devalokom, Kottayam.

The third annual Perunal of St. Mary's NoVA was celebrated on September 9th (Sun) in connection with the Festival of Nativity of St. Mary.

H G Dr Yuhanon Mar Milithos was chief celebrant.

Rev. Dr. Daniel Thomas has been appointed as Vicar of St. Mary's Indian Orthodox Church, Northern VA with effect from July 1st, 2007. Achen celebrated his first Qurbana as Vicar on July 8th.

Read Achen's sermons on our Resources page.

His Grace Mathews Mar Severios, Metropolitan of the Kandanad Diocese celebrated Holy Qurbana at St. Mary's NoVA on June 17th.

H G joined the congregation in Fathers' Day celebrations.

Easter 2007 was celebrated at the Landings Community Center, Burke. Rev. Fr. M. M. Zachariah was the chief celebrant.

Earlier Achen led the Passion Week services also.

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On January 28th Senior Metropolitan H G Dr Thomas Mar Makarios celebrates Holy Qurbana assisted by Rev Fr Cyril Davy at Clifton Town Hall. The congregation also commemorated the first death anniversary of late Catholicos H H Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II.