St. Mary's Malankara Orthodox Church - Calgary
St. Mary's Malankara Orthodox Church - Calgary is a registered Canadian nonprofit organization (Business Registration Number 872867304RR0001) serving the Malankara Orthodox Christian community in Calgary, Alberta. Established to uphold the traditions of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, which traces its origins to St. Thomas the Apostle in 52 CE, the church provides spiritual services and community programs rooted in the Syrian Christian tradition[1][3].

Activities and Services
The church conducts regular worship services, including Holy Qurbana (Eucharistic service) and Sandhya Namaskaram (evening prayers), alongside educational initiatives such as Sunday School for biblical studies[1][3]. It supports youth engagement through the Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement (MGOCSM), fostering spiritual development and civic responsibility[3].

Community Engagement
St. Mary's organizes charitable initiatives, including disaster relief efforts (e.g., earthquake aid for Syria) and partnerships with organizations like Mustard Seed, Samaritan’s Purse, and United Way[3]. Cultural preservation for Alberta’s Southeast Asian community is emphasized through events like Children’s Day and family gatherings[3].

Structure and Governance
As part of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, the congregation operates under the spiritual authority of the Catholicos of the East and follows diocesan guidelines[2]. Its nonprofit status underlines its focus on religious, educational, and charitable missions[5].

Fundraising
The church hosts annual fundraising events to support local and international causes, maintaining transparency as a Canada Revenue Agency-registered charity[3][5].