The Diocese of UK-Europe and Africa
As per the re-bifurcation of the geographical area in 2009, the Diocese of UK-Europe and Africa was formed to include all parishes, congregations, and spiritual organisations of the Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Syrian Church within the geographical extents of the continents of Europe and Africa.
Malankara Metropolitan and Catholicos of the East H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Paulose II appointed H.G. Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios as the first Metropolitan of the newly formed diocese, who assumed office in May 2009. Earlier, these parishes were under the jurisdictional purview of the L.L. Thomas Mar Makarios of the erstwhile Diocese of Canada, UK and Europe. From November 2022 onwards H.G. Abraham Mar Stephanos took charge as the metropolitan of the Diocese of UK-Europe and Africa.
The Diocese of UK-Europe and Africa is one of the 30 dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church founded by the Apostle St. Thomas, which has its headquarters at Devalokam, Kottayam, Kerala, India. It has its diocese administration headquarters at Malankara House, 35 Hennman Close, Swindon, SN25 4ZW, UK.
There are currently a total of 57 Parishes (and Congregations) in 10 countries over the 2 continents of Europe and Africa. The roots of the Malankara (INDIAN) Orthodox Syrian Church in the UK-Europe and Africa geographical region can be traced back to the 1930s, when Abu Alexios of the Bethany monastery (later Bishop Alexios Mar Theodosius) visited UK.
The Holy Episcopal Synod of 2009 decided to once again bifurcate the area, thus forming the present diocese of UK-Europe and Africa. Newly consecrated bishop Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios was appointed as the first Diocesan Metropolitan with his jurisdiction covering two continents, stretching from the western tip of the UK mainland to the southern tip of Africa. The Episcopal guidance of the multilingual and Old Testament scholar H. G. Dr Mathews Mar Thimothios was a great impetus in the growth of the Diocese during its founding years. From November 2022 onwards H.G. Abraham Mar Stephanos took charge as the Metropolitan of the Diocese of UK-Europe and Africa.
