S M M O C

A few Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church   members living in Tampa Bay area of Florida had been meeting at the homes of   these church members since April 20, 2004 for Sunday morning prayers.After a   month of those meetings, a set of bylaws were drafted, and Saint Mary's   Malankara Orthodox Congregation was incorporated in the State of Florida on May   24, 2004, as a non-profit organization. The first business meeting of the newly   incorporated congregation was held on 7/18/2004 at a member's residence   following Sunday morning prayer. Sixteen members were in attendance. At a   business meeting of the congregation on 7/25/2004, it was decided that all   members should complete membership forms, and also to send letters to all Kerala congregations and organizations of the area announcing our presence.On Sunday,August 1, 2004, members attended   the Holy Qurbana that Very Rev. Dr. M. E. Idiculla Core-Episcopa celebrated at   his residence in memory of his late father. There were twenty-six people in   attendance. On Sunday, August 8, 2004, Rev. Fr. P. M. Zachariah, in the presnce   of Very Rev. M. E. Idiculla Core-Episcopa, celebrated the Holy Qurbana for the   congregation at a member's residence. At a meeting after this Holy Qurbana,   members elected a Managing Committee of eight (8) members for the administration   of the congregation, with Rev. Fr. P. M. Zachariah as president.It was also decided that the congregation   would follow the constitution of Malankara Orthodox Church, and that the   Managing Committee would be reelected every year, at the annual general body   meeting, as stipulated therein. Everybody present expressed their commitment to   work together toward achieving the future goals of the congregation.Starting August 29, 2004, the congregation   continued to have Holy Qurbana every Sunday at a hall provided by Family of   Christ Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida. Metropolitan His Grace the Most Rev. Dr.   Thomas Mar Makarios visited the congregation and celebrated the Holy Qurbana on   January 29, 2005. With the help of loans provided by four members, the   congregation purchased a 1.06-acre piece of property in Wesley Chapel, Florida,   on September 2, 2005. An existing building on this property was renovated, and   has been used as the place of worship and meeting since September 8, 2005. The   name of the corporation was officially changed in the State records to St.   Mary's Malankara Orthodox Church on August 11, 2005. Presently, a Board of   Directors with Very Rev. Dr. M. E. Idiculla as President, and eight (8) other   directors who include a vice-president, a secretary, and a treasurer, manages   the organizational affairs of St. Mary’s Malankara Orthodox Church, Inc. The   church membership has continued to grow.