Bishop Dr. B. S. Devamoni of the Diocese of Dornakal, a former student of Achen, “His teaching was exceptionally good . . . he was an exemplary Professor . . . It was a tremendous joy to be with him in his classes, or joining in Volley Ball court for playing together. He made his teaching very interesting, allowing students to participate in a free and friendly atmosphere. His pastoral care of the students and commitment to the church impressed me most” (pp 50-51 of the festschrift in honour of Achen entitled In the Master’s Service . . .). As a person Achen was adaptable and self-disciplined. He was very sincere and transparent. One does not find a tint of hypocrisy in him in his personal dealings and relationships. Lucidity and straightforward utterance marked his style. He cared for the well-being and betterment of all who came across him especially his students and others who were in some way associated with him. The story of his last days could be narrated as follows: It was early morning on 10th August that Achen had a fall from his bed quite unconsciously. After three days in the evening as Achen was about to return to his room after dinner, he had another fall. It was very difficult for Achen to walk and there was severe pain. Xrays found that there was a minor fracture in his hip, and rest was prescribed and his movements were restricted to a wheel chair. There were no other health problems. On the 23rd August around 9.45 p m, his death occurred all of a sudden, quite unexpectedly. MVA Achen’s son Dr. George Abraham arrived from Boston in the US on the 26th morning Already the Mar Thoma Sabha Secretary Revd K G Joseph (a student of MVA achen) under the direction of His Grace the Metropolitan Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan had announced the details of the funeral and everything took place as scheduled in the most benefitting manner on Friday the 27th August. Along with our Metropolitan, the Suffragan Metropolitan Joseph Mar Barnabas, and the Episcopas namely Thomas Mar Timotheos, Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos, Dr. Gregorios Mar Stephanos gave leadership to the services. The Vicar Generals of our church and a large number of Achens participated following the COVID protocol. Several people from various spheres including Bishop Thomas K. Oommen of the CSI Church paid homage and spoke words of condolences. Towards the close of the service Dr. George Abraham spoke his eulogy and placed words of appreciation to one and all for their services on behalf of Achen’s family. The DSMC could conduct the live streaming very well. All these resulted in the smooth conduct of the entire funeral service giving glory to our Lord and Master, the Almighty God. May the name of the Lord be glorified. Revd Dr. Abraham Philip, Kottayam
Obituary Tribute The man sent by God: Revd K. C. Mathew (1929-2021) [The following is a translation of an obituary written by Prof. Kozhuvalloor M. K. Cheriyan (Former Principal, Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara) and it was first published in the journal ‘New Vision for a Changing world’. It is translated by Prof. Elias Abraham, Baltimore, USA and Dr. Cherian Samuel, Virgnia, USA. The editorial board of the FOCUS is grateful to them.]
“There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John (John 1:6)”. If we replace “John” with “K. C. Mathew”, in the verse, the secret of Achen's success in various facets of life will be revealed. He had an amazing personality, fully and continually tuned to God's voice in numerous mission fields, which made the efforts greatly successful. In 1964, Bishop M. M. John Thirumeni, Manager of CMS College, Kottayam, asked K. C. Mathew Achen, who was well known through the CSI Youth Movement, and working diligently at the College as a Physics lecturer and the College chaplain, to take charge as the principal of the new Junior College at Mavelikara, affiliated to Kerala University. Before responding to M. M. John Thirumeni, Achen came to see the place for the proposed college for himself at Kallumala, located on the East side of Mavelikara. Standing in the shade of a big old leafy jackfruit tree, not far from the CSI Church and the LP School, Achen prayed. God was entrusting Achen with a great and glorious mission, just like He had mandated Moses from the burning bush on Mount Horeb. “I will be with you”.
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