Our Parish
Sydney St.Thomas Indian Orthodox Cathedral
The Sydney St.Thomas Indian Orthodox Church is culmination of a dream of many Orthodox
Malayalees who left the shores of India in search of jobs and to secure a future
for them and their next generations.
The congregation traces its root to 1990 when a handful of members came together
to form a small prayer group to lead a spiritual life in an alien country. Battling
enormous challenges, the congregation grew from strength to strength and today there
are more than 100 families.
The congregation was recognised as a parish on November 1, 1998, by the order (Kalpana)
of the late Catholicis, His Holiness Baselious Mar Thoma Mathews II. Thus, The St
Thomas Indian Church came into being and Rev. Fr. Thomas Varghese, who was ordained
as vicar by His Holiness in Sydney on October 24, 1998, was named the parish priest.
As the congregation expanded rapidly, members joined hands to buy a plot of land
in Wattle Grove and built a beautiful Church. The newly erected church was consecrated
on November 13, 2005 by His Grace Yakob Mar Irenaios. His Grace, who has been a
constant source of encouragement and guiding spirit to this vibrant and young congregation,
elevated the church to the status of a Cathedral on the day of its consecration.
The Cathedral is dedicated to the three saints of Malankara; Parumala Mar Gregerious,
Vattesseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius and Kothamangalam Eldo Mar Baselious. Relics
of Parumala Thirumeni and Vattasseril Thirumeni are displayed at the two side altars
of the Cathedral for the public veneration.
The congregration has come a long way, helped by generosity of its members together
with tireless and selfless service of Rev. Fr. Thomas Varghese and his family and
above all the blessings from Almighty Lord.
There are many spiritual organisations in the parish, such as Sunday School, Orthodox
Youth, MGOCSM, Martha Mariam Samajam aiding the spiritual and social growth of all
sections of the Cathedral.
Over the years, our Cathedral has received support and encouragement from several
visiting Bishops and priests, who took time out of their busy schedules to guide
us through our growth. The congregation would like to place on record its sincere
gratitude to all the dignitaries for their blessings and prayers and look forward
to their continued help in our journey ahead.
1. The late Catholicos His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews II
2. His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I
3. His Grace Zachariahs Mar Dionysius
4. His Grace Dr Geevarghese Mar Osthatheos
5. His Grace Paulose Mar Pachomius
6. His Grace Dr. Yakob Mar Irenaios
7. Rev. Fr. P.K. Skariah
8. Rev. Fr. A.M. Varghese
9. Rev. Fr. Dr. K.M. George
10. Rev. Fr. Dr. Mathew Vaidyan
11. Rev. Fr. V.M. James
12. Rev. Fr. K.T. Varghese
13. Rev. Fr. M.K. Kurian
14. Rev. Fr. Varghese Valayil
15. Rev. Fr. Dr. Baby Varghese