In mid 60’s the boom attracted many foreigners, including Malayalee Christians, to Abu Dhabi. Rev. Fr. K.K. Punnoose. M.A., B. D., S.T.M., (L L H.G. Stephanos Mar Theodosios Metropolitan of Calcutta Diocese, India) Vicar, St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Bahrain, used to visit this area to look after the spiritual needs of our people had managed to organize a meeting of our members on 29th Nov ’68, and elected an Ad-Hoc committee and decided to have evening prayers on all Fridays. It was in 1970, the first complete Passion Week services were conducted in Abu Dhabi by Rev. Fr. T.J. Joshua B.A., B.D., S.T.M.
H.G. Thomas Mar Themothios Metropolitan of Malabar Diocese (H.H Baselios Didymos -I) visited Abu Dhabi and other places in 1969. This was the first visit by a Bishop of our Church to this area. Later in the same year H. G. Mathews Mar Coorilos (LL HH Baselios Marthoma Mathews II), Metropolitan of Kollam Diocese, visited Abu Dhabi in Dec 1969. His Grace submitted a request to H.H. the Ruler of Abu Dhabi for a plot of land for the construction of a Church of our own, through the intermediary of a prominent citizen. H.H. The Ruler graciously honoured the request and granted a plot of land in Khaldiya area.
On 7th Aug ’70 the foundation stone of our first Church at Khaldiya was laid by H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The General Body meeting that held on 29th May ’70 unanimously decided to request the Diocesan Metropolitan to elevate the Prayer Group as a Parish and to appoint a resident Vicar. The request was approved by H.G. Dr. Mathews Mar Athanasios, our Diocesan Metropolitan vide “Kalpana” No. 350/70 dtd 14th Aug ’70 Rev. Fr. T.A. Jacob. M. A., arrived Abu Dhabi on 18th Aug ’70 and took charge as the first fulltime Vicar of the Parish. The construction of the first Church was completed within one year and on 1st Dec ’71, the Church building was sanctified by H.G. Dr. Philipose Mar Theophilos Metropolitan, and His Grace celebrated the first Holy Qurbana in our own Church. As on 31st Dec ’70 we had a total strength of membership of 89 (counting family as one). Later, we were able to construct a parsonage of our own in the Church premises and consecrated in connection with the Parish festival of 1973.
The Church building was shifted to the present premises, as per the instructions of the Government authorities, when Rev. Fr. V. K. Varghese was the Vicar. H. G. Mathews Mar Coorilos (H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, Catholicose) blessed and inaugurated the construction works n 24th Apr ’81 and H. G. Dr. (the late) Paulos Mar Gregorios, our previous Diocesan Metropolitan, laid the foundation stone of the new Church building on 5th Feb ’82. When the construction works were completed, the Church complex was sanctified and dedicated on 27th and 28th May ’83, by H.H. (the late) Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma I, the then Catholicose and our previous Diocesan Metropolitan, assisted by H.G. Mathews Mar Coorilose Metropolitan (the then Catholicose Designate) and H.G. Dr. (the late) Paulos Mar Gregorios Metropolitan (the then Diocesan Metropolitan) in the presence of a large number of priests and faithful. It is worthy to remember that the major share of the construction expenses were met with the compensation granted by the kind and generous Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
This parish was originally in the Diocese of outside Kerala. When it was divided in 1975, this parish was under the Bombay Diocese and the able leadership of the then Diocesan Metropolitan H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makkarios. When again there was a division of the dioceses in 1979, our parish was attached to the Delhi Diocese. H.G. Dr. (the late) Paulos Mar Gregorios, the first Metropolitan of Delhi Diocese have contributed much for the real beauty and magnanimity of the designs, construction and the selection of the materials for the 2nd Church building in Mushrif area .
H. G. Job Mar Philoxenos, who took charge as the Diocesan Metropolitan after the demise of Mar Gregorios Metropolitan, and lead us with the limit less love and care. The silver Jubilee of the Parish was celebrated with a variety of attractive programmes from Nov.93 till April94. The motto of the Jubilee was “For the greater Glory of God Almighty and in gratitude to the benevolent Ruler of Abu Dhabi”. Our Parish was elevated as Cathedral on 5th March 2004. Formal declaration was made by H.H.Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, in presence of H.G.Job Mar Philoxenos. St.Thomas Hall which was completed in 1992. Further addition to the complex was made and consecration completed on 26th October 2006. Demolition of old part of the building, renovation of the part constructed in 2006, construction of new building and amenities were completed on 5th April 2021.
Since formation of Brahmavar Diocese in 2010, our Parish is attached to that Diocese under the Divine Leadership of H.G.Yakob Mar Elias Metropolitan. In 2019, The Department of Community Development has approved our parish as a Licensed Place of Worship and issued a certificate of registration under Number: CO.001.
Our parish is giving top priority for benevolent activities. “Abu Dhabi St. George Orthodox Parish paddy field” at Yacharam, the marriage assistance rendered to 54 poor girls during the 30th anniversary, The St. George Home Project introduced in 2014 etc are examples. St.George Home Project will be completing the 100th house in 2021. The 500 Sq.ft terraced house project is exclusively for the poor and homeless orthodox brethren across Malankara.
The parish is keen in observing the feasts of St. George, the patron saint, St. Mary, St.Gregorios, St. Eldo Mar Baselios, St.Dionysius, St.Kuriakose Mar Gregorios and all the “Maranaya” feasts in the way it should be.
