Christians in India cherish with pride and devotion the conviction that St. Thomas the Apostle, following the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, arrived on the southern coast of India in AD 52. There, he proclaimed the Good News and established the foundation of Christianity in the land. Until then, India, the land of the Vedas, was unfamiliar with the message of Christ. However, Indian culture, with its rich diversity and inner openness, created a fertile ground where a new faith like Christianity could take root, grow, and flourish, especially in the southernmost regions. Historical traditions record that St. Thomas travelled by sea, landed on the shores of Malabar, and established "seven and a half" churches there.
Centuries later, the descendants of this apostolic tradition, particularly members of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, began to migrate beyond India in search of better living conditions and employment. From Burma, Singapore, Malaysia, and Ceylon, the journey eventually extended to the Gulf countries by the early 1950s. Dubai at that time was part of the Trucial States under the British Political Agency, using the Indian Rupee as currency issued by the Reserve Bank of India. Oil was discovered in Dubai in 1966, and commercial production began in 1972, leading to a rapid influx of Malayali migrants, among whom were Orthodox Christians rooted in the St. Thomas heritage.
By 1958, nine Malayali Christian families were known to be residing in and around Dubai, four of whom were Orthodox. Their spiritual life began with prayer meetings held at their homes, as they did not yet have facilities for larger gatherings or formal worship. The first recorded Holy Qurbana in Dubai was celebrated on 25 April 1963 by Rev. Fr. K. A. George from Bahrain, with Orthodox faithful from Dubai and Sharjah participating. In 1966, a united Malayali Christian fellowship body was formed for general prayer meetings. In 1968, the Orthodox faithful organized themselves more distinctly as the St. Thomas Syrian Orthodox Association, Dubai. Visiting priests conducted Holy Qurbana occasionally, and prayer gatherings were held in shared halls and private homes, steadily growing both in number and unity.
A decisive turning point came in 1972 when, following the efforts of church leaders and an audience with the Ruler’s Court, H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai, graciously granted a 68,000 sq. ft. plot of land in Zabeel East (Plot No. B.21) to the Indian Orthodox Church. A modest parsonage was initially constructed on the site, and the foundation stone of the church was laid in 1974. Through the tireless labour, sacrifice, and prayer of priests and laity, the first church building was completed and consecrated on 31 December 1976 in the name of St. Thomas, with side altars dedicated to St. Mary and St. Gregorios of Parumala. 
From those humble beginnings in the desert, the parish has grown into today’s St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Dubai, a spiritual home and refuge for thousands, distinguished not only by its worship and liturgical heritage but also by its Karuthal works, youth and family ministries, and its witness as a Cathedral for the future.
As the parish continued to grow, the need for expanded facilities became evident. Over the years, major construction projects were undertaken, including the building of new parsonages, the St. Thomas Parish Hall, and later a multi-storied complex with an auditorium, conference rooms, Sunday School spaces, and administrative offices. The church itself underwent reconstruction in the early 1990s, followed by further renovation and extension in 2006, which included a new Madbaha (Sanctuary) and a balcony to increase seating capacity. These developments transformed the Cathedral into a vibrant spiritual and community centre, capable of hosting large gatherings, charitable initiatives, educational programs, conventions, and cultural events that strengthen the bonds of faith and fellowship among parishioners.
Important Milestones at a Glance
1963 April 25: Holy Qurbana celebrated for the first time in Dubai by Rev. Fr. K. A. George (Vicar of the Bahrain Church).
1964: A two-day ecumenical convention was held. Holy Qurbana and two baptisms were celebrated by Rev. Fr. T. M. George (Thottathil, Thekkemala).
1965: Holy Qurbana celebrated by Rev. Fr. T. E. George (later H.G. Geevarghese Mar Dioscoros).
1966: Formation of the United Malayali Christian Congregation. Prayer meetings were held every Thursday, Holy Qurbana was celebrated every three months.
1968 December 2, Formation of the Orthodox congregation named St. Thomas Syrian Orthodox Association.
Meetings were held on alternate Fridays at the United Congregation Hall, Bur Dubai. First Vicar: Rev. Fr. K. K. Punnoose.
1969 January: First-ever episcopal visit by a bishop from an Indian Episcopal Church – H.G. Thomas Mar Themothios.
1969 April: Separate Orthodox worship started at the residence of Mr. K. G. Jacob.
1969 December: Historic meeting: H.G. Mathews Mar Coorilos met H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai, to request land for the church.
1970: Worship started at the Women’s Society Hall, Deira.
1970 September: The congregation was elevated to the status of a Parish. The Vicar of Bahrain was given additional charge as Vicar of Dubai.
1971: Episcopal visit by H.G. Philipose Mar Theophilose.
1972: Additional charge of the Dubai Parish given to the Vicar of Abu Dhabi, Rev. Fr. T. A. Jacob.
1972 May: Appointment of Rev. Fr. T. A. Jacob as Vicar of Dubai.
1972 April: Visit of the Diocesan Bishop (Outside Kerala Diocese), H.G. Mathews Mar Athanasios, to the Court of H.H. the Ruler of Dubai to follow up on the land request.
