Very Rev. David Cheruthottil Corepiscopos

In Loving Memory of Very Rev. David John Cheruthottil Corepiscopos

November 27, 1946 - December 18, 2023

Born on November 27, 1946, Very Rev. David John Cheruthottil Corepiscopos, fondly known as David Achen, was the cherished son of Thariyath Yohannan and Annamma and eldest of five children. He was baptized and found solace in his Christian upbringing while actively attending services at church. Soon after being ordained as Deacon in 1966, he was appointed as personal secretary to the then Catholicos Baselios Augen. Deacon David continued his studies at the Baselios College, where he finished his pre-degree and bachelor's degree in English literature and released a Good Friday prayer book with songs written in syriac by Catholicos Baselios Augen.

On September 16, 1973, he embraced a new chapter in life, marrying Annie N Koshy. Shortly after, Deacon David was offered an opportunity for theological studies at Drew University in New Jersey while he served Churches in the Northeast US. His wife Annie joined him a year later in the US.

On October 6, 1982, Deacon David was elevated to the Holy Priesthood.

As a new Priest serving the immigrant Malankara community in the United States, David Achen played a pivotal role in the creation of St. George's Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church in Orange, NJ. The St. George church will always be David Achen's crowning achievement. For 35 years, he took immense pride in being a guiding force and active member of this community.

In 2008, he attained the highly revered rank of Corepiscopos, an incredible milestone in David Achen's life. Despite a demanding professional life with a job in Accounting and part-time job at UPS, he considered his role as a priest the most significant, marking 50 years of dedicated service to the Malankara faithful in North America.

In 2021, David Achen and his beloved Annie Kochamma relocated to Texas after residing in New Jersey since 1973. A devoted family man, he and Annie celebrated 50 years of marriage, blessed with three children, Anju, Anooj, and Aneesh, as well as son-in-law Juan and grandchildren Zach and Maia.

May his legacy of faith, love, and family devotion inspire us all.