Publish Date
Rev.Fr.Sabu Thomas Chorattil, a senior priest of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America is being elevated to the rank of Corepiscopos in recognition of his dedicated services to the Holy Church, on Saturday, October 13, 2012 by His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar. The Holy Service for the elevation will be during the celebration of Holy Eucharist by His Eminence, beginning at 8.30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church, 10034 Laurel Avenue, Whittier, California where Rev. Fr.Sabu Thomas has been serving as Vicar for the past 19 years. His Eminence Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan, Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar of the Syrian Orthodox Church for Western USA, Rev. Priests, Deacons and faithful of the Syrian Orthodox Church and many other dignitaries are expected at this blessed event.
Fr. Sabu Thomas was born to Mr. K. K. Thomas, a well decorated teacher by the State of Kerala and Mrs. Mariamma Thomas of Chorattil family that belongs to St. Thomas Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Thiruvanchoor of Kottayam Diocese. As a young boy, Sabu kept worship and church affairs closer to his heart and he was called to serve as Altar Assistant in his parish by Late Lamented Metropolitan Mor Clemis Abraham at the age of 8. At the age of 17 he was ordained as deacon (Quroyo) by Late Lamented Dr. Geevarghese Mor Greegorios (Perumpally Thirumeni), ‘the never ceasing harp of Malankara’. While proceeding in his Seminary studies Rev. Dn. Sabu attained degree in Sociology and later Masters in Malayalam Literature from the University of Kerala. Following this, Perumpally Thirumeni ordained him as full Deacon. In 1986, at the age of 22, Dn. Sabu Thomas married to Achamma (Kochumol) Alackalparampil and God blessed the couple with two children, Eldo and Alby. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in 1986 by H. G. Perumpally Thirumeni. Rev. Fr. Sabu Thomas served in many Syrian Orthodox parishes of Kottayam Diocese such as St. Mary’s, East Pampady; St.Mary’s Dayroyo Church, Thrukkothamangalam; St. Mary’s, Neelimangalam; St. Aphrem, Vadavathoor and St. Joseph Cathedral of Kottayam.
In 1993, Late Lamented Mor Athanasius Yeshue Samuel, the first Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar of the American Archdiocese brought Rev. Fr. Sabu Thomas to U.S. and appointed him as Vicar of St. Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church, Los Angeles, California. Fr. Thomas remembers that only God’s providence enabled him to witness great blessings in that parish during his tenure. He calls those events as milestones of his priestly life such as consecration of the holy Altar by Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zaka I Iwas, the Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church; presence of His Beatitude Mor Baselios Thomas I, Catholicose of India and His Eminence Archbishop Mor Titus Yeldho at the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the parish and the consecration and rededication of the beautifully renovated Los Angeles Church building by the Archbishop Mor Titus Yeldho recently.
Rev. Fr. Sabu Thomas has been instrumental in organizing and nurturing several Malankara parishes under the Malankara Archdiocese in the West Coast and neighboring States of U.S.A. such as St. Peter’s Church, Phoenix, Arizona; St. George Church, Seattle, Washington State; St. Mary’s, Church, San Francisco and St. Ignatius Church, San Diego, California etc.
Fr. Thomas was part of many spiritual organizations and publications while in India. He served our church in Malankara in various capacities such as the Vice President of Malankara Jacobite Youth Association and Chief Editor of ‘Syrian Sandesham’ etc. for many years. Father Thomas served as Chairman of Kerala Christian Fellowship of Southern California and now is a Council Member of the Oriental Orthodox Churches for the past five years. Achen’s presence and leadership among the Malayalee Community in and around California is very visible and dearly effective.
All those who know Rev. Fr. Sabu Thomas Chorattil will vouch that this respected shepherd deserves the upcoming honor as Corepiscopos , the highest rank that is conferred upon a married priest in the Syrian Orthodox Church.
The Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America praise God for His dedicated servant. On behalf of the American Archdiocese, congratulations ! dear Sabu Achen.
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