1972 April 25: Allotment of a plot of land measuring 68,000 sq. ft. to St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church.
1972 October: Construction of a parsonage consisting of one room, verandah, and small kitchen for the Vicar.
1973 July: Rev. Fr. C. K. Joseph, Vicar of Abu Dhabi, received additional charge as Vicar of Dubai.
1974 January: Rev. Fr. P. M. Mathews took charge as Vicar.
1974 June 20: Foundation stone for the church laid by Rev. Fr. M. V. George (later L.L. H.G. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios).
1974 January: General Body decided to send the Vicar to Muscat once a month for conducting Holy Qurbana.
1974 February 16: Sunday School started with 2 teachers and 11 students.
1975 March: Holy Qurbana started in the Sharjah congregation (once a month).
1976 July: Worship started temporarily in the completed structure of the church building.
1976 December 31: Consecration of the church by H.G. Joseph Mar Pachomios.
Governance: Till 1976, the parish was governed by the Metropolitan of the Outside Kerala Diocese, H.G. Mathews Mar Athanasios. From 1976, it was placed under the Bombay Diocese. Diocesan Bishop: H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios.
1977: Youth Movement and Martha Mariam Samajam were restarted.
1978: Included under the Delhi Diocese. Diocesan Bishop: H.G. Dr. Paulose Mar Gregorios.
1978 January: Sharjah congregation elevated as an independent parish (St. Gregorios Orthodox Church).
1979: St. Basil Library started.
1980: New parsonage building completed.
1982 January 27: Special intercessory prayers to St. Mary started on Wednesdays.
1983 May: Blessing and inauguration of the Parish Hall (St. Thomas Hall) by H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews I, along with H.G. Dr. Paulose Mar Gregorios.
1985 April 5: Holy Relics of St. Thomas interred in the main Thronos (Altar) in the Madbaha by H.G. Paulose Mar Gregorios, along with H.G. Stephanos Mar Theodosios.
1991 July 5: Foundation stone for the new church laid by H.G. Dr. Paulose Mar Gregorios.
1992 June 12: Consecration of the new church by H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, along with four bishops: H.G. Dr. Paulose Mar Gregorios, H.G. Stephanos Mar Theodosios, H.G. Kuriakose Mar Clemis, and H.G. Job Mar Philoxenos.
1993 October–December: Silver Jubilee celebrations.
1994 January: Beautification of the church compound with interlock tiles and a surrounding garden.
1998: Blessing of the office complex (including sexton’s room and hall) by H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews II.
2002: Office complex first floor remodelled to include accommodation for the Assistant Vicar, a VIP room, and a mini hall.
2003 October: Elevated to the Great Church.
2006: Elevated as St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral.
2006 December 22: Consecration of the renovated church with balcony and new Madbaha by H.H. Baselios Marthoma Didymos I, along with H.G. Kuriakose Mar Clemis and H.G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos.
2006 March 2–3: G.C.C. Orthodox Youth Conference held in Dubai.
2008: Mar Theodosios Award instituted for outstanding achievers in humanitarian activities.
2008 January: Jebel Ali congregation elevated as an independent parish – Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church.
2008 September: Holy Qurbana in English started (once a month).
2010: Haiti earthquake disaster support was extended in association with the Red Crescent, Dubai.
2012: Mar Dionysius Award instituted by the Youth Movement for the best agriculturist among Malankara Orthodox Church members.
2012 January–October: Catholicate Re-establishment Centenary Celebrations.
2013 November 22: Blessing of the multi-storied complex – comprising an auditorium, offices, mini hall, and kitchen facilities – by H.G. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Demetrios along with H.G. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Milithios.
2013: A multi-storied complex was inaugurated with auditorium, Sunday School office, conference rooms, and kitchen facilities.
2018: The Cathedral’s Golden Jubilee Celebration was held, flood relief support was extended to Kerala.
2018–2020: Launch of online prayer requests, virtual worship, and youth tech initiatives.
2021: During the global pandemic, live-streamed services, online Sunday School, and virtual counselling were introduced. The multi-purpose building was converted into a residential building (Parsonage) for the Vicars.
2023: Sunday School Golden Jubilee of the land grant celebrated with special liturgies and exhibitions.
2024: New charity missions and interfaith dialogues introduced.
2025: Snehothsavam 2025 (a traditional Kerala get-together), along with the Harvest Festival and various youth and family engagement programmes, was conducted with wide participation. The Office for the Vicars and the OCYM Hall were renovated and newly furnished. New software was launched for the Sunday School, and the Church website was fully revamped. In addition, Daya Bake House was inaugurated at Dayabavan, Bengaluru, and the Makodia Mission Clinic was established in memory of the first Vicar, Rev. Fr. K. K. Punnoose (later H.G. Stephanos Mar Theodosios). Karuthal support was further extended to various community projects, and Ramadan Kit distribution was carried out under the guidance of the CDA. Two new spiritual organizations - St. Joseph Orthodox Fellowship (SJOF )and St. Dionysius Orthodox Fellowship (SDOF) - were also officially inaugurated.