Latest News – Page 3 – Diocese of Calcutta

New Digital Printing Machines Inaugurated at Santhome Printing Press, Bhilai

Bhilai: New digital printing machines were inaugurated at Santhome Printing Press by His Grace H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan. The occasion was graced by the presence of Rev. Fr. Jacob Thomas (Diocesan Secretary), Rev. Fr. Reji C. Varghese (Diocesan Education Officer), Rev. Fr. Varghese P. Joshua (Manager, Santhome Press), Rev. Fr. Joel Mathew (Personal Secretary to the Metropolitan), and Rev. Fr. Libin V. Koshy (Asst. Manager, Santhome Press), along with the staff of the printing press. With the addition of the new machines, Santhome Printing Press has expanded its facilities, offering greater space and enhanced infrastructure. This development significantly increases its production capacity, enabling the press to meet growing demands more efficiently and effectively.

𝐇. 𝐆. 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐨𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫 𝐄𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐌.𝐆.𝐌. 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥, 𝐍𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐩𝐮𝐫

Naya Raipur: H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan was warmly welcomed at MGM Model School by Rev. Fr. Lijo John, (Vice-President and Principal), along with Mr. K. Cherian (Trustee), Mr. Jiju Varghese (LWC Member), Lincy Kochamma and staff. Fr. Joel Mathew was also welcomed on the occasion. His Grace congratulated the Principal, the Local Working Committee, and the staff on securing CBSE affiliation and commended their commitment to providing quality education. The Principal briefed on the recent developments and guided through the campus, showcasing the newly introduced amenities, including fully equipped laboratories and upgraded infrastructure designed to enhance learning facilities.

𝐊𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐳𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐭. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲’𝐬 𝐎𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐱 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐲𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐚

The Kerala Council of Churches – Kunnathur Assembly organized a Nazrani Sangamom and a felicitation ceremony for the newly elected Panchayat representatives belonging to various Christian churches in Kerala. The program was held at St. Mary’s Orthodox Valiyapally, Kallada on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

The program was presided over by H. G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan (President, Kerala Council of Churches) and inaugurated by H. B. Baselios Cleemis Cardinal. The main speaker of the event was Alexander Jacob IPS. During the function, the newly elected Panchayat members from various churches were felicitated in recognition of their commitment to public service. The gathering witnessed the participation of clergy, community leaders, and faithful from different Christian denominations.

H. G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan Calls for Prayers as Gulf Tensions Raise Concerns Among Community

The unfortunate developments in the Gulf region, including Kuwait, have caused deep anxiety and concern among our community. Let’s sincerely pray, that the situation does not escalate further and hope, that all the involved countries exercise wisdom and restraint.

Let us offer special prayers this Sunday, in all our churches for a swift easing of tensions in the affected region, and for the safety and security, of all those impacted. Our diaspora community, especially whose families are living apart may be experiencing immense stress and uncertainty during this time. Let us keep them, and their loved ones, in our thoughts and prayers.

Alexios Mar Eusebius

Metropolitan

CCET Bhilai Hosts Landmark National Conference on “Recent Trends in Nanotechnology”

Bhilai: The two-day National Conference on Recent Trends in Nanotechnology (NCRTN-2026) successfully concluded at the Christian College of Engineering and Technology (CCET), Bhilai. The event, held on February 25th and 26th, was organized in a prestigious collaboration with St. Thomas, Bhilai, and in technical association with the Bhilai Institute of Technology (BIT), Durg. The conference served as a high-level intersection for scientists, industry experts, and research scholars to deliberate on the burgeoning field of nano-science and its multi-disciplinary applications. Principal Dr. Jeetendra Tiwari of CCET Bhilai welcomed the delegates and Executive Vice Chairman Fr. Dr. P. S. Varghese has emphasized that CCET Bhilai’s commitment to offering specialized M.Tech programs in Nanotechnology. The conference featured keynote addresses and technical sessions focusing on Green Nanotechnology, Nano-Medicine, Material Science, Sustainable Energy and many more. The event concluded with a “Best Paper Award” and Best Paper presenter ceremony, recognizing young researchers for their groundbreaking contributions to the field.

