Diocese of
Asia Pacific
One of 32 dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church — Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore, headquartered in Canberra, effective 1 November 2024.
The Diocese of Asia Pacific is one of 32 dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Formerly part of the Madras Diocese, it now shepherds Orthodox faithful across Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore, with its headquarters in Canberra. The diocese took effect on 1 November 2024, following a Kalpana from His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III and the recommendations of the Association Managing Committee and the Holy Episcopal Synod.
Our parish in Ballarat worships within this diocese. For the worldwide head of the Church, see The Catholicose; for the history of the Catholicate, see the linked pages below.
From Kalpana to inauguration.
Official steps toward the new diocese (Kalpana 267/2024).
Declared by Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan.
Recommendations after study and evaluation.
Holy Synod considered the recommendations.
Diocese of Asia Pacific established.
Diocesan shepherds.
From 1 November 2024.
Baselios Marthoma Mathews III — Catholicos
First Metropolitan of the Diocese, as Malankara Metropolitan. 1 November 2024 – present.
H.G. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Diascoros
Assistant Metropolitan. 1 November 2024 – present.
His Grace Mar Diascoros
H.G. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Diascoros serves the Diocese of Asia Pacific as Assistant Metropolitan — scholar, teacher, and pastor with long service in Kerala and on the Church's ecumenical and editorial work.
About His Grace the Assistant Metropolitan
Born 28 May 1964 (Kallarackal family, St Thomas Orthodox Valiyapally, Kundara). BSc, Kerala University (1984); GST, Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam; BD, Serampore (1988); MTh and DTh, Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome (1991, 1995); pastoral counselling certificate, Glasgow (1997). Ordained sub-deacon (1987), deacon (1989), priest (1989) under the late H.G. Geevarghese Mar Dioscoros.
Ministry
Director, Holy Trinity Centre for Disabled Children, Trivandrum (1990–91); Professor and Registrar, Holy Trinity Theological College, Addis Ababa (1994–97); Programme Secretary, Sophia Centre, Kottayam (1997–2006). Served parishes in Trivandrum and Chengannoor; Chaplain of Old Seminary and Vicar of Kundara Kadeestha from 2006. Professor and Dean of Studies, Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam; Registrar of Divyabodhanam; Chief Editor, Malankara Sabha Monthly; author and retreat father.
Episcopate
Elected bishop by the Malankara Association, Pampakuda (11 September 2008); professed Ramban (4 December 2008); ordained bishop by H.H. Baselios Marthoma Didymos I at Puthupally (19 February 2009). Member of the Joint International Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
Diocese of Asia Pacific.
Headquarters in Canberra, ACT — contact for diocesan matters across the region.
Australia
0481 2505431
mardiascoros@yahoo.com