Dubai: The St Thomas Orthodox Great Church of Dubai will soon be elevated to the position of Cathedral by the Supreme Head of the Church, Moran Mar Baselios Mar Thoma Didymos I, Catholicose of the East and Malankara Metropolitan.
The church is built on a plot of land donated to the Malankara Orthodox Church in 1972 by the then ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The Supreme Head of the ancient indigenous church of India will come to Dubai on his apostolic visit to be the chief celebrant of the consecration service.
The Feast of Martyrdom of the Patron Saint will be celebrated on the same day. The Catholicose will declare the elevation of the church on December 22.
The church has around 10,000 families in its congregation.
An array of activities will be featured to mark the event. A hundred and twenty-five members who have completed 25 years of continuous membership will be honoured and will be presented 'Ponnada' (Shawls of Honour) and mementos.
Reception
A reception is planned for the Supreme Head by the congregation. The Catholicose and visiting Metropolitans from India will be given a warm welcome at the church gate and will be taken in a procession to the stage on Friday evening.
Traditional Keralite music Chendavadyam will be played and various tableaux by different spiritual organisations will be displayed.
The public meeting will be inaugurated by Indian Ambassador C.M. Bhandari.
The church, believed to have been founded in Kerala by St Thomas in AD 52, has facilities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.
Your comments
It is a great and memorable occasion for all the Christians who live in the UAE. Congratulations!
Ashly
Dubai,UAE
This is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all Christians to witness this great event in Dubai. I sincerely thank the rulers of Dubai who have helped us in realising this dream and supporting us all through these years.
Rajith
Dubai,UAE
Congratulations. Thank you Dubai government and rulers of Dubai.
Molly
Abu Dhabi,UAE
The church looks marvellous and congratulations and special thanks for the hard work and time spend by the committee for making such a beautiful church.
Praveen
Kottayam,India
We are really proud to be a part of it. Thanks to the rulers and government for their continuous support to the community.
Boban
Dubai,UAE
It will be a great event. Congratulations to the committee for planning and making such a beautiful and traditional church in this gold land. It should be appreciated and the Dubai govt thanked for supporting thousands of Indian Christians.
Babukutty
Dubai,UAE
Thank you Dubai and the rulers of Dubai, who have given their support to make this happen. We pray and wish Dubai and its rulers a prosperous future ahead.
Arun
Dubai,UAE
We are very glad to read the news of our church consecration. The devotion and sacrifice of our forbearers in Dubai made it possible. They handed over the torch of faith and hope to the current generation. We humbly salute them at this joyful occasion.
Lekha
Melbourne,Australia
It is very interesting. Congratulations.
Joji
Dubai,UAE
Very good.
Sam
Dubai,UAE
