A Brief History of the Diocese of Calcutta

Calcutta Diocese is one of the 22 dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.  This diocese was part of the Outside Kerala (Bahyakerala)diocese till 1975. In 1975, it was included in the newly created Madras Diocese. In 1979 the present diocese of Calcutta came into existence. The Orthodox parishes in the North and North Eastern states of India, Kuwait & Muscat in Gulf region are included in this diocese, viz. Chattisgarh, Madhyapradesh, parts of Maharastra, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh,and Manipur. The Diocesan  Head Quarters is in Bhilai, Chattisgarh state. This was consecrated by H.H. Mathews I, the Catholicose in 1986. The founder Bishop,  His Grace Dr. Stephanos Mar Theodosius, lives in St. Thomas Ashram, Kailash Nagar, Bhilai. Ours is a missionary diocese. The Diocesan Metropolitan is also the Director of St. Thomas Orthodox Church Mission, one of the pioneer missions outside Kerala.  The Mission is mainly concerned with Education and Social Development. We have 25 schools, one Arts and Science Post Graduate & B.Ed. College and an Engineering College. We have village mission projects in Makodia, Sarni, Samad Piparia, Bhopal, Bastar, Bokaro, Ranchi, Itarsi, Chandrapur  and Bhilai.  The largest centre is Makodia near Itarsi where we work in around 102 villages. In Samad Piparia, near Jabalpur, we built 60 houses for the victims of the earthquake and now we are doing their development works. Our projects include literacy (adult as well as child), balwadies, women empowerment, Gramjyoti, Jeevanjyoti, Vimochan-(prisoners rehabilitation project), Asha kendra etc. The Diocese celebrated its silver Jubilee in 2004. The theme of the celebration was “Witness and Service 2004”. The Jubilee was inaugurated by H.B Thomas Mar Timotheos in the presence of H.G Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios, H.G Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, H.G Dr. Yakoob Mar Ireneus & Prof. Dr. Alexander Karackal. The concluding ceremony was  blessed by  His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Didymos I, Mr. Joy Oommen, IAS,  Priests and other guests.

Total number of Priests   - 39
Ramban                        - 01
Deacons                        - 03
Seminary students          - 10
Parishes (In India)         - 38
Parishes (In Gulf Countries)  - 04
Congregations               - 14