[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12663]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ST. THOMAS ORTHODOX 
                            CHURCH OF INDIA

 Mr. LEVIN, Mr. President, I would like to recognize the 
anniversary of the St. Thomas Orthodox Church of India for 25 years of 
dedication and service to my home State of Michigan and specifically 
the Southfield and metropolitan Detroit communities.
  St. Thomas Orthodox Church was the first Indian church established in 
Southfield, MI. In addition to being a source of spiritual guidance, 
the church also celebrates and preserves Indian culture and heritage in 
the United States. The church has shared its Indian heritage with the 
city of Southfield through participation in several ethnic festivals. 
The parish has also held numerous fundraisers to benefit the Missions 
of Charity, the American Red Cross, the Gujarat Earthquake Relief, and 
various other charities in India. In addition, St. Thomas Orthodox 
Church has also provided service to the city of Southfield by 
participating in city beautification efforts.
  The Apostle Thomas brought Christianity to the southern Indian state 
of Kerala in 52 A.D. The people of the region founded the Malankara 
Orthodox Church to maintain his teachings. During the 1970s, many 
people from this region emigrated to the United States. Settling in the 
Detroit area, these industrious immigrants formed a congregation and 
began to hold prayer meetings in their homes.
  In 1978, the Senior Metropolitan of the American Diocese, His Grace 
Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios, welcomed the congregation into the Malankara 
Orthodox Church as the St. Thomas Orthodox Church of India, Detroit. 
Since then, Rev. Father Philip Jacob, vicar of the parish, has led the 
congregation, and under his leadership the congregation has grown and 
prospered. On September 26, 1990, they bought a building of their own, 
and the congregation has grown to over 460 members.
  I would like to commend the vicar of St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Rev. 
Father Philip Jacob, for his excellent leadership in maintaining the 
spirit and unity among the congregation. I take great pride in 
recognizing the contributions that St. Thomas Orthodox Church has made 
to its community, and I know my colleagues will join me in saluting the 
accomplishments of St. Thomas Orthodox Church of India and in wishing 
it continued success in the future.

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