H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan Visits ‘Mananam’

Kottayam: H. G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan visited ‘Mananam’, a solo exhibition of Orthodox liturgical paintings and icons by Rev. Fr. Rijo Geevarghese, held at the Art Gallery of Kottayam Public Library. The exhibition, organised from February 19 to 28, 2026 (10 AM – 6 PM), presents sacred icons and paintings rooted in the spiritual life of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. ‘Mananam’ meaning contemplation, invites visitors into a prayerful experience where art reflects faith and theology. His Grace prayerfully observed the spiritual depth and devotion reflected in the artworks. His Grace appreciated Rev. Fr. Rijo Geevarghese and Steffi Kochamma who were brought up in Jabalpur and Bhopal, for their sincere work in promoting iconography and theological awareness among the faithful.

H. G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan Leads Evening Prayer and Lenten Retreat at Mar Gregorios Orthodox Cathedral, Bhilai

Bhilai: H. G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan led the evening prayer service and Lenten retreat at Mar Gregorios Orthodox Cathedral in Bhilai Thirumeni was warmly welcomed by Very Rev. Shaji M. Baby Corepiscopa, Fr. Subin Daniel and parishioners.

𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭. 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐬 𝐒𝐫. 𝐒𝐞𝐜. 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥, 𝐊𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐮𝐫

Kolkata: The pre-primary students of St. Gregorios Sr. Sec. School, Kolkata celebrated their Graduation Day in a grand and memorable ceremony held on March 17, 2026. The ceremony was graced by H. G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan as the Chief Guest, along with Rev. Fr. Jobin P. Abraham ( Vice President ).

The ceremony commenced with a welcome speech by Rev. Fr. Aswin John (Principal), who congratulated the graduating students for their dedication and achievements. Addressing the gathering, H. G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan delivered an inspiring speech, applauding the children for their success and encouraging them to pursue their future studies with enthusiasm and determination.

A highlight of the event was the certificate distribution ceremony, where the young graduates proudly received their certificates in the presence of their parents, teachers, and distinguished guests. The atmosphere was filled with applause and admiration as each child stepped forward to mark the completion of their pre-primary education.

𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥-𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐊𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐇.𝐆. 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐨𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫 𝐄𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧

Kolkata: Mr. Kevin Goh, Deputy Consul-General at the Australian Consulate-General Kolkata, along with Ms. Angelina Nair, Senior Research and Visits Officer, paid a visit to H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan at the St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral in Kolkata as part of their regional engagement with community and religious institutions. The visit was marked by warm and cordial interactions. During the meeting, discussions focused on the various initiatives undertaken by the church and the role of its institutions. Present during the meeting were Rev. Fr. Jobin P. Abraham (Vicar), and Rev. Fr. Jobby Peter (Diocesan Council Member) along with members of the church’s managing committee. During the interaction, Mr. Kevin Goh extended a formal invitation to H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan to visit the Australian Consulate-General in Kolkata.

𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡, 𝐊𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐇.𝐆. 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐨𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫 𝐄𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧

Kolkata: The historic Armenian Church of the Holy Nazareth in Kolkata extended a warm and memorable reception to H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius on March 16, 2026.

H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan was accompanied by clergy, diocesan council members, and managing committee members of St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral. The Metropolitan was received with great warmth by the vicar, assistant vicar, deacon, and parishioners of the Armenian Church, who gathered to welcome His Grace and the delegation.

An ecumenical prayer service was held during the visit, symbolizing the spirit of fellowship and Christian unity shared between the Armenian and Indian Orthodox traditions.

The visit also highlighted the deep-rooted historical presence of Armenians in India. Historical records show that Armenian merchants were active in Bengal as early as the 17th century, playing an important role in trade and civic life in what would later become the city of Kolkata. A lasting testament to this rich heritage is the Armenian Church of the Holy Nazareth, one of the oldest churches in the city and a significant symbol of the Armenian community’s legacy The church was first built in 1688 during the Mughal era and later rebuilt in 1724 on the old Armenian cemetery, after the original wooden structure was destroyed in a fire in 1707.

During the visit, representatives of the Armenian community introduced various aspects of the church and the Armenian Centre, which stand within a historic cemetery that forms an integral part of the church grounds.

Expressing deep appreciation, H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan described it as a privilege to witness this living heritage in the heart of Kolkata. Reflecting on the experience, His Grace remarked that walking through the quiet pathways of the cemetery and church grounds offered a profound sense of history and the resilience of a community that has carefully preserved its identity while contributing meaningfully to the broader society.