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| OCTOBER 2023 | HOMAGE |
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FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF VERY REV. K. MATHAI COR-EPISCOPA
(July 3, 1942 - October 12, 2023)
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\n§Ä acn¨p \n§fpsS Poh³ {InkvXphnt\mSp IqsS ssZh¯nð adªncn¡póp. (sImsemÊyÀ 3:3)
It is now one year since the V. Rev. K. Mathai Cor-Episcopa (Our beloved Mathai Achen) left us for heavenly abode.
Mathai Achen had departed from us in Philadelphia and entered his eternal life in Christ on October 12, 2023. Funeral service for Mathai Achen was held at St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church in Bensalem, PA. which was led by H. H. Basalios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of Malankara Orthodox Church and assisted by the Northeast American Diocese Metropolitan H.G. Zachariah Mar Nicolovos.
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Our beloved Very Reverend K. Mathai Cor-Episcopa departed us for heavenly abode in the evening of Thursday 12th October 2023. Mathai Achen who was earnestly active during his entire life span, rendered his priestly spiritual service till the previous day of his demise. Achen was 81 years old.
Dearly loved Cor-Episcopa Mathai Achen was a pertinent example and epitome for humility and simplicity of a Christian priest. The lowly spirit of humility of Achen was the reflexion of seeing himself standing not before mass of people but before God. That is why the Scriptures inseparably bind humility and the fear of God together. “The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor” ( Prov. 15:33 ). Mathai Achen desired to exemplify his self as an Acharyan than as a priest or vicar. Achen preserved this insight not only during his conscious state but also during his dreams as referred in his own sermons.
Very Reverend Kaleeckal Mathai Cor-Episcopa was a very esteemed and distinguished name among the Orthodox priests of undivided American diocese. History of our Parish, starting with the establishment of the first Orthodox parish in Philadelphia, St. Thomas Orthodox Church, which later became St. Gregorios Church, Philadelphia and priestly history of Mathai Achen are closely interlinked. He served our Parish for majority of his 48 years of priestly service. He was the founder vicar of our church and was the only vicar from its inception to the year 2011, until he went on a break to serve native state of Kerala. Further he returned after a short while and served as Senior shepherd of the Parish which he had nurtured during the majority of his life.
Mathai Achen was born on July 3, 1942 as second son to Ninan Daniel and Rachel Daniel of Kollanteth family in Prakanam, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala. During his childhood, he was fondly called, Kochu Mathai. From his childhood Kochu Mathai fervently desired to lead a ministerial life in service of the Lord. Very Rev. Mathews Ramban of Attachakkal was a great influence for young Mathai for his desire for the ecclesiastical ministry.
As a first step to accomplish his desire to become a priest, young Mathai joined the ‘Servants of Cross’, in the year 1961, as a Missionary worker [Sleeba-Dasan]. H.G. Pathros Mar Osthathios Metropolitan who had been an Apostle of Dalits in Malankara was the pioneer organizer of the Servants of Cross. While serving for the Servants of Cross, Sleeba-Dasan Mathai joined Bishop Moor College, Mavelikara for his higher education. Further, he continued his college education at Catholicate College Pathanamthitta and graduated as Bachelor of Arts [B.A.] majoring in Economics from Kerala University. His theological studies were done in Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam where from he earned GST diploma and a Bachelor of Divinity [B.D.] from the affiliated Serampore University.
His Grace Mathews Mar Athanasios Metropolitan (later, His Holiness Basalios Mar Thoma Mathews I) had ordained Sleeba-Dasan Mathai as a Sub-Deacon and later he got ordained as a Full-Deacon by H.G. Daniel Mar Philexenos Metropolitan. On April 28, 1975, Dn. Mathai was ordained as a priest by H.H. Basalios Mar Thoma Mathews I. In the same year, Fr. Mathai and family migrated to USA. He served first as a priest in USA in St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Yonkers in New York. In 1976 he moved to Philadelphia. H.G. Thomas Mar Makarios Metropolitan had appointed Fr. Mathai, in 1976, as the Vicar of St. Thomas Orthodox Church, which later, in 1984, was renamed as St. Gregorios Church.
Mathai Achen conducted worship services in various rented places in the Philadelphia suburbs, for many years since 1995. After the St. Gregorios Parish purchased its own church building located at Torresdale Ave., Philadelphia, Mathai Achen conducted priestly service at this Church for thirteen years. This was the first Church owned by the St. Gregorios Parish.
His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas Metropolitan of Blessed Memory, the former diocesan Metropolitan of American Diocese, had elevated Rev. Fr. K. Mathai to the title of Cor-Episcopa on June 22, 1996. Cor-Episcopa is the highest position for a married priest in Indian Orthodox Church.
