BAHRAIN ORTHODOX CHURCH

BAHRAIN ORTHODOX CHURCH

Bahrain St. Mary's is the first parish of the orthodox church in the Gulf Region. The influx of Syrian Christians of Kerala in to Island of Bahrain started in the early fortes. Most of them as employees in private concerns. In main place of worship for the early Christians was American Mission church. In 1938 July, ver. Rev T.S Abraham Cor -Episcopa celebrated Holy Qurbana first time in Bahrain at Majlis of American Mission Church All the Malayalees were the member of this congregation. Friday weekly evening prayer meetings and the occasional visit and services of religious leaders from mother church were inspiring and well attracted by all the members of the congregation.
Due to the increased population of Malankara orthodox members on the Island, with the inspiration of Rev M.V Geroge a separate prayer group of orthodox members fprmed in the year 1959. As the strength of the members has grown up from 200 to more than 1000, the need of a bigger place. The late H.H Amir Sheikh Isa bin Khalifa since its earlier days who donated the land for construction of church building.
So the long cherished ambition of the orthodox community in Bahrain was turned to another phase by laying down the foundation stone on 2nd November 2001 Diocesan metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Coorilose,in the presence of Most Rev George Cary, Archbishop of Canterbury laid the foundation stone, which was blessed by Catholicose of the East and Malankara Metropolitan Baselios Marthoma Mathew II. At present St. Mary's orthodox church in the Kingdom of Bahrain is an epitome of service to the needy in aspects as an oasis at Arabian deserts with membership of more than 1400 subscribed members. It consists of more than 5000 members .
Prof; John Kurakar