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Where have the Eastern Catholics (Greek/Byzantine) in Malaysia met? How many times? Is a community established yet?

Are there other Eastern Catholics besides this infrequent group?

Laka,

You'll need Edward or Collin for definitive answers but, my best recollection is that the Divine Liturgy has been served there 3 times - twice recently by Father Serge and once previously, about 8 or 9 years ago. A temple belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Church was used most recently, I'm unsure about the prior occasion.

Many years,

Neil

To answer you... Yes, the most recent one was in September 2007... Fr. Serge made a stop in Singapore before heading on to Australia for the Orientale Lumen conference. And yes, the Armenian Church (dedicated to St. Gregory the Illuminator) was used.

There are no parishes dedicated to the Eastern Rite in Malaysia... Therefore, any Malaysian who expresses interest in the Eastern Rite will possibly have to arrange a chance meeting with Edward.

The Armenian Orthodox did originally build that lovely church in Singapore and it is still commonly referred to as "the Armenian Church". But there appear to be no more Armenian faithful. There is some form of "trustees" who allow various Orthodox and Eastern Catholics in need of a suitable place to worship to avail themselves of this church edifice (in return for a small contribution to maintain the building). I believe that the Copts use it more often than anyone else does.

One of the competing Malankara Orthodox (we're not supposed to call them Monophysites) Churches in India has a parish in Singapore, but also have arranged for their own church - I've not seen it.

There is also a Greek Orthodox parish with its own worship space, and an incipient Russian parish which seems to depend somehow on the Archbishop of Vladivostok. They sometimes use the old Armenian Church, but more often use a small facility of their own (again, I've not seen it and don't know where it is).

Singapore is a remarkably tolerant society; in that regard (and others) Singapore is a good example for all of us. Lovely place.

Fr. Serge

Well, in regards to Orthodox communities, while it does not number up to how it is in the other countries, there are Orthodox communities nonetheless. For Singapore, there are Coptic, Russian, Greek Orthodox(EP), and Syriac Malankara. There is also an Old Calendarist community in Singapore.

As for Malaysia, there are only 2, but all concentrated in different cities and states. The more established one is currently the Syrian Malankara Church, whose priest is a friend of mine. I live about 45-50 minutes away from the church, which is located in Kuala Lumpur's version of "Little India".

The other church is located in the historical city of Melaka(2 hours away from KL), and is a Coptic Orthodox Church. Their priest is Fr. Joseph Sim(yes, a Chinese man!)I have no idea where the church is in Melaka (Melaka being my hometown) but for some reason, every Christian presence in Malaysia begins with Melaka. Roman Catholicism started off in Melaka when the Portuguese conquered in 1511(I'm a descendant), Protestantism in 1641 when the Dutch defeated the Portuguese, Anglicanism later when the British took over and now the Copts. No record is known of their origins but there must have devout Egyptians.

There is another Greek Orthodox community in Malaysia and is cared for by the same priest in Singapore. They have a lay leader and they meet for Matins every Sunday morning, and Divine Liturgy when the priest is available for it. Divine Liturgies are held at the Syriac Malankara Church or the chapel at the Russian Embassy in KL when it is scheduled.