( 21.01.1977 – 21.10.2020 )
Rev. Fr. Alexander Akkarekallanparambil OCD of All Saints, passed away on 21st October, 2020, at the age of 79 in 47th year of his Profession.
Philip K.V. was born of pious parents, Varghese and Annamma Varghese. He hailed from St. Mary’s Church, Thuruthy, belonging to the Diocese of Changanacherry. He had his Primary Schooling at St. Mary’s UPS School, Thuruthy and High Schooling at St. Berchman’s School, Changanacherry.
Fr. Alexander’s father Mr. Varghese passed away on 14th April 1984 and his mother Mrs. Annamma Varghese passed away on 14th September, 1999. He had 2 brothers and 3 sisters, out of them, 1 brother and 1 sister expired earlier.
After his Matriculation, Philip K.V. joined our Holy Order of Discalced Carmelites of Malabar Semi-Province on 30th May, 1963, where he joined the Novitiate at Thuckalay and made Simple Profession on 31st May, 1964 and received his new name Bro. Alexander Akkarekallenparambil OCD. He made his Solemn Profession on 31st May 1967 at Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram. On 18th December 1970 he was ordained deacon. On 19th December 1971 he was ordained priest by His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Peter Bernard Pereira, the Bishop of Trivandrum.
Rev. Fr. Alexander had served the Province in so many ways with sincerity and faithfulness. As Delegate Provincial of the Carmelite Secular Order he added many members all over Kerala, especially in Trivandrum and Ernakulam and he served the Province in that office for many years. Thrice he became the Delegate Provincial of the OCD Malabar Province – 1990-1993; 1993-1996; 2007-2017.
Besides Fr. Alexander served in many communities of the Province including Ernakulam, Sengulam, Muvattupuzha, Thiruvananthapuram, Potta, Pala, he also served in the Communities outside Kerala – Thanjavur and Bangalore.
Rev. Fr. Alexander Akkarekallanparambil OCD was an excellent shepherd as a Parish Priest who knew the smell of his sheep. He served earnestly in the parishes of Thrikkannapuram, Punnackamughal and Mudavanmughal belonging to the Latin Archdiocese of Trivandrum.
Rev. Fr. Alexander belonged to the Community of Cherupushpashram, Ettumanoor. He underwent an open heart surgery in 1992 and the doctors gave him just five years of life. It is his strong will power and jovial nature that gave him 28 years more. Even amidst extreme uneasiness due to illness he could take life lightly.
All who have met Rev. Fr. Alexander would remember his gentleness and friendship. Naturally he had a wide circle of friends and well wishers who would miss him terribly.
During the month of August, Rev. Fr. Alexander was admitted more than once in Lisie Hospital, Ernakulam, for health problems especially related to heart. Whenever I used to enquire about Fr. Alexander’s health, Fr. Francis Kizhekkemyalil, the then Superior of St. Teresa’s Monastery, assured me that Fr. Alexander would come back to regular life soon. In the second week of September the Cardiologist, who was attending Fr. Alexander, suggested that he could be discharged. As he needed medical assistance, he was brought to the health care centre “Rosa Mistica” at Ettumanoor on 15th September. He was admitted in Caritas Hospital in the first week of October as he developed some breathing problems. On 21st October, he was supposed to be discharged from Hospital but the Lord had some other plans. On the same day morning he breathed his last without disturbing anyone. May his soul rest in peace.
Because of the restrictions and regulations imposed by the Government in the phase of Pandemic Covid 19 many of us could not visit him during his last days and also could not take part in the funeral services. The body was brought to Cherupushpashram, (where he was in conventuality), on 22nd October at 3.30 pm and was kept in the church till following morning for the public to pay him homage. Following the Covid protocol many from different walks of life came to Cherupushpashram to pray for the reposed soul and also to pay him homage.
The mortal body of Rev. Fr. Alexander was brought to Lisieux Centre, Muvattupuzha, on 23rd October in the morning accompanied by the friars of Cherupushpashram. Many of our fathers and brothers from different communities reached either Ettumanoor or Muvatupuzha to pray for the repose of the soul. Their Excellencies Rt. Rev. George Madathikandathil, Bishop of Kothamangalam, and Rt. Rev. Yohannoon Theodosius, Bishop of Syro Malankara Diocese of Muvattupuzha came to our chapel in Muvatupuzha to pray for Fr. Alexander. Funeral Mass was conducted at 8 am presided over by Fr. Provincial. Concluding funeral rites were conducted by His Beatitude Cardinal George Alencherry and Rev. Fr. Alexander Akkareparambil OCD was laid to rest at 10 am. The words of St. Paul have come true in the life of Fr.Alexander: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord will award to me on that Day” (2 Tim 4:7-8). Dear Rev. Fr. Alexander, may your soul rest in peace.
Requiescat in Pace!!!