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Owing
to a range of different circumstances a large number of Indians are now
residing in the United Arab Emirates. Among these are a significant group of
Christians from Kerala State and other states in India who are permanently
living in UAE regions such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharja. Indian members of
the Church of the East also have a presence in the UAE along with a few
Assyrian families. Following a visit to the UAE by His Beautitude Dr. Mar
Aprem, Metropolitan of Malabar and All India in 2005, it was requested by some
faithful in the UAE that a Mission Parish be formed as other sister churches
have done in order to cater for the sacramental needs of their faithful.
With
the consent and Apostolic blessing of His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch,
a Mission Parish was formed under the guidance of His Beatitude Dr. Mar Aprem
Metropolitan.
As
the UAE faithful do not have their own Church currently the faithful use St.
Phillips Chapel which is part of St. Martins Church in Dubai. The Eucharistic
Liturgy was celebrated on the 28th of December under the leadership
of Rev. Fr. Victor Kollannur who during the Christmas Holy Qurbana thanks the
Almighty God for the kindness and mercy bestowed on the faithful for many
years. Christmas and New Year were also celebrated by the faithful and
sponsored by Mrs. Smitha and Mr. Prakash Nellangara; one of the families in the
Parish. Special thanks and prayers were offered for their family thanking them
for their generosity after the service. During the celebration the Parish
members joined in fellowship celebrating the Birth of Christ with Christmas
carols being sung and gifts being presented to all.
Rev. Fr. Victor also read
the Christmas Epistle of His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch as
well as the Epistle of His Beatitude Dr. Mar Aprem Metropolitan.
The
United Arab Emirates Mission Parish of the Church of the East would like to
take this opportunity to thank His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch
for his ongoing support of the Parish and his continuous prayers and blessings,
His Beatitude Dr. Mar Aprem Metropolitan for his fraternal love and guidance as
well as the Parish Leader Mr. Chakko who works diligently in managing the
affairs of the Parish.
