Chak O Vargis

A SIMPLE SERVANT, AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE

Reverend Fr. Dr. Chakittadathu Oomen (C.O.) Vargis was born on April 23, 1936 to Mr. and Mrs. Varghese and Thankamma Oomen. He was the oldest of 7 children born to the family in their home of Thumpamon in Kerala, India.

As a young boy, Achen’s parents instilled in him respect for education and deep faith in God. He often spoke of how his home quieted down on Saturday evenings to prepare for Sunday church services, a practice he continued his whole life.

At age 21, Achen answered the call of the Lord and became a full deacon, ordained by His Grace Daniel Mar Philoxenos. He was elevated to full priesthood just 5 years later in 1961 by His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II. While Achen was a parish priest, he was also a leader in the Malankara Church as a whole, serving as secretary to His Grace Daniel Mar Philoxenos, before being appointed as a representative of the church at the World Council of Churches, and investigator into the sainthood candidacy of St. Dionysius (H.G. Gee Varghese Mar Dionysus or Vattasseril Thirumeni).

Throughout his life, Achen also valued the importance of education, earning degrees from several prestigious universities in the United States and India including Catholicate College (B.Sc.) in Pathanamthitta, India, Orthodox Theological Seminary in Kottayam, India (GST), Union Theological Seminary in New York (STM), St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary in New York, Duke University (MRE), and Corpus Christi State University (MS). During his time at Duke, Vargis Achen had classes with the esteemed professor Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann, who was so impressed, he offered Achen a scholarship to attend St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Achen considered Fr. Schmemann a great mentor and influence on his liturgical life and practice. His final degree was a Doctorate of Education in Counseling from Texas Southern University which he earned at age 65.

Achen’s commitment to service is seen through his various appointments. He served as Vicar at many churches during his lifetime including in Arattupuzha (2 yrs), Karoor (2yrs), Kumbazha (2yrs), Madras St. Thomas (1yr), Thirubothiyoor, Tambaram, and Avady, Kanpur. In the 1970s, he would make weekly trips to Houston from Corpus Christi to celebrate Holy Qurbana. His dedication led to the founding of St. Thomas Orthodox Church (now Cathedral) in 1974, and in 1990, he was the founding Vicar of St. Stephen Orthodox Church of Houston. He served as vicar at St. Stephen’s until his retirement in 2014, though he continued to be actively involved in the church and the spiritual growth of its members until his passing.

In his 50 years of service, Vargis Achen was particularly focused on teaching and shepherding the youth of the Orthodox church. He dedicated his time and considerable knowledge to translating and transliterating the Holy Qurbana, the book of Common Prayer, and many other services. He would often stop services to encourage people to hold books and respond louder as he believed that the Holy Qurbana could not be complete without the active participation of the congregation.

Beyond spiritual growth, Vargis Achen was very supportive of educational achievements. He would tutor students in math, vocabulary, and college admissions preparations. Knowing that students struggle with faith during their college years, he also founded the Campus Ministry organizations at Texas A&M University and University of Texas Austin.

Most of all, Achen was known for his unique approach to pastoral care. He made it his mission to make St. Stephen’s a community where everyone who entered would feel welcomed and loved. He took the time to give people rides to prayer meetings, invited himself to the homes of members, reached out to those who might have missed liturgy, and called each member on their birthday. His love, humility, patience, kindness, and wisdom were treasured by all who met him. His bright smile and genuine concern made each of us feel as though we were indeed, his favorite.

Achen joins his dear parents and sister, Annie, in eternal rest. He is survived by five of his beloved siblings: Yohanan, Aleyamma, Mathew, Mariamma & Thomas along with their spouses, children and grandchildren. His memory will live on in the hearts of his “Dear Friends” and his “children”, the members of St. Stephen’s. His legacy will live on in the faith of the Orthodox Christians across the world and the many lives he touched both spiritually and personally.

A visitation for Fr. Vargis will occur Thursday, July 7, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM at St. Thomas Orthodox Catholic Cathedral, 2411 5th St, Stafford, TX 77477. A funeral service will occur Friday, July 8, 2022 from 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM at St Stephens Orthodox Church, 13133 Old Richmond Rd, Houston, TX 77099. A committal service will occur Friday, July 8, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.chapelofeternalpeace.com for the Vargis family.