business100news.com; Edmonton: A new chapter in the development history of the Edmonton St. Jacobs Syrian Orthodox Church in Western Canada, under the North American Malankara Archdiocese, has begun. The parish has successfully completed the process of purchasing 17.8 acres of land to meet the church’s future needs.
On Christmas Day 2025, His Eminence Metropolitan Mor Titus Yeldo visited the newly purchased land and led the blessing prayers. He then placed the nameplate of the church on the site.
In a special ceremony held after the Holy Mass on Christmas Day, the Metropolitan congratulated all the parishioners who collaborated in this massive project, and Metropolitan Mor Tithos Yeldo announced that the official name of the new development project will be ‘Project Bethel’. The Metropolitan chose the name ‘Bethel’ from the names received through a nomination contest organized by Sunday School students. The church officials said that this initiative aims to involve children in the future vision of the church.
In the special blessing prayer service held at the new land, the parish vicar Rev. Fr. Thomas Poothiot, Vice President Shaji Cherian, Secretary Georgi Cherian Varghese Valiyaveetil, Treasurer Jimmy Abraham Pallippadan, Atibhadrasana Council Member AB Nellikal, parish managing committee members Jibi Thaliyattil, Baiju Babu, Thanoj Paul, and Eldhose Shibu, land purchase committee office bearers Realtor Joji Mathew, Shijo Paul, Paul P George, and Paul Varghese, and many other believers witnessed this historic moment.
The Metropolitan mentioned in his speech that the largest church land transaction in the history of the Syrian Orthodox Church took place under the auspices of the North American Malankara Archdiocese. Parishioners expressed confidence that ‘Project Bethel’, envisioned with future generations in mind, will open a new direction in the spiritual and social growth of the parish.
News: Joseph John Calgary
