According to our tradition, Christianity in India was established by St. Thomas, who arrived in Kerala in AD 52. The Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in Kerala, India is an integral part of the Universal Orthodox Church, with the Patriarch of Antioch, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, as the supreme head.
St. Ignatius Elias Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Belfast, is the first parish of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in Northern Ireland.
In the early 2000s, a few families from Kerala migrated to Northern Ireland, primarily through international recruitment to fill vacancies in the healthcare sector. In 2005, we were blessed with the opportunity to form a small congregation at the Musgrave Park Hospital chapel, with permission from the Belfast HSC Trust. At that time, there were only 12 families belonging to our Jacobite tradition.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we moved from the Musgrave Park Hospital site to St. Polycarp’s Church Hall to allow for social distancing and to prevent the spread of infection in a hospital environment.
At present, we have 60 families in our congregation and have managed to purchase a property at 43 Derriaghy Road, Milltown, for permanent worship on Sundays, as well as to conduct all church-related activities, including Sunday School, youth association meetings, Bible classes, and an elderly forum.
To convert the Derriaghy hall into a church, we need to generate a substantial amount of financial support. As a small community, we are not in a position to raise the required funds on our own, even though all church members have already contributed generously. However, this is insufficient to realize our vision. Therefore, we seek your support in our fundraising campaign to achieve our financial goal to cover construction, furnishings, and other essential needs.
The new church will serve as more than just a place of worship; it will provide enhanced facilities for youth programs, community events, and outreach initiatives. It will be a space where lives are transformed, relationships are nurtured, and God's love is tangibly felt.
We invite you to join us in this sacred endeavor. Your generosity will not only help build a physical structure but will also plant seeds of faith, hope, and love in countless hearts, offering solace, community, and spiritual nourishment.
Together, let us create not just a church building, but a sanctuary where all are welcomed, valued, and embraced in the love of Christ. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our shared mission.