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Holy Qurbana - Sun, Apr 19, 2026 (English)

Morning prayer starts at 8:30 AM

Holy Qurbana starts at 9:30 AM

Sunday School starts at 1:00 PM

♱ Memory Eternal ♱

Pothen "Sunny" Joseph

(October 22, 1950 - March 14, 2026)

With heavy hearts, faith in Christ, and the confidence in resurrection, St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church of Greater Washington D.C mourns the passing of our member, Mr. Pothen Joseph, who departed from us on March 14, 2026.

Mr. Pothen Joseph brought, joy, kindness, and faith to all who knew him. May the memory of Sunnychayan be eternal.

Arrangements

Tues., Mar. 17th, 5:30pm - Wake, First and Second Service of Funeral Service at St. Gregorios Orthodox Church Live Stream

Wed., Mar. 18, 9am - Third and Final Funeral Service at St. Gregorios Orthodox Church Live Stream

Wed., Mar, 18, 12pm -Interment at George Washington Cemetery

(In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Myositis Association)

Milestones of our Church

St. Gregorios Church was named and established in Maryland
His Grace Mathews Mar Coorilos, Catholicate Designate, conducted Holy Qurbana for the St. Gregorios congregation
Rev. Fr. M. T. Kurien and Rev. Fr. Alexander J. Kurien were appointed as Vicars of St. Gregorios Church
St. Gregorios Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Church of Washington DC was officially incorporated
His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas dedicated the newly purchased house of worship
St. Gregorios celebrated their Silver Jubilee Anniversary
Rev. Fr. Laby George Panackamattom was appointed as the third Vicar of St. Gregorios
The congregation established their annual intercessory journey tradition by foot (Padyatra) from St. Thomas Washington DC to St. Gregorios
St. Gregorios formed auxiliar groups for young adults and elderly members such as SGYAM
Recognized women with voting rights, membership and administrative roles in parish managing committee
The Indian Orthodox Church recognized women with voting rights, membership and administrative roles in parish managing committee
St. Gregorios conducted a DMV spiritual musical journey concert "Sneha Sangamam"
St. Gregorios children recognized as winners of Northeast American Diocese Sunday School Competitions, including: solo song, bible quiz, group song, and others
St. Gregorios conducted a DMV spiritual music journey, "Swargeeya Swaradhara" featuring Kester
St. Gregorios celebrated the 118th memorial feast of Saint Geevarghese Mar Gregorios, our Patron Saint

Saint Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala (1848-1902) is the patron saint of the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church, established in the state of Kerala, India. In 1876, the Patriarch of Antioch, Ignatius Peter IV elevated Saint Gregorios as a bishop. At a very young age, Saint Gregorios received recognition for his ability to sing traditional Syriac hymns, defend the Christian faith, establish charitable organizations and heal the sick. In 1947, he was canonically declared as a saint of The Church.

The Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement (MGOCSM) ministry is named after the patronage of Gregorios. Parumala, the birthplace of St. Gregorios, is a sacred pilgrimage destination for believers.

Patron Saint

We believe in the theological declaration of the Council of Ephesus that Jesus Christ is one person who is both divine and human. Virgin Mary, declared as the Theotokos ("God Bearer"), earnestly intercedes for us. A 6-ft icon of Holy Virgin Mary, imported from a Monastery in Mount Athos, Greece in 2005, is located above the left side altar inside our church.

Feast Day is celebrated on August 15.

The Nasrani Cross, an ancient symbol, represents the St. Thomas Christians in Kerala. Several churches utilize this emblem in its logo. Features of this symbol include a dove as the descending Holy Spirit; flower buds to reflect regeneration; Menorah an ancient symbol of the Hebrews; steps to represent Faith based upon hope and love; and finally the cross itself to represent that Jesus sacrificed his life to redeem us.

Saint Thomas, the Apostle, is regarded as the patron saint of India. According to historical accounts of the commissioning of the Twelve Apostles, "doubting Thomas" travelled from Rome to the continent of India. He successfully established seven Christian communities in Kerala in the 1st century.

Our Church is an independent, spiritual community of Saint Thomas Christians following the Divine Liturgy of St. James intertwined in Malayalam, English and Syriac languages. We participate in the World Council of Churches (WCC) and continue to remain in communion with Oriental Orthodox churches.

Saint Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril (1858-1934) was the 110th Successor to the Holy Apostolic Throne to St. Thomas. He was a man of prayer and an advocate of sovereignty and autonomy of the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church. He studied under the tutelage of our Patron Saint Gregorios of Parumala and established the Parumala Seminar, the first theological institution for Orthodox priests.

As the Malankara Metropolitan and a scholar, Mar Dionysius helped publish the order of Church worship to assist the laity participate in worship. He translated the Holy Qurbana Book from Syriac to Malayalam. Mar Dionysius was successful in establishing the official constitution of the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church.

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