Rt. Rev. Zacharias Mar Aprem Episcopa

Rt. Rev. Zacharias Mar Aprem Episcopa was born on 22nd April 1969 as the son of Chemmannoor Sri. C. C. Pappachan and Smt. T. V. Saramma of Arthat Kunnamkulam Mar Thoma Parish.

He completed his B.Sc. in Mathematics from Sreekrishna College, Guruvayoor. He obtained his B.D. from Mar Thoma Theological Seminary, Kottayam in 1997. He was ordained as Semmash on 20th June 1997 by Rt. Rev. Euyakim Mar Coorilos Episcopa and as Kasseesa on 15th July 1997 by Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mar Athanasius Episcopa. He became an expert in the Syriac language by completing his M.A. in Syriac in 2003 from the St. Ephrem Ecumenical Research Institute, Kottayam. He then completed his M.Th. in 2007 from the Paurasthya Vidyapitham, Vadavathoor, Kottayam.

He had the singular opportunity to serve as the Chaplain to two Metropolitans – Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan and Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan. He also served as the Vicars of the parishes in Elappara, Cheethalar, Mathaipara, Kolencherry, Valakom, Mamala, Gwalior, Bharatpur, Karukachal, Thane, Vadavathoor, New York, and Mylom.

He was installed as Ramban by Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos Suffragan Metropolitan on 2nd Oct 2023 at Pazhavangadikkara Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Ranni along with Rev. Dr. Joseph Daniel and Rev. Mathew K. Chandy. He was consecrated as Zacharias Mar Aprem Episcopa on 2nd Dec 2023 at the Holy Madbaha prepared at the Thiruvalla SCS ground.

His expertise in Syriac and his deep knowledge of the liturgy of the Church make him an invaluable asset to the Church. His calm demeanour, thoughtful meditations, and wide ecumenical vision are also his hallmarks.