If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. (Romans 14:8)
It is with deep sorrow that we inform you about the sad news of the sudden death of Rev. Fr. Zacharias Thottuvelil.
He was born on 18th April 1958 as the 6th son of Late Varkey and Mariyakutty to Thottuvelil family. He hailed from St. George Church, Manvettam of the Eparchy of Palai, Kerala. He was baptized on 23rd May 1958 and was confirmed on 21st May 1972. His did his schooling at Government L.P.S. School, Memury and then at S.M.V. N.S.S. H.S. Kallara. He did his initial studies for priesthood in Good Shepherd Minor Seminary, Palai (1974- 1976) and his Philosophy and Theology studies at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor (1977- 1984). He has obtained B.Ph., B.Th.
He was ordained a priest for the Eparchy of Palai on 26th December 1983 by Bishop Joseph Pallikaparambil. He served the Eparchy of Palai for 18 years in various parishes: As Asst. Vicar in Vadakara from 1984 to 1987 and in Palai Cathedral from 1987 to 1988 and C.Y.M. & H.C.M.S. Mekhala Director; as the First Parish Priest of Nambiakulam from 1989 to 1996 (started Computer Centre) and Palakadu near Palai from 1996 to 2001 (Built the Church).
When the First Syro-Malabar Eparchy in the United States was established in the year 2001, he was deputed to be part of it. He was appointed the first chancellor of the St Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Diocese, Chicago. He was also the secretary to Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiyath for 3 years. In 2003, he was appointed priest-in-charge of St. Thomas Syro Malabar Church, Garland and then Mother of Perpetual Help Church, Miami and finally of St. Joseph Syro Malabar Church, Houston. Meanwhile he got incardinated to the St Thomas Eparchy, Chicago in 2013.
In 2018, he moved to the Eparchy of Shamshabad taking responsibilities as Priest- in-charge of Anand and Karamsed near Ahmedabad in the Gujarat Region and he served there for one year
