HISTORY

Migration of Syrian Jacobite faithful to Switzerland began in the late 1970s. The pioneers, though very few in number kept in touch with one another and were very passionate about preserving their faith and cultural identity. As a result of their consistent efforts the first Holy Qurbana was celebrated by Rev. Dr.
Joseph Maramkandom in March 1991 in Basel for the first time. Thereafter, he came to Switzerland a few occasions and celebrated Holy Qurbana but still there was no congregation formed. In August 1992, our present Catholicos Aboun Mor Baselios Thomas I (then H.E. Mor Divanasios Thomas, Metropolitan of Angamaly Diocese) came to Switzerland and celebrated Holy Querbana. It is a mere example of His extra-ordinary vision that he gifted us a Tabaleetha, an Achu and a Thaksa so that if any Priest visit Switzerland can celebrate Holy Querbana without any difficulty. In due course, Deacon Eldose Kavungampillil came to London for higher studies and he took the initiative to conduct prayer meetings in Switzerland. He was ordained Priest in September 1994 and, in Europe, the first Holy Querbano was celebrated in Switzerland. In November 1994 H.E. Late Mor Osthathious Benyamin visited Switzerland and after the Holy Qurbana he declared the prayer group as a Congregation named St. Mary ́s Syriac Orthodox Congregation Switzerland.
The new millennium witnessed and influx of more families arrived from Vienna added extra spirit to everyone. With the limited resources, the Congregation showed great determination and took challenges to achieve different goals. In November 2003 our Congregation has got registered with ecumenical organisation AGCK, the largest Christian Association in Switzerland and also became a permanent member in AGOCK. In 2004 we were blessed with a new leadership H.E. Dr. Mor Theophilos Kuriakose, a very efficient organiser and an unwavering personality, he is a shining example of someone who can stay calm and composed with eyes fixed right on the target even in times of turbulence. The same year the congregation have celebrated its 10th Anniversary. Holy Trimass was celebrated followed by an ecumenical meeting and cultural programmes. A souvenir was also published marking the 10th Anniversary celebrations of the Congregation. On the same Day the congregation was raised to the status of a Parish by Catholicose H.B. Mor Baselios Thomas I named as St. Mary ́s Malankara Syriac Orhodox Church Switzerland and Fr.EldoseKauvungumpillil was appointed as the first vicar of the Parish.

In December 2005, the Patriarchal Vicar of the Diocese appointed Rev. Fr. Jomy Joseph (now H.E. Dr. Mor Anthimos Matthews) as the Vicar of the Parish. The appointment and arrival of Rev. Fr. Jomy was a major step toward the growth of the Parish. In February 2011 Rev. Fr. Dr. Prince Mannathoor was appointed as the vicar and he served the community with full dedication for few years. In October 2013 Rev. Fr. Dr. Kuriakose Kollannoor took charge as the vicar of the Parish and served the parish for another 6 years. In September 2019 Rev. Fr. Paul Punnackal George has appointed as the vicar of the church by H. E. Dr. Mor Theophilose Kuriakose Metropolitan and he is continuing till today. The Holy Qurbana is celebrated once in every month (third Sunday) and it is praiseworthy that Sunday School is functioning. Other Associations like Youth and Vanitha Samajam are the integral part of our Parish. The parish also engaged in several social activities for the benefit of the needy. The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through generations