Notice from the Archdiocese of India and the UAE

An eminent scholar of the Syriac language and a senior priest of Church of the East in India Rev’d P.K. Raphael (75 years old), son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Poovathinkal Kochappu, has entered into the eternal peace at 5.30pm on 20 September 2012.

He dedicated his entire life to the service of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Church of the East in India. Born on 4 April 1938, he became a Deacon on 21 September 1958 and was blessed to receive priesthood on 13 June 1965 along with His Grace Dr. Mar Aprem Metropolitan of India, the late Bishop Poulose Mar Poulose and Rev’d O. A. Jacob.

He served the Church and the community as a Syriac teacher, Rector of the Church Seminary Thrissur, the Vicar-General and as Vicar for many parishes in India. His dedication to the Syriac language and Church liturgy as a whole is a model and an inspiration to all those who love the Church of the East. His name is mentioned in the Hudra for helping in proof reading when the Indian Church printed the 3-volume Hudra (1960-1962) for the first time in the history of our church at large.

After his demise at the Church Seminary on 20 September, his body was brought to the Marth Mariam Big Church Cathedral for the public to pay their last tributes. On the morning of the 21 September at 7am the Holy Qurbana was celebrated by His Grace Dr. Mar Aprem Metropolitan at the Cathedral church assisted by His Lordship Mar Yohannan Yoseph and His Lordship Mar Awgin Kuriakose Episcopas along with the Church clergy. The funeral procession began at 2.30pm on 21 September, from the Cathedral to Mar Yohannan Mamdhana Church, East Fort, where the final service and funeral was conducted. The three prelates, priests, deacons, sisters, family friends and relatives and a large gathering of faithful of the Church in India were present.

The Church in India expresses deeply our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of our beloved Qasha Rappai (Achen) and pray that his departed soul may rest in eternal peace with God Almighty.

Mar Awgin Kuriakose Bishop of India