History of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church was founded by St Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, when he travelled to South India in AD 52. At least from the fourth century, the Indian Church forged a close relationship with the Persians or the East Syrian Church. From the Persians, we inherited the East Syrian language and liturgies, and gradually came to be known as Syrian Christians.
In the sixteenth century, Roman Catholic missionaries arrived in India. They tried to absorb the Syrian Christians under the Roman Catholic Church. This led to a split within the community. Those who accepted Roman Catholicism are the present Syro-Malabar Catholics. Much later, Protestant missionaries from the West arrived in Kerala and worked among the Syrian Christians. This also created certain divisions in the community.
In the seventeenth century, the Church became in communion with the Antiochene Church, which again caused further splits. As a result, the Church adopted the West Syrian liturgies and practices. The Church then entered a new phase in its history by establishing the Catholicate of the East in 1912.
At present, the Church is using the West Syrian liturgy. The faith of the Church is that which was established by the Ecumenical Councils of Nicea (AD 325), Constantinople (AD 381), and Ephesus (AD 431). The Church is in communion with the other Oriental Orthodox Churches namely Syriac, Alexandrian, Armenian, Eritrean, and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches. The Church is also in good ecumenical relationship with the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant Churches.
This Church now consists of about 2.5 million members worldwide, though the majority reside in the state of Kerala in southwest India. The Supreme Head of the Church and the present Catholicos is His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III. The residence of His Holiness and the headquarters of the Church are in Kottayam, Kerala. The Church is divided into 30 ecclesial units called dioceses and each diocese is administratively and spiritually served and overseen by a diocesan bishop.
History of the Singapore Parish
Sources: Parish souvenir magazines & news archives.
Note: Some dates are approximated and will be amended upon receiving new verified information.
1920
Orthodox Syrian Christians arrival in Singapore
The Orthodox Syrian Christians first arrived in Singapore after World War 1 (around 1920). Young men looking to better their lives ventured to Malaya and Singapore which were, like India, under British colonial rule. A number of them were employed by the civil service and schools, while others worked at H.M. Naval Base or in private enterprises. Most of them did not intend to make Singapore their home at that point in time. However, they maintained strong religious and social ties among themselves as well as with other denominations of the Syrian Christian community.
1928
Visit by the first clergy
In March 1928, Abo Alexios (Mattakkal) of Bethany Ashram, Kerala who later became Bishop of Quilion, came on a visit to Malaya, Singapore, Sumatra, and Java. He conducted Holy Qurbana and other religious rites for the community at the Armenian Orthodox Church, during his almost 2-year stay in Singapore. In the news: Malaya Tribune 19 June 1928, Page 7
1929
Farewell to Rev Fr Abo Alexios
The Syrian Christians of Singapore and Johore bid farewell to Rev. Fr. Abo Alexios at the social hall of the Tamil Church on Short Street. In the news: The Straits Times, 8 January 1929, Page 10
1936
First vicar of the church
As membership increased, the Home Church in Kerala sent Rev. Fr T I Joseph as the first vicar of Malaya and Singapore in 1936. He conducted services at the Armenian Orthodox Church and travelled regularly throughout Malaya and Singapore. Rev. Fr T I Joseph returned home in 1939. In the news: Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle, 8 December 1936, Page 7.
1942
The war and Japanese Occupation
Beginning with the Second World War, all migration and communication between Singapore and India ceased for a period of 8-10 years. Members of the Syrian Christian community attended regular Sunday worship with the help of lay leaders. Denominational differences were regarded as irrelevant during this troubled period. The congregation was predominantly male.
1948
The Pioneer Management Committee elected in 1948, before the arrival of Rev. Fr P K Abraham
Seated (Left – Right): Mr V C Oommen (Secretary), Mr P K Thomas, Mr Mathew Thomas (Treasurer), Mr K C George, Mr M George (Vice- President). Standing (Left – Right): Mr P J Thomas, Mr M V Alexander, Mr C K V Panicker. Mr George Varghese, Mr Thomas George, Mr T V Varghese (not in the picture).
