Meet Fr. Vineeth Vattakunnel Kurian, the Vicar of St. John’s Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in Hamilton. He comes from the ancient Vattakunnel Family in Kottayam that has nurtured and protected the rich heritage of Christian ideals and principles for many decades, with 28 priests having been ordained from the family. Fr. Vineeth is the 29th priest from this family, and his parents are Vattakunnel Abraham Kurian and Mariamma Kurian from the Kallooparambil family in Manarcadu, Kottayam.

Fr. Vineeth began his journey of serving at the altar in 2003 at the age of 14 through the laying of hands by H.G Abraham Mar Severios Metropolitan at his home parish, Kottayam Mar Elia Cathedral. After his graduation, he completed his pre-seminary period blessedly under the tutelage and discipleship of HH Baselios Marthoma Didymos I and HH Baselios Marthoma Paulose II at Devalokam Catholicate Aramana from 2010-2012. He was ordained as a Sub Deacon (Yaupadiyakno) on 21st May 2015 by His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II after his graduation from the Orthodox Theological Seminary in Kottayam. His Deacon (Shemshono) ordination was held at Mar Augen Ashramam (Prathyaasha Bavan, Kandanadu) chapel on 11 Dec 2016 by H.G Dr. Mathews Mar Severios Metropolitan of Kandanadu west Diocese (later HH Baselios Marthoma Mathews III). He was called to the priesthood with the laying of hands by HH Baselios Marthoma Paulose II on Saturday, 07 June 2017, at his home parish.

Fr. Vineeth holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and a Graduate Diploma in Sacred Theology from the Orthodox Theological Seminary in Chungam, Kottayam. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics with Computer Hardware from the College of Applied Science (IHRD), Mallappally, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala. He received his Plus Two and High School education from St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School and St. Mary’s CBSE Secondary School, both in Manarcadu, Kottayam, Kerala. He participated in the Internship Program by Theological Research And Communication Institute (TRACI), New Delhi in 2016 as a selected student candidate from the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam, and also completed various IT educational certificate courses from different institutes. Fr. Vineeth has done voluntary service at local parishes, rendered voluntary service to the Orthodox Youth Movement and MGOCSM at parish and diocesan levels, participated in orientation programs at St. Paul’s Mission Training Centre, Mavelikara (2007), and got involved in various educational programs organized by the Church and diocese.

Fr. Vineeth’s wife, Anju Sara Jacob, is the youngest daughter of Jacob Kaithayil (Executive Engineer, PWD, Kerala) and Mrs. Sosamma Jacob from the Punnooserril family in Puthupally, Kottayam. Anju Kochamma is currently working at Tata Consultancy Services (Downtown, Toronto) for the Royal Bank of Canada. They have one 4-year-old daughter, Evaan Mariam Joseph.

Fr. Vineeth worked as an Assistant Chaplain at MOSC Medical College, Kolenchery, Ernakulam, from May 2016 to May 2017. He also served as an Assistant Vicar at St Mary’s Orthodox Maha Edavaka (Kottayam Cheriyapally), Kottayam, and St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Puthenangady, Kottayam (Puthenangady Kurishupally, Kottayam) from June 2017 to March 2022 and then served as the Vicar at Mar Baselios Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church, Thazhathangady, Kottayam, starting from March 2022 to April 2022.

In addition, he served as the Vice President of the MGOCSM (Kottayam Central Diocese) from June 2017 to May 2022. Fr. Vineeth has an interest in reading books and is very passionate about electronics DIY/information technology, especially hardware. He also enjoys travel and driving.

Contact Information: 
Mobile: +1 (647) 975 9474
Email: vattakunnelachen@gmail.com