The Diocese of Madras of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church was consisted of present Calcutta and Madras dioceses with H.G. Dr. Stephanos Mar Theodosius as the first diocesan Metropolitan. Present diocese of Madras was formed on 1979 and the diocese Metropolitan was late H.G. Zachariah Mar Dionysius. Diocese of Madras includes the territorial area of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Andaman islands in India, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and churches in far east countries also.
Since the solemn demise of H.G. Mar Dionysius in 1997, H.G. Dr. Yakob Mar Irenaios Metropolitan took over the charge of leading the diocese. Now the diocese have 64 independent parishes, many more congregations including 9 cathedrals. For serving the diocese there are 65 priests including 6 Cor-episcopas, 1 Cor-episcopa ramban, 4 rambans, also have 4 retired priests who served the diocese with their valuable services.5 deacons as well as 16 seminarians in both the seminaries getting ready to serve in the Diocese.
The diocese have a charitable institution called Snehabhavan, a guidance centre for the patients who are undergoing treatment in Christian Medical College, Vellore.
Mercy Home:- A home for physically challenged children in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh.Almost all the parishes have elementary and higher secondary schools adjacent to their churches. Diocese has one degree college in Narasimharajapuram, South canara, and two colleges running under control of the parishes. They are St.Mary’s college, Brahmavar, St.Thomas College, Koyambedu, Chennai.
Another uniqueness of this diocese is non-Malayalee communities consist of Konkani Christians with Konkani Priests, worshiping in Konkani language in Brahmavar. Another community of Telugu in Eluru in which more than 300 families of Telugu with Telugu Evangelists. The diocese also runs 2 guesthouses in Chennai city for the youngsters who came to study as well as work.[1]