St Dionysius Indian Orthodox Church was incorporated on 7th May
2003 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Brief History

St Dionysius Indian Orthodox Church was incorporated on 7th May 2003 in Auckland, New Zealand. It was the first Indian Orthodox Church to be established in New Zealand. It falls under the jurisdiction of Madras Diocese. Our Diocesan Metropolitan is His Grace Dr. Youhanon Mar Dioscoros and our Vicar is Fr. Biju Mathew. We now have congregations in Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch. 
Initially formed as a small prayer group in March 2001, we gradually grew in number until we decided to become a worshipping community.

Initially formed as a small prayer group in March 2001, we
gradually grew in number. His Grace Dr. Yakob Mar Irenaios, upon
hearing about this worshipping community here, sent Rev. Fr. M.D.
Varghese, from St. Mary’s Indian Orthodox Church, Melbourne,
for guidance. The latter organized the congregation formally and
celebrated the Holy Qurbana on 29th March 2003 at St Albans
Church in Auckland, where we now conduct our weekly services.
The community was named after the blessed Saint Vattasseril
Geevarghese Mar Dionysius. This is the first Church in the Madras
Diocese dedicated to St Dionysius.

Rev. Fr. Thengumtharayil George John was appointed the first resident Vicar of the New Zealand Parish when he arrived in September 2003, succeeding Fr. M.D. Varghese who previously led our parish from Melbourne. 
Our next parish Vicar was Fr. Varghese Philip Idichandy, followed by Fr. Shinu K Thomas. 
The current parish Vicar is Fr. Biju Mathew. 
Our service venue has constantly changed over the years and we recently bought a piece of land in Henderson, in order to build a Church and Community Centre. Click here to read more about this.

Our Parish Vicars:
Rev. Fr. Biju Mathew - from April 2011
Rev. Fr. Shinu K Thomas - May 2007 to March 2011
Rev. Fr. Varghese Philip Idichandy – May 2004 to April 2007
Very Rev. T.G John Cor-Episcopa - Sept 2003 to Feb 2004
Rev. Fr. M.D. Varghese – March 2003 to August 2003

Our Parish Trustees
Baby Kuriakose – from May 2010
Beno Samuel – May 2008 to May 2010
E.Mathew Jacob – June 2004 to May 2008
K. N. Varughese – March 2003 to June 2004

Our Parish Secretaries
Santosh John – from April 2011
Oommen Philips – June 2004 to April 2011
Philip Ayyamplackal - March 2003 to June 2004

The parish grew and also spread to other cities through
congregations in Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington and
Christchurch. The Hamilton congregation was later declared as a
separate Parish after St.Gregorios of Parumala in November 2011.

Our service venue in Auckland, had frequently changed over the years.
We recently bought a plot of land in Henderson, in order
to build a Church and Community Centre. Click here to read more
about this.