This summer three alumni of St. Vladimir’s Seminary were ordained for the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church’s Diocese of South-West America.
The first took place on June 27 as Dn. Geevarghese (Toby) John (M.Div. ’21) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by the hands of His Grace Thomas Mar Ivanios, Bishop of the South-West American Diocese. The ordination took place at St. Mary’s Malankara Orthodox Cathedral in Farmers Branch, TX. The newly ordained Fr. Geevarghese serves as Youth Minister at St. Mary’s Malankara Orthodox Church in Houston and Director of the Diocese’s Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement (MGOCSM). He is also Prison Relationship Manager for Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM).
Fr. Geevarghese and his wife, Sharon Kochamma (Kochamma means “little mother”)
His Grace then ordained Dn. Thomas (Ryan) Thomas (M.Div. ’24) to the Holy Priesthood on July 18 at St. Thomas Orthodox Church of India in Warren, MI. Fr. Thomas is appointed as Youth Minister for Malankara Orthodox parishes in the Atlanta, GA, area.
The newly ordained Fr. Thomas (right) with his wife Aleena Kochamma and His Grace Thomas Mar Ivanios
Just a couple days later, on July 20, His Grace ordained Solomon Geevarghese Jacob (M.Div. ’25) to the Holy Diaconate at the same parish in Michigan, St. Thomas Orthodox Church of India. Dn. Solomon is General Secretary for the Diocese MGOCSM.
Dn. Solomon after his ordination
May God many years to the newly ordained Fr. Geevarghese, Fr. Thomas, and Dn. Solomon!
