Kolkata Orthodox Diocese

The Kolkata Diocese is a is one of the 22 dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

History

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 Diocese celebrated its silver Jubilee in 2004.

Organization

The Orthodox parishes in the North and North Eastern states of India, Kuwait & Muscat in the Persian 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. 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. The diocese manages 25 schools, one Arts and Science Post Graduate & B.Ed. College and an Engineering College. It has village mission projects in numerous villages.

tatistics

*Total number of Priests: 39
*Ramban: 01
*Deacons: 03
*Seminary students: 10
*Parishes (In India): 38
*Parishes (In Middle East): 04
*Congregations: 14

References

External links

*http://malankaraorthodoxchurch.in
*http://www.orthodoxsyrianchurch.com
*http://www.icon.org.in/
*http://www.icbs.com/makodiya/