By the year 2000, Very Rev. Mathai Cor-Episcopa Achen had completed 25 years as an Orthodox priest. His beloved parish members celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his Priestly Ordination as a memorable one. A Souvenir titled, Smaranika, was published as a token of their allegiance to their spiritual leader.
With thirty years service of Mathai Achen the St. Gregorios Parish had grown multifold and Families had increased substantially. So Achen earnestly desired for a bigger Church building. By the grace of God, eventually his prayers were answered and the long cherished dream had come true. The Bensalem propety was purchased in 2005. An architectural work out was conceived for the construction of a beautiful Church building.
A ceremonial ground breaking ceremony on the property was conducted by Mathai Achen by turning the first sod in the presence of parish members in May, 2007. This is a traditional ceremony in Kerala culture.
Subsequently the Corner Stone of the building was blessed by Barnabas Thirumeni and laid with solemn devotion, symbolizing the significance in the construction of the building.
It was the great dream of Mathai Achen and the members of St. Gregorios Church to build a beautiful church blended with Oriental Orthodox tradition. The dream had come true after 32 years of waiting. The new Church building was consecrated in May 2009, by H. H. Basalios Marthoma Paulose II, the then Catholicose of Malankara Orthodox Church. Mathai Achen exemplified this event as “Nothing is impossible with God” [St. Luke 1:37]
H. G. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios Metropolitan handed over the Sacred Relics of St. Gregorios of Parumala to Mathai Achen at Parumala Seminary Kerala, India. Achen received the relics with due piety and utmost humility and transported same to USA as a great treasure.
A delegation of members of St. Gregorios Church received the Relics with prayers, and devotion, at the JFK International Airport, New York. After prayer service, the relics were installed by Mathai Achen, down below the right Thronose (Altar) dedicated to St. Gregorios of Parumala, the patron saint of the Church.
St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia, celebrated the 40th sacerdotal Ordination anniversary of their beloved Vicar and spiritual leader, Very Rev. K. Mathai Cor-Episcopa on the Christmas day of 2015, with befitting solemnity. The ceremonial congregational meeting was convened in the Church sanctuary after the Nativity Service. The auspicious celebration was presided over by H.G. Zacharias Mar Nicholovos, Diocesan Metropolitan of North East American Diocese. In recognition of his esteemed services a Plaque and a Shawl was presented to Mathai Achen by Nicholovos Thirumeni as a token of affection of the parishioners towards their beloved Mathai Achen. In his reply, humiliating himself before God, said that whatever achieved by him in his life is not by his merits but only by the grace of God.
Achen was married to Mariamma and are blessed with twin daughters, Sheeba and Sheena, and a son, Justin. Achen had worked as a Pennsylvania State Auditor, and he retired from service in 2007. Samuel P. Daniel (Samuelkutty), a member of our Parish, is yonger brother of Mathai Achen.
Mathai Achen also served as the secretary of Clergy Association of the Diocese, Chairman of the Ecumenical Fellowship of Indian Churches in Philadelphia, Chairman of the Malankara Orthodox Christian Fellowship (MOCF), etc. Fervency of Mathai Achen in strict observance of sacraments and his concern for charity mission work, were exemplary. Cor-Episcopa Achen was a truly faithful witness upholding the spiritual tenets of the training he received while working with the Servants of Cross. Along with it, his strong faith, devotion, and deep humility, together caused to instill in our Parish, a high standard of spiritual fellowship as followed by the disciples and early followers of Jesus Christ.
Mathai Achen was deeply associated with publication of the Christian Magazine, Light of Life (LOL) from its inception. He had published a great number of articles in the Magazine both in English and in Malayalam, for many years. We bow our heads before his memory. We, at LOL, as a family, and me, specifically as a close and deep friend of Achen for many years, express our deep sorrow and record our sincere condolence at the demise of our beloved Mathai Achen.
An autobiographical work of Very Rev. K Mathai Cor-Episcopa, with title "A JOURNEY BACK TO THE BEGINNING" was under last stage of preparation, and was sent to the press for printing. Unfortunately, Mathai Achen could not see a printed copy of this book during his earthly life. A long-time friend, associate, and collaborator of Mathai Achen, and an esteemed Senior Sunday School leader of American diocese, in general, and St. Gregorios Church, Philadelphia in particular, from 1976, Mr. Korah T. Mani was the editor, and publishing director of the book on behalf of Mathai Achen. We take this opportunity to congratulate and appreciate the great service of Korah Mani Sir for this cause. The book was released at the special 40th day memorial service of Mathai Achen’s demise on November 21, 2023.
Dr. Rajan Mathew  |
