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​7 Conklintown Rd, Wanaque, NJ 07465 USA

 St. James Syrian Orthodox Church Past and Present

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June 17, 2007, written in golden letters in the history of St. James Syrian Orthodox Church, marks the date of conceiving the birth of a new parish in Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America. The crucial steps in its formation were initiated by Mr. Mathews Mancha, Mr. Saju K. Paulose, Mr. Mathews Cheruthottil, Mr. Biju Kurian Mathews, Mr. Philipose Kavunkal and Mr. Joji Philip.  A delegation that met with H. E. Mor Titus Yeldho, the Patriarchal Vicar and Archbishop of Malankara Archdiocese of Syrian Orthodox Church in North America, detailed the urgent need of establishing a new parish in Northern New Jersey.  Mr. Simi Joseph, Mr. Bishu Paul, Mr. Punnoosekutty Jacob and Mrs. Geethu Paul joined the venture. After prayerful deliberation, His Eminence, realizing the need for a new congregation, decided favorably to establish a new parish after the name of St. James, the brother of our Lord Jesus Christ and first Archbishop of Jerusalem. Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Jacob was appointed as the first Vicar and President of the Parish. 

The first Holy Eucharist at St. James Syrian Orthodox Church was celebrated by H. E. Mor Titus Yeldho on September 15, 2007.  Mr. Thomas Vellarayil, Mr. Adarsh Nomula, Mr. Akarsh Nomula, and Mr. Eby Thomas joined the membership of the new parish. The weekly service has been conducted at the Knight of Columbus Hall in Livingston and the membership has been growing ever since. 

The parishioners were on the lookout to purchase a property and found an ideal location in Passaic County. With the approval and blessing of the Archbishop, the Church acquired a property of their own in March 11, 2013. The first Holy Eucharist was conducted at the newly acquired property on the Feast of the Annunciation to St. Mary on March 25, 2014. H. E. Mor Titus Yeldho consecrated the Church on June 20 & 21, 2014 in the presences of many clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese. Very Rev. Gheevarughese Thomas Chattathil Cor-Episcopos served as the Vicar and President of the Church and led the congregation at the time of consecrating the new Church building.

The Church has a full-fledged Sunday school, St. Mary’s Morth Mariyam Vanitha Samajam, St. Paul’s Fellowship, MGSOSA Youth Association, Prayer cell, and Charity. The cooperation received from all members and their whole hearted participation in all activities of the Church is commendable.  The Feast of our Patron Saint is on June 19th and celebrated with reverence on the third Sunday of June. The other Feasts celebrated in our parish include those of St. Ignatius Elias of Manjanikkara, St. Baselios Yeldho of Kothamangalam and St. Grigorios Geevarghese of Parumala.  

The Church remembers are grateful to the first vicar Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Jacob, Very Rev. Geevarughese Thomas Chattathil and Very Rev. Punnoose Chaluvelil, Senior priest of Knanaya Archdiocese for their dedicated service. Fr. Akash Paul who joined the Church in 2008 as a regular member, dedicated himself to serve the Holy Church as a Deacon in June 20, 2009 and as a Priest in May 02, 2012. 

Presented and approved in the Church General Body Meeting.