The St. Mary’s Indian Orthodox Church , Mansfield is the first Parish of the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church in Nottinghamshire, U.K.
The Parish had its humble beginnings as a small prayer fellowship by the name of St. Mary’s with a mere handful of families back in February 2021. By the great blessings of the Almighty and with the permission of the Diocesan Metropolitan HG Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios, the First Holy Qurbana was celebrated on 24 July 2021 by Rev. Fr. Binoy C. Joshua, who was appointed as priest-in-charge of the spiritual gathering. Later in January 2022, Metropolitan Thimothios visited the fellowship and declared it as a Congregation. The Congregation was elevated to the status of Parish on 28th of May 2023 by the new Diocesan Metropolitan HG Abraham Mar Stephanos.
The objectives of the Parish shall be to advance the Orthodox Christian faith throughout Derby, Chesterfield, Worksop, Sutton-in-Ashfield, and other areas in Mansfield, Nottingham, England for the benefit of the public through the holding of prayer meetings and public worship, lectures, public celebration of religious festivals, providing and/or distributing literature on the Orthodox Christian faith, and teaching the general public about the faith. People from various parts, near and far places of Nottinghamshire, do attend our church.
There are currently 52 member families. The Sunday School has over 60 students and eight teachers. Other spiritual organizations such as Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam (MMVS), Youth Movement (OCYM) and Prayer Group are also actively involved in the smooth running of the Parish.
Holy Qurbana is celebrated at Sherwood Forest Methodist Church, Big Barn Lane Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG18 3LJ on the First and Third Saturdays of every month from 8:45 AM. Spiritual meetings also take place then. Prayer meetings consist of evening prayer, devotional talks and Intercessory prayers.