April 2007

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

Greetings to you in the precious name our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

On the vigil of Easter we get a little look ahead at the meeting of “Mary Magdalene & the other Mary” with the risen Jesus.  The two women have just had the surprise of their lives,  what with finding the tomb vacated and meeting their “an  angel of the Lord.”

Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!”  And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. (St. Mathew 28:9)

Following their initial exposure to the signs of Jesus’ resurrection, the first thing the two disciples do is go back to their homes.  They do not rush off to gather with the other disciples.  Each disciple does the very first sharing about what has happened with his family.

Let us take this as an encouragement to do likewise.  Well might we share in our homes what we believe about the resurrection, what we don’t yet understand about the scripture or what rising from the dead might mean.  For Easter this year,  let us talk with one another about our faith in the Risen Lord. 

Time has come for us to part as we are at the last cap of our journey in New York.  We remember humbly with gratitude the people and events that influenced and touched us. 

I thank all the office-bearers, the committee members of my tenure, who worked together, shoulder to shoulder from the Holy Altar to the different walks of life.  Credit goes to you for what we are as a parish today. 

As a mother cuddles a child to her bosom, the parish has cuddled us with love and affection and made us feel part of your family. Individually and collectively you opened up and gave us the privilege to listen and be a part in your pain and struggle. 

We seek pardon from all, if we have hurt you knowingly or unknowingly.  We unlearned and learned much from your experience.  We boast not of our immaturity, yet we are sure that we have moved a step ahead in our maturity.  As we charter our course for the continuing journey in the Lord’s ministry, may we humbly ask for your continued support and prayers. 

Susan, Vishakhmon, and Vrindhamol join me in wishing you all a Life-Giving Easter.  We are pained to leave, yet we leave with ever fond memories in minds and hearts, the warmth of your concern and the touch of your sincerity and fellowship.  Allow us to part, Goodbye.  God bless you. Fare you well.

Let us always be happy with the Lord

             I wish all of you a life giving Easter!

Yours in Christ’s Love,

Jojan Achen

Rev. Jojan Mathews John (Vicar)

We are blessed to be under the pastoral guidance and leadership of Rev. Jojan Mathew John as Vicar of St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church NY. Achen's mother parish in India is Kuttapuzha Varicadu Sehion Mar Thoma Church located inThiruvalla. Achen attended college at Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla; completed his M. Phil. from Bombay and received a Bachelors in Divinity from Mar Thoma Theological Seminary, Kottayam.

Rev. Jojan M. John was ordained as a priest in the Mar Thoma Church on July 6, 1994 and has served as Vicar previously at Trivandram Quillon Diocese (Kovilloor , Mezhacodu, Melpalai and Kuttamala[Kulasekharam Center] ) for five years and Mar Thoma Church Thane, Mumbai for five years.

Jojan Achen was the convener for Land for Landless project and council member of the Trivadram Quilon Diocese. He served also as the president of the 35th Western India Youth Conference in 2001, Mumbai. In his many roles Achen has served very well as an administrator, organizer, and is also a talented singer.

Achen's wife is Mrs. Susan Mathews John BSc, BEd, and children, Vishakh John Mathews, age 5, and Vrindha Chinnu Mathews, age 2. Achen's father, Rev. V. K. John, is a senior priest of the Mar Thoma Church.

Jojan Achen's Address in India is:

Varikkamakkal House

Chumathra P.O.

Kuttapuzha, Thiruvalla 689103

Phone: 0469-2601424

email Jojan Achen at
revjmj@yahoo.co.in 

Vicars of the Past Quarter Century
(including Vicars of the Mar Thoma Congregation of Greater New York)

Mar Thoma Congregation of Greater New York

Rev. Oommen Koruthu

(Student Achen later elevated as 
Bishop Zacharias Mar Theophilus)

May 1975 — Aug. 1975

Rev. K. S. Mathew 

(Student Achen)

Sept. 1975 – Sept. 1977

Rev. Thomas P. George  

(Student Achen)

Sept. 1977 – Aug. 1979

(Late) Rev. M. V. Benjamin  

Sept. 1979 – May 1981

St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, New York

(Late) Rev. M. V. Benjamin

Co-Chairman Ad-hoc Committee Church in formation   

Oct. 1980 - Jan. 1981

Vicar                                     

 Jan. 1981 - May 1981

(Late) Rev. K. J. Philip

Co-Chairman  Ad-hoc Committee Church in formation

 Oct. 1980 - Jan. 1981

Associate Vicar                    

Jan. 1981 - Aug. 1981

Rev. N. M. Cherian

Vicar of all Mar  Thoma Congregations in New York

May 1981 - June 1983

Rev. Dr. T. Jacob Thomas    

(Student Achen)

Assistant Vicar

July 1981 - May 1983

Vicar   

June 1983 - Mar. 1985

Rev. George Varghese

Mar. 1985 - April 1989

Rev. Johnson Varghese      

June 1989 - May 1992

Rev. Dr. T. P. Abraham  

June 1992 - May 1995

Rev. P. M.  Thomas

May 1995 - April 1999

Rev. K. Y. Jacob         

May 1999 - June 1999

Rev. Thomas P. Chandy   

June 1999 – May 2002

Rev. Dr. K. A. Abraham     

May 2002 - August 2004

Rev. Jojan Mathews John

May 2004 - Present