Sacred Consecration & Dedication
St. Mary’s Malankara Orthodox Church, Calgary
“How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!” — Psalm 84:1
Friday & Saturday, May 29–30, 2026
📍 Church Address
233178 Glenmore View Rd
Rocky View County, Calgary, AB T1X 0H3
Canada
📅 Consecration Programme — May 28–30
| Date | Time | Programme |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, May 28 | 7:00 PM | Evening prayer and devotional address by H.H. Bava Thirumeni (Catholicos) |
| Friday, May 29 | 5:45 PM | Reception of H.H. Catholicos and Metropolitans |
| 6:00 PM | Evening prayer followed by the 1st Part of the Holy Consecration | |
| 9:00 PM | Dinner | |
| Saturday, May 30 | 7:00 AM | 2nd Part of the Holy Consecration, Morning Prayer & Holy Qurbana (Trimass) |
| 11:30 AM | Public Meeting | |
| 12:30 PM | Kaimuthu & Lunch |
RSVP — Church Consecration
Please fill in the form below so we can prepare to welcome you. A confirmation will be sent to your email.
🙏 About the Holy Consecration (Thazhikal Pothichal)
The Consecration of a church is one of the most sacred and joyful events in the life of an Orthodox parish. In the Malankara Orthodox tradition, the rite of Church Consecration — known as Thazhikal Pothichal (sealing of the thresholds) — is performed over two sessions.
During the First Part (Friday evening), the church building is ritually prepared and sanctified through prayers, anointing with Holy Mooron (Chrism), and the sealing of the church thresholds. During the Second Part (Saturday morning), the Holy Altar is consecrated, followed by the celebration of the Holy Qurbana (Trimass—the first Eucharist in the new church). This marks the church as a permanent, sacred dwelling place of God.
✝️ His Holiness & Hierarchs Attending:
H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III — Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan
His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III is the Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church—the Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan. He is the spiritual leader of millions of faithful across India and the world. His Holiness will preside over the consecration rites and celebrate the Holy Qurbana during this historic occasion. The presence of the Catholicos at a parish consecration is the highest blessing a community can receive, marking St. Mary’s Calgary as fully and permanently established within the apostolic tradition of the Malankara Orthodox Church.
H.G. Zachariah Mar Nicholovos — Assistant Metropolitan, Diocese of Canada
His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos serves as the Assistant Metropolitan of the Diocese of Canada, under whose omophorion St. Mary’s Malankara Orthodox Church, Calgary is placed. He has been a guiding presence in the growth and establishment of the Malankara Orthodox Church across Canada. His Grace will actively participate in the consecration rites and celebrate the Holy Qurbana on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
H.G. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Yulios — Metropolitan, Diocese of Kunnamkulam
His Grace Dr. Geevarghese Mar Yulios serves as the Metropolitan of the Diocese of Kunnamkulam in Kerala, India. He will grace this blessed occasion with his presence and active participation in the consecration services.
Rev. Fr. Binny Kuruvilla
Rev. Fr. Binny Kuruvilla will celebrate the Holy Qurbana on Monday, June 1, 2026, the closing service of the consecration programme.
📅 Full Preparation Programme — May 13 to June 1
| # | Date & Day | Time | Programme | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wed, May 13 | 6:30 PM | Evening prayer & Holy Qurbana (Feast of the Ascension) | NBC |
| 2 | Thu, May 14 | 7:00 PM | Evening prayer | Via Zoom |
| 3 | Fri, May 15 | 6:30 PM | Evening prayer | NBC |
| 4 | Sat, May 16 | 8:30 AM | Morning prayer & Holy Qurbana | NBC |
| 12:00 PM | Retreat — OCYM / MMVS | NBC | ||
| 5 | Sun, May 17 | 7:00 PM | Prayer meeting — LalMohan Roy & Joselyn | 20 Cranfield Cir. SE, T3M 1G9 |
| 6 | Mon, May 18 | 7:00 PM | Evening prayer | Via Zoom |
| 7 | Tue, May 19 | 7:00 PM | Evening prayer | Via Zoom |
| 8 | Wed, May 20 | 7:00 PM | Evening prayer | Via Zoom |
| 9 | Thu, May 21 | 7:00 PM | Evening prayer | Via Zoom |
| 10 | Fri, May 22 | 6:30 PM | Evening prayer | NBC |
| 11 | Sat, May 23 | 8:30 AM | Morning prayer & Holy Qurbana | NBC |
| 12:00 PM | Retreat — Sunday School / MGOCSM | NBC | ||
| 12 | Sun, May 24 | 7:00 PM | Evening prayer by Sunday School | Via Zoom |
| 13 | Mon, May 25 | 7:00 PM | Evening prayer by MGOCSM | Via Zoom |
| 14 | Tue, May 26 | 7:00 PM | Evening prayer by MMVS | Via Zoom |
| 15 | Wed, May 27 | 7:00 PM | Evening prayer by OCYM | Via Zoom |
| 16 | Thu, May 28 | 6:00 PM | Evening prayer led by H.H. Bava Thirumeni | NBC (451 Northmount Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2K 3H8) |
| 17 | Fri, May 29 | 6:00 PM | Evening prayer & 1st Part of Consecration | New Church |
| 18 | Sat, May 30 | 7:00 AM | 2nd Part of Consecration & Holy Qurbana (Trimass) | New Church |
| 19 | Sun, May 31 | 8:30 AM | Holy Qurbana by H.G. Mar Nicholovos | New Church |
| 20 | Mon, Jun 1 | 6:30 PM | Holy Qurbana by Rev. Fr. Binny Kuruvilla | New Church |
🏨 Places to Stay Near the Church
The new church is located in Rocky View County on the eastern edge of Calgary. Here are the closest areas to find accommodation:
| Area | Distance to Church | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chestermere, AB | ~10 min | Closest town to the church. Search for hotels and Airbnbs in Chestermere for the nearest stay. |
| South-East Calgary (130 Ave SE / 17 Ave SE) | ~15–20 min | Several major hotel chains including Holiday Inn, Best Western, and others. Easy access via Glenmore Trail. |
| Downtown Calgary | ~30–40 min | Widest hotel selection from budget to luxury. Straightforward commute via Glenmore Trail / Hwy 22X. |
We recommend searching Booking.com, Hotels.com, or Google Maps near “Chestermere, AB” or “SE Calgary” for the closest options to the church.
✈️ Planning Your Visit — Contact & Support
If you are travelling from outside Calgary and need assistance with directions, accommodation, carpooling from the airport, or any other support, please reach out — we are happy to help make your journey to this blessed occasion as smooth as possible.
| Name & Role | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Fr. George Varughese (Vicar) | +1 587 990 6689 | frshabu75@gmail.com |
| Joe Varughese (Convenor) | +1 403 828 0855 | jvarughese71@gmail.com |
| Ivan John (Trustee) | +1 403 708 4123 | johnivandxb@gmail.com |
| Rioj Thomas (Secretary) | +1 403 561 9400 | riojjacob@gmail.com |
The Vicar and members of St. Mary’s Malankara Orthodox Church, Calgary humbly request your prayerful presence on this blessed and joyful occasion.