Our first Holy Qurbana was conducted in Bambolim Military Chapel on 26th January 1966, with a few of our people. From September 1966 onward, Holy Qurbana was celebrated once a month on a regular basis until May 1972, except for a short break in 1970. In those early years, the services were conducted in St Inez Church and in the Bhatlem chapel.
On 17th January 1967, the Metropolitan of the Outside Kerala Diocese, His Grace Mathews Mar Athanasios (later Catholicos of the East, H.H. Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews I), visited Goa and established a congregation named St Mary's Orthodox Church, Panjim. During his stay, a conversation with the then vicar of St Inez Catholic Church revealed that the mortal remains of Bishop Alvares Mar Julius — the first bishop of the Outside Kerala Diocese — lay buried in a cemetery just behind St Inez Church, where our Church celebrates his death anniversary on 23rd September every year.
Efforts were made to construct a church of our own. A plot was purchased in Ribander and the foundation stone was laid on 23rd September 1973, the 50th death anniversary of Bishop Alvares Mar Julius. First services were held in the church during Holy Week, April 1979. The relics of the Late Lamented Bishop Alvares Mar Julius were translated to the church on 7th October 1979, and the church was consecrated on 7th February 1982 by H.G. Dr. Philipose Mar Theophilius, Metropolitan of the Bombay Diocese.
The book Patriot and Saint, on the life of the Late Lamented Alvares Mar Julius, written by Dr. Carmo Azaveddo, was released at the hands of H.G. Philipose Mar Theophilius on 25th September 1988. Two further books were later published on his life: Martyr of Goa by Prof. D. Mathew Kozhencherry (Kerala, January 2009) and a biography by Mr. George K. Kurien (Goa, March 2010).
Present Church
The old church was demolished on 5th May 1998. Holy Qurbana was conducted from June to 3rd September 1998 in the chapel attached to Ribandar Hospital, and from 4th September 1998 onward services were conducted in the basement (parish hall) of the church. The new church was consecrated on 5th & 6th October 2001 by His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Mathews II (Catholicos of the East), with His Grace Thomas Mar Athanasios, His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, Vicar Rev. Fr. P. C. Thomas, Ex-Vicar Rev. Fr. T. E. Isaac, Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Iype, and other clergy and parishioners present. The church has been declared a pilgrim centre through the Kalpana of Didymus I, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan.
Regular Services
Holy Qurbana is held on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sundays of every month, in addition to Holy Week, Christmas, and New Year services. The Remembrance Feast of the Late Lamented Alvares Mar Julius is celebrated on the Sunday following 23rd September, and the Perunal is celebrated on the 4th Sunday of November.
Our Other Activities
- Medical camps for the poor and needy of neighbouring areas
- Felicitation of meritorious Std. X & XII students with cash awards
- A Holy Bible is presented to newly married couples of the church (permanent members)
- The Mar Alvares Julius Charity Fund renders help to the needy and scholarships to poor students
Church affairs are run by the Managing Committee, elected annually by the General Body.