A short walk down the memory lane
On January 4th 2014, a small group of Indian Orthodox faithful living in Suwanee/Cumming area, with a vision for an Orthodox presence in the Northside of Atlanta area, planted a seed. Fortunately this seed fell upon fertile ground and it blossomed. On January 4th 2014, the decision was made to name the Church after the patron saint of Parumala : St Gregorios. On January 17th 2014, a newly formed prayer group was registered in the name of St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church Atlanta Inc under 501(3)(c), and the Parish became a legal entity through its formal incorporation in Georgia as a non-profit organization.
On 9th Feb 2014, St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church invited Rev. Fr. John K Vaidyan of blessed memory from Atlanta to celebrate the Holy Liturgy at St Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Suwanee, Georgia. This service was held in the chapel of St Paul Coptic Orthodox Church. After the Holy Liturgy, the first Managing Committee of the new congregation was formed with Rev. Fr.John K Vaidyan as the President of the new parish along with Mr Thomas K Eapen as Treasurer and Mr Thomas George as Secretary.
On 3rd August 2014, we moved to new worship center at Norcross, 6000 Live Oak Pkwy Ste 113, Norcross GA 30093. With His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, The Catholicose of the East’s blessings, on July 5th 2017, the then Metropolitan of South West American diocese declared us as a parish under Diocese of Southwest America with Rev Fr John Koshy Vaidyan of blessed memory as the first Vicar.
Where we are today
St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church Atlanta Inc, has been actively functioning with Holy Liturgy services on all Sundays in the Norcross facility with Fr Philipose Sakharia as our priest in charge. All spiritual organizations of the Malankara Orthodox Church, such as Sunday school, Bala Balika Samajam, MGOCSM, Martha Mariam Samajam and Prarthana Yogams (Area Prayer Groups) are active and flourishing in the Parish.
Where we want to be and Why
During the initial year, St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Suwanee provided us space for conducting services. We later moved to a leased facility in Norcross where we are functioning today. Although these sites provided us a peaceful and serene ambiance for our parish services, they are temporary. The congregation decided to search for a permanent place to congregate and worship the Almighty God in the traditions and practices of the Malankara Orthodox Church. Our vision is to establish a permanent place for our spiritual services and cater to the needs of current and future generations in and around Suwanee/Cumming area.
Towards this vision, we had a blessed Building Fundraiser kickoff on May 13th 2018 inaugurated by Dr Mathew Kandathil who is a well known Cardiologist and Philanthropist in Atlanta.
“It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.” Luke 13:19.
Although this tree has grown, it has not strengthened its roots. Our community has now outgrown its present leased location in less than a year and the time has come to search for a permanent location so that the roots can firmly be established. After much prayerful thought and collective discussions, we realize the need of a permanent worship center. We, the Managing Committee members of St Gregorios Orthodox Church invite you to be a part of this vision, by offering prayerful cooperation and generous financial support. God willing, through our prayers and efforts, we hope to raise sufficient funds. This will not be an easy task but when God is with us, nothing is impossible.
“They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” Luke 6:48
How you can participate
- Keep us in your daily prayers.
- Generous donations.
Click here to know different ways to participate in this building fund drive.