Diocesan Assembly 2025
North American Diocese of the Mar Thoma Church Holds Annual Diocesan Assembly: A Vision of Journeying with Christ
The North American Diocese of the Mar Thoma Church convened its annual Diocesan Assembly on May 16–17, 2025, at the Philadelphia Christos Mar Thoma Church, with 115 representatives across the diocese, including clergy and laity. The Assembly was presided over by Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa. Tirumeni, during the presidential address, reflected on the Church’s vocation as a journeying community similar to the Emmaus experience of journeying with the risen Christ. Tirumeni reminded that Emmaus continues to serve as a theological and missional paradigm for the Church’s identity and engagement in the world.
The general body of the Diocesan Assembly approved the Annual Report 2024, Annual Accounts 2024, and accepted the Budget for 2025. Acknowledging two decades of visionary leadership and pastoral commitment, the Assembly felicitated Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of his Episcopal Consecration,
The Assembly elected Rev. Joel Samuel Thomas as the new Diocesan Secretary. Presentations and discussions on the Diocesan initiatives like HOPE, Neighbourhood Mission, and Light to Life Projects further enriched the proceedings.
Several parishes and individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions during the year 2024:
Best Parish Awards were conferred on 42 parishes, honouring excellence and promptness in parish administration and spiritual activities.
The Messenger Awards , recognizing the highest subscription rates to the Mar Thoma Messenger, were awarded to:
Austin Mar Thoma Church (TX)
Baltimore Mar Thoma Church (MD)
Trinity Mar Thoma Church, Houston (TX)
Promoters who achieved the highest subscriptions included Prof. Elias Abraham (Baltimore MTC), Mr. Rajan K. Geevarg, Mr. Joseph George Thadathil (Trinity MTC, Houston), and Mr. Sabu T. Cheriyan (Austin MTC).
Mar Thoma Merit Awards were presented to:
Ms. Alycia Reji (MTC of Oklahoma, OK)
Mr. Joshua S. Joseph (MTC of Greater Washington, MD)
Ms. Teena Sara Maliakal (MTC of Dallas FB, TX)
Mr. Thomas Daniel Ninan (St. Thomas MTC, NY)
The Mar Thoma Ecological Commission Awards for the Best Vegetable Garden and other eco-conscious initiatives were presented to:
Chicago Mar Thoma Church
and Parsonage of the Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey.
The 2025 Diocesan Assembly concluded by reaffirming with the Mar Thoma Church’s commitment to being a Church in motion—missionally engaged, ecologically mindful, and spiritually rooted in the call to journey with Christ and the world. Rev. Christopher Phil Daniel and Mr. Koruth Mathew served as Recording Secretaries for the meeting. The two-day Assembly meeting came to an end with the benediction by Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa.