Parish History

Dubai, One of the seven Emirates of UAE, strategically located and famous for its historic trading traditions, had been enticing traders, visitors and job-seekers even before the oil-boom. The influx steadily increased in the 1960′s and reached the pinnacle in the 1970′s. A small cell of them belonging to the Malankara Orthodox Church came together and formed a congregation, which in 1968 assumed the status of a parish.

On 2nd December 1968, the then Bahrain Vicar Rev. Fr. K.K Punnoose (L.L H.G Stephanos Mar Thevodosios) presided the formation of St. Thomas Orthodox Association. Initial gatherings at the residence of members gradually shifted to the women’s society hall in Deira, due to sizeable increase in membership. Soon, the need for a church building became inevitable and representations were made to the authorities concerned in this regard.

The first Metropolitan to visit Dubai was H.G Thomas Mar Timothios (H.H Marthoma DidimosI) on 1969. Later on, H.G Mathews Mar Coorilos (L.L H.H Marthoma Mathews II) visited Dubai and requested Dubai Ruler H.H Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum for land to construct a Church.

H.G Mathews Mar Athanasios (L.L H.H Marthoma Mathews 1) visited Dubai on 1972 and again requested Dubai Ruler for land to construct a Church.

The St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral Dubai, situated in plot No. B-21, Zabeel East Area, today stands as a magnificent testimony of the magnanimity of H.H. Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the then Ruler of Dubai who gifted the plot of land on April 25, 1972. The first Church building which could accommodate around 300 people was consecrated in 1976 by Late H.G. Joseph Mar Pachomios.

Construction of the Parsonage, New Parsonage Complex and parish Hall were some of the projects of the parish in the years followed. Foundation stone for the new Church laid on 5th Jul 1991 by L.L H.G Dr. Paulose Mar Gregorios. The Church building was completed in record time and was consecrated by H.H. Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II of blessed memory on 12th June 1992 assisted by the Late Dr. Paulose Mar Gregorios, Late H.G. Stephanos Mar Theodosious, H.G. Kuriakose Mar Clemis and Late H.G. Job Mar Philoxenos. The new office complex combining offices, sextonage, mini hall and stores was constructed in 1998 and was blessed by the Late H.H. Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II.

H.H. Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II of blessed memory, the then Catholicate of the East and Malankara Metropolitan seated on the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas, elevated it to the position of ‘Great Church’ in an Encyclical Bull and proclaimed it as ‘ St. Thomas Orthodox Great Church’ during the Apostolic visit to the Parish in October 2003.

Again, on 22nd December 2006 re-constructed Church was consecrated by H.H Basellios Marthoma Didimos I, assisted by H.G Kuriakose Mar Clemis and H.G Geevarghese Mar Coorilose.

On 22nd December 2006 St. Thomas Orthodox Great Church was elevated to the position of ‘St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral’ by H.H. Baselios Marthoma Didimos I.

St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral Dubai, today has emerged as one of the most prominent parishes in the Malankara Orthodox Church. The untainted apostolic faith inherited from Apostle St. Thomas and handed over from generations is upheld and preserved with reverence. The parish with a strength of more than 3500, surges ahead day by day by the grace of the Almighty and the intercession of the patron saints, St. Mary, St. Thomas, St. Gregorios of Parumala and St. Dionysius.

St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral Dubai is affiliated to Delhi Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church with Diocesan Metropolitan H.G Dr. Yuhanon Mar Demetrios, Vicar Rev. Fr. T.J Johnson & Asst. Vicar Rev. Fr. Lany Chacko.