1949
Post-War period
Rev Fr P K Abraham was the first Vicar appointed to Malaya and Singapore after the war. Worship services were conducted at borrowed premises such as Christchurch. New employment opportunities under British rule attracted more Orthodox members from Kerala to Singapore. This continued until 1953 when the government controlled immigration into Singapore. Very few members arrived after that. However most of the married men bought their families and many migrant bachelors returned to India to get married and brought their wives here.
1958
Laying the foundation stone of the first church
Parish member count increased over the years and a church of our own became necessary. Rev. Fr P K Abraham returned to India and Rev. Fr K A George took over as the vicar of Malaya and Singapore parishes until 1957. Very Rev. T S Abraham Cor Episcopa, who succeeded Rev. Fr K A George in 1957, laid the foundations of St Thomas Orthodox Syrian Church at 10 Topaz Road on 8 February 1958. On 25 May 1958, His Grace Mathews Mar Athanasius (who later became His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews I) laid the foundation stone at the altar. The first Holy Qurbana at the new altar was conducted on 30 May 1958 by His Grace even before the completion of the building.
1959
New church at 10 Topaz Road
The church building with stained glass windows was ready by December 1959. The consecration of the church was held on 27 December 1959 by His Grace Daniel Mar Philoxenos, assisted by the Very Rev. T S Abraham Cor Episcopa & Rev. Fr P V Joseph (who later become His Grace Joseph Mar Pachomius). Parish Assembly Hall (for priests & Sunday School classes) was later constructed at 11 Topaz Road. In the news: The Singapore Free Press, 26 December 1959, Page 7.
1960
Send-off for Very Rev T S Abraham Cor Episcopa
Very Rev. T S Abraham Cor Episcopa received heartfelt farewell by over 200 parishioners of the Orthodox Syrian Christian Community. In the news: The Singapore Free Press, 18 August 1960, Page 4.
1965
Separation from Malaysia
In 1965, Singapore became an independent country and subsequently the church in Malaysia and Singapore became separate parishes. The first 15 priests appointed by the Home church from 1936 to 1976 served both Malaysia and Singapore. They travelled regularly throughout the two countries conducting services and visiting parish members.
1970
Migration out of Singapore
Following the British military pullout from Singapore in 1971, quite a number of the members left Singapore. Some went back to India while others moved to other countries. This reduced the strength of the community from 250 families to 65 families. Those who decided to stay made Singapore their permanent home as government policies made it difficult for non-citizens to be employed.
1971
First Annual Orthodox Youth Camp (AOYC)
AOYC is an annual camp organised by the youth wing to gather all the youngsters of the two parishes and effectively enlighten them on Christian teachings, traditions and history. The youth wing of our sister parish (OYM) in Malaysia and that in Singapore (OCYM) take turns to organise this camp, thus the venue alternates between both countries. The first camp was held in Singapore in 1971.
1979
Newly formed Madras Diocese
Parishes of the Madras Diocese were formerly part of the Calcutta Diocese. In 1979, a separate diocese for Madras, which includes the Singapore parish, was formed and His Grace Zachariah Mar Dionysius took charge as Metropolitan at that time.
1979
Ceremoniously removing the altar stone of our church at Topaz Road
For two decades, the beautiful church at Topaz Road catered to the spiritual needs of members. However, the land was acquired by the government for development of the Pan Island Expressway (PIE). After St Thomas Day celebrations on the church premise at Topaz Road, the key to the church was handed over to authorities.
1980
Worship at borrowed premises
Worship services for the congregation of about 70 families were conducted for almost 2 years at the modest Parish Hall (11 Topaz Road). When that building was sold, borrowed premises like Christchurch school auditorium and later the Armenian Church were used. Activities of the Sunday School, the Youth Fellowship and St. Mary’s League, were also affected during this period. In the news: New Nation, 11 May 1980, Page 25.
