Parish History
Welcome to the website of Nazareth Mar Thoma Church, Dublin. This Church belongs to the North America and Europe Diocese of the Malankara Mar Thoma Church, traditionally believed to have been founded by Saint Thomas, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, in the year AD 52.
The Mar Thoma Church in Ireland began in early 2005, when a few Mar Thoma families who migrated to Ireland, gathered for fellowship and worship. The first holy communion of the church was conducted at St. Maelurains Church in Tallaght, under the leadership of Rev. Thomas Koshy Patteril from UK parish, on 01st Oct 2005. Rt. Rev Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan officially declared our prayer group as a congregation of the Mar Thoma Church during his visit on 04th Aug 2006. Rev. Benu John and Rev. Shiby M Abraham from UK served the congregation in the initial period. In 2007 Rev. Mathew Philip was appointed as the first resident Vicar and served the congregation whilst pursuing his higher studies.
The Hon. Episcopal Synod of the Mar Thoma Church elevated the congregation to the status of a parish, under the North America and Europe diocese, as Nazareth Mar Thoma Church Dublin on March 2009. The parish was registered as a charitable organisation in Ireland in 2010.
Situated in Dublin, the Church propagates worship and cultural integrity for marthomites and other Christian communities in Republic of Ireland. The Mar Thoma diaspora is dedicated and devoted to their church of Eastern traditions, hierarchy, distinct liturgy and customs, which brought them a great zeal of Christian ardour. Mar Thoma Church is now in full communion with the Anglican Communion, Church of Ireland and England and are members of the Churches Together in England (CTE), Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) and World Council of Churches (WCC). Our overall mission is to serve the needs of others to the best of our ability and excellence. We are committed to each other, as we realize that we must seek to meet the needs of those around us. We believe that a great way to be strengthened in our own walk with God is to serve others, and that is what we are passionate about.
We have seen a steady growth in memberships since 2005. Currently we are blessed with a strength of over 175 families. We have eight active prayer groups and six vibrant organizations which strengthens the parish and all other activities of the Church as a whole.
By the grace of God, in 2019, we accomplished to form a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), registered under the name Nazareth Mar Thoma Church (CRO Number: 662557); to secure the benefits of separate legal entity and limited liability to members.
Today, Nazareth Mar Thoma Church, through its faith, the contribution of its people, its internal and outreach programs to the community and the world, the Church remains and will continue to remain an example of the power of God’s love.