North America Diocese

North America Diocese

The history of the Mar Thoma Church in North America represents the dreams and aspirations of the faithful members of the Church who have come for higher studies and as professionals to the respective regions. Beginning in the early 1970s few families of the Mar Thoma Church in New York, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Dallas in the USA, and Toronto in Canada organized prayer groups in their respective regions. Beginning in 1976 parishes were approved in these places, the first being in New York. However, with the increase in the number of Mar Thoma families by late 1970s, parishes were organized in many other cities in North America and Europe and the Church found the need for administering the parishes and congregations as a Zone under the Kottayam-Cochin diocese beginning in 1982 which was guided by the Late Rt. Rev. Thomas Mar Athanasius Suffragan Metropolitan. Thomas Thirumeni was the architect of this diocese and his visionary leadership is highly commendable, that resulted in what the diocese is today. Upon Thirtumeni’s death in 1984, the Diocese was shepherded by Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan. In 1988, the Zone was fully elevated to the status of the Diocese, with the name Diocese of North America and Europe. The Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Suffragan Metropolitan (now our Valiya Thirumeni) took charge as Diocesan Bishop. Due to the tremendous growth and potential, The Episcopal Synod decided to have a resident bishop to administer the diocese effectively. The first resident bishop was the late Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus (1993-2000). The diocese bought a property in Richboro, PA, in 1994 and used it as the diocesan office. However, it was subsequently moved to its current location at 2320 South Merrick Avenue, Merrick, New York. In October 2000, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos took charge as the Diocesan Bishop until December 31, 2008. From 2009, His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan served as the Diocesan Bishop until December 31, 2015. From 2016 Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos Episcopa served as the Diocesan Bishop until December 31, 2023. The Diocese achieved tremendous growth under the leadership of these bishops. Currently, the diocese is shepherded by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa (2024- present) with his vision of uplifting the downtrodden and the marginalized, strengthening the spiritual growth of the families in the diocese, and carrying out the mission of the Church globally.

The diocese has undertaken mission fields such as the Mexico Mission, the Native American Mission and the various mission fields in India. The Mar Thoma Church in North America (Diocese of North America & Europe) is a member of the National Council of Churches (NCC), the largest ecumenical body in the United States. The Diocese has 80+ Parishes and congregations in her jurisdiction, each under the leadership of an able vicar.

For more information please visit the website https://www.marthomanae.org/