ABOUT

The St. Gregorios Orthodox Syrian Church-McAllen was established in June 2011 and has become a key community in the Rio Grande Valley under the guidance of the South-West Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India.

HISTORY

In the 1980s, there were few Malayalee Christians in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. However, by the turn of the century, many had migrated to the area. Eventually, a dedicated group of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Christians in the region established a prayer gathering on November 27, 2010. This group began holding regular prayer meetings to uphold their Orthodox faith.

On the significant date of June 19, 2011, Father Doctor V. C. Varghese kindly accepted the invitation to visit the valley to celebrate the first Holy Qurbana. Subsequently, on August 29, 2011, the Diocesan Bishop appointed Father Doctor V. C. Varghese as the congregation's Vicar. The services commenced within the edifice of the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, which is designated under the name of the St. Gregorios Orthodox congregation.

On October 19, 2011, the Diocesan Bishop elevated the congregation to the status of a parish. With the Vicar’s guidance and financial assistance from several sister churches, the congregation secured a church building in Edinburg, Texas. The first Holy Qurbana in the newly acquired structure occurred on September 13, 2012. On February 02, 2014, the diocesan bishop, His Grace Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan, temporarily consecrated the church.

Although this church is currently small, it looks forward to welcoming a growing congregation. It serves as a warm home for a close-knit community of families, all united by their shared faith and hope in the Lord, Jesus Christ, along with the intercession of Mother Mary and the Saints, especially St. Gregorios of Parumala.