Achan since then knew, his life was planned for even much higher reason, to serve God our Lord. Hence, In the year 2004, he went back to India and joined the ‘Orthodox Theological Seminary’ in a town called ‘Kottayam’ in the state of ‘Kerala’. As part of the seminary training, Achan spent 2007 to 2008 in various mission centers as part of the Practical Training in Ministerial Sites. In March of 2008, His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas ordained Achan as a “Sub-Deacon” (“Yawpodhiyakono”) in the presence of H.G. Zachariah Mar Nicholovos. Achan graduated from the Kottayam Seminary in the year 2009 and then returned back to New York. In the year 2010, Achan, for his higher education, enrolled in the Union Theological Seminary in New York. Graduated in 2011 with Masters in Sacred Theology (S.T.M) from Union Theological Seminary. In July of 2011, Got married to Deepa Ninan (member of St. John’s Orthodox Church, Upper Darby). In Dec of 2011, Was ordained as Deacon (“Semassan”) along with Rev. Fr. Vijay Thomas. In April of 2012, Was ordained as “Priest” ( “Kaseeso”) by the hands of H.G. Zachariah Mar Nicholovos. In August of 2012, he was appointed as the Vicar of St. Paul’s Indian Orthodox Church in Albany NY. In May of 2017, he was appointed as the Asst Vicar of St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church, Unruh Ave, Philadelphia PA. Achan is also presently enrolled in the Th.M (Master of Theology) program at St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary, Crestwood NY. At St. Vladimir’s, he hopes to examine the ecological vision of H.G. Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios of Blessed Memory.

Academic Background
Bachelors Degree in Computer Engineering
Bachelor of Divinity
Masters in Sacred Theology (S.T.M)
Currently pursuing Masters in Theology (Th.M.)

Other Positions/ Responsibilities Achan is being serving and/or has served in the past
FOCUS* Director at Northeast American Diocese
Financial Aid Counselor at Kingsborough Community College
Technical Associate at Credit Suisse
Hardware Intern at Symbol Technologies
FOCUS* is the “Young Adult Ministry” of the North East American Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Hobbies/Pastimes
Achan enjoys reading. His favorite books include Gandhi’s autobiography (My experiments with truth) and Orthodox Way by Bishop Kallistos Ware.

Contact
1426 Brierwood Rd, Havertown, PA 19083
Cell : (516) 754-0743 :: Email : stthomas8@yahoo.com

Achan can be reached online via
Twitter profile : https://twitter.com/ThomasSujit
Facebook profile : https://www.facebook.com/sujit.thomas.3?ref=ts&fref=ts
LinkedIn profile : http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sujit-thomas/53/289/826