Patriarch of Antioch and All the East · Patron Saint of our Parish
St. Elias III Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church · Ōhaupō, New Zealand
A parish of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, in full communion with the Holy Apostolic See of Antioch and All the East.
Australia, New Zealand, Singapore & Malaysia Archdiocese
Families who wish to join the parish are warmly invited to complete the family registration form. Registration helps the Vicar and the Managing Committee provide pastoral care, keep families informed of services, and plan parish life together.
Register online Membership form (PDF)
Prefer paper? Download the form, complete it, and return it to the Parish Secretary or email it to the church.
For help with registration, please contact the Parish Secretary at office@steliaschurch.org.nz.
St. Elias III Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Ōhaupō was established to serve the spiritual and pastoral needs of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox faithful living in Ōhaupō, Hamilton, the wider Waikato region and the surrounding communities.
The founder members prayerfully met His Grace Mor Geevarghese Athanasios, Patriarchal Vicar of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Churches in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia, seeking his blessings and requesting permission to establish a new congregation and appoint a Vicar.
Following prayerful consideration, His Grace officially approved the establishment of the congregation, permitting the formation of a new Jacobite Syrian Orthodox congregation in Ōhaupō.
Decree No. ANS/502/2026On the same date, Rev. Fr. Eldhose Vattamattathil was appointed as the first Vicar of the parish, to provide spiritual leadership and pastoral guidance to the faithful.
Decree No. ANS/504/2026After preparatory meetings to organise the congregation and its administration, the parish celebrates its inaugural Holy Qurbana on the blessed Feast of Shoonoyo, marking a historic milestone in the life of the parish.
To be a vibrant Jacobite Syrian Orthodox parish where every faithful person experiences the love of Christ, grows spiritually through the Holy Sacraments, and lives as a witness to the Holy Gospel within the wider community.
Our parish belongs to the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church and to the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, in full communion with the Holy Apostolic See of Antioch and All the East, under the spiritual authority of the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, through the Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia Archdiocese.
We are part of the one, holy, apostolic and universal Syriac Orthodox tradition, faithfully preserving the sacred heritage of the Church of Antioch, where the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ were first called Christians.
As descendants of this apostolic Church, we uphold the same faith, worship and apostolic continuity handed down from the Holy Apostles through the See of Antioch.
And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Acts 11:26
Our parish is dedicated to St. Ignatius Elias III, the revered Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and a holy father of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church. He is remembered as a shepherd of great humility, deep spiritual wisdom and unwavering commitment to the unity and peace of the Church.
He was born in 1867 in Mardin. From an early age he dedicated his life to the service of God, entering monastic life and later being consecrated to the episcopacy. In 1917 he was enthroned as Patriarch of Antioch, leading the Church through a difficult period marked by persecution, displacement and global upheaval following the First World War.
In 1931, responding to the request of the Malankara Church in India to help resolve internal ecclesiastical disputes, the Patriarch undertook a historic journey to India. During his visit he travelled across Kerala, offering prayers, guidance and blessings to the faithful, and working earnestly for peace and reconciliation within the Malankara Syrian Christian community.
He spent his final days at the Manjanikkara Dayro in Kerala, where he fell ill and entered eternal rest on 13 February 1932. His tomb at Manjanikkara remains a sacred pilgrimage site for the faithful, who continue to seek his intercession and blessings.
As our patron saint, St. Ignatius Elias III inspires our parish to live in unity, humility and steadfast faith. His life of sacrifice and pastoral love encourages us to remain faithful to Christ, to serve one another, and to uphold the sacred traditions of the Syriac Orthodox faith.
Rev. Fr. Eldhose Vattamattathil is a priest of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church who has dedicated his life to serving God and His people through faithful pastoral ministry, prayer and the proclamation of the Gospel. A native of Mananthavady, Wayanad, he is known for his pastoral sensitivity, approachable nature and deep commitment to the spiritual growth of the faithful.
Since his ordination he has served in parishes across Kerala and New Delhi. His ministry is centred on celebrating the Holy Qurbono and the sacraments, preaching the Word of God, providing pastoral care and strengthening parish life through active engagement with families, youth and the wider community. He has a particular love for the liturgical heritage of the Syriac Orthodox tradition and is well versed in Syriac liturgy.
All are warmly welcome. Please arrive a few minutes before the service begins.
The 5th Sunday service is held in months that have one. Sunday School meets after the Holy Qurbana on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays.
Children and youth are nurtured in the faith through the Holy Scriptures, the traditions of the Syriac Orthodox Church and joyful community activities. Classes meet after the Holy Qurbana on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays of the month.
A place for our young members to grow together in faith and friendship, through prayer, study, service and fellowship within the parish and the wider community.
The women of the parish gather for prayer, spiritual formation, charitable service and the support of family life across our congregation.
The families whose prayers and effort brought this parish into being.
| Member | Spouse |
|---|---|
| Eldho George | Annie Mathew |
| Lijo Varkey | Silvy Lijo |
| Viji George | Roshini Susan Thomas |
| Rohan Thomas Panackal | Femy Rohan |
| Jacob P. Oommen | Sheena Jacob |
| Albin M. Varghese | Anju K. Paul |
| Basil Baby Thottupuram | Femy Abraham |
| Eldhose Paul | Priya Paul |
The parish depends entirely on the generosity of its members. Your offering supports worship, pastoral care, Sunday School and the charitable work of the church.
Please use your family name as the reference so the Treasurer can record your offering.
Offerings may also be made in person during services. For special offerings, feast day contributions or enquiries about giving, please speak with the Vicar or the Treasurer, or write to office@steliaschurch.org.nz.
