The history of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of the East in the U.S.A. begins approximately in the mid 20th century. During this period, a number of prominent priests and laity came to the U.S.A. for higher studies and training. The first Metropolitan of the American Diocese and the enthronement of the newly elected Metropolitan His Grace Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios was held at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in Manhattan, under the authority of the Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, Baselius Mar Thoma Mathews I, on July 14, 1979. During the tenure of His Grace Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios as Metropolitan, the Diocese saw growth in a dramatic fashion and the number of parishes grew to almost fifty strong. Along with this, the dedicated service of the priests in America added to the unity, prosperity and growth of the Diocese. In 1991, the Diocese came under the direct control of a Malankara Metropolitan who was assisted by His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas, our present Metropolitan. For one year, the Diocese continued in this manner, until control came under the full authority of His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas. The enthronement ceremony was held in March 1993 on a grand scale at St. Mary’s West Sayville under the authority of the Catholicos of the East, Baselius Mar Thoma Mathews II, and was attended by representatives from across the Diocese. Under the leadership of Mar Barnabas, the Diocese has grown both spiritually and physically. Most notable of all Mar Barnabas’ accomplishments is the development of spiritual organizations, such as MGOCSM and Sunday School. He gave both organizations a national structure and administration. In 2002, Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, a young, talented leader and orator joined the Diocese as the assistant to Mar Barnabas. With his assistance, the Diocese has grown even further. Today In 2009, the Malankara Church decided to divide what was known as the ‘American Diocese’ into two dioceses, namely – the Northeast American Diocese and the Southwest American Diocese. On February 26th 2011, following the retirement of His Grace Metropolitan Mathews Mar Barnabas, His Holiness Baselius Mar Thoma Paulose II appointed Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos as the ruling Metropolitan of the Northeast American Diocese. Today, the Northeast American Diocese can boast of more than fifty parishes, with more than forty priests, deacons and seminarians. The hard work and prayers of all our Hierarchs, Priests, and laity have led to the Diocese’s strong foundation, and have provided for us a secure future and outlook for the next generation of Indian Orthodox Christians in the Northeast American Diocese.