 Rev. Fr. Sujit Thomas (2012 Onwards)Date of Ordination : April 2012 Our dear Achan (it's the 'Malayalam language' word for "Priest") was born in Kerala, India and lived in a small village called 'Ezhamkullam'. At the age of 10, he migrated to the United States of America. After living in Carmel NY for a brief period, Achan and his family moved to Queens NY and that's where he did his middle school and high school (Bronx High School of Science). Achan's family since then, became members of St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Long Island NY. Achan graduated in Computer Engineering in the year 2002 from Columbia University and after his graduation started working as a Computer Programmer for an investment bank in New York. At Columbia University, itself, Achan was very active and highly involved with the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF). Year 2004 - 2009 Achan since then knew, his life was planned for even much higher reason, to serve God our Lord. Hence, In the year 2004, he went back to India and joined the 'Orthodox Theological Seminary' in a town called 'Kottayam' in the state of 'Kerala'. As part of the seminary training, Achan spent 2007 to 2008 in various mission centers as part of the Practical Training in Ministerial Sites. In March of 2008, His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas ordained Achan as a "Sub-Deacon" ("Yawpodhiyakono") in the presence of H.G. Zachariah Mar Nicholovos. Achan graduated from the Kottayam Seminary in the year 2009 and then returned back to New York. Year 2010 - 2011 In the year 2010, Achan, for his higher education, enrolled in the Union Theological Seminary in New York. Year 2011 Graduated in 2011 with Masters in Sacred Theology (S.T.M) from Union Theological Seminary. In July of 2011, Got married to Deepa Ninan (member of St. John's Orthodox Church, Upper Darby). In Dec of 2011, Was ordained as Deacon ("Semassan") along with Rev. Fr. Vijay Thomas. Year 2012 In April of 2012, Was ordained as "Priest" ( "Kaseeso") by the hands of H.G. Zachariah Mar Nicholovos. In August of 2012, he was appointed as the Vicar of St. Paul's Indian Orthodox Church in Albany NY. Achan is also presently enrolled in the Th.M (Master of Theology) program at St. Vladimir's Theological Seminary, Crestwood NY. At St. Vladimir's, he hopes to examine the ecological vision of H.G. Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios of Blessed Memory. Academic Background : Bachelors Degree in Computer Engineering Bachelor of Divinity Masters in Sacred Theology (S.T.M) Currently pursuing Masters in Theology (Th.M.) Other Positions/ Responsibilities Achan is being serving and/or has served in the past: FOCUS* Director at Northeast American Diocese Financial Aid Counselor at Kingsborough Community College Technical Associate at Credit Suisse Hardware Intern at Symbol Technologies FOCUS* is the "Young Adult Ministry" of the North East American Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Hobbies/Pastimes: Achan enjoys reading. His favorite books include Gandhi's autobiography (My experiments with truth) and Orthodox Way by Bishop Kallistos Ware. Contact: 256-10 East Williston Avenue Home - (718) 347-2416 Email - stthomas8@yahoo.com Achan can be reached online via: Twitter profile : https://twitter.com/ThomasSujit Google+ profile : https://plus.google.com/107618310299436178090/ Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/sujit.thomas.3?ref=ts&fref=ts LinkedIn profile : http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sujit-thomas/53/289/826 |
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