This is an occasion of great joy and happy to know that beloved Kuriakose Achen is completing fifty years in his priestly service. Rev. Fr. M. K. Kuriakose is a senior priest and widely known in the North East American Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Church. He is currently the Vicar of St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Church, Philadelphia, USA. This Golden Jubilee year anniversary of our beloved Achen, Rev. Fr. Father M. K. Kuriakose, marks a significant milestone in his life of dedicated service to God, our Church and to the community. On this day August 31, 2025, we joyfully celebrate the day he was ordained to the priesthood and began his sacred ministry.

For fifty years, Father Kuriakose has been a faithful shepherd to the flock and champion of the society. We have been blessed by his wisdom in all his leadership, his compassionate heart in times of need, and his unwavering faith in administering the sacraments. We give thanks to God for his divine call and for the mercy and love that have guided Kuriakose Achen throughout his vocation, guidance and leadership. We also thank him for his tireless commitment to our church, for his leadership, and for helping us grow in our own faith.

He is not only for the St. Thomas Church; he is leader of all communities of Philadelphia as he assumes pivotal role in all organizations in Philadelphia and further. As the leader of the largest parish in the North east American Diocese, he diligently serves the parish community and assumes pivotal roles within the diocese.

Rev. Fr. M. K. Kuriakose was born to Mr. Korah and Mrs. Annamma of Madathikudy branch of the Murimattom family on July 15, 1948, the family being in the lineage of the first Catholicose H.H. Basalios Paulose I. After his school education in Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad District of State of Kerala, he graduated in Sacred Theology at Orthodox Theological Seminary Kottayam, Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Theology from United Theological College, Bangalore, M.A (Archives Management) from National Archives of India, New Delhi, M.S. (Library Science) from Columbia University, New York, M.A. (Indian History) from Mysore University.

He was ordained as deacon on April 21, 1970 and priest on August 31, 1975. Served St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Bangalore, St. George Orthodox Church, Bangalore, St. Thomas Orthodox Church Bangalore East, St. Peter’s during the fourteen years after his ordination. Further he served St. Paul’s Orthodox Church, Sparkill, New York, USA. From 1996 he is the Vicar of St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia. Also served as Director of Sunday Schools in Bangalore; in American Diocese as MGOCSM Vice President, Family and Youth Conference Coordinator; chairman of the Ecumenical Fellowship of Indian Churches in Philadelphia and Chairman/Secretary of Malankara Orthodox Fellowship of Pennsylvania. Also, Achen served in elite positions of Librarian in many organizations in India and USA. Achen served as Diocesan Secretary of the Northeast American Diocese for ten years.

St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia, celebrated the Golden Jubilee of sacerdotal ordination anniversary of their founder Vicar and spiritual leader, Rev. Fr. M.K. Kuriakose on the eve of the occasion, on 30th August, 2025 with befitting solemnity. The ceremonial congregational meeting was convened in the Parish worship hall after Liturgy of the Hours. Rep. Jared G. Solomon, 202 nd District / Philadelphia County of Pennsylvania House of Representatives was the distinguished guest of this occasion. Encyclicals (Kalpana) of H. H. Baselios Mathews III Catholicose and Diocesan Metropolitan H.G. Zacharia Mar Nicolovos were read during the occasion.

I had the fortune to frequently attend the Wednesday evening Qurbana Service in the Chapel of St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Philadelphia, while I was living very near to that church. Kuriakose Achen used to give a message every day after the service which never exceeded two or three minutes. This short message was more than a pulpit sermon of hours together, which influenced me so much and I used to ruminate or write sometimes.

At this juncture of spiritual bliss, we felicitate and congratulate Kuriakose Achen on this grand occasion. May God Shower His Choicest Blessings on Achen in abundance and keep him in good health and spirit to lead the sheep. LOL as a whole wish all the best for Achen and pray to God Almighty for all the blessings from heaven.

Dr. Rajan Mathew
Editor Light of LIfe