Abu Dhabi Marthoma Church

OUR PARISH HISTORY

January 12, 1971	Formation of the Mar Thoma Prayer group.
September 1, 1971	Formation of Abu Dhabi Mar Thoma Parish during the visit of Rt. Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Theophilus Episcopa & appointment of Rev. K S Varghese as the visiting Vicar from Bahrain.
April, 1972	Formation of the Sevika Sangham.
June, 1972	Arrival of Rev. M M Thomas as the new Vicar.
December, 1972	First house-to-house Christmas Carol Singing.
November 2, 1973	First Fete and Sale by Sevika Sangham.
December 9, 1973	Condolence meeting on the passing away of Rt. Rev. Mathews Mar Athanasius Episcopa.
December, 1973	First Christmas Carol Service and celebration.
February, 1974	First Annual Convention, with Vayalathala Avarachen Upadesi as the Speaker.
March, 1974	Visit of Rt. Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Theophilus Episcopa.
April, 1975	Formation of the Sunday School.
April 27, 1975	Farewell to Vicar Rev. M M Thomas.
May, 1975	Arrival of Rev. K M Abraham as the new Vicar.
October, 1975	Formation of Prayer Groups.
August 6, 1976	Harvest Festival held at St. Joseph’s Centre.
September 3, 1976	Parish Day Celebration.
October 3, 1976	Condolence meeting on the passing away of His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan.
May, 1977	Special Convention with Kuttappan Upadesi as the Speaker.
August, 1977	Visit of Rt. Rev. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Episcopa, Diocesan Bishop.
May 7, 1978	Farewell to Vicar Rev. K M Abraham
June 27, 1978	Rev. M I Alexander assumed duty as the new Vicar
July 8, 1978	Visit of His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan
October 22, 1978	First Christian Family Sunday and Family week observed
March, 1979	Formation of Edavaka Mission Prayer Fellowship.
Apr 23- May 4, 1979	First Vacation Bible School conducted
December 4-5, 1979	Gulf Area Mar Thoma Clergy Conference held
April 6, 1980	Inauguration of the Malabar Mission Complex Fund by Rt. Rev. Joseph Mar Irenaeus Episcopa
May, 1980	Formation of Al Ain Mar Thoma Chapel
July 11, 1980	First English Holy Communion Service held
May 10, 1981	Farewell to Vicar Rev. M I Alexander
May 12, 1981	Arrival of Rev. P D Mammen as the new Vicar
September 4, 1981	10^th Anniversary Celebration of the Parish with His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan as Chief Guest
1982	Visit of His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan
1982	Foundation stone of the new Church complex laid by Rt. Rev. Stuart Blanch, Archbishop of York, Inscription in foundation jointly signed by our Vicar Rev. P D Mammen
September 2, 1983	Dedication of new Parsonage by Rt. Rev. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Suffragan Metropolitan
December 30, 1983	Vicar moved to the new Parsonage in the Church Complex.
January 15, 1984	Inauguration of the St. Andrews Church by combined service.First Holy Communion in the new Church administered by our Vicar Rev. P D Mammen.
April 29, 1984	Farewell to Vicar Rev. P D Mammen
May 18, 1984	Arrival of Rev. P T Thomas as the new Vicar
August, 1984	Reorganization and formation of 13 Prayer Groups during the visit of Rt. Rev. Easow Mar Timotheos Episcopa, Diocesan Bishop
November 4, 1984	Condolence meeting to mourn the death of Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi
November 29, 1984	The new St. Andrews Church Complex officially dedicated and consecrated by Rt. Rev. Harry Moore, Anglican Bishop in Cyprus and the Gulf.
December 2, 1984	Condolence meeting on the passing away of Rt. Rev. Thomas Mar Athanasius Suffragan Metropolitan
1984	Condolence meeting on the death of former Vicar Rev. M M Thomas
January 1, 1985	Al Ain Chapel elevated to the status of a Parish
Aug 31- Sep 9, 1985	Visit of Rt. Rev. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Suffragan Metropolitan, Diocesan Bishop
Sep. 20 - 24, 1986	Annual Convention with Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Suffragan Metropolitan, as the Speaker
April 26, 1987	Farewell to Vicar Rev. P T Thomas
May 1, 1987	Arrival of Rev. Ninan Varghese as the new Vicar
April 11, 1988	Condolence meeting on the passing away of Rt. Rev. Easow Mar Timotheos Episcopa
December 2, 1988	UAE Centre Parish retreat led by Rev. Dr. T J Thomas, Director, TMA Counseling Centre, Kottayam.
December 24, 1989	Visit of His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan
