Welcome to St. Peter's Syriac Orthodox Church of Canada, Mississauga
“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church” (Matthew 16:18)
We joyfully welcome you to our parish, a sacred home within the universal Syriac Orthodox Church under the Holy See of Antioch. To understand our Church is to journey back to the very dawn of Christianity, to the lands where the Apostles walked, and to the faith they handed down—unaltered and preserved through centuries of triumph and trial.
We are not merely a denomination, but a living branch of the original Apostolic tree, deeply rooted in the Holy See of Antioch, established by St. Peter the Apostle in 37 A.D. It was in Antioch that the early believers were first called “Christians” (Acts 11:26), and we are the direct continuation of this ancient, vibrant community.
A Community of Orthopraxy
“Orthodox” means to possess the right faith, but for us, it also means the right praising and glorification of God. Our faith is not just a system of beliefs; it is a living reality expressed in the Holy Qurbana, the celebration of the sacraments, and our daily lives.
Worship With Us
Our weekly worship begins with Morning Prayer (Safro) at 9:15 AM, followed by the Holy Qurbana (Divine Liturgy) at 10:00 AM. Services are primarily held in Malayalam, with English Qurbana offered every third Sunday to embrace the bilingual nature of our congregation.
Our Faith & Doctrine
The Syriac Orthodox Church is one of the most ancient Christian communities in the world, faithfully preserving the apostolic tradition received from the holy Apostles. We confess the faith proclaimed in the Nicene Creed, believing in One God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Mystery of the Incarnation (Miaphysis)
Central to our Syriac Orthodox theology is the mystery of the Incarnation. We affirm the Miaphysite Christology—that the Only-begotten Son of God truly became man without ceasing to be God. After the union of divinity and humanity in Christ, there exists one incarnate nature of the Word—without separation, confusion, change, or division. This safeguards the fullness of Christ’s humanity and divinity, a truth staunchly defended by our revered Church Fathers through the centuries.
Eucharistic Ecclesiology & The Seven Sacraments
The Church is the mystical Body of Christ, with Christ Himself as its Head. This reality is made visible here and now through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the local church. As tangible signs of divine grace, we recognize and celebrate the seven Holy Sacraments:
- Holy Baptism
- Holy Muron (Confirmation)
- Holy Qurbono (Eucharist)
- Holy Confession
- Holy Priesthood
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Matrimony
Our Faith & Doctrine
The Syriac Orthodox Church is one of the most ancient Christian communities in the world, faithfully preserving the apostolic tradition received from the holy Apostles. We confess the faith proclaimed in the Nicene Creed, believing in One God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Mystery of the Incarnation (Miaphysis)
Central to our Syriac Orthodox theology is the mystery of the Incarnation. We affirm the Miaphysite Christology—that the Only-begotten Son of God truly became man without ceasing to be God. After the union of divinity and humanity in Christ, there exists one incarnate nature of the Word—without separation, confusion, change, or division. This safeguards the fullness of Christ’s humanity and divinity, a truth staunchly defended by our revered Church Fathers through the centuries.
Eucharistic Ecclesiology & The Seven Sacraments
The Church is the mystical Body of Christ, with Christ Himself as its Head. This reality is made visible here and now through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the local church. As tangible signs of divine grace, we recognize and celebrate the seven Holy Sacraments:
- Holy Baptism
- Holy Muron (Confirmation)
- Holy Qurbono (Eucharist)
- Holy Confession
- Holy Priesthood
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Matrimony
History & Foundation
St. Peter’s Syriac Orthodox Church, Mississauga, Canada is a proud member of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America, under the steadfast leadership of His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho.
On July 2, 2003, our parish was established as the Second Syriac Orthodox Church in Canada under the Malankara Archdiocese. We celebrated our first Holy Qurbana with the blessings and profound guidance of the late His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. The establishment of this spiritual home was made possible through the facilitation of His Grace Mor Yulius Kuriakose, First Secretary to the Patriarch and Patriarchal Assistant for Malankara, and the first Holy Qurbana was celebrated by Very Rev. Fr. Jos Thomas Corepiscopa.
We pledge our unwavering loyalty, obedience, and allegiance to the Holy Apostolic See of Antioch and All the East, honoring the rich traditions, the Syriac language, and the liturgical heritage passed down to us by our forefathers.
Our Sacred Hierarchy & Vicars
Our Church is governed by a sacred hierarchy that carries forward the apostolic authority of St. Peter, acting as shepherds to guide the faithful in truth and love.
His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II – Patriarch of Antioch and All the East
The Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church reigns as the 123rd successor to St. Peter the Apostle. Leading from the Apostolic See of Antioch in Damascus, Syria, His Holiness is the supreme religious, spiritual, and administrative authority of our faith.
His Beatitude Aboon Mor Baselios Joseph – Catholicos of India
The spiritual head of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church in India, guiding the Church through its historical trials with humility, grace, and an unwavering defense of the true faith.
His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho
His Eminence provides vital pastoral oversight for the Malankara Archdiocese of North America, beloved for his dedication to spiritual education, youth development, and preserving Orthodox unity across the continent.
