St. Mary’s Orthodox Church of Philadelphia was established as a parish under the North- east American Diocese on the 11th of May, 1991. The first Holy Qurbana of the new parish was celebrated at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Philadelphia PA. Very Rev. Dr. P. S. Samuel Cor Episcopos was the first vicar of our parish. Rev. Fr. M. Johnson was our first full time Vicar who served the parish in 1992 and 1993.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Samuel K. Mathew was appointed by the Diocesan Metropolitan, H.G. Mathews Mar Barnabas of Blessed Memory, as the new vicar of the parish in 1993. He continued to serve the parish until February 2000. During this period, the parishioners began collecting funds in order to raise enough money to purchase their own church building. The present church building was bought by the parish in 2000 and was consecrated on March 19, 2000. Rev. Fr. Dr. M. S. John and Rev. Fr. Babu Varghese successively served as vicars of the parish until 2005. In 2005, Rev. Fr. Dr. Samuel K. Mathew was re-appointed as the vicar of this parish. He continues to be our spiritual father while managing the affairs of the parish in a commendable manner.
It is with sincere gratitude that we remember the assistance provided by many other local and visiting priests, including Very Rev. K. Mathai Cor Episcopos, Very Rev. C. J. Johnson Cor Episcopos, Rev. Fr. M. K. Kuriakose, Rev. Fr. K. K. John, Rev. Fr. Dr. Paul Varki, Rev. Fr. A. M. Varghese, Rev.Fr. Mammen Mathew, Rev. Fr. V. G. Oommen, and Rev. Fr. Mathew Baby. It is also an added joy, privilege, and honor for us to have two of our former vicars elevated to a greater calling of serving our Malanakara Orthodox Sabha:H.G. Dr. Joshua Mar Nicodimos (formerly Rev. Fr. M. Johnson), the Diocesan Metropolitan of Nilackal and the Interim Metropolitan of Mavelikara Diocese. Very Rev. Dr. Yuhanon Ramban (formerly Rev. Fr. M.S. John), the Professor, Warden, and Chaplain of the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam.
The parish has Families from Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware, and Chester counties constitute our parish assembly. We gratefully remember our late lamented Father, His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas Metropolitan, and thank our current Diocesan Metropolitan, His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, for providing guidance and blessings towards all our endeavors.