# Nilakal Orthodox Diocese

Nilakal Diocese is one of the 32 dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The diocese was created on 15 August 2010. Now, H.G. Dr.Joshua Mar Nichodemos is the Metropoliton of the diocese. The head office is located in Nilackal Orthodox diocesan Centre, St.Thomas Aramana, Pazhavangadi, Ranni, Pathanamthitta

## History

Nilakal Diocese was created on 15 August 2010. It was under by the order of Baselios Marthoma Didymos I, the Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan. H.G. Joshua Mar Nichodemos is the first Metropoliton of this diocese. The diocese was formed with 39 parishes. The name of diocese came from the place Christian community in the place Nilackal, founded by Saint Thomas in first century AD.

## Now

Now, H.G. Joshua Mar Nichodemos is the Metropoliton of the diocese. The head office is located in Nilackal Orthodox diocesan Centre, St.Thomas Aramana, Pazhavangadi, Ranni, Pathanamthitta. The diocese comprises the parts of Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts. The diocese consists 39 Parishes with 13 to 200 families. There are 2953 families in diocese. The diocese purchased a building in Ranni and made it the headquarters. The diocese made various charitable activities like supporting the poor and the needy of the diocese as well as the society.

## Diocesan Metropolitans

Nilakal Orthodox Diocesan Metropolitan :
| From | Until | Metropolitan | Notes |
| 2010 | Incumbent | Joshua Mar Nicodimos | 1st Metropolitan of the diocese |

## Ecclesiastical districts

The diocese consists five ecclesiastical districts.
* Ayroor
* Vayalathala
* Ranni
* Nilackal
* Kanakappalam

## Spiritual Organisations

There are many spiritual organisations working actively in this diocese, these are some of them.
* OSSAE
* OCYM
* MOMS
* MGOCSM
* Ecology Commission
* Sushrushaka Sangam
* Lehari Virudha Sangam
* Dasamsadayaka Sangam
* INAMS

## Projects under consideration

Construction of a Convention Centre at Catholicate Centre Ranni, Completion of the Catholicate Centre at Angamoozhi, beginning of St.Gregorios Mission Centre at Vellayil, Ayroor and starting of an Education Institution are some of the major projects under consideration.

## Parishes

1) Angamoozhi St.George Orthodox Church
2) Ayroor Kurishumutom St.Stephens Orthodox Church
3) Ayroor Thadeethra Mar Behanan Orthodox Church
4) Ayroor Salem St.Johns Orthodox Church
5) Ayroor St.Marys Orthodox Cheriyapali
6) Ayroor South Mar Behanan Orthodox pazayapali
7) Ayroor Madhaphara St.Thomas Orthodox Valiyapali
8) Chempanmukhom St.Johns Orthodox Church
9) Chethomkara Salem St.Thomas Orthodox Church
10) Chittar St.George Orthodox Valiyapali
11) Edappavoor Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church
12) Karikulam St.Marys Orthodox Church
13) Karimbinamkuzhy Salem St.Marys Orthodox Church
14) Kattoor St.Marys Orthodox Valiyapali
15) Kanakapalam St.George Orthodox Valiyapali
16) Kanakapalam St.George Catholicate Center
17) Kurumbanmuzhi St.Gregorios Orthodox Church
18) Keekozhoor St.peters and St.pauls Orthodox Church
19) Kottanadu St.George Orthodox Church
20) Kuttiyani St.George Orthodox Church
21) Mukkalumon St.George Orthodox Church
22) Nilackal St.Thomas Orthodox Church
23) Naranamoozhy St.George Orthodox Church
24) Padimon St.Gregorios Orthodox Church
25) Perumpetty St.Marys Orthodox Church
26) Perunad Bethany St.Thomas Orthodox Church
27) Poovanmala St.George Orthodox Church
28) Punchavayal St.Marys Orthodox Church
29) Ranni St.Gregorios Orthodox Church
30) Seethathodu Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church
31) Thalayanathodam St.Marys Orthodox Church
33) Thirumuttom St.Marys Orthodox Church
34) Thotammon St.Thomas Orthodox Cathedral
35) Thonikadavu Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church
36) Vadaserikara Marthamariam Orthodox Theerthadana Pali
37) Vayalathala Mar Cleemis Bethseen Orthodox Church
38) Vayalathala St.Marys Orthodox Church
39) Vayalathala Mar Severios Seleeba Orthodox Valiyapali
40) Vechoochira Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church
41) Vayyattupuzha St.Thomas Orthodox Church