April 27, 1990	Arrival of Rev. Thomas Philip as the new Vicar
1991	Parish Members’ Directory published.
1991	Formation of Mussafah Prayer Group.
April, 1991	First Teenagers’ Camp inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church
June 9, 1991	First Social Sunday observed
August 16, 1991	Liturgy Class by Rev. K V John, Vicar, Dubai Mar Thoma Parish
October 3 - 6, 1991	20^th Anniversary celebrations - Final Day Program on October 6, with Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilos Episcopa as the Chief Guest.
December 22, 1992	Commencement of the construction of Parish Hall blessed by Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos Episcopa
March 24, 1993	Inauguration of the Parish Hall by Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilos Episcopa
April 24, 1993	Arrival of Rev. George Varghese as the new Vicar
May 12, 1993	"Take-over" of Parish Hall from the Contractor
July 31, 1993	Social gathering of our ex-members and ex-Vicars at Charalkunnu
December 2, 1993	Parish Retreat with Rev.K K Abraham (Vicar, Kuwait Mar Thoma Parish) as the Chief Guest and Rev. Fr. Kurian Daniel (Professor of Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta) as the main Speaker
September 28, 1994	Visit of His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan
March 26, 1995	Reception to H E Mr. M P M Menon, Indian Ambassador to UAE
September 15, 1995	Inauguration of the Silver Jubilee celebration by Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Irenaeus Episcopa, and presided by Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa, Diocesan Bishop
November 22, 1995	Silver Jubilee Valedictory Function with Mr. P J Joseph (Hon. Minister of Education & Public Works, Kerala) and release of Jubilee Souvenir.
April 27, 1996	Arrival of Rev. P M Thomas as the new Vicar
November 20, 1996	Dedication of newly constructed room in the parsonage by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan.
January 8, 1997	Formation of Khalidia, Tourist Club-1 & Zayani Prayer Groups.
March 12, 1997	Formation of Central Hospital & Madeena Zayed Prayer Groups
1997	Parish Directory published
April 27, 1997	Farewell to the Ven. Archdeacon Michael Mansbridge of the Anglican Church
August, 1997	Formation of Tourist Club-2 Prayer Group
March, 1998	Formation of Khalifa Street Prayer Group
August 21, 1998	Parish Entertainment Program
December 9, 1998	Formation of Hamdan Street Prayer Group
1999	Parish Directory updated/published
April 28, 1999	Arrival of Rev. Mammen Samuel as the new Vicar
May 16, 1999	Farewell Meeting for the outgoing Vicar Rev. P M Thomas
1999	Formation of the second Prayer Group in Mussafah
January 1, 2000	Millennium Family Get-together
September 8, 2000	Sunday School Silver Jubilee Inauguration
September 8, 2000	Blessing of the Stone for the Parsonage Complex.
October 25, 2000	Inauguration of construction of Parsonage Complex Extension
2001 - 2002	Dedication of dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan
May	Memorial Parsonage complex by Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Issac Mar Philoxenos Episcopa
	550 members of Abu Dhabi Parish attended the Dedication ceremony of Dubai Mar Thoma Church Complex
2002 - 2003	Launched members family welfare scheme.
February 16	Obtained registration for our church and signing authority for Vicar from the concerned Govt. Authorises.
April 28	Farewell Meeting for Rev. Mammen Samuel and family
	An agreement was concluded between Mar Thoma Church and St. Andrews Church Council for the usage of St. Andrews premises.
June 7	Arrival of Rev. C. Yohannan as Vicar
November 8	Formation of Passport Rd & Electra Prayer Groups.
2003 - 2004 June 19	Grand Reception to His Grace MOst Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysosotm Mar Thoma Metropolitan on the occasion of completion of 50 years of His glorious services as Bishop.
October 28	Appointment of Al Ain Vicar as Assistant Vicar to Abu Dhabi MTC.
March 28	Allotment of land for the construction of Church by Abu Dhabi Governmnet.
2004 - 2005 May 23	Church Construction Fund inauguration
July 7	Consultancy Contract award to Crang & Boake
July 23	Family Get - together at Charel Mount.
October 1	foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the new Church Complex.
January 23	Bid documents issued to Contractors.

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