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Rev. Fr. Moozhiyil S. Cherian
Vicar
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Rev. Fr. M.S Cherian was born in 1951 at Aythala, Ranny as the eldest son of Very
Rev. M. C. Samuel Cor Episcopa and late Mrs. Thankamma Samuel. His primary education
was at Government UPS Pazhvangadi and high school education was at St. Thomas H.S
Ranny. His college education was completed at St. Thomas College, Ranny, from where
he graduated with a degree in B.A. Economics in the first batch. Further he received
his M.A. degree in English Literature at Vikram University, Ujjain. Immediately
after obtaining the M.A. degree he joined Pune University as a lecturer in English
as per the recommendation of the head of the department of Vikram University. While
teaching there he was actively involved in evangelism among the students and youth.
In recognition of that work, he was selected from Maharashtra to attend advanced
leadership training program for Christian leaders by Haggai institute in Singapore
for a period of forty days.
In 1977 he married Grace Cherian, the granddaughter of artist O. Cherian, Oorakamanil.
In 1980 they left for Doha, Qatar. Practicing any religion other than Islam was
not allowed in Qatar in those days. In spite of the strict laws, there were underground
churches functioning in Doha at that time. At that time spiritual services in Doha
were conducted by a Jacobite priest who visited occasionally from Bahrain. There
were no resident priests for any denomination of Indian community. H.E. Mor Clemis
Abraham of blessed memory who visited Doha in those days suggested that somebody
who is working in Doha come forward to be ordained as a resident deacon. It was
very risky to be a priest during that period. But submitting to God’s will and to
the wishes of the community, Mr. M.S. Cherian in 1987 came forward for ordination.
He was ordained as deacon in 1987 and had his priestly training under H.E. Mor Clemis
Metropolitan at Mor Aprem Seminary. During his days as a Deacon, Dn.Cherian led
the Knanaya people in prayer meetings and all spiritual activities and also formed
a Knanaya association organizing all Knanaya people in the State of Qatar.
In 1988 all churches which were functioning in Doha were shut down. Some churches
were raided and many people were arrested and deported. After this, in 1989, Dn.
Cherian was ordained priest and H.H The Patriarch of Antioch with the consent of
the Chief Metropolitan of the East appointed Fr. Cherian as the vicar of St. Peters
Syrian Orthodox Church where Jacobites as well as the Knanaya People organized together
under Fr. Cherian to build a church which functioned until he left for U.S.A in
2004. In 1995 Fr. Cherian along with his wife attended the Middle East Council of
churches conference in Limassol, Cyprus representing Qatar. During that trip they
visited His Holiness, the Patriarch and personally updated Him about the status
of the current situation in Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries. During his
time in the middle east, Fr. Cherian also attended the consecration of the Bahrain
Jacobite Church and Al Ain Syrian Orthodox Church which was conducted by H.H. the
Patriarch. He was also present when H.H. the Patriarch visited the St.Mary’s Church
in Sharjah.
In 2004 during his visit to Damascus for attending the ordination of Mor Severios,
as metropolitan, H.H. the Patriarch honored Fr. Cherian by giving him the right
to wear the cross during Holy Mass and other ceremonial occasions. The Patriarch
presented him the cross in a special ceremony at Marat Sednaya, the patriarchal
Seminary. Fr. Cherian during his tenure as vicar of St. Peters Church, Doha has
served the Knanaya People in different parts of Middle East. In 2004 he celebrated
Holy Mass in Dammam and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which is still talked about by our
people there. No other Knanaya priest has done so before or after that.
In 2003 H.H The Patriarch issued a bulletin sanctioning a Knanaya church in Qatar,
to Fr. Cherian, which he has submitted to H.E. Mor Severios Metropolitan in the
public reception which was accorded to Thirumeni during his first foreign visit
to Doha after his ordination as Bishop.
It was in 2004, as per the request from the members of the Dallas knanaya community
that Fr. Cherian was appointed as Asst. Vicar to Dallas St. Thomas Knanaya Church.
Following the retirement of Rev. Dr. P. P. Philips, Rev. Fr. Cherian was appointed
as the Vicar of St. Thomas Knanaya Church, Dallas on 1st December 2008. He has since
been very active in the Ecumenical activities of Dallas and served as President
of Union Christmas Celebrations in 2008, and during that year our church hosted
the event. Fr. Cherian also served as Vice President of the Union Christmas Celebrations
in 2009.
