(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) As St Thomas Orthodox Cathedral in Dubai wrapped up its golden jubilee celebrations, church officials announced that a total of Rs10 million worth of charitable relief had been provided to Kerala flood victims.
The church's 50th anniversary celebrations came to an end on Friday, and vicar Ninan Philip Panackamattom said: "We are very pleased to have celebrated the 50th anniversary of our church. However, when the Kerala floods took place in August, we kept all the celebrations aside and provided relief towards the victims."
Fr. Ninan added: "In partnership with the Dubai Latifa Hospital and in observance of the 'Year of Zayed', a blood donation camp was organised. Hundreds of our members donated blood." A hair donation camp for cancer patients was also held early this year to help cancer patients.
For the closing celebrations, Baselios Marthoma Paulose II Catholicos. the head of the Orthodox Syrian Church, inaugurated the public meeting.
Approximately 6,000 people attended the event and Major-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police opened the programme. Dr Yuhanon Mar Dimitrios, Metropolitan of the Delhi Diocese, and other members of the church were present.
Various entertainment numbers were performed, including a special dance of about 50 women.
The St Thomas Orthodox Cathedral in Oud Metha was established on December 2, 1968, when Fr K. K. Punnoose, vicar of Bahrain Orthodox Church, visited Dubai and conducted a holy mass.
It is part of the Malankara Orthodox Church in India, which was founded by St Thomas in AD 52.
In December 1969, a historical meeting between the then Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and the former Metropolitan of Kollam Diocese, Mathews Mar Coorilos, led to the development of the church. In May 1972, the former outside Kerala Diocese Bishop Mathews Mar Athanasius met with Dubai authorities.
Recounting the early days, Fr. Ninan said: "From a humble beginning of four families in 1958, it reached to 35 families in 1968 forming St Thomas Orthodox Association which eventually turned into a congregation. Today, it has more than 3,000 families."
Dhanusha Gokulan Originally from India, Dhanusha Gokulan has been working as a journalist for 10 years. She has a keen interest in writing about issues that plague the common person, and will never turn down a human interest story. She completed her Bachelor in Arts in Journalism, Economics, and English Literature from Mangalore University in 2008. In her spare time, she dabbles with some singing/songwriting, loves travelling, and Audible is her favourite mobile application. Tweet at her @wordjunkie88
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