Father James Pike, affectionately called "Chocolate Achen" by youth in the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, has been admitted to a Spokane (Washington) hospice facility today.
Father James (Chacko Achen) is the second American priest of the Mission Society of St. Gregorios of India and second American ordained to the priesthood by His Grace Thomas Mar Makarios (of blessed memory!).
For many years, he was involved in the annual St Gregorios youth-family conference held during July.
Father James was also the mission priest for the beginning of St. Gregorios Church in Seattle.
Family have requested prayers for him and his wife, Ginny Kochamma, who has also been his primary caretaker as Father James' health declined.
Photos from July 2004 family youth conference (in white cassock)
and September 2006 (at his 10th anniversary of priesthood)
Praying for Fr. James Pike, who is a member of the St. Gregorios Mission in Spokane, WA. Fr. James was ordained by the Late Lamented H.G. Dr. Thomas
ReplyDeleteMar Makarios, of Blessed Memory in Spokane, WA. To all the youths in the American Diocese, Fr. James was known as "Chacko Achen,"and has been to many of our Family/Youth Conferences since joining our Church. I had the privilege of seeing Achen in my last visit to Spokane, WA last May of 2008. Achen has been sick for a long time. I request all of ICON to remember Achen in your prayers.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Cyril Davy +
New York