About Us

Vision

The Church of South India (CSI) affirms that the purpose of the union is to fulfil the priestly prayer of Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Church That they all may be one, and that the world may believe that you have sent me. And the Church of South India would become an effective instrument of God's mission so there will be greater peace, closer fellowship and fuller life in the Church and a renewed commitment for the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through word and deed.

Mission

The Church of South India affirms that the Church is the Servant of God to carry on the mission rooted in Jesus Christ based on the Scriptures. The Church through her mission expresses solidarity with the broken communities for a new hope to face the challenges of life. The Cross continues to be the sign of hope for the witnessing Church, which strives towards Unity, Peace and Reconciliation as a vibrant Channel of God.

As a local body of the CSI Malayalee Christians, the CSI Parish (Malayalam) Dubai shall cater to their spiritual needs and foster brotherhood and common fellowship, within the Emirates of Dubai and Fujairah, in UAE.

Synopsis

CSI Parish (Malayalam) Dubai is the first Parish of the Church of South India in the United Arab Emirates, which was inaugurated on 13th April 1975 and is one of the largest Malayalam congregations in the Middle East. True to the motto of the Church of South India, “That they all may be one; as thou, father, art in me, and I in thee that they also may be one in us...... (John 17:21)”, the CSI Parish (Malayalam)  Dubai is a home away from home, to members across various Dioceses in India.

History

At the start of the 20th Century, several people from the Subcontinent started moving to the Gulf countries in search of livelihood. The emirate of Dubai was on the threshold of development, offering immense opportunities and challenges through its transformation process.

In 1968, members from different Christian denominations decided to meet as a prayer fellowship in Dubai. A common factor which united them was that they were coming from families of great spiritual fervour, nurtured by God-fearing parents. In the year 1974, six CSI members from Central Travancore who were part of this prayer fellowship, started active discussions on worshipping in the CSI Order. Accordingly, Late Mr. John Michael Kottayam, Late Mr. Ninan John Kodukulanji, Late Mr. K. K. Abraham Punnackadu, Mr. Chacko Itty Kollakadavu, Mr. Koshy Varghese Punnackadu and Mr. Mathew Varghese Punnackadu founded the CSI Parish Dubai on 12th January 1975 and started meeting regularly at the Womens Society Hall in Deira on every Sunday, at 7.30 pm for Worship service.

Later it was decided to form a Choir Group under the guidance of Mr. J. E. Mathew for the benefit of the worshipping community and eventually emerged as one of the best Choirs in the Gulf region.

On 2nd March 1975, with the approval of Late Rt. Rev. T. S. Joseph (Bishop of the CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese), a holy communion service for the CSI Parish Dubai members was conducted at the Holy Trinity Church in Oud Metha by Late Rev. Phillip Sturdy (Vicar of the Holy Trinity Church, Oud Metha).

On 13th April 1975, as directed by the Late Rt. Rev. T. S. Joseph (Bishop of the CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese), Late Rev. V . E. Mathai (Vicar of CSI Parish Kuwait) conducted the Holy Communion Service followed by the formal inauguration of the CSI Parish Dubai, becoming the first CSI Parish in UAE.

In 1978, Late Very Rev. M. T. Tharian was appointed as the first Vicar of the CSI Parish Dubai. From a small gathering of 32 members at that time, the parish has grown to be one of the biggest Malayalam congregations in the Middle East in a span of over 45 years. As a mother parish, CSI Parish Dubai has been the torchbearer in starting worship services in different parts of the United Arab Emirates, viz. Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah and Jebel Ali. Also, the Dubai Tamil CSI Service was started by Late Very Rev. M. T. Tharian.

It is a matter of great pride for the congregation for having been able to build a Church in Fujairah in 2017, for which we are indebted to the Rulers of the country who kindly provided us with the land for the Church.

From its inception in 1975, the CSI Parish Dubai has been led under the vision and guidance of sixteen Vicars appointed by the CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese from time to time, and is currently functioning under the guidance of Rev. Raju Jacob, who is our Vicar since 2023.

Currently, regular Worship services are conducted on Sundays at the Holy Trinity Church, Oud Metha and at our Church in Fujairah.

We are grateful to the Rulers of the United Arab Emirates, who continue to give us permission to worship as a community in this land.

Above all we give glory to our Almighty God who alone is worthy of all honour and thank Him for guiding our parish in this land, through all these years.