Vicar’s desk

By the Grace of GOD, the Vienna St. Mary’s Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church could grow steadily and systematically in all spheres of Kerala Community’s religious life in Austria and for that we glorify our Lord Almighty. We realize the guiding, caring and love of God for the last 31 years to establish a Parish in Vienna by a few families from Kerala and then to grow exponentially with several families. As one of the Parish activities, now the Parish could relaunch a state-of-the-art website to consolidate and promote its activities at global level. It is God himself who founds and collects a parish. In 2014, God gifted a church through the Catholic Arch Diocese of Vienna for our religious offerings and functions. It is the first Parish for the Jacobite Syrian Church in Europe – a landmark Gift of God. In Mat.16: 18 we see Jesus himself establishing the church through his words to St. Peter “And I tell you are Peter, and on this rock, I build my church “.  In Acts 20: 28 it is said that Jesus bought the church with his own blood.

As we launch the website, let us praise and thank God for the peaceful existence of our Parish.  This website is one the activities of the Parish through the dedication of its members with unity, togetherness, and the commitment to the peace and love of God. I sincerely thank all the members of the Parish for their whole-hearted support to the Parish.

Let us also remember the words of our Patriarch H. H Moran Mor Igantius Aprem II in his personal message to our community, “We exhort all of you to continue to be united and fulfilling the purpose of being a parish that is the salvation of our souls”.

The Church should be witnessed not only from inside but also in front of the whole world. Let us remember the word of our Saviour Jesus Christ, “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

May God give us strength and power to do His will and glorify Him through our deeds. May He lead every day of this parish in the future as he has done in the past. May God bless us.

Fr. Joshy Vettikkattil