brief history of our parish
St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is a parish of the South-West American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India. The Malankara Orthodox Church was founded by St. Thomas, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ in A.D. 52. The parish was established on April 26, 1978, in Evanston, Illinois. In 1984 the Church moved to its present location in Oak Park, Illinois. Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Aroopala served as the first vicar of the parish. He was followed by Rev. Fr. K. G. Daniel and Rev. Fr. M. K. Thomas. Rev. Fr. V.M.Abraham (Binu Achen), who has been ordained as Metropolitan His Grace Abraham Mar Seraphim and Rev. Fr. George Pulikkottil (Puli Achen) who has been ordained as Metropolitan His Grace Geevarghese Mar Yulios, have served as Assistant Vicars of the parish with Rev. Fr. M. K. Thomas.
more about us
St. Gregorios Orthodox Church provides opportunities for people to worship God. When we come into the presence of our merciful God, we become aware of our sinfulness and ask forgiveness from Him. Our worship consists of praise, thanksgiving, confession, petition, reading of the Scriptures, and dedication. The Holy Eucharist is offered every Sunday, and all the faithful are encouraged to take part in it.
The Church also provides its members opportunities for fellowship, study, and service. After the Holy Qurbana, people usually get together in the basement of the Church for fellowship. We have occasional family night get-togethers. On special occasions lunches are served after the Holy Eucharist. Prayer meetings are held regularly in the homes of our members. They study the Bible, traditions, and faith of the Orthodox Church. The Church also emphasizes the importance of including Orthodox Christian values in its members. Caring for the poor and the disadvantaged has always been the concern of the Church.
We have a very active Marthamariam Vanitha Samajam (Women's Society). Members are actually involved in providing a spiritual atmosphere in the Church. Our dedicated Sunday School teachers are involved in teaching our children the Bible, faith, church history, traditions and values of the Orthodox Church. Our youth group is very active in Church affairs. They get together for worship, study and service. A forum for our Seniors has also been formed to enable the older members (who are still young at heart) to come together and address their special needs in leading a healthy Christian life. It is known as St. Gregorios Orthodox Church Seniors Fellowship of Oak Park.
We regularly organize retreats and evangelistic meetings. We participate in the activities of the Ecumenical Council of Kerala Churches in Chicago and the Kerala Clergy Fellowship of Chicago.