Senate Resolution No. 570

BY: Senator THOMAS

MOURNING the death of The Very Reverend Father
Yohannan Sankarathil Chor Episcopos, distinguished
citizen, religious leader and devoted member of his
community

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition and just tribute to those men and women of religious
commitment who accept the responsibility of moral leadership and render
the wisdom of human understanding; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to mourn the death of The
Very Reverend Father Yohannan Sankarathil Chor Episcopos who died on
Saturday, March 20, 2021, at the age of 85; and

WHEREAS, Yohannan Sankarathil was born on March 1, 1936, in the
ancient 'Sankarathil' (Sankarapuri) family of priestly tradition,
Kumbazha, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India, to Sri. Kunjummen Mathai and
Aliyamma, who called him Kunjunjukutty, the youngest of four brothers;
and

WHEREAS, At the young age of 12, Yohannan Sankarathil began serving
at the Altar (Madbaha) with the blessings of the late H.G. Geevarghese
Mar Philexinos Metropolitan (Puthenkavil KochuThirumeni), and ordained
Deacon by the late H.H. Baselius Geevarghese II, the Catholicos on
August 29, 1953; on August 21, 1970, he was priested by the late H.G.
Daniel Mar Philexinos, Metropolitan of the Thumapamon Diocese; and

WHEREAS, On April 26, 1980, Reverend Yohannan Sankarathil was
consecrated Cor-Episcopos at the home parish, St. Mary's Valiya
Cathedral, Kumbazha, by the late H.H. Baselius Mar Thoma Mathews I, the
Catholicos of the East; and

WHEREAS, For many years, Reverend Yohannan Sankarathil was the
secretary to the late H.H. Baselius Geevarghese II, the Catholicos,
Augen I, when H.H. was Metropolitan and as the Catholicos of the East,
and continued with H.H. Baselius Mar Thoma Mathews I; he also served as
Editor of 'Malankara Sabha' the official organ of the Malankara Orthodox
Church; and

WHEREAS, Yohannan Sanikarathil came to the United States on
September 12, 1970, for higher theological studies at the Union
Theological Seminary, New York; immediately after graduating S.T.M. from
the U.T.S.Seminary, he was appointed by H.H. Baselius Augen I, the
Catholicos, the first appointment of one of our priests in the United
States, on August 2, 1971, to organize parishes for the Malankara
Orthodox Church in the United States, one of which was the St. Thomas
Orthodox Church, New York (at present The St. Thomas Orthodox Church,
Yonkers); and

WHEREAS, A well-educated man, Yohannan Sankarathil attended and
earned degrees from Pathanamthitta Catholicate H.S. B.A. (Economics),
M.A. (Malayalam and Sanskrit) Kerala University; G.S.T. (Theology),
Orthodox Theological College, Kottayam, Kerala; S.T.M. (Theology), Union

Theological Seminary, New York; M.S. (Counseling Psychology and Family
Counseling) Long Island University, New York; M.T.R. (Therapeutic
Recreation), New York University, New York; M.S. (Rehabilitation
Counseling), Hofstra University, New York; D.Min. (Doctor of Ministry),
Canada Christian College, Toronto, Canada; A.C.P.A. Trained Chaplain
(Clinical Pastoral Counseling); and Certified Drug and Alcoholism
Counselor; the New York Union Theological Seminary honored him with the
title 'Ecumenical Fellow'; and

WHEREAS, From 1975 until his retirement in 2000, Reverend Yohannan
Sankarathil worked at the New York State Psychiatric Hospital; he then
became fully engaged in church and community activities, playing a vital
role in the formation and growth of the American Diocese of the
Malankara Orthodox Church; served as the Diocesan Council member, the
first Secretary of the Clergy Association of the American Diocese, and
Secretary of the Clergy Association and Managing Committee member of the
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church; and

WHEREAS, In 1979, Reverend Yohannan Sankarathil served as General
Convener of the reception committee that made arrangements for the
five-week American visit of the Catholicos of the East; and

WHEREAS, Widely acknowledged as a learned Theologian, a prominent
convention speaker and retreat father and eminent organizer, Reverend
Yohannan Sankarathil is survived by his wife, Elcy Yohannan Sankarathil,
and their two sons; and

WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God always gave guidance and
wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and administered abundantly and
unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of all; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Reverend Yohannan Sankarathil Chor Episcopos leaves behind a
legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a
comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the life and accomplishments of The Very Reverend Father Yohannan
Sankarathil Chor Episcopos, and to express its deepest condolences to
his family, colleagues and friends who mourn his passing; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of The Very Reverend Father Yohannan
Sankarathil Chor Episcopos.