Our Vicar

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Very Reverend Father Paulose Adai Cor Espisocpa was born and raised in Kothamangalam in the Ernakulam district, son of the Late Reverend Father TJ Adai and Mariamma Adai. 

During his early studies at St. Stephen High School at Pathanapurum Mt. Tabor Dayara, Adai Achan learned from great scholars such as the late His Grace Thomas Mar Dionysius, his principal, and his close teacher the late His Holiness Marthoma Didumyus. While finishing up his studies, he was visited by the late His Grace Vayalimparambil Geevarghese Mar Gregorious who requested that he followed in his father’s footsteps on the path to becoming a priest. 

A diligent student that he is, he heeded the words of his teacher, and soon after on June 30, 1967, he was ordained a subdeacon for the Angamaly diocese. After serving as a personal secretary and office manager for the late His Grace Vayalimparambil Geevarghese Mar Gregorious, the late His Grace Dr. Phillipose Mar Theophilose, and His Grace Mar Timothos in a year he took it upon himself to pursue further education in the theological studies. 

 Adai Achan went to Mar Athanasius College in Kothamangalam, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Theology. Additionally, he attended and graduated in 1972 from the Orthodox Theological Seminary and earned another bachelor’s degree from Serampore University. While he was a student at Serampore University, he received first marks for his astute proficiency with the Syrian language. 

 After completing all of his studies at the various universities he had attended, he continued to work for Theophilose Thirumeni, and soon he would marry Mary Phillip, daughter of the late K. C. Phillip and Annamman Phillip on September 29, 1975. On October 9, 1975, after witnessing firsthand the hard work and diligence that Achan showcased in his work, he was then ordained as a priest. His puthen Qurbana (first Qurbana) was celebrated at Mar Kuriakose Pamaday Dayara. 

 Shortly after celebrating his first Qurbana, he was requested in the same year by the Late Parettu Matthews Mar Ivanious Thirumeni to be sent to the Kottayam diocese due to the shortage of priests. Achan agreed and it was during this time that he started the first parish church in Kumily which is called St. Thomas Orthodox Church. He served there for three years and it was during this time that he had his firstborn son, Kenz. 

 Three years after he had served in Kumily, he was moved to Bombay in 1979 to serve under Theophilose Thirumeni once again. He served him for several years as the vicar of St. Gregorious Orthodox Church in Chembur. From 1982 to 1988, he served as the Vicar of St. Mary Orthodox Church in Dadar, this was a momentous opportunity for Achan as this was the first church outside of Kerala at the time. 

 His countless hours spent serving others and the church did not go unnoticed. Theophilose Thirumeni recommended Achan to the Late His Grace Thomas Mar Makarios to be transferred to the American Diocese. Makarios Thirumeni 1988 agreed and soon Adai Achan would be appointed as the vicar of St. John’s the Baptist Orthodox Church in New York for 10 years. Achan is forever thankful to Makarios Thirumeni and Theophilose Thirumeni for providing his family with the opportunity to start a new life in the United States. 

 In 1988, the Late His Grace Matthew Mar Barnabas transferred Achen to St. George Orthodox Church in Staten Island, New York, he served as the vicar for 6 years. He celebrated his silver jubilee on September 30, 2000, which was especially memorable for him as he was elevated to the status of Cor Episcopa by the Late His Grace Matthew Mar Barnabas. After his elevation, Achen worked tirelessly to further grow the Northeast American Diocese even to this day.