1980
Procurement of current land for church building
Due to the tireless and selfless contribution of the congregation and by the grace of God, the site at 650 Yio Chu Kang Road was procured on 30 July 1980. Construction of new church building and parish hall began soon after.
1981
Laying the foundation stone of new church building
His Grace Zachariah Mar Dionysius laid the foundation stone of the second church.
1983
Consecration of second church at Yio Chu Kang
Construction was completed and the consecration ceremony was conducted on 18 December 1983 by the then Diocesan Bishop, His Grace Zachariah Mar Dionysius. Holy Qurbana was conducted in October 1983 by the vicar at the time, Rev. Fr George Varghese. In the news: Singapore Monitor, 24 December 1983, Page 5.
1990
Growth of Membership
The nineties saw the dwindling membership of the church increasing once again. The rapid growth of the Singapore economy in the mid-1990s coupled with government’s forward-looking policy of recruiting foreigners due to local manpower limitations allowed many young people to come from major cities in India to work in Singapore. Some of these young people have taken up permanent residence in Singapore and are participating and contributing dynamically to the activities of the church.
1997
Cathedral status of the church
As the membership increased, the church was given the Cathedral status by the head of our church, H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II. The Cathedral status was officially declared by the diocesan bishop, H.G. Zachariah Mar Dionysius. The name of the church was changed from St Thomas Orthodox Syrian Church to St Thomas Orthodox Syrian Cathedral with effect from 25 June 1997, by the Government Gazette Notification No. 2345. In the news: The Straits Times, 14 October 1997.
1997
Bigger plans for the old parsonage
To meet the growing needs of the Cathedral, a proposal was mooted in 1997 for a Cathedral Development Project. There was a need to include facilities for Sunday School, youth activities and gatherings by St Mary’s League, and prepare residential space for visits by bishops. The plan was to build a new multi-purpose complex to replace the old one-storey parsonage.
1999
Standing committee for Cathedral Development Project
In 1999, a standing committee was elected to undertake the Cathedral Development Project. Its mission was to demolish the existing parsonage and to build a three-storey multi-purpose complex in its place. It was hoped that this complex would nourish the many spiritual activities of the Cathedral. The committee has set up various working committees to achieve the objective and has received overwhelming support from parishioners. The project was completed in 2002.
2002
Foundation stone of the multi-purpose hall
The foundation stone of the multi-purpose hall was laid by the then vicar, Very Rev. Dr Christophoros Ramban, on 20th January 2002.
2002
Consecration of multi-purpose hall
The consecration was conducted by our Diocesan Bishop, Most Rev Dr Yakob Mar Irenaios Metropolitan of Madras Diocese in December 2002.
2008
Visit by Catholicos of the East
The Catholicos of the East, His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymos I, visited STOSC.
2008
Golden Jubilee Celebration
STOSC not only celebrated 50 years of the building the first church but also 80 years of celebrating the Holy Qurbana in Singapore. A gala dinner was organised on the church premises. The event was graced by guest-of-honour, the late Mr S R Nathan, the former and longest-serving President of Singapore.
2015
SG50 & Church carnival
In conjunction with 50 years of Singapore’s independence (SG50), the church celebrated the occasion with a carnival on the church premises.
2019
Visit by Catholicos of the East
The Catholicos of the East, His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, visited STOSC.
2021
Global pandemic
The global COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted and put restrictions on our congregational gathering. It prompted the switch to streaming Holy Qurbana services on YouTube to benefit parishioners. Two altar assistants provided the support to the vicar to conduct the service.
2024
Present
With more than 250 families, the Singapore parish remain vibrant and committed to our church and diocese, in faith and community spirit. Various spiritual organisations within the church work in harmony to serve the spiritual and social needs of the church and connect with the other communities in Singapore to grow in tandem and support where needed.