With great grief we announce the passing of His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, former Catholicos of the East, Malankara Metropolitan, and 89th successor to the Holy Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas. He was 92. He led the Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church from 1991 until October 2005 when he stepped down due to old age and ill health. The demise came at 5:10 p.m. (IST) at Devalokam Aramana, Kottayam on January 26th. Interring will take place at Mount Horeb Monastery Chapel at Shastamkotta on Saturday, January 28th.

We, at St. Mary's NoVA, bow our heads in the blessed memory of our departed shepherd and join the millions of sorrowful fellow believers around the globe in paying our homage and praying that he enters his rest in the abode of saints.

St. Mary's Indian Orthodox Church of Northern Virginia is the first and currently the only Indian Orthodox Church in Virginia state.

Our Inaugural Holy Qurbana was celebrated on April 3rd, 2005 Sunday at Wakefield Chapel, Fairfax, VA. Rev. Fr. Thampan Varghese (Manager, American Diocese Office, NY) was the chief celebrant.

Wakefield Chapel, a quaint 19th century Chapel, was chosen considering its location in the heart of Northern Virginia, its rich heritage reflecting the Christian experience of another sect of immigrants to this Country, and its stunning resemblance to historical small town churches that many of us experienced in our childhood.