Golden Jubilee Finale
CSI Parish (Malayalam) Dubai concluded its year-long Golden Jubilee celebrations with a grand closing ceremony held at the Dubai Gem Private School, Oud Metha on Saturday, 27th September 2025.
A commemorative souvenir titled "Charis" (meaning ‘Grace’ in Greek), portraying fifty years of the parish history, was released on the occasion. The chief guest was Rt. Rev. Dr. Malayil Sabu Koshy Cherian, Bishop of the CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese. In his message, he urged the Church to become a source of goodness for society. Rt. Rev. Mathews Mar Seraphim Episcopa, Bishop of the Mar Thoma Church Adoor Diocese, delivered the blessing address. The closing ceremony was presided by Rev. Raju Jacob, Vicar of the parish. Former Vicars, who had served the parish during the past five decades, also attended the meeting.
Mr. Sunil Kumar (Dubai Indian Consul), Rev. Prem Mitra (Chaplain, Holy Trinity Church, Dubai), Rev. Mathew Varkey (Former Vicar) and Mr. A.P. John (Vice President) extended their greetings. The program began with a prayer by Rev. Dr. P. K. Kuruvilla (Former Vicar). Mr. John Kurien (General Convenor) welcomed the gathering. Mr. Saji K. George (Jubilee Secretary) presented a review of the year-long Jubilee activities. Mr. Bibu Cherian (Program Convenor) gave a vote of thanks. The public meeting concluded with a prayer by Rev. Felix Mathew (Former Vicar). Mrs. Shiny Biji Pothen and Ms. Freda Sann Libini were the MCs for the meeting.
Rev. Tittu Thomas (Dubai Trinity Mar Thoma Church), Rev. Jijo T. Muthery (Mar Thoma Parish Dubai), Rev. Bright B. Mohan (CSI SKD Dubai), Rev. Eldho Paul (Evangelical Church Dubai), Fr. Varghese Kozhippadan (St. Mary’s Catholic Church Dubai), Rev. Sunil Raj Philip (CSI Parish Sharjah), Rev. Biju Kunjumon (CSI Malayalam Church Abu Dhabi) and Rev. Charles M. Jeril (CSI All Saints Church Jebel Ali), the Vicars of sister parishes were also in attendance.
Around six hundred attendees including founding members, parishioners, and members from sister parishes participated in the closing ceremony. Following the meeting, a musical concert "Jubilate Deo" led by the renowned musician Stephen Devassy was conducted, which made the occasion memorable. Mr. Aji M. Kuruvilla (Music Convenor) thanked Stephen Devassy and the accompanying musicians, on behalf of the parish and the Golden Jubilee Committee.
Also, the occasion witnessed the launch of the English Hymns Notation Compilation, titled “The Worship Hymnal”, a Golden Jubilee project of the Church Choir.
The Golden Jubilee celebrations concluded with a Thanksgiving service at the Holy Trinity Church, officiated by the Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Malayil Sabu Koshy Cherian, on Sunday, 28th September 2025. Rev. Raju Jacob (Vicar) and the former vicars of the Parish Rev. Dr. Mathew Varkey, Rev. Felix Mathew, Rev. Saji K. Sam, Rev. Praveen Chacko, Rev. Dr. P. K. Kuruvilla and Rev. Shaji Jacob Thomas also joined in leading the Communion Service.
Year-long Celebration and Projects
Various initiatives launched in connection with the Jubilee were successfully completed during the year-long Golden Jubilee celebration. The “Overseas Family Meet” (Kudumba Sangamam) held in Kerala, on 1st August 2025, with the participation of former parishioners, was a major highlight. Different projects undertaken by the parish in commemoration of its Golden Jubilee, including healthcare, education and rural development, benefited various sections of society.
The year-long Golden Jubilee Celebrations started with a Press Meet on 27th September 2024, announcing the Jubilee Programs and the Inaugural meeting on 28th September 2024. The 50th Parish Day Thanksgiving service was held on 13th April 2025. The celebrations and various activities were coordinated by the Golden Jubilee Committee. The Golden Jubilee Committee (and various sub-committees) comprised of Rev. Raju Jacob (Vicar), Mr. John Kurien (Jubilee Convenor), Mr. Saji K. George (Golden Jubilee Secretary), Mr. A. P. John (Vice President), Mr. Libini Eason George (Church Warden), Mr. Jino Mathew Joy (Church Warden), Mr. Anil Idicula Mathew (Church Secretary), Mr. Cheriyan Thomas (Church Treasurer), Mr. Reju John Varghese, Mr. Solomon P. David (Publicity Coordinator), Mr. Shibu Samuel, Mr. Sachin Saji Mathew, Mr. Sunish K. Simon (Finance Coordinator), Mr. Anish George, Mr. Kevin Koshy Joseph, Mr. Mathew Jacob, Mr. Joy V. George (Souvenir Convenor), Mrs. Preetha Binu, Mr. Mathew Varghese, Mr. Koshy Varghese, Mr. P. V. Mathew (Print & Visual Media), Mr. Thomas Cherian, Mr. Bibu Cherian (Programs Coordinator), Mr. Kurian P. Thomas (Jubilee Treasurer & Projects Coordinator), Mr. Aby John, Mr. Aji M. Kuruvilla (Music Convenor), Mr. Biju Philip, Mr. Shaji K. Itty, Mr. Shon Vishal Kurien, Mrs. Moly Jacob, Mrs. Valsa Mathew, Mrs. Susan Libini, Mrs. Teny Joseph and Mrs. Smitha Susan Varghese.
Volunteers from the various parish ministries viz. Sunday School, Youth Movement, Women's Fellowship, Church Choir and Laity Fellowship worked together with the Golden Jubilee Committee to make the Golden Jubilee celebrations memorable.
The first CSI Parish in UAE
Formally established on April 13, 1975, as the first CSI (Church of South India) Parish in the UAE, with a small group of expatriates, the parish has grown to a community of around 1500 parishioners today, by the grace of God. The parish is indebted to the benevolence of the UAE rulers who have been granting permission to worship as a community in this land for the last five decades.
All glory and honour to God alone, who by His grace led our parish all these years, as the ancient hymn says, 'tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me ….' (Amazing grace by John Newton 1779).
Highlights link of the Golden Jubilee Finale : https://www.csigoldenjubileefinalece