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Rev. Fr. Abraham Joseph MA, BD, B Ed.
(Aug 2001 to June 2004)
A Member of St. George Orthodox Church, Cheppad, become a Deacon in 1983 and called in to Priesthood in 1987. Achen is married to Mrs. Sheela Abraham and blessed with three children. He was the Personal Secretary to H G Dr. Philippose Mar Theophilose from 1984 to ’87. Served as principal of schools and director of Philippose Mar Theophilose Technical institute, Bombay. Achen was the Diocesan Secretary from 1995 to ‘ 99. Served as the governing board member of :-
1. Church Auxiliary for Social Action ( Western Region )
2. St. Thomas orthodox Theological Seminary, Nagpur
3. Member, Executive committee, Maharashtra Council of Churches
Served as Vicar of St. George Indian Orthodox Church, Borivilli, St. Thomas IOC Vasai, St. Gregorios IOC, Dehu Road, St. Thomas IOC Malad, St. Thomas Aramana Chappel Vasai & St. Peters & St. Pauls IOC Roha before taking over as vicar St. Mary’s Indian Orthodox Cathedral, Bahrain.
Achen’s tenure was blessed with the re construction activities of our church building. Achen steered the Building Executive Committee through much turbulence and built the church from foundation to the consecration. His able and effective guidance helped to move into what the parishioners proudly come together for their spiritual uplifting and prayers.
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Rev. Fr. N. S. Varghese B Sc, B Ed, MA, GST, BD, B Ed, DHT
( Aug 98 to Jul 2001)
Member of the St. Mary’s Church Mulakkuzha and was called in to priesthood in 1983. Achen served as the Principal of various schools under Bombay Diocese and as vicar of Nazik, Baroda, Thane, Devlali, Santacruz and Muland churches before joining Bahrain parish. Achen is married to Mrs. Geetha Varghese and have two children.
During his tenure, His Majesty The King of Bahrain, Sh. Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa gifted the piece of land and gave permission for the reconstruction of the church building and was actively involved in the design and fund collection of the new church building. Ever since, Achen took over as the vicar of our church the spiritual organizations reached higher dimensions. Achen started Holy Qurbana on Wednesdays as well as celebrated the Holy Qurbana in English on a regular basis.
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Rev. Fr. Mathew Abraham Kandathil
( Aug 95 to Jul 98)
Hails from Kandathil Puthenpurayil family of Koothattukulam and is the 39th priest in the family. Member of St. Stephen’s church, Koothattukulam, son of Very Rev. Abraham Kandathil Puthenpurayil Corepiscopa.Achen was called into priesthood in 1981. Served in Thane, Muland and Malad before taking over as vicar St. Mary’s church, Bahrain. He served in the Sabha Managing committee for two times. Achen initiated the proceedings to expand the church and made an appeal to all members to donate generously for the cause.
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Rev. Fr. Koshy Plammottil M.A, M Ed, M Phil.
(Jun 93 to Jul 95)
Plammoottil Achen hails from Thengamam, Pathanamthitta. The home parish is St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Kadampanad. He was called in to the service of our Lord in 1977.Achen served in the Sabha Managing Committee and was vicar of Mehsana, Brooch, Pratapnagar, Baroda, Kalyan, Malad, Muland, Dombivily and New york churches. Achen Married to Mrs. Mariamma and have won son. Achen served in various schools in the Bombay Diocese. Achen has also served as the Diocesan Secretary and Personal Secretary to Late Lamented H.H. Moron Mar Baselious Marthomma Mathew’s II and H. G. Thomas Mar Themotheous Metropolitan. As vicar of our church, Achen Directed the spiritual organizations to a new dimension.
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Rev Fr. P.J. James BD, GST
( Feb 92 to Jun 93)
Achen hails from Matom, Mavelikkara and his home parish is St. Johns Valiyapally, Pattachira. Achen entered priesthood in 1974. Achen has served in Chunakkara, Kunnam Pune, Kirkku, Aurangabad, Ambarnath, Dombivili, Ulhasnagar, Panavel and Dadar before assuming the vicar of our church in Bahrain. Achen is married to Mrs. Valsamma James and have three children.