The Importance of the Church and Holy Qurbana
Dearly Beloved in Christ, Greetings to you all in the blessed name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. According to the faith of our Syriac Orthodox Church, the Church is not simply a physical building; it is the living Body of Christ. It is the sacred community founded by our Lord upon the faith of the Apostles, where believers receive true doctrine, the Holy Sacraments, spiritual guidance, and the hope of eternal life.… At the heart of our spiritual journey is the Holy Qurbana—the supreme worship and greatest mystery of our faith. It is the fulfillment of the Scriptures and the sacrifices of the Old Testament. The Holy Qurbana is not merely a remembrance of the past, but a living, active participation in the entire saving work of Christ—from His holy birth to His glorious resurrection and promised second coming. When the priest stands before the Holy Altar, heaven and earth unite in worship. Through our sacred Syriac prayers, hymns, and the Eucharistic offering, the faithful receive the precious Body and Blood of Christ for the forgiveness of sins and the sanctification of life. “The Eucharist is the fire of the Spirit mixed with the bread and wine.” — St. Ephrem the Syrian In today’s world, where many face spiritual struggles and confusion, the Church remains a steadfast beacon of hope, unity, and truth. I humbly encourage all faithful members—especially our younger generation—to participate regularly in the Holy Qurbana with prayer, reverence, confession, and thanksgiving. Active participation in Church life is essential to building strong faith and a deeper relationship with God. Let us remain faithful to the Apostolic tradition handed down to us and continue to grow together as one family. May Almighty God bless all our families abundantly through the intercessions of the Holy Virgin Mary and all the saints. With prayers and blessings, Rev. Fr. Abey Mathew Vicar, St. Peter’s Syriac Orthodox Church of Canada
Our Beloved Vicars
We are blessed to have dedicated Priests as our Vicars who live out their vocation in the truest way possible, bringing Jesus Christ to us and inspiring our lives through the sacraments.
- Very Rev. Fr. Jos Thomas Cor-Episcopa (Founding Vicar): 2003 – 2016
- Rev. Fr. John Thomas Yohannan: 2016 – 2019
- Rev. Fr. Akash Paul: 2019 – 2020
- Rev. Fr. K. V. Poulose: 2020 – 2025
- Rev. Fr. Abey Mathew: 2026 – Present
St. Peter the Apostle
St. Peter, originally known as Simon, was a fisherman from Bethsaida called by Jesus to become a “fisher of men”. Christ gave him the name Kepha (Peter), meaning “Rock,” declaring, “Upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
Peter’s journey was one of zeal, transformation, failure, and ultimate redemption. After the Resurrection, Jesus lovingly restored Peter, commissioning him: “Feed My lambs. Tend My sheep”. On the day of Pentecost, filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter boldly preached the Gospel and baptized thousands.
Most crucially for our faith, St. Peter established the Apostolic See in Antioch in 37 A.D., becoming the first bishop of the very place where believers were first called Christians. He later served in Rome, where he was martyred by crucifixion upside down, feeling unworthy to die exactly as his Lord had. Our church, named in his honor, stands firmly on the foundation of his confession of faith, his ultimate sacrifice, and the unbroken apostolic succession that flows from his throne in Antioch.
2026 Managing Committee & Delegates
The administration, spiritual coordination, and daily operations of St. Peter’s Syriac Orthodox Church of Canada are faithfully overseen by our elected Managing Committee. Working in harmony with our Vicar, these dedicated individuals volunteer their time, talents, and unwavering commitment to ensure the spiritual growth and physical well-being of our parish community.
Spiritual Organizations & Ministries
The heartbeat of our parish lies in our vibrant spiritual organizations, designed to nurture the entire person—spiritually, emotionally, and socially.
Sunday School
The Sunday School is dedicated to the comprehensive spiritual development of our children, bringing them up in the knowledge and fellowship of Jesus Christ. Held every Sunday immediately… following the Holy Qurbano, the curriculum covers the Holy Bible from creation to the second coming, the intricacies of the Holy Qurbana, devotional hymns, and the rich history of the Syriac Orthodox faith. Beyond academics, we arrange diverse programs for social gathering, charity drives, and donations, ensuring our youth grow into compassionate, well-rounded Christians.
Youth Association (MGSOSA) & Balasamajam
St. Mary's Women’s League
St. Paul's Men's Prayer Fellowship & Pastoral Care
A dedicated space for the men of our parish to gather in prayer, spiritual reflection, and fellowship.Recognizing that families face modern challenges,… our ministries also focus on pastoral care—addressing the emotional and spiritual needs of couples and families, offering informed counsel, and ensuring that the parent-child relationship remains deeply rooted in Christian values.
The Twelve Apostles of Christ
The Twelve Apostles were handpicked by our Lord Jesus Christ to be the first witnesses of His life, death, and resurrection. They became the foundation of the Church and carried the Good News to the ends of the earth. Each Apostle bore the Gospel with passion and paid the ultimate price for their devotion.
Here are their names and a brief account of their legacy
Our Gallery
