History of Melbourne Community

      When we reflect on the history of the Malankara Syriac Catholic community in Melbourne, we can only be relished by the divine plan that unfolded over several decades of time. In 1948, Servant of God Mar Ivanios who was the father of the Malankara Re-union movement and first Metropolitan Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Church, visited Melbourne as one of the prominent guests for the centenary celebrations of the Melbourne Archdiocese. The media covered his visit with great significance. “The Advocate” daily wrote in its headlines “Archbishop wears purple turban and robes”. Mar Ivanios celebrated the Holy Mass in Malankara Syrian rite for the first time in Melbourne in 1948. Most Rev Dennis Hart, previous Archbishop of Melbourne, witnessed this as a young boy, and still admires Mar Ivanios and the beauty of our Liturgy. 

      The 70’s and 80’s saw some of the early migrations of the Malankara Syriac families from Kerala, India to Melbourne along with other parts of Australia. In the following decades, more families migrated primarily for work, and became part of the Melbourne society which was fast growing multicultural in its own way. Our families were most welcome in the Roman Catholic parishes, and were part of the Catholic parishes for all their pastoral needs. 

      In December 2011, Most Rev Thomas Mar Anthoniose visited Australia for a preliminary study of the possibilities of Malankara Church in Australia. 

      A significant moment in our growth came on 9th October 2013, when His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos appointed Rev Fr Stephen Kulathumkarott as special Pastor of the Syro-Malankara Catholic faithful in Australia. After his appointment, Fr Stephen Kulathumkarott celebrated the first Holy Mass on 15th December 2013 at St Jude’s Catholic Church, Scoresby. The first Committee was also formed in the presence of Fr Stephen, to help in organising the various liturgical and social activities. Fr Stephen travelled from Adelaide to Melbourne initially once in three months for celebrating the Holy Mass, later the frequency of Holy Mass increased and Mass was celebrated once every 2 weeks. Under the spiritual leadership and guidance of Fr Stephen, our community saw significant growth over 10 years. Fr Stephen led all the aspects of our spiritual growth and liturgical celebrations, and formed and guided the various faithful organizations.

      On 5th August 2017, Most Rev Yoohanon Mar Theodosius was appointed as the Apostolic Visitator to Europe and Oceania. In 2023, Most Rev Antony Mar Sylvanos took charge as the Apostolic Visitator for Oceania.

      A major landmark in our spiritual journey was the three day retreat led by Fr Daniel Poovannathil in March 2019, which was attended by around 1800 people from across the various Catholic and other Christian communities in Melbourne and regional Victoria. This was an occasion of great spiritual upliftment for all who attended.

      A remarkable milestone in our history was the first Oceania Malankara Catholic National Convention on 19th and 20th October 2019. It was presided by His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, and had the presence of our Apostolic Visitator Most Rev Yoohanon Mar Theodosius. Our Melbourne community were the hosts of this event, and we welcomed Malankarites from various cities in Australia. Our official website for Oceania was also inaugurated during this occasion. The convention concluded with the solemn Holy Mass led by Cleemis Bava and Mar Theodosius on 20th October 2019 at St Joseph’s Church, Elsternwick. 

      In March 2022, Fr Philip Mathew Vettikatt was appointed as the chaplain for the Melbourne Malankara community. Fr Philip Mathew resides in Melbourne, and celebrates the Malankara Holy Mass every Sunday, except on third Sundays when he visits Sydney community. The Malankarites in Melbourne are fortunate to get a resident chaplain who can attend to all pastoral needs of the community. The community is growing rapidly under the leadership of Fr Philip Mathew. During the last 2 years, we also saw a high number of families and students who have migrated to Australia and joining our community.

      On 27th August 2023, we celebrated Syro Malankara Catholic liturgy in English for the first time. After that, we celebrate the English Holy Mass twice in a month.

      On 3rd July 2023, we marked the official inauguration and commencement of the revamped MCYM (Malankara Catholic Youth Movement) cohort in our community with an oath taking ceremony.

      Under the guidance of Fr. Philip Vettikkatt, we started a new family get-together online program called "Re-Connect". The first episode was conducted on 1st Dec 2023 and the guest speaker was Fr. Shaji Thumpechirayil from Alappuzha. The second episode was on 2nd March 2024, with former DGP Shri. Jacob Punnoose being the guest speaker.

Dates & Milestones

• Most Rev Thomas Mar Anthoniose visited Australia for a preliminary study of the possibilities of Malankara Church in Australia - Dec 2011
• His Beautitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos appointed Rev Fr Stephen Kulathumkarott as special Pastor of the Syro- Malankara Catholic faithful in Australia - 9th Oct 2013
• First Malankara Holy Mass by Our Chaplain Fr Stephen Kulathumkarott - 15th Dec 2013 at St Jude’s Catholic Church, Scoresby
• First child was baptized in Syro-Malankara Catholic liturgy in Australia— Isaiah George, son of Regi George and Suby Thomas - 20th July 2014
• Christmas Carols conducted for the first time - 13th Dec 2014 to 14th Dec 2014
• Launch of our first bulletin “The Horizon” - 5th Sep 2015
• First Holy Mass in regional Victoria (Bendigo) - 18th Oct 2015
• First Palm Sunday celebrations - 20th March 2015 by Most Rev Joshua Mar Ignatios
• Most Rev Yoohanon Mar Theodosius consecrated as the Apostolic Visitator to Europe and Oceania - 21st Sep 2017
• Holy Mass celebrated by Most Rev Yoohanon Mar Theodosius in Melbourne, during his first visit to Oceania - 4th March 2018
• Retreat led by Fr Daniel Poovannathil - 8th to 10th March 2019, which was attended by around 1800 people
• First Oceania Syro-Malankara National Convention in Melbourne. His Beautitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos and His Excellency Most Rev Yoohanon Mar Theodosius visits Melbourne for the convention - 19th and 20th Oct 2019
• Fr Philip Mathew Vettikatt took charge as the chaplain for Melbourne Malankara community in March 2022
• First English Holy Mass celebrated in Melbourne - 27th August 2023.
• Inauguration of the new family get-together online program “Re-connect” - 1st Dec 2023.