St. Stephen Syriac
Orthodox Church, Kitchener
Our Story
Inception of Congregation
St. Stephen Syriac Orthodox Church (established in 2017) is a member of the North American Diocese of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, with His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch, as its supreme head.
In the year 2017, a few dedicated families worked tirelessly to build a congregation in Kitchener, a town renowned for its educational and technological excellence in Canada. This initiative was led by Rev. Fr. George Varghese Vayaliparambil, who was the Vicar of St. George Syriac Orthodox Church in Brampton at the time.
His Eminence Archbishop Mor Titus Yeldho officially recognized and approved the congregation on November 1, 2017, and the first Holy Qurbono was celebrated on Saturday, November 18, 2017.
Early Stages
The congregation was operating smoothly, conducting Holy Qurbono biweekly and hosting prayer meetings in members' homes. However, when Rev. Fr. George Varghese Vayaliparambil Achan relocated to Australia, the growth of the congregation slowed down. The situation worsened with the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020, making it challenging for the congregation to hold regular prayer meetings or Holy Qurbono services during that time.
What we are now
In 2022, Rev. Fr. Abey Mathew assumed the role of our Vicar, and under his leadership, the congregation has steadily grown stronger day by day. We now have over 30 families and approximately 25 student members. The church is flourishing, with the active involvement of its Spiritual wings including St.Stephen Sunday School. We also excel in cultural and social activities. Our youth organized a cricket team called the "St. Stephen Tuskers" and emerged victorious in the St. Paul's Interchurch competition conducted at Barrie, Ontario this year. Through God's grace and the intercession of St. Stephen, we are overcoming our limitations and are becoming one of the major churches in the region.
Our Vicars:
Vicar | Service From | Service To | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rev. Fr. George Varghese Vayaliparambil | 2017 Oct | 2019 Oct | Founder | |
Rev. Fr. Chacko George | 2019 Nov | 2020 June | ||
Rev. Fr. Eldhose Kakkadan | 2020 Aug | 2022 May | Acting Vicar | |
Rev. Fr. Abey Mathew | 2022 May |