Our Faith
St. Mary’s Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church, Oslo, is a Christian congregation belonging to the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church and is under the Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church (MSOC) European diocese. The Church upholds the faith, traditions, and doctrines of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church and maintains allegiance to the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East as the supreme spiritual head and is under the Patriarchal Vicar of the European diocese.
The Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church traces its origins to the apostolic mission of St. Thomas the Apostle in India in AD 52. As one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, our liturgical tradition follows the West Syriac Rite, with scripture rooted in the Peshitta (the Syriac Bible), celebrated in a blend of Syriac, Malayalam, and the local language. The Holy Qurbana (Eucharist) is at the heart of our spiritual life. Learn more about the Holy Qurbana ☦︎
Our Mission
- To maintain and practice the faith, traditions, and doctrines of the Syriac Orthodox Church
- To conduct Holy Eucharist, sacraments, and religious services
- To provide spiritual guidance and pastoral care to members
- To organize Sunday School, youth, and community activities
- To promote fellowship and community development
- To undertake charitable and humanitarian activities in accordance with Norwegian law including outside of Norway
- To raise and manage funds to support its objectives
Our History
St. Mary’s Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church, Norway was founded in 2010. Rev Fr. Eldhose Vattaparambil came to Denmark in the year 2009 and to fulfil his desire to conduct Holy Qurbana in Scandinavia, the Catholicose H. B. Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I, gave him permission to conduct Qurbana.
The first Holy Qurbana of this church was conducted by Rev Fr. Eldhose Vattaparambil on 23-01-2010 at Våre Frue Kirke Church, Porsgrunn in southern Norway.
Since most of the families of the Church resided in and around Oslo, later in the year 2010 the members of the church decided to conduct Holy Qurbana in Oslo.
The church was started with just three families, but now we have around fifteen families regularly attending the church.
The congregation is now under the MSOC European diocese and H. G. Dr. Kuriakose Mor Theophilose is the Patriarchal Vicar of the European diocese.
The church conducts Sunday School, Vanitha Samajam, bi-weekly prayer meetings, and Christmas caroling. The congregation organizes annual summer trips, teaches Malayalam liturgy, and supports education for children in Kerala.
The Church celebrates its foundation day perunnal on 23rd January every year and it also celebrates the Feast of Assumption (Vangippu Perunnal) on 15th August with a Rasa.
We cordially invite you to come and participate in our liturgical services. Learn more about our Liturgy ☦︎
Our Hierarchy
The Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church in Europe is a Patriarchal Vicariate under the supreme primacy of Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II and Catholicose His Beatitude Mor Baselios Joseph. H.E. Mor Theophilose Kuriakose Metropolitan is the present Patriarchal Vicar of the Diocese.
Our Governance
The General Body is the highest decision-making authority of the Church under the leadership of the Vicar (President). The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held once per year.
The General Body shall:
- Approve annual report and accounts
- Approve budget
- Elect Managing Committee
- Approve amendments to the constitution
- Decide major matters affecting the Church
See our current Board of Trustees for parish leadership contacts.