Fr. Dr. Raju Varghese is the eldest son of late Mr. K.G.Issac and Chinnamma and the grandson of late Kulangara Geevarghese Kathanar of the Kinattumkara Kulangara family, Puthoor, Kottarakkara.
Education
Achen completed his BSc. Degree at DB College Sasthamcotta, GST at Orthodox Theological Seminary Kottayam, BD degree from Serampore college, Doctor of Ministry at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary NY and Hospital chaplaincy (CPSP) from Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center NY, and is also a certified pastoral counsellor.
Ministry
Achen was ordained as a deacon on April 12, 1979, and as a priest on Aug 13, 1983 and served as the Assistant Vicar at St. Mary’s Puthiyakavu, Mavelikara, and as Vicar at St. Mary’s Karazhma, St. Gregorios Bronx, St. Gregorios Yonkers, and St. Gregorios Fishkill. Since 2001 he is serving as the Vicar & President of St. Mary’s Orthodox Church of Rockland, Suffern, New York.
As a deacon, he was appointed as the first General Secretary of the MGOCSM’s High school wing, and organized the first education orientation Camp in 1980. He then served as the first Secretary of the OVBS of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, producing study materials and music for the first time. He also served as the Manager of Orthodox Herald, published from Devalokam Aramana, Kottayam. In 1989, Achen immigrated to the United States.
In 1998 he was appointed as the first Director of OVBS of the American Diocese. Under his leadership OVBS study materials and song CD’s were produced for the first time and distributed across America and Canada. Achen served as the Director of Liturgical Musical committee of the MGOCSM, and under his leadership a musical album for the sacrament of Holy Matrimony was produced in 2000, both in English and Malayalam. In 2003 Achen was appointed as the Director of Sunday School of the American Diocese which he served until 2013 and during his tenure, the textbooks and workbooks for all twelve grades were revised and published. Achen also served JCCR, an ecumenical fellowship of Rockland County NY in different capacities. In 2020 Achen retired from the Department of Social Services, City of New York, as the Assistant Deputy Director of Administration.
Family
He is married to Susan Varghese MBA (Director of Administrative Services, Westchester County) Mamoottil family, Pathichira, Mavelikara. and blessed with two children: Chinnu Varghese CPA, MBA, married to Jensen Varghese Esq, Mukaladiyil, Niranam and Ponnu Varghese, LMSW, married to Justin John, MS in Engineering, Kuttikandathil, Ayroor. He is also blessed with four grandchildren: Jacob Varghese, Benjamin Varghese, Maria John & Joanna John
Email: rvachen@yahoo.com
Mobile: +1 (914) 426-2529
Goto Link: Musical Album for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
