AHMEDABAD/MUSCAT: Ahmedabad Diocese Metropolitan HG Pullikkottil Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios will lay the corner stone for St Mary’s Orthodox Church in Ghala, Muscat, on September 16, 2017.

With this, the Indian Orthodox congregation in Ghala and nearby areas will soon have a new church of its own. The parish was established following Kalpana No 11/2014 issued by Mar Yulios as the Diocese Metropolitan under which four Orthodox churches in the Sultanate come under.

Before the foundation stone laying ceremony, the Metropolitan, will lead the holy liturgy from 7 am.

Fr George Varghese, Vicar, St Mary’s Orthodox Church, Ghala, has requested the faithful to attend the ceremony in large numbers with prayers and good wishes.

The Metropolitan who arrived for a week-long visit to the Sultanate on September 12 will lead the Feast of the Holy Cross at St Stephen’s Orthodox Church, Salalah, on September 14, Thursday.

On September 15, His Grace will take part in the Onam feast celebrations at Sohar St George Orthodox Church.

On September 17, Sunday evening, Mar Yulios will celebrate holy liturgy at Muscat Mar Gregorios Orthodox Maha Edavaka.

Earlier, Metropolitan Mar Yulios was received at the Muscat International Airport by Fr Jacob Mathew, Vicar/President, Muscat Mar Gregorios Maha Edavaka and Fr George Varghese, Vicar, St Mary’s Orthodox Church, Ghala. Mar Yulios is available for contact at +968-96288762 before leaving for Ahmedabad, Diocese headquarters, on the early hours of September 18.