Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church - a parish under the South-West American Diocese of the Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Syrian Church. Thomas, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ in A.D. 52 when he came to India to preach and spread the Word of God. The parish was established on April 26, 1978, in Evanston, Illinois. In 1984 the church moved to its location in Oak Park, Illinois. In 2012, the church relocated to a new facility in Elmhurst, Illinois, which is where the Church is located to this day. Geevarghese Aroopala--now of St. Thomas Cathedral in Houston, TX--served as the first vicar of the parish. He was followed by the late Fr. K. G. Daniel and then the late Fr. M. Thomas. V.M.Abraham (now His Grace Abraham Mar Seraphim), and Fr. George Pulikkottil (now His Grace Geevarghese Mar Yulios), have served as Assistant Vicars of the parish with Fr. V.M. Shibu--who now serves as the vicar of St. Gregorios Church in Bensalem, PA--has also served as an Assistant Vicar. Following Fr. Shibu, Fr. Ninan V George served as the Vicar, followed by Fr. Mathews George (Sajeev) with Fr. John (Teji) Abraham serving as the assistant vicar. Rev. Raju Daniel (now Very Rev. Raju Daniel Chorepiscopos) served as the Vicar as well. Currently, the church's vicar is Rev. Abi Chacko and Rev. Thomas (Joby) Mathew serving as the assistant. Today, the parish is home to over 180 families and continues to grow, by God's abundant grace.
