The Very Rev. Thomas P. Mundukuzhy had gone for his heavenly abode on April 1, 2007 in New York at an age of 75. Fr. Mundukuzhy was very much a part of Light of Life Magazine by his continued writing 'Synopsis for Sermon and Meditation', which is a very dearly read series of the LOL Magazine for last five years. Dear Mundukuzhy Achen was very famous for his numbered sequences in all his writings which reflected his orderly, punctual and matured thinking and presentation.

Very Rev. Thomas P. Mundukuzhy was a priest of status as a Cor Episcopa, the highest position for a married priest in Indian Orthodox Church. He was the Sunday School Director of American Diocese since 1980, for many years till he relinquished the position due to ill-health.

Graduated from St. Berchman's College, Changanacherry, Fr. Thomas had his theological training at Orthodox Theological College, Kottayam [Graduate in Sacred Theology] and Serampore University, Calcutta [external student for Bachelor of Divinity]. Also he received a vast training under His Grace Mathews Mar Athanasius, Metropolitan of the Diocese Outside Kerala and principal of Theological College, Kottayam [later His Holiness Catholicos Mar Thoma Mathews I] as Student, Personal Secretary and Secretary of the Office of the Diocese Outside Kerala and its Sunday School Director [current Dioceses of Bombay, Calcutta, New Delhi, Madras, America and Canada & the United Kingdom] for a dozen years.

Fr. Thomas was ordained as deacon in 1955 by the late His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese Catholicos. Ordained to the priesthood in 1966, and after serving few parishes in Kerala before travelling extensively all over India, joined Syracuse University [New York] in 1967 and earned his Master's degree in Communications [Journalism]. As one of the early settlers from Kerala in the U.S. and one of the pioneers of the American Diocese, Achen travelled most parts of America and Canada; also vicar of St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Syracuse [1967-till his expiry], St. Gregorios, Toronto (1970-'90), St. Gregorios, Kingston (1983), St. Mary's, Brooklyn (1991), and St. Paul's Congregation, Albany (1995).

Achen was elevated to Cor-Episcopa in 1981. His many articles on several topics were Published in the widely circulating daily news papers in Kerala, like Malayala Manorama, Kerala Bhooshanam, Mathru Bhoomi and in Magazines like Malankara Sabha, Orthodox Youth, Church Weekly, etc.,. Achen is also an author and publisher of a good number of Church publications (See the list below). He was also a Broadcasting Editor for several years. Along with his several community services, the MATCH MAKING COUNSELLING for the wide community all over to help find a suitable match, a much needed service of our time and circumstances, is greatly appreciated in many circles.

Achen is married to Achamma, a former High School Mathematics teacher and has four children, three boys and a girl. ... all well settled in the United States.

Very Rev. Mundukuzhy was a writer and a publisher, had many works to his credit spread over many discipline of History, Doctrine, Dogmas, Faith etc. His publications include:

1. Our Church

2. Vaideek Mithram / Priest's Companion

3. Catholica Simhasana Sabha Charithra Samagram

4. Moksha Yathra Adhava Marana Veettil

5. Vishudha Shurusha Sahayi

6. Kalam Cheytha Bava Thirumeni

7. Pathriyarkka Simhasanam, Catholica Simhasanam Ottanottathil

8. Vazhithiruvile Velluvilikal

9. Hasha Geethangal

10. Padana Mithram

11. Biography of Marthoma Mathews I

12. Daily Prayers and Bible Recitations

13. Vishudha Veda Vayana Kurippu

14. Sleeba Kyamptha Morning Prayers

15. Holy Qurbana Thaksa-English and Malayalam

16. Christian Hymns

This page is being published as a tribute to our beloved author Mundukuzhy Achen and as a family member of LOL, the entire family of LOL and personally me pay our respectful tribute to dear Achen. In memory and respect of Achen we are republishing his Article on Sunday School in this issue.