povargheseachen

An Achen's Silent Influence
Remembering Very Rev. P O Varghese

3 January 2012

P O Varghese Achen has completed his race.

A few days back, my wife and I had a chance to visit Achen. When we stood outside his room, we could hear him praying; that was a farewell prayer for some people who were leaving after visiting him. It was evident that Achen’s health was on the decline. Yet, the spirit of prayer that has kept him going for all these years still remained strong.

I consider myself fortunate that I could have good associations with Very Rev. P O Varghese. It may sound strange to say thus, as we are separated by almost half a century by our age. But, that itself is one element of the greatness in Achen. He volunteered to cross barriers.

My first encounter with Achen was when I was a teenager, doing my Pre Degree. It was while travelling on a bus to Changanacherry. Though I knew that he belonged to Mallappally, I had not spoken to him. (We were not living in Mallappally then, and Achen too was away, ministering in different parishes.) I felt Achen’s eyes on me, and when I glanced back, he beckoned me near, and asked about my whereabouts. He was happy to hear my family name, and my heart was warmed when he spoke of his associations with my father and other members of our family. He said: "When I saw you there, I felt that you looked familiar!" His smiling face and his words saturated with love were an impact upon me.

Later, when my parents moved back to settle in Mallappally, I came to have better and closer associations with Achen. By then, Achen was into the early years of his retired life. He still continued to be in the ministry, offering surplice duty in churches around. His travels were on a moped, