Rev. Fr. Koshy P. John

Rev. Fr. Koshy P. John was born on September 1, 1939 in Kerala, India to P.G. John and Pennamma John. He was the youngest of 7 children, including 4 daughters and 3 sons. He grew up in Thonackad, in the family home called Palamoottil House, while his father travelled through the surrounding villages, serving as the local bank manager and as the unofficial administrator and peace keeper.

Fr. John learned leadership and community service at his father’s knee and resolved to study for the priesthood after completing his B.Sc at Palai University. Fr. John was greatly influenced in this calling by the example of his mother’s devoted prayer life, his parents devotion to the Malankara Orthodox Church in Thonackad and Mar Koorilos Thirumeni (who later became the Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Church).

Thereafter, Fr. John studied at the seminary in Kottayam under the watchful tutelage of Mar Severios Thirumeni, before moving to New Orleans to study at the Baptist Theological Seminary, where he received his Masters in Theology.

In 1968, Fr. John returned to Kerala to marry Lilly (née Mathews) of Bangalore. Soon after their wedding, Fr. John returned to New Orleans and completed his Masters degree in Education at the University of New Orleans.

In 1973, Fr. John was ordained in the Malankara Orthodox Church. Fr. John and Lily lived in New Orleans where he taught biology to high school students.

The couple welcomed 2 beloved daughters, Anjana and Anita.

Fr. John remained committed to establishing the Malankara Orthodox services in the Southern United States for the burgeoning Malayalee diaspora. Fr. John served St. Thomas Church in Houston, was the first vicar at St. Gregorios Orthodox Church in Houston, and was the founding priest and pastor for St Gregorios Church in Dallas, Texas; he also served St. Mary’s Church in Dallas, as well as the congregation at St. Thomas Church in Oklahoma. Throughout, Fr. John served as the priest and spiritual guardian for the faithful in New Orleans at St. Gregorios Orthodox Church.

Fr. John celebrated 25 years of service as a priest in 1998 and received several accolades from the American dioceses for his devoted commitment. Most important to him, was his service to his congregants and celebrating their births, baptisms, marriages and comforting them in their sorrows.

Fr. John is survived by his wife of 50 years Lilly, his daughters, Anjana and Anita, son-in-law, Nimesh, his sister, Kunjumariamma and numerous nieces and nephews, including Revi and Lyla, who live in New Orleans.

The family wishes to thank the Malayalee community in New Orleans and countless others for their care and devotion to Fr. John in his last days.