Abu Dhabi church to lay foundation stone for new building at Christmas – News

New building for St. George’s Orthodox Cathedral will be able to accommodate services of up to 2,000 people

Home to the new building of St. George’s Orthodox Cathedral in Abu Dhabi. — Photo provided

The cornerstone of a new building for one of Abu Dhabi’s oldest churches will be laid on Sunday, just in time for Christmas.

Three bishops from the Indian state of Kerala will officiate at St George’s Orthodox Cathedral in Abu Dhabi. Metropolitan Yakob Mar Elias of Brahmavar, Dr Joseph Dionysious of Kollam and Dr Joshua Mar Nichodimos of Ranni-Nilackal will join other community leaders at the event.

“In August 1970, the late ruler Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan laid the foundation stone for our first church in the Khalidiya area. At the time, the The benevolent ruler has secured a place of worship for the Indian Orthodox faithful,” Metropolitan Elias told a news conference.

Old building of St. George’s Orthodox Cathedral in Abu Dhabi.

In 1983, the church moved to a new complex in the Al Mushrif area, which was demolished in September this year to make way for a new church.

“We will start the construction phase this Sunday. I thank and pray for the leadership of this country who welcome people from different religions to live together peacefully here. I hope the UAE continues to prosper,” Metropolitan Elias noted.

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Father Eldho M Paul, priest of St. George’s Orthodox Cathedral, noted that the diocese has 1,600 family members, so a new building is needed to accommodate the growing faithful.

Yakob Mar Elias and other officials at a news conference in Abu Dhabi.

“This old church building is 39 years old. In September of this year, it was demolished to make way for a new building. Our new church building will be able to accommodate many more people. From serving with 1,200 members, we will be able to With as many as 2,000 people.”

While construction of the new church is underway, regular services will be held in the newly built hall on the site. It includes a prayer hall, accommodation for priests and offices.