Fr. Moozhiyil Cherian played a vital role in organizing the jubilee celebrations
of Rev. Dr. P. P. Philips in 2008 and in buying the new church facility in 2009
which is undoubtedly the biggest facility in North American Knanaya Community. The
main sanctuary with sitting capacity of 400 people and the parish hall with 350
people along with separate rooms to accommodate all Sunday school classes from 1-10
and office rooms for officials and spare rooms is a matter of pride to the parishioners.
The Facility lies over a 2 Acre land area. The guidance from the Metropolitan of
North America and Europe H.E. Archbishop Mor Silvanos is recognized at this juncture.
We expect a boost to all our spiritual activities as we move in to 2010 developing
our new church.
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Rev. Dr. P. P. Philips, M.A. B.D. S.T.M. PhD
Founding Vicar (Retd.)
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Plamparampil P. Philips was born in June 1, 1935 in Kurichy, Kerala. Fr. Philips
grew up in a devoted family and showed interest in Evangelistic work. After his
high school graduation in 1954, he traveled to different churches and places for
gospel work. In order to enrich his religious work, Fr. Philips went to theological
studies and obtained a B.D. degree from Serampore University in Calcutta. In 1966,
he came to the U.S. and studied theology at the famous Andover-Newton Seminary in
Boston. Dr. Philips obtained M.A. S.T.M and Ph.D. degrees from different colleges
in the New England area. While he was a Ph.D. student at Boston University, he married
Aleyamma Kuruvilla Vadavuparampil who was working as a Registered Nurse at the time.
As a Seminarian, he worked in many local American churches and institutions as a
counselor. Soon after, he became youth director and then a Director of Project Out
Reach. He also served as teaching assistant and a Chaplain of The Boys Scouts of
America. Between 1970 and 1978, his three sons, Aby, Tommy and Jerry were born in
Hartford, CT.
Fr. Philips and his family spent about 12 years in the New England area, which enabled
him to lay the groundwork for the future establishment of St. Mary's Knananya church
in Hartford, CT. Rev. Dr. Philips and family were active in the New York church
where V. Rev. Dr. K.M. Simon conducted Eucharistic Services for all Malayalees.
While Fr. Philips was active in religious services, he took a secondary job at Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company in 1974. He moved to Dallas in 1978 and continued his religious
and secular work. Prior to his ordination in 1982, Fr. Philips was elected as the
President of the Kerala Association of Dallas for the year of 1982.
Observing and appreciating Fr. Philip's various activities, His Eminence Abraham
Mor Clemis Metropolitan ordained Fr. Philips as a Priest on October 7, 1982. After
his ordination, he initiated the start of the Knanaya church in Dallas. He received
sincere and dedicated support from the 10 Knanaya families who were in Dallas at
that time. St. Thomas Knanaya church was incorporated in 1983 with tax-exempt status
and began Sunday services in various local places. Between 1983 and 1996, our 10
families aimed for a church building of their own. In 1996, St. Thomas church Inc.
purchased 1 acre of land at 1621 Balleywood Rd., Irving, Texas.
The early members of the St. Thomas church substantially contributed and dedicated
their time and talents to build the present church. Funds were collected from Knananites
from all over and even from friends of other denominations. In October of 1997,
the church building was completed at the cost of approximately 245,000 USD. His
Eminence Abraham Mor Clemis, Chief Metropolitan, came and consecrated the St. Thomas
Syrian Orthodox Knanaya church of Dallas on Oct. 11-12, 1997. His Eminence also
conducted the first Holy Qurbana in the presence of many Priests, dignitaries and
people from all over. It was a milestone occasion for members and friends of St.
Thomas Knanaya church. We started with ten families, which continued to grow over
the years and today we have 50 member families.
In 1997, His Excellency Abraham Mor Clemis Metropolitan appointed Philip Achen as
the Administrator of the N.A.K.A. He served our community as an Administrator between
1997 and 2002.
Thanks unto the Lord for everything. We praise the Lord for our devoted and dedicated
faithful.
Article researched and written by:
Sherin Korah, Vadavuparampil
(9th grader)
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