Parish Hisory

…neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:7)

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Early in the year 2011 GOD in his bountiful mercy provided a few families the opportunity to meet under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Dr. Thomas Jacob and to discover a common interest in introducing the traditional Syriac orthodox way of worship in Munich. As an initiative in this regard the first Holy Qurbana was celebrated at St. Joseph’s church, Josephsplatz, Munich on 16th July 2011.

For subsequent and regular celebration of Holy Qurbana, on request of Thomas Achen (father in Malayalam), Rev Fr. Martin Guggenbiller, the then vicar of Sankt Florian, a beautiful catholic church very conveniently located at Messestadt West (München Riem) and very close to the Metro rail station, gave us permission to gather and worship at their church. Father Guggenbiller showed kindness to his brother in Christ and opened the door of his church for us to celebrate our second holy Qurbana on the 20th of August 2011. Our community is very indebted to Father Guggenbiller for lovingly welcoming us and supporting us.

The initial priest level request was officiated by a correspondence between H.G. Ayub Mor Silvanos, the Regional Metropolitan for the US and Europe of the Knanaya Archdiocese, and the  Archbishop of Munich and Freising, H.E. Cardinal Reinhard Marx. Subsequently, the syriac orthodox community obtained the official sanction to use the church and premises for the purpose of worship and Church activities. We remain grateful to the Catholic Archdiocese of Munich for the generosity shown to its sister church.

From the very beginning of the syriac orthodox church in Munich its mission was “To perfect the saints, to do the work of Ministry, and to build up the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). The initial once a month holy service was extended to every first and third Sunday.  The church currently serves the faithful through administration of the Holy Sacraments, preaching the word of God, conducting house prayer meetings and charity services. The church also invests in children by conducting regular Sunday school classes and VBS.  Apart from these activities, the church also conducts annual retreat for all its members. Beyond its ecclesiastical boundaries this church serves with an ecumenical vision. Members of various apostolic churches from Kerala, especially of the syriac tradition worship and serve as a family to witness their Lord, Jesus Christ and to proclaim the Triune God.  

On the 21st of July 2019, H.G. Dr. Kuriakose Mor Theophilios Metropolitan of the Jacobite Syriac orthodox church in his role as bishop of Europe except UK and Ireland consented to elevate the congregational status and named it as St. Mary’s Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church in Munich.

We hope in the eternal Triune GOD to grow in the grace of our Lord 

‘For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be confirmed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.’ Romans 8:28

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