Diocesan Talent Event 2026

About the Event

A Celebration of Talent & Faith

The Diocesan Talent Event is the annual culmination of the OSSAE talent competition programme — bringing together the finest young talents from Sunday Schools across the UK, Europe & Africa Diocese for a day of friendly competition, worship, and community.

Unit Level

February 2026

Individual parish competitions held at each Sunday School. Students compete within their local church community.

Zonal Level

June 2026

District-level competitions across North, Central, and South zones. Top performers advance to the Diocesan finals.

Diocesan Level

26 September 2026

The all-diocese finals — where 1st and 2nd place zonal winners compete. Hosted this year in London.

Competition Categories

Solo Song

Individual devotional & hymnal singing across age categories

Group Song

Choral group performances showcasing harmony and devotion

Elocution

Prepared speeches on spiritual & biblical topics

Bible Quiz

Scriptural knowledge competition testing depth of understanding

Blessings & Patrons

Under the Guidance of Our Spiritual Fathers

The event is blessed by the presence and prayers of the Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Church and the Diocesan Metropolitan.

Supreme Head of the Church

H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III

Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan

The 9th Catholicos of the East in Malankara and 92nd Primate on the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas. A distinguished theologian and author, His Holiness holds a doctorate in Oriental Theology from the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome, and has served on the faculty of the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam since 1984. Enthroned as Catholicos on 15 October 2021.

Diocesan Bishop

H.E. Abraham Mar Stephanos

Metropolitan, Diocese of UK, Europe & Africa

Consecrated as Metropolitan on 28 July 2022 at St. Mary's Cathedral, Pazhanji, His Eminence oversees 40+ parishes and congregations across 10 countries. A devoted shepherd to the diaspora community, he also serves as President of OASSIS (Orthodox Association for Spiritual Support to International Students).

Event Programme

Timeline of the Day

Timings are tentative and subject to final confirmation closer to the event date.

8:00 AM

Registration & Welcome

Arrival of participants, registration check-in, welcome tea & coffee. Distribution of event programmes and participant badges.

8:30 AM

Opening Prayer & Inaugural Ceremony

Led by H.E. Abraham Mar Stephanos Metropolitan. Lighting of the lamp, welcome address by the Vicar, and inaugural message by distinguished guests.

9:15 AM

Competitions Begin — Morning Session

Solo Song, Elocution, and Bible Quiz heats across age categories. Multiple rooms running concurrently.

12:30 PM

Lunch Break

Lunch provided for all participants, families, and guests. Time for fellowship and informal interaction between parish communities.

1:30 PM

Competitions Resume — Afternoon Session

Group Song performances and final rounds of morning competitions. Judges' deliberation begins.

5:00 PM

Closing Ceremony & Prize Distribution

Announcement of results, distribution of trophies and certificates. Closing address, vote of thanks, and final prayer and benediction.

6:00 PM

Departure

Safe journeys home. Thanks be to God for a blessed day of talent, worship, and fellowship.

The Venue

St. Mary's Church, Bryanston Square

A magnificent Grade I listed neoclassical church in the heart of Marylebone, designed by Sir Robert Smirke — the architect of the British Museum. Built 1823–1824, this historic church provides a beautiful and fitting setting for our Diocesan celebration.

Wyndham Place, York Street, London W1H 1PQ

Seating capacity approximately 400

Active Church of England parish church (charismatic evangelical tradition)

Architect: Sir Robert Smirke (British Museum) · Built 1823–1824 · Grade I Listed

Getting There

How to Reach the Venue

St. Mary's Church is centrally located in Marylebone with excellent transport links. Here's everything you need to plan your journey.

Edgware Road (Bakerloo, District, Circle) — ~5 min walk

Marble Arch (Central Line) — ~8 min walk

Marylebone (Bakerloo Line) — ~8 min walk

Baker Street (Metropolitan, H&C, Jubilee, Bakerloo, Circle) — ~10 min walk

Routes 18, 27, 205 — alight at York Street or Marylebone Station

Multiple bus stops within a 2–5 minute walk of the venue

Use contactless card, Oyster, or TfL app for fare payment

Congestion Charge and ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) both apply — check your vehicle compliance at tfl.gov.uk

Very limited on-street parking — NCP Bryanston Street and Q-Park Marble Arch are the nearest car parks. Parking fees apply at both locations.

Consider using Park & Ride from outer London Tube stations

Fly to London Heathrow → Heathrow Express to Paddington → Bakerloo Line to Edgware Road → short walk

Alternative airports: London Luton, Stansted, or Gatwick — take relevant rail + Tube connections to Marylebone area

Dublin to London is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes flight time

Host Church

St. George's Indian Orthodox Church, City of London

The Indian Orthodox community has maintained a continuous presence in central London since the 1970s. Officially named and established as a new congregation on 2 October 2022 by H.G. Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios Metropolitan, St. George's IOC has grown to serve over 70 families in the heart of the capital.

The church meets at St. Margaret Pattens Church (Rood Lane, Eastcheap, EC3M 1HS) for regular worship. The congregation runs an active OSSAE Sunday School, OCYM youth wing, and MMVS women's fellowship. The current Vicar is Rev. Fr. PJ Binu, following the pioneering leadership of founding Vicar Very Rev. Fr. Abraham George Cor-Episcopa.

Visit Church Website

1970s

Community presence in London since

70+

Families in the congregation

2022

Officially established as a congregation

3

Active fellowships (OSSAE, OCYM, MMVS)

Get in Touch

Event Coordinators

For any questions about the event, travel, or participation, please feel free to reach out to any of our coordinators.

Rev. Fr. PJ Binu

Vicar, St. George's IOC, City of London

07448 976144

Mr. Rohan Abraham

Coordinator

07702 784371

Mr. Varghese Mathai