A Filipino exclusive church celebrates its 97 years founding anniversary

"Where there is Christ Jesus, there is the Catholic Church." - St. Ignatius of Antioch, Ad Smyrn. 8,2:Apostolic Fathers,II/2,311.. (ca. 35 or 50-between 98 and 117)

"Where there are Filipinos, there is the INC of Manalo!" - CD2000

Iglesia Ni Cristo turns 97 today
Source: The Filipino-Australian

The Iglesia Ni Cristo turns 97 today, with members gathering on different days of the week in their respective places of worship for thanksgiving worship.

In Sydney, thousands of INC members gathered Saturday July 23 at the Sydney Town Hall to commemorate the occasion, this website has gathered. Members in other states are also reported to hold separate gatherings in their capital cities.

The first INC Australian congregation was established in Sydney in November 1976 with a handful of INC faithfuls holding worship services in Sydney’s YMCA Hall. The Sydney congregation has since moved to Carlingford, giving “birth” to eight other congregations in Metro Sydney.

The religious group, currently headed by Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, has congregations in 96 countries and territories including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga.

Two years ago, the Philippine government enacted Republic Act 9645 designating July 27 of every year as Iglesia Ni Cristo Day. The Act decrees the observance of the INC’s foundation day as a national holiday in recognition of the founding anniversary of the Iglesia Ni Cristo in the Philippines.