St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Early Beginnings (1960s - 1972)

The origins of the St. Thomas (Malankara) Orthodox Church in Montreal trace back to the 1960s, a period when Canada's liberalized immigration policies welcomed many families from Asia, including members of the Malankara Orthodox Church. As this community grew, so did the collective desire for traditional worship.

This spiritual longing culminated in the first organized services for the community—the Good Friday and Easter services in 1972. These services were conducted by Fr. John Mathew of New York at the downtown Montreal apartment of Mr. and Mrs. John Kurien, marking the first formal activity of the Malankara Orthodox group in the city.

Founding and Formation (1972 - 1981)

A pivotal moment occurred in the summer of 1972 with the arrival of Rev. Dr. P. K. Mathew and his family. Fr. Mathew soon conducted the Holy Qurbana at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Sherbrooke Street. A subsequent meeting was held at the Kurien residence to formalize plans for the congregation's future.

Through Fr. Mathew's efforts, the community secured permission from the Christ Church Cathedral authorities to conduct a monthly Holy Qurbana service in its chapel.

In 1978, the congregation was blessed with its first episcopal visit from His Grace Joseph Mar Pacomios, Assistant to the Catholicos, who conducted the Holy Qurbana. Concurrently, the wider church was organizing in the region; the North American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church was established in 1980, with His Grace Thomas Mar Macarios appointed as the first Diocesan Bishop.

After completing his Ph.D. from McGill University, Fr. Mathew departed for a teaching post in Nigeria in January 1981.

A Period of Transition (1981 - 1988)

Following Fr. Mathew's departure, the congregation entered a transitional period, ensuring the continuity of worship by arranging monthly services with visiting priests. Fr. Abraham Thomas of Boston initially served the community, with services held alternately at St. Joseph’s Church in Brossard and St. Barnabas Church in Pierrefonds.

For a time, services were managed by any available priest from the Toronto-Boston region, most frequently by Fr. K. G. Philipose of Boston. Later, under the approval of HG Mar Macarios, Fr. Idikula of Syracuse, NY, agreed to provide regular monthly services. This arrangement continued until November 1988, when Fr. P. K. Mathew returned to Montreal and resumed his leadership of the congregation.

Growth and Formalization (1988 - 2000)

The late 1980s and 1990s were a period of significant development. In the fall of 1989, senior members gathered at the home of Mr. P.V. Ommen to draft the congregation's first bylaws, seeking to register as a formal charity organization. These bylaws were presented and approved by the General Body on November 10, 1989.

During the nineties, Fr. P. K. Mathew was instrumental in helping to establish new St. Thomas Orthodox congregations in Toronto, Ottawa, and Kingston. While the Malankara Orthodox population in Montreal peaked around 1990, the community soon faced challenges as restrictive provincial language regulations led some families to relocate. This resulted in a gradual decrease in local membership, even as the congregations in Toronto and Ottawa grew substantially.

This period was also marked by several important episcopal visits from Diocesan Bishops HG Thomas Mar Macarios and HG Mar Barnabas, as well as visits from HG Paulose Mar Greegorios and HG Gevarghese Mar Osthathios.

Fr. Mathew also organized several successful yearly camps at "IAWAH," a campsite north of Kingston, bringing together the congregations of Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Kingston. Notably, the current Catholicos, then a priest visiting the diocese, was an invited guest and attended one of these camps.

In 1995, a member of the Montreal congregation, Dr. Daniel Thomas, was ordained to the priesthood, which allowed for services to be held twice a month for a period.

Leadership and Continuity (2000 - 2015)

As the St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Toronto grew and began planning for its own church building, it required an increased commitment from Fr. P. K. Mathew. Consequently, Fr. Daniel Thomas assumed the role of vicar for the Montreal congregation.

The parish remained active in the wider church, with Mr. Kachappillil Verghese representing the congregation at the Malankara Sabha Association Meeting held in Pathanamthitta (circa 2004). Fr. Daniel Thomas served the parish faithfully until the summer of 2013, when he resigned due to health concerns and relocated to Ottawa.

Following a brief period of transition, the congregation arranged for regular services with Fr. Philipose Philip.

A significant moment of mourning came on October 29, 2015, with the passing of the congregation's beloved founder, Rev. Dr. P. K. Mathew. His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicolovos, Diocesan Metropolitan, led the funeral service in Montreal.

Recent History (2015 - Present)

Following the funeral service, HG Mar Nicolovos met with the congregation members. His Grace reaffirmed the importance of the parish's integration and operation within the official Diocesan structure. Fr. Philipose Philip continued to serve the community faithfully until the global COVID-19 pandemic temporarily halted services.

Once restrictions subsided, the congregation arranged for monthly Saturday services with Fr. Sam Thankachen, who had relocated to Ottawa and agreed to serve after consulting with the Diocese.

This arrangement continued until June 2025, when the congregation welcomed Fr. Vineeth Vattakunnel Kurian (Joseph Kurian) as the newly appointed vicar of St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Montreal, marking a new chapter in its faithful journey.