Malankara Orthodox Diocese of Southwest America
The Malankara Orthodox Diocese of Southwest America, sometimes referred to as the Southwest Diocese or DS-WA is a diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The diocesan headquarter is located in Beasley, Texas a suburban city in Texas 40 miles from downtown Houston. The Southwest Diocese covers several churches in the U.S. states, and Canada. History. American Diocese. The American Diocese was established in 1979 by Thomas Mar Makarios. In 1991, after the death of Makarios, Mathews Mar Barnabas was enthroned as metropolitan in 1993. In 2002, Zachariah Mar Nicholovos was appointed as  the assistant metropolitan. Formation of the Southwest Diocese. The Diocese was formed by order number 145/2009 signed by the Catholicos of the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas and Malankara Metropolitan, Didymus I on 1 April 2009. Barnabas and Nicholovos were appointed to the Northeast American Diocese and Alexios Mar Eusebius was appointed the Southwest Diocese. According to order number 01/2017, Eusebius was transferred to Diocese of Mavelikkara . The Malankara Metropolitan regained control over the diocese and Zacharias Mar Aprem was appointed as assistant metropolitan. Today. As of April 2020, there are currently 63 churches in the Southwest Diocese. Current list  of churches. The Diocese of South-West America is zoned into five regions. Liturgical Resource Development. Leaders. Director: Fr. Joel Mathew Project Manager: Mr. Jobby Jacob Treasurer: Mr. Jason Abraham Other: Dn. Saju Varghese, Fr. Jake Kurian, Dn, Pradeep Hatcher Origin (2015). The Ministry of Liturgical Resource Development was created by Alexios Mar Eusebius, Metropolitan of the Diocese of South-West America (Kalpana) in July 2015 to promote the translation, versification, and publication of vital English liturgical resources. As of 12 September 2017, Zacharias Mar Aprem has been the acting Assistant Metropolitan 2016 Shehimo - Book of Common Prayer - On the  Feast of Theophany in 2016, the Liturgical Resource Development released a hard cover common prayer book. 2017 Service Book of the Holy Qurbono- On February 17, 2018, during the Holy Lent, it was announced that LRD begun printing and shipping the new multilingual Holy Qurbana Book (English, Malayalam and Malayalam transliteration) 2018 2019 2020 LRD Mobile App - On 4 April 2020, the Liturgical Resource Development released a mobile app for people to download during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The app will be available in the Apple and Google Play stores. New book covers - In August 2020, it was announced via email  and Facebook that a new poly-cover replacement for the 16,000 LRD Service Book of the Holy Qurbono will be shipped out to parishes who previously ordered the books. Current projects. There are developments to produce a new English Festal Breviary Book, English Sacrament Breviary Book, English Funeral Service Book for Men, Women and Children, LRD App and Audio Recordings MGOCSM. Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement is one of the most dynamic spiritual organizations of our Church and it plays a crucial role in the nurturing of our youth for them to live in Christ our Lord. Leaders. Council  Members. East Region – Atlanta area: Ms. Sheba Mathew East Region – Florida area: Ms. Deepthi Varghese Midwest Region – Chicago area: Mr. Roshen Samuel Midwest Region – Detroit area: Mr. Alan Sam Jose Northwest Region: Ms. Sneha Philip South Region – Dallas area: Mr. Nimal Zachariah South Region – Houston area: Ms. Deepti Kuriakose West Region: Ms. Laveena Joy Campus ministry. On August 16, 2029, Aprem announced the formation of a new Diocesan-wide Campus Ministry Project. Coordinators- Fr. Diju Skariah, Mr. Manoj Thomas and Mr. Selby Thomas Sunday school. Mar Barnabas Educational Reward. The Mar Barnabas Educational Award was instituted by the diocese in  2011 for academic achievement with a commitment to the church. Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam. Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam, abbreviated MMVS, was founded in 1928 in India. It was started under the patronage of Fr. M.C. Kuriakose Ramban and the leadership of K.M Annamma and co-workers. The motto of the organization is "Prarthikkuka, Pravarthikkuka, Prakasikkuka" (Pray, Act, Shine). Orthodox Christian Youth Movement. Orthodox Christian Youth Movement, abbreviated OCYM, was founded in 1938 in India. It serves as a ministry to contribute to the goodness and progress of the Church and community in the three-fold path of worship, study and  service Leaders. Vice President: Rev. Fr. Mathews George Secretary: Mr. Varghese A. Panicker Further reading. Shehimo: Book of Common Prayer. (n.d.). (n.p.): Liturgical Resource Development. Konat, J. A. (n.d.). Service Book of the Holy Qurbono: English with Commentary & Malayalam with Transliteration. (n.p.): Malankara Orthodox Church Publications. Y. M. A., Irenaios, Y. M. (2017). A Study of the Experience of the Unspeakable and Its Manifestations in Selected Mystic Saints and Holy Persons in the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. India: SFS Publications. The Book of Common Prayer of the Syrian Church. (2005). United States: Gorgias Press. Krikorian, M. K. (2010). Christology of  the Oriental Orthodox Churches: Christology in the Tradition of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Austria: Peter Lang.