Church's Brief History

The St. Antony’s Jacobite Syrian Church, Mangalore, one of the oldest Syrian Orthodox Church in Dakshina Kannada Distict, and perhaps in the entire State of Karnataka, was established in 1937 under St.Anthonys Educational society Honavar by the Late Very Rev. Cor-episcopa George Pinto. (Brother) Fr.George Pinto was born in South Kanara to a Roman Catholic family. He started a brotherhood, the ‘ The Order of St. Antony’ in 1917 for the purpose of serving the poor and the needy in the Kanara region. In 1934 he was ordained as a Cor-episcopa of the Jacobite Syrian Church by Mor Julius, Apostolic Delegate of the Patriarch of Antioch, at the Manjinikkara Dayara, Kerala. He founded the ‘ West Coast Syrian Mission’ ( now known as St. Antony’s Educational Society-Honavar ) and established institutions and Churches in Mangalore, Brahmavar, Honavar and Bombay. He started about 32 schools in the educationally backward area of North Kanara and also established a Hospital and orphanage at Honavar. Most of the schools were ceded to the state, post- Independence. With the blessings of Mor Julius, Rev. Fr. George Pinto Cor- Episcopa purchased about 1.50 acres of land at Jeppu, Mangalore and constructed the St. Antony’s Jacobite Syrian Church in 1937. A Higher Primary School was started in the 1940’s to cater to the poor children of Jeppu area.

Rev. Cor- Episcopa George Pinto was the first Director Vicar-General of St.Anthony’s Educational socity (Honavar Mission), an autonomous body directly under the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church and H.H. The Patriarch of Antioch. Thereafter he immersed himself in Christian social work in the villages of Kanara. He used to visit Bombay often to collect funds for running the schools, hospital and orphanages of the Honavar Mission. He had his Bombay office in ‘ Lusitania House’ in Dhobhi Talao at Kalabadevi. Reputed Parsee and European companies of Bombay extended regular financial support to the Honavar Mission. Priests from Kerala were appointed and put in charge of the Church and the School at Mangalore.

In 1937 Rt. Rev. Kurian Vanichittattil Remban was appointed as the first Vicar of the ‘ Mission Church’ at Mangalore. After that Rev. Fr. Joseph Kallissery and Deacon Thomas were in charge of the Church and the Kannada Medium school at the Church premises. Sri. C.P.Verghese was appointed as the first Secretary / Trustee of the Church. Fr. Joseph passed away in 1948 while serving as Vicar and is entombed in the Church.

Rev. Cor- episcopa George Pinto passed away at Bombay in 1954. He was succeeded by Rev. Cor -episcopa Jacob Kuriakal as the Director Vicar –General of Honavar Society. A crisis developed in the Church at Mangalore in 1960, when the then Vicar attempted to make the Church and School his personal property. As the founder Rev. George Pinto had wisely bought all the properties and built up institutions under a trust owing allegiance to H.H. Patriarch of Antioch, the attempt to swindle the property could be fought legally. A long legal battle ensued in the late ‘60’s and ended after 2 decades, when the High Court of Karnataka passed judgement in favour of the Trust and ordered eviction of the interlopers. In the protracted legal battle fought to protect the valuable Church property, the role of late Rev fr MP George and Sri. C. P. Verghese in assisting Rev. Jacob Kurikal is note worthy. During the Apostolic visit to Mangalore in 1982, H.H. The Patriarch of Antioch, decorated Sri. C.P. Verghese as Chevalier of the Jacobite Syrian Church.

After the demise of Very Rev. Cor episcopa Jacob Kuriakal in 1988 at Bombay, the then Manager, Rev. Thomas Abraham took over as Director Vicar-General of St. Antony’s Educational Society. The Churches and Institutions flourished under the able leadership of both Rev. Kor- episcopa Jacob Kurikal and Rev. Kor- episcopa Thomas Abraham. Unfortunately Rev. Thomas Abraham died prematurely in a road accident in 1989 and is entombed in the Church. After that H.G. Mor Benjamin Osthatheos was appointed Director of Honavar Mission. On May 27 th , 1990 H.G. Gheeverghese Mor Polycarpose took over as Director / Bishop of the St. Antony’s Educational Society, Honavar. The Churches and Institutions of Honavar Mission developed and thrived because of the vision and leadership qualities of Mor Polycarpose Gheeverghese metropolitan.

An important event in the history of St. Antony’s Church was the visit of H.H.Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, The Patriarch of Antioch in 1982. The entire Syrian Christian Community of Mangalore and adjoining areas of Shirady, Nelliyady, N.R.Pura Athyadi,Madhyodi etc. welcomed the Patriarch at the Mangalore Church. The Reception Committe headed by Sri. V.U. Seemon and Dr. Joe Varghese our Secretary has arranged a grand welcome and public functions at Mangalore. His Holiness celebrated Holy Qurbana at the St. Antony’s Church Mangalore.

In commemoration of the Apostolic visit to the Church, a newly built ‘Cross Cupola’ in front of the Church, was consecrated by H.H. Ignatius Zakka Iwas I, Patriarch, H.B. Mor Baselious Paulose Catholicose of the East in the presence of a host of Metropolitans, Priests and Church elders from India and Syria. Holy Relics of the Late lamented Moran Mor Ignatius Elias III, Patriarch of Antioch was installed in our church. In 2008 Dr.joe Varghese a senior member of our parish decorated as a Chevalier by H.H Moran Mor Mor Ignatius Zakka I was,The beautiful and impressive Church was constructed with the wisdom and guidance of H.G. Mor Polycarpose Ghevarghse metropolitan and the able leadership of Rev. Fr. Sunny John, Vicar. Commanders E.P. Issac & A.C. Jayaraj had a major role in the planning and execution of the Church building and landscaping of the Church compound.

In 2009 August 23 rd V.Rev.P J Jacob Cor-Episcopa the Manager of St.Anthony’s Educational Society ,ordained as assistant metropolitan of Honnavar Mission by H.H. Ignatius Zakka Iwas I at Damascus, Syria and accepted the name H G Yacob Mor Anthonios Metropolitan. In September 9 th “Soonthroniso” programme held at Jeppu Church for newly ordained Bishop.In 2009 january 31 st newly renovated church moron abhishega koodasa was held and made that function in garand success.during this occasion H.H. Mora Mor Ignatius Zakka I was Ithe patriarch Anthioch and All the East declared Jeppu St.Anthony’s jacobite Syrian church as a Cathedral.

In 2011 may 18 th H.H Moran Mor Inatius Zakha I was the patriarch of Antioch decorated Fr Sunny John Planthotam with a pectoral cross and chain and Adv. A.C.Jayaraj and E.P.Isaac was decorated as commanders by His Holiness.

H.G. Gheeverghese Mor Polycarpose passed away in 2012 and is entombed in the Church. H.G. Mor Yacub Antonious took over as Director / Bishop of Society. The Spiritual guidance and loving care of the Bishop has brought about a time of peace and harmony in the Church. Under the dynamic leadership of the present Vicar, Secretary, Trustee and the blessings of our beloved Metropolitan and prayers of all the faithful, the Church at Mangalore is poised at the threshold of an era of peace, goodwill, spiritual growth, effective evangelization, and service to the poor & needy, all for the Greater Glory of our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ and for the Kingdom of God.