Diocese of North America and Europe

The growth of Mar Thoma Church during the later part of the twentieth century was phenomenal. As early as 1972, there were efforts for worship and prayer meetings in the major cities of North America. Mar Thoma parishes in North America became a reality during the 1980's. Clergy were assigned to all parishes to further their growth. Several parishes bought or built church buildings of their own.

Representatives from all parishes met at Philadelphia in 1982 for the first Zonal Council meeting presided over by Rt. Rev. Dr.Thomas Mar Athanaseous. The North American Zone was under the Kottayam-Ranny Diocese.

As new parishes and church buildings emerged at major cities across U.S.A. and Canada, the Metropolitan created the Diocese of North America and Europe in 1988. In 1993 Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus became the first resident bishop of the diocese. The events leading to the formation of a new diocese in North America and building of the Diocesan Center (Siani Mar Thoma Center in New York) took place within a short span of two decades.

The annual youth conference started in 1980 and the first annual family conference was held at Toronto in 1983. Mar Thoma Messenger - a publication of the diocese - started in 1982.

There are now 49 parishes and 18 congregations in our diocese, of which 9 parishes and 2 congregations are in Canada.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos is currently leading the diocese as the Diocesan Bishop. Rev. Dr. K.A. Abraham is the present Diocesan Secretary.