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Rev. Fr. C. V. Kuriakose B.A, GSt
( Jan 89 to Feb 92)
Achen is a member of St. Thomas Church, Vakathanam, called in to priesthood in 1972. Served in Njaliyakuzhi, Kuzhimattam, kirkku Pune, and Jamnagar before taking over as Vicar of our church in January 89. Achen’s time in Bahrain was blessed and the parish activities went smoothly during his tenure.
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Rev. Younan Mulamootttil B.A, GST
( Nov 86 to Dec 88)
Ordained as priest on 17th May 1975 by H.G. Thomas Mar Themotheous Metropolitan. Achen s married to Mrs. Annamma and have three children . He served as Sabha Managing Committee member and Vice President of Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam of Bombay Diocese also. Achen was the Vicar of Dadar, Kalina, Vasai Road, Muland, Chembur, Borivly, Thane and Doha Churches.
Younan Achen came to Bahrain on Oct 86. The firm decision to forge ahead with the jubilee celebration of the Parish, bubbled the parish with lots of activities. With the help of the advisory council appointed by the Diocesan Metropolitan, and the Jubilee committee conducted the Jubilee and the money raised was used to construct the Bahrain Hall at Vashi Aramana. During Achen’s time the St. Pauls Suvisesha Sangam was formed and and guided the sangam in gospel services on Saturdays.
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Rev. Fr. Joseph Kalapurayil
( June 84 to Nov 86 )
Ordained as a priest on 16/12/75. Served in BombayDiocese from 1976 to 1989, in Kandanad Diocese from 1990 – 91 and 1997 to 2000, American Diocese from 1991 to 1997 & 2000 to 2003
Joseph Achen came to Bahrain from Chembur Church. During Achens period of service, besides running all the other spiritual organisations of the parish, Bahrain unit of MGOCSM was also started. Its fortnightly meetings, activities etc.. Were very popular and well attended by the students. Achen lived with his family in Bahrain for some time and on completion of his tenure of service was transferred to Malad, Bombay.
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Rev. Fr. A. M. Peter (Sep 81 to May 84)
Achen was a very pleasant personality. His service and sermons are still remembered by the parishioners. Achen was also an ardent believer in the intercession to “Parumala Thirumeni” Sunday School, Youth Movement meetings, Friday evening prayer meetings were regularly and efficiently carried on during his tenure. On completion of service, Achen was transferred to Baroda, where he holds an additional responsibility of Administrator of St. Basil school. Achen has also been elected as a member of the Malankara Sabha Managing Committee.
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Rev. Fr. Joseph Mankidy
( Aug 79 to Aug 81)
Young and active Mankidy Achen carried on efficiently all the activities started by Easo Achen. Sunday School was reorganised inducting more teachers thereby strengthening the quality of teaching. With assistance provided by some enthusiastic members in arranging transport facilities for Sunday School students, more children started attending the Sunday School. Achen was an ardent believer in the intercession to “Parumala Thirumeni” and during his tenure of vicarship, this was a regular feature in the Holy Qurbana service. Achen lived with his family in Bahrain for some time and on completion of his period of service went back to his native place, Piravam.
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Rev. Fr. M. T. Easo, B.A. (Hons.)
(June 76 to Aug 79)
Easo Achen came to Bahrain from Jalahali church, Banglore. The need for an organised Sunday School was immediately felt by Achen and he started working for the same. With the help of some enthusiastic members the Sunday school was started. Achen had also reorganised regular prayer meetings, the Youth movement and the Martha Mariyam Samajam. From Bahrain Achen Was transferred to St. Thomas church, Bassain Road, and St. George Church Boriville, Bombay
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Rev. Fr. C. C. Geevarghese
( ct 72 to June 76 )
Geevarghese Achen was lucky to assume the responsibility for a well organised Parish with a church and vicarage of its own. Achen was a very pleasant person who got along well with all parish members, as well as those who came across with him. As a whole the parish enjoyed a very peaceful and cordial atmosphere during the entire period of his service. From Bahrain Achen transferred to Bombay as the senior vicar in Dadar church. He also held the position of Bombay Diocese.
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Late. Rev. Fr. K. K. Punnoose,
( H.G. Stephanos Mar Theodosious) M.A, B. D., S.T.M.
( Dec 67 to Oct 72)
This was the period of the highest activity in the parish. The Late Amir of Bahrain, Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, very kindly donated a plot of land for the church, in a very convenient place. On 2nd August, 1968 Church General Body took a firm decision to go ahead with the construction of the church and the vicarage at an estimated cost of BD.4000/-. Achen’s suggestion, that all members should donate a minimum of one week salary for this project was accepted by all. Several well wishers also came for our aid. The leadership given by Achen in handling this job deserves special praise. Due to the bold and wise step taken in this matter the parish enjoys the advantage of having a church and vicarage of its own. It also gave incentive to our brethren in other Gulf states to follow the same path. During the construction time Achen acted as the Architect, Engineer, Accountant, labourer and what not!! The parish members were also very co operative, which enabled the construction to be completed as scheduled, and the church was dedicated on 14th February 1969 by H.G. Thomas Mar Themothiose and named St. Mary’s Orthodox Church.
Achens activities were not confined to the four walls of our church alone. He tried his best to have more closer contacts with other Christian denominations in the island. The joint Christmas Carol and New Year function was an example of one of his efforts. From Bahrain Achen was transferred to Bhilai, and while running the more responsible job of Bhilai mission, church and the school, was selected and consecrated as Bishop H. G. Stephanos Mar Theodosius. Thirumeni was the Metropolitan of Calcutta Diocese. Thirumeni was co- celebrant of during the consecration of the new church building.
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Late. Rev. Fr. T. E George, BA
( H.G. Geevarghese Mar Dioscorus)
( July 66 to Oct 67)
T. E. George Achen still remembered by the parishioners for his Sermons and Bible classes. Unfortunately Achen had to leave Bahrain, due to the sudden death of his brother in Aden. Later Achen was elected and consecrated as Bishop H.G. Geevarghese Mar Dioscorus
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Late Rev. Fr. T.M. George. BA.
( Sep 63 to Jul 66)
Young, agile active George Achen will always be remembered for his enthusiasm and energetic approach in all the activities of the church. Achen took initiative in starting our Christmas Carol programme. The dream of constructing a church of our own and a spade work for obtaining a plot of land for this purpose originated during this period. After a period of approximately three years of service Achen went to U S A for higher theological studies.
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Rev. Fr. George K.A., Bsc., B.D.
( Dec61 to Aug 63)
Fr. George K.A was successful in carrying on the work started by George Kurian Achen. Bahrain Parish again continued as the Metropolitan parish rendering all facilities to the Vicar to cater for the spiritual needs of the congregations of the other Gulf States. “The Orthodox Church Voice “, a monthly publication giving details of the church activities of the church was started during this time. From Bahrain Achen went to U S A for higher studies in Theology.
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Rev. Fr. George Kurien
(Dec 59 to Dec 61)
The establishment of the Orthodox Parish in Bahrain with the arrival of the first vicar Fr. George Kurien should be considered as the first major stepin the history of of the Orthodox Churches, as well as of the other church in the Gulf Region. The lead given by the Orthodox church members in Bahrain was an inspiration to start parishes in other Gulf states like Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Oman. To a certain extent credit goes to Fr. George Kurien in accomplishing this, as he used Bahrain as his base and sowed the seeds of organizing parishes in these states. During Achen’s tenure St. Thomas Association for men and St. Mary’s Association for women were formed. After his term of service in Bahrain, Achen was transferred to Kuwait and thus became the founder priest of Kuwait Parish.
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