The Holy Synod Appoints New Office Bearers for St. Ignatius Theological Seminary

The Holy Synod recently appointed Fr. Dr. John Mathew KM and Fr. Joby Kurien Thomas as the Principal and Vice Principal, respectively, of the St. Ignatius Theological Seminary (SITS), the major seminary of the Church. This decision was made upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors of SITS, along with the blessings of His Holiness Moran Mor Samuel Theophilus Metropolitan, President of the Board. Their appointments came into effect from June 24, 2024.

Fr. Dr. John Mathew had been serving the seminary with dedication as the Vice Principal for many years, and obtained his Ph.D. in Old Testament Studies from the Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS) in Allahabad in 2018. He also has extensive experience as a missionary in North India before completing his Bachelor of Divinity at SITS in 2001, and a Master of Theology (majoring in the Old Testament) from the Federated Faculty for Research in Religion and Culture (FFRRC) in 2008. Hence, he embodies all of the attributes required of the principal of the Church’s major seminary – pastoral experience, spiritual depth, academic acumen, and commitment to serve God and the Holy Church.

Fr. Joby Kurien Thomas is also an alumnus of SITS, having completed both his Bachelor and Master degrees in 2004 and 2008, respectively. He has served the Church in various capacities over the years, heading the Information Department at the Church’s global headquarters in Kerala, the choir director at the St. Thomas Cathedral, and as a missionary in the Calcutta Diocese for two years before returning to the Church headquarters in 2017, to serve as the Secretary to the Department of Theological Education. He recently returned from the US after receiving his Master of Theology (Th.M.) with high distinction from the Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Boston, in 2023. He has had extensive experience teaching and lecturing both at SITS and the diocesan seminaries of our church, and will assist Fr. Dr. John in developing the academic curriculum of the major seminary, ensuring that it stays relevant in the context of the church’s vision and mission.