The Shepherd of Our Parish
Serving the faithful of St. Mary’s with the prayers, sacraments, and pastoral care of the Church.
Our parish is blessed to be shepherded by Very Rev. Fr. Sabu Thomas, Corepiscopa, who serves the faithful of St. Mary’s Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church with devotion and pastoral love.
As celebrant of the Holy Qurbono, Achen leads our community in the Divine Liturgy of St. James each Sunday, offering the prayers of the Church and ministering the holy sacraments — Baptism, Confession, Holy Communion, Matrimony, and the anointing of the sick. His ministry extends beyond the altar to the homes and hearts of the parish, in visitation, counsel, and the instruction of the faithful.
A Ministry of Prayer and Presence
The honorific title Corepiscopa is an ancient dignity of the Syriac Orthodox Church, conferred upon priests who have given distinguished and faithful service to the Church. Under his care, St. Mary’s continues to grow as a place of worship, fellowship, and formation in the Orthodox faith.
“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof not by constraint, but willingly.”— 1 Peter 5:2
For sacramental needs, home visits, or to speak with the vicar, please reach out to the parish. Achen warmly welcomes both members and visitors to St. Mary’s.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Abin Paul Puravath entered ordained ministry as a Reader in September 2006 and was ordained to the Holy Priesthood of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America in September 2023.
His ministry places particular emphasis on youth and young adult engagement, catechesis, and fostering a deeper appreciation for the rich liturgical, theological, and spiritual heritage of the Syriac Orthodox Church.
He currently serves as the Vice President of the Mor Gregorios Syriac Orthodox Young Adult Association, where he is committed to strengthening fellowship, leadership, and discipleship among young adults and encouraging their active participation in the life and mission of the Church.
By secular profession, he is a physician and serves on faculty at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He is married to Naomi and has two daughters, Sophia and Elena.