Christos Mar Thoma Church, Philadelphia

Philadelphia Christos Mar Thoma Church is one among the newly formed Mar Thoma parishes of North America & Europe Diocese. This church formed on the 1st July 2010 with 140 families. For about 6 months, this faith community worshiped at the auditorium of Greenberg School, Philadelphia. Soon after that purchased a building for the Church and the membership grew to 151. The altar and the church building were solemnized by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa on 24th Dec. 2010.
The first parish day of Christos MTC was celebrated on 16th & 17th July 2011 with Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius as the chief guest. Rev. M. John made the opening prayer. Rev. Roy Geevarghese, vicar gave the opening address and welcomed all. Theodosius Tirumeni delivered the main message on the parish day.

Mr. Santhosh Abraham, Edavaka secretary presented the Parish report. Mr. Thomas Kizhakkemuri, Trusty handed over an amount for Snehakaram project of the Church. Rev. Fr.Jose Daniel (Ecumenical president), Rev. Fr. Chacko Punnoose and Rev. Alexander Varghese gave felicitation speeches.

Prizes were distributed for the winners of the parish picnic events at the meeting.

The parish day celebration continued on 17th July 2011 with parish day worship service at 9 a.m. First communicants’ service was also conducted along with the Holy Communion.

After that Mr. P. T. Mathew and Mr. Thomas Varghese presented the coin collection boxes for creating funds for the new church building.

Sunday School teachers made arrangements for honouring the graduates of the year. Tirumeni felicitated them and presented gifts for them. During the first parish day celebration, Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Tirumeni dedicated the newly purchased parsonage of Christos MTC and felicitated first resident vicar, Rev. Roy Geevarghese.

Rev. M. John, Rev. Dr. Joe Joseph, Rev. P. A. Abraham and Rev. Antony T. Varghese assisted the dedication service of the Parsonage.
The presence, prayers, messages and blessings of Theodosius Tirumeni enriched, encouraged and empowered the Parish members to go forward as a faith community and witness the Lord in the neighbourhood. We praise God for all the heavenly blessings received on all these days.God is with this worshipping community in their pilgrim journey.
Rev. Roy Geevarghese
Vicar