Hyderabad: The Mar Thoma Church is set to celebrate its Platinum Jubilee on Sunday, immediately following the Worship Service at 8.30 am. According to Johnson Varghese, vice-president of the church, the celebration will feature Rt Rev. Zacharias Mar Aprem, Episcopa of the Delhi Diocese of the Mar Thoma Church, who will deliver the primary address. Joining him will be Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos, Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church, and Jacob Punoose, retired IPS officer and former DGP of Kerala. Varghese George, secretary of the Mar Thoma Church, recalled its origins under the St. Andrews Church Society, registered in 1958. Under this society, both the Mar Thoma Syrian Church and the Orthodox Syrian Church began offering worship services. As the congregation grew, the Mar Thoma Church expanded, resulting in the construction of Ascension Mar Thoma Church in Chikkadpally (1967) and the Orthodox Cathedral near Golconda Crossroads (1969), while Syrian Christians in Secunderabad continued to worship at St. Andrews Church. In 1985, the Union government, through the defence ministry, granted a perpetual lease of St. Andrews Church Society land to both the Mar Thoma and Orthodox Churches. Varghese George highlighted the progress made since 1947, crediting the contributions of Mathew, whose descendants remain proud of the church’s pioneering role among Malayalis in the Secunderabad Cantonment. Reflecting on the church’s history, the congregation has shared details in its bulletin about K.M. Mathew, believed to be the first Malayalee to settle in Secunderabad in 1902. Hailing from Tiruvalla (then in the Madras Presidency), he travelled by bullock cart from Bengaluru to the Secunderabad Cantonment and established a thriving piano dealership for a British company, eventually taking it over himself. His passion for pianos and commitment to the community are fondly remembered by parishioners.
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