There have been research studies stating the existence of St Thomas Christians in Konkan region in early centuries. In a document titled the history and report of the Orthodox parishes outside Malabar (under His Grace Alexios Mar Theodosius Thirumeni of blessed memory) an intresting history regarding the journey of the Orthodox church in Bombay is mentioned- that a syrian church existed in Kalyan as recent as 18th century. The English translation of the Malayalam text is as below and the snapshots from the publication are attached as pics:
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"After the church in Kalyan established by St. Thomas the Apostle to be used for worship by the people of this land got dilapidated (the Bombay Government records show that 200 years ago a church with Syriac literature/writings existed in Kalyan), another church was constructed again for the migrant population of the Malayalee Orthodox Christians here in the middle of the 20th century and which (this new parish) was consecrated by His Holiness the Catholicose of the East, the successor to the throne of St Thomas in 1951*- this could not be accomplished by the older/previous congregations here. We humbly consider that St Thomas the Apostle intended us to share the Gospel in this part of the country."
Ref: The history and report of the Orthodox parishes outside Malabar dates 15 Feb 1955. Published by the Indian Orthodox Church Mission, Madras, Pages-25,26.
*Refers to the Dadar parish/St Mary's Orthodox Cathedral Church, Dadar.
In Christ,
Rincy John
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"After the church in Kalyan established by St. Thomas the Apostle to be used for worship by the people of this land got dilapidated (the Bombay Government records show that 200 years ago a church with Syriac literature/writings existed in Kalyan), another church was constructed again for the migrant population of the Malayalee Orthodox Christians here in the middle of the 20th century and which (this new parish) was consecrated by His Holiness the Catholicose of the East, the successor to the throne of St Thomas in 1951*- this could not be accomplished by the older/previous congregations here. We humbly consider that St Thomas the Apostle intended us to share the Gospel in this part of the country."
Ref: The history and report of the Orthodox parishes outside Malabar dates 15 Feb 1955. Published by the Indian Orthodox Church Mission, Madras, Pages-25,26.
*Refers to the Dadar parish/St Mary's Orthodox Cathedral Church, Dadar.
In Christ,
Rincy John
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