St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church
Hamilton, New Zealand

History


For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I
in the midst of them. Matthew 18 :20

The new immigrants from Malankara Christian believers, Kerala, India, gathered together in Mar 2004, in Hamilton, New Zealand to worship the Almighty God in the tradition and practices of the Malankara Orthodox Church. This congregation invited Rev. Fr. Varghese P Idichandy, Vicar of St Dionysius Indian Orthodox Church, Auckland, New Zealand, to celebrate Holy Qurbana. The first Holy Qurbana was celebrated on 12 Jun 2004 at St Lukes Anglican Church, St. Luke Ave, Hamilton, New Zealand. This congregation continued Prayer meeting and Holy Qurbana on second Friday and Saturday of every month. Further, this congregation declared itself as St. Dionysius Indian Orthodox Church, Hamilton under the direct support from Auckland Church. Rev. Fr. Shinu Thomas appointed as second Vicar of our congregation on May 2007. Rev.Fr. Shinu Thomas continued his blessings, prayers and support till Feb 2011. Our present and 3rd Vicar Rev. Fr. Biju Mathai took over his responsibilities from Feb 2011.


The Vicar and Trustee submitted an application as directed by the General Body Meeting on 1st Jun 2011 to Diocesan Metropolitan H.G Dr. Yuhanon Mar Diascoros for an Independent Parish with the name of St.Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church. Our request accepted by the Diocesan Metropolitan and issued an order (KALPANA) declaring our Parish with the name of St.Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church and appointed Rev. Fr. Biju Mathai as Vicar.


On the 11th of November 2011 we celebrated our Patron Saint St. Gregorios day with declaration of new Parish "ST.GREGORIOS INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND".