Our founding spiritual father.
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 NBCTelevision 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.
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:
-
Our Church
-
Vaideek Mithram / Priest's Companion
-
Catholica Simhasana Sabha Charithra Samagram
-
Moksha Yathra Adhava Marana Veettil
-
Vishudha Shurusha Sahayi
-
Kalam Cheytha Bava Thirumeni
-
Pathriyarkka Simhasanam, Catholica Simhasanam Ottanottathil
-
Vazhithiruvile Velluvilikal
-
Hasha Geethangal
-
Padana Mithram
-
Biography of Marthoma Mathews I
-
Daily Prayers and Bible Recitations
-
Vishudha Veda Vayana Kurippu
-
Sleeba Kyamptha Morning Prayers
-
Holy Qurbana Thaksa-English and Malayalam
-
Christian Hymns
The Very Rev. Thomas P. Mundukuzhy Cor-Episcopa had gone for his heavenly abode on April 1, 2007 in New York at an age of 75. Achen was
married to Achamma, a former High School Mathematics teacher and had
four children, three sons : Vinu Thomas, Anil Thomas (Bindhu), Mohan Thomas(Aimee) and daughter Annie Mathew (Robin), all well settled in the United
States. We're glad to have his family as part of our church to this day.
Please keep praying for Achen and his family, he left behind, on earth. If you
wish to share any experiences you had with Achen, eulogies, condolences or if
you would like to convey any message to his family, please send them to
webmaster@stpaulsalbany.com
Achans tomb address
1.Take I-90 E toward Albany/Boston
2.Take exit 6A to merge onto I-787 N toward Troy
3.Take exit 7W to merge onto NY-378 W toward Watervliet
4.Take the NY-32 ramp to Menands/Watervlie
5.Turn right at Broadway/NY-32 N
6.Take the 1st left onto Cemetery Ave
Albany Rural Cemetery
48 Cemetery Avenue, Menands, NY 12204 - (518) 463-7017
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Posted By Mrs. Ruth John Singapore
It is with deep sorrow that I came to know that Most Rev Fr Thomas P
Mundukuzhy's sudden demise.When I talked to him in Newyork two years ago, I
was impressed by his kindness,deep knowledge about our orthodox faith.I am a
regular reader of his Bible Studies which I will now miss.
Please accept sincere condolences of all members of St Mary's League
Singapore.
Ruth John
Secretary St Mary's League
St Thomas Orthodox Syrian Cathedral Singapore.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Mundukuzhy achen's body entombed in Albany
The night is falling here in Albany. Today Mundukuzhy achen has been
buried in the soil of Albany, NY. A life of dedication for the Holy
Church, that began 74 years ago, ended its sojourn in this world last
Friday, the 30th day of March 2007. An extraordinary weekend has
heralded the Holy Week for us this year. As the day disappears
into the night, and as the events of the day pass by me, and my eyes
turn moist as has been the pattern several times during the day
today, a sweet realization dawns on me which fills me with pride and
hope.
This day Mundukuzhy achen has become one with the land of Albany.
Albany is now the resting place of a Chor Episcopos of the Holy Church of God,
where his body takes rest, till the day when the "Lord
himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the
voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead
in Christ will rise first."(1 Thes 4:16). Till that day, Mundukuzhy
achen's body will remain united with the land of Albany.
Achen will be the beacon of hope for Albany. Like a guardian angel,
he will rise above the land and protect it from all dangers and all
tricks of the devil. This day, Albany has received a great blessing.
It is my conviction that the parish here will grow and bear many
fruits helped by the prayers of this achen who is entombed in Albany.
Many generations to come and live in Albany will be blessed and
inspired because of this one life. Even the people of Syracuse, where
achen lived for 30 years, did not have the good fortune we in Albany
now have. May glory be to God Almighty.
Since the time I came to Albany, I have noticed that Albany faces
some very peculiar and unique challenges in the growth of faith.
Hence it is perhaps divine design that a spiritual father of such
strong conviction of the faith in the Lord and His Holy Church, be
entombed in this place to offer prayers for the land and the people
here, so that we may not be lost. I can say with conviction that with
such a strong fortress of prayer for us now installed in Albany till
the end of time, we are going to be ok.
As we ask Mundukuzhy achen to continue prayers for us, we must
remember also Barnabas Thirumeni's words of today "Pray for him, so
that he can pray even better!" Go in peace, O faithful shepherd.
Regards,
Mathew Samuel,
Albany, NY
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, April 2 , 2007
It has been over 3 weeks since I read any of the ICON postings. It
came a as shock to me to hear about Mundukuzhy Achen's passing away
when our Achen conveyed us the news. My deepest and heartfelt
condolence to Kochamma and Achen's family memebers and his parish
memebers. Mundukuzhy Achen was a constant presence in the ICON family
and it is hard to believe he is no more. I am sure he is with the Lord
and praying for ICON, us and the church. May his soul rest in peace.
Sincerely
Raji Johnson
Austin
Texas
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, April 2, 2007
It is hard to believe the news that Very Rev. Thomas Mundukuzhy had
passed away.
We are extending our hearty condolences to the bereaved family of
Mundukuzhy Achan and to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
I never met him personally. Our relationship was through only the
electronic mail exchange. We do differ in many subjects, but Achan
kept his communications in the language of mutual Respect and
Christian Love.
I lost a true friend, elder brother & a good advisor.
May his soul rest in peace.
Thomas Daniel (Reji) & Family
Cheppaud
