Eminent members from the past

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Very Reverend Corespiscopa Cherian Thomas was born in 1846, as the third son of Poothicote Puthenpurackal Cherian and Adoor Nellimootil Annamma.He is the first priest from the Poothicote family. He started his education in Kottayam Grammar School established by British Missionaries. He continued his theological education in the Kottayam "old seminary". He was ordained as deacon in 1862 by Metropolitan Yuyakim Koorilose. He was the first priest of Mepral St. John's Church. He passed away in 1912

Rev Fr. P. M. Abraham Kashiha was born in 1883, as the third son of Kochitty "Mathukunju" Kuruvilla Chathanthra and Aachiyamma Puthenkaavil Puthenveetil, Ezhikakathu. He completed his English education in St. Berchmans High School Changanassery. He was ordained as Quroyo (Reader) in 1902 at Kottayam Old Seminary, by the late H.G. Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius. He was subsequently ordained as Shamshono (Deacon) in 1908 at St. Marks Church (Sehion Malika), Jerusalem by Jerusalem Bava. He was ordained as priest in 1912 at the Thrikunnathu  Seminary, Aluva by the Patriarch of Antioch Mor Ignatius Abded Aloho II. He served in the Malankara Jacobite Association as a member for 8 years. He has served as the vicar of St. John's church in Mepral for 55 years, the longest serving priest of the church. He passed away in 1967

H. G. Kuriakose Mar Coorilos was born as George Kurian on May 1, 1935 as the second son of Poothicote Payikandathil Cherian George of Mepral and Annamma. He was ordained deacon by Mor Gheevarghese Gregorius of Ankamali in 1956. The late Catholicos Paulos II (then Metropolitan Mor Philoxenus Paulose) ordained him priest in 1956. Fr. George Kurian became the vicar of St. John's church, Mepral (Thiruvalla). Fr. George Kurian was consecrated bishop Mor Kurilose by Patriarch Ya`qub III on July 21, 1974. His Grace served as the Metropolitan of Niranam, Quilon and Thumpamon until March 21, 1995 when he passed away. His remains are interred in Mikhayel Mor Dionysius chapel, Adoor. Mor Kuriakose was an accomplished orator and an able administrator who established many educational institutions in the diocese. His Grace served as the President of the Sunday School Association for a long time. During a very difficult period in the history of the church, His Grace provided able leadership for the church.

His Grace, Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos was born on August 13, 1959 to P G George(Puthenpurayil Athikkanadiyil branch) and Susy George (Manammel Thayyil), in Mepral. His boyhood name was Cheriyachen, and was the fourth of five children. 

Upon finishing his high school education, he enrolled in Malabar Christian College for his undergraduate education. Later, he moved with his family where he completed his Bachelors in Arts, (English) from Saint Joseph College, in Calicut. He then completed his Bachelor of Divinity, and his Master of Theology degree from United Theological College in Bangalore. His uncle and mentor, Metropolitan Kuriakose Mar Coorilose ordained him to the Holy Diaconate on January 4th, 1986 and to the Priesthood on May 16, 1990 at his home parish St. John's Church, Mepral. 

As a priest, he served parishes in the Diocese of Kandanad, as the Ecumenical Secretary of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, and taught as a professor at the Malankara Syrian Seminary at Mulanthuruthy, until he was called to be consecrated to the holy episcopacy. His Holiness Moran Mar Ignatius Zakka Iwas I, Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, consecrated him as Metropolitan on August 15, 1993.

In 2002, His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II appointed Metropolitan Mar Nicholovos as the Assistant Metropolitan of the American Diocese. On February 26, 2011, His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, appointed Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos as the ruling Metropolitan of the Northeast American Diocese and was later enthroned on May 21, 2011.

In addition to Metropolitan Nicholovos' responsibilities to his Diocese, His Grace functions in various capacities which impact the Malankara Church, the Northeast American Diocese, and the greater ecumenical world:

• President of the Department of Ecumenical Relations of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
• Working Committee & Executive Committee Member to the World Council of Churches (WCC) - 
• Member of the Permanent Commission on Concensus & Collaboration of the WCC
• Governing Board member of the National Council of Churches in the United States (NCCUSA)
• Member of the Board of Trustees of Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary
• Member of the Board of Directors for Church World Services (CWS)

Born on March 11, 1962, Very Rev. Fr Thomas Cherian, also known as Achan Kunju, was the only son of the late P. T. Cherian(Puthenpurackal Thekkepuraykkal branch) and Thakamma Cherian(Kuzhivelil, Kizhvaypore), one of their seven children. Thomas Cherian completed his primary education and graduated with a degree in History from the University of Kerala in 1987. Then, with the permission of his family member and parish Metropolitan, Kuriakose Mar Koorilos Thirumeni, he studied the Syriac language and sacraments at Malekurish Dayara and subsequently at Mulanthuruthy Vettikkal Seminary. On November 2, 1988, he was ordained as a deacon (Kooroyo) at his home parish of Mepral St. John Jacobite Church by His Eminence Kuriakose Mar Koorilos, Metropolitan of Kollam-Niranam-Thumbaman bhadrasanam.

Thomas Cherian, who excelled in his studies, joined the Bishops' College, Calcutta, in 1991 and began his graduate studies in theology. In 1994, he obtained his Bachelor of Divinity degree. On February 2, 1994, at the Moovatupuzha Catholicate Aramana Chapel, he was ordained a full deacon (M’Shamshono) by His Eminence Metropolitan Zachariah Mor Nicholovos, Metropolitan of the American Archdiocese and a family member.

On July 20, 1994, at St. Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Church, Erumely, he received the sacrament of Holy Orders and was ordained a priest (Kaseeso) by His Eminence Kuriakose Mar Koorilos Thirumeni.

He served as a vicar at many churches, including Mor Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Church, Ayroor; St. Peter's Cathedral, Thiruvananthapuram; St. Stephen's Syrian Orthodox Church, Abu Dhabi; St. George Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Simhasana Church, Al Ain, U.A.E.; and several other churches in the Niranam Bhadrasanam, including Kavumbhagam, Chennithallai, Mepral, Anjilithanam, Kunnanthanam, Puramattam, Mazhuvangad, Parangal, and Kallupara.

He also served as the Niranam Bhadrasana Secretary, a member of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Church Managing Committee, a Bhadrasana Council member, and the Director of Bhadrasana Sunday School. He was a source of inspiration and guidance to the Niranam Bhadrasanam during a very difficult period in the history of the church. In recognition of his various services, on March 18, 2023, H.G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos Metropolitan, the head of the Niranam Bhadhrasanam, elevated him to the rank of Corepiscopa at St. George's Cathedral, Kavumbhagom. He was revered as a priest who cherished the beautiful traditional style of worship and for his steadfast conviction to the Jacobite Syrian Church. He passed away on December 21, 2023.

Rev. Fr. Thomas Kuruvilla Poothicote was born in Kerala, India, on January 4, 1990, to Mr. Kuruvilla Mathew (Kizhakkeveetil Pathinettil) and Mony Kuruvilla. During his seminary years at the M.S.O.T. Seminary (2010-2015), Fr. Thomas's eloquence and intellectual prowess earned him the Best Orator Award, securing first prize for his exceptional public speaking abilities. This early recognition foreshadowed his future as an influential voice within the Syriac Orthodox Church. Fr. Thomas Kuruvilla Poothicote holds a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Serampore College and a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University.

He was ordained as Quroyo (Reader) in 2007 at St. Mary's Soonoro Church, Ernakulam, Kerala, by the late H.G. Mor Julius Kuriakose Metropolitan. He was then ordained as Eupadiyakno (Sub-Deacon) in 2009 at the historic Dayro d-Mor Hananyo (Deir al-Za‘faran Monastery) in Mardin, Turkey, by H.G. Mor Philoxenos Sleeba Metropolitan. This ordination holds historical significance as Fr. Thomas is the only known clergy from India in recent centuries to be ordained as a Deacon at this ancient monastery, a revered and traditional institution under the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate, known for housing the tombs of many saints. He was subsequently ordained as Shamshono (Deacon) in 2016 at St. Ignatius Dayro, Manjinikkara, by H.G. Mor Athanasius Geevarghese Metropolitan, and as Kashisho (Priest) later in 2016 at St. Mary's Soonoro Church, Ernakulam, Kerala, also by H.G. Mor Athanasius Geevarghese Metropolitan.

He possesses diverse experience in religious leadership and community service. He served as President of St. George Syriac Orthodox Church in Seattle, WA (Dec 2022 - Nov 2023), and as Vice President of the Syriac Orthodox Malankara Archdiocesan Men's Fellowship in New Jersey (Jun 2023 - Present). He has also held administrative roles, including Administrator of Poornodaya Vidyanikethan in Kerala, India (2015 - 2022), and Student Parent Counselor at an educational institution in Kerala, India (2016 - 2022). Earlier experience includes service as a Deacon (2007 - 2016), Secretary to Bishop Julius Kuriakose (2008 - 2011), and involvement with the Jacobite Students Movement (2016 - 2022) and Oriental Youth (2010 - 2021). Currently, he serves as the Vicar for St. Jacob's Syriac Orthodox Church in Edmonton, Canada (Dec 2023 - Present). He is also the President of the Edmonton Ecumenical Fellowship (2025 - 2027)—a platform fostering interdenominational Christian unity—and President of Hymonutho—a significant platform dedicated to Syriac Orthodox teachings, focusing on educating and preserving the faith’s traditions.

 Born in Kerala on September 24, 1989, to Sherry and Sujamol Poothicote, Shawn (Achen) emigrated to Chicago as a child. The oldest of three boys, he served in the Holy Altar from age 9, blessed by H.G. Zachariah Mor Nicholovos.  He earned a BS in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2011) and then spent two years in research.  He then attended St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, earning an MDiv cum laude (2016) with a thesis on monasticism and inter-church dialogue, and an MTh (2017) with a thesis on St. Basil and the Meletian Schism.  During his MTh studies, he was ordained sub-deacon (Afudyaqno) in 2016.  In 2017, he studied liturgics at Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam.  He married Lijin Hannah Raju (daughter of V. Rev. Raju Daniel and Saramma Raju) in 2018. Lijin, originally from Kerala, emigrated to Dallas at age 8, and is also a St. Vladimir's graduate (MA Theology, 2015) and holds an MSW (University of Texas at Arlington, 2017), currently directing homeless shelters.  Achen was ordained a full deacon (M’Shamshono) in 2018 and a priest (Kaseeso) with the name Thomas in 2019 at St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Elmhurst, IL, by H.G. Zachariah Mor Nicholovos.  He served as assistant vicar at St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Yonkers, NY, and as of January 1, 2023, is assistant vicar at St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Detroit, MI, under Rev. Fr. Philip Jacob.