SALALAH, Sultanate of Oman: Ahmedabad Diocese Metropolitan HG Pulikkottil Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios will lead the feast of St Stephen at the St Stephen’s Orthodox Church, Salalah (Vicar Fr Jose Chemmun) on January 8, Friday.
Feast of St Stephen, is a Christian saint’s day to commemorate Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, celebrated in January by the Eastern Orthodox. The Indian Orthodox church is named in the sacred name of the first martyr of the Church in southern region of the Sultanate of Oman in Salalah. Four Indian Orthodox churches in the Sultanate come under the Orthodox Diocese of Ahmedabad headed by Metropolitan Mar Yulios. 
On January 8, the Metropolitan will lead the evening prayers, Holy Eucharist and Rasa followed by benediction and nercha velambu.
From January 11 to 16, Mar Yulios will also be visiting the St Mary’s Orthodox Church, Ghala in Muscat, (Vicar Fr George Varghese). The Metropolitan will lead the St Mary’s Feast at the Church on January 15, Friday.
Earlier, upon arrival at the Muscat International Airport on a two-week visit, Mar Yulios and Fr P A Philip were received by Fr George Varghese (Vicar, St Mary’s Orthodox Church Ghala), Fr Jacob Mathew (Vicar, Muscat Mar Gregorios Orthodox Maha Edavaka), members of the managing committee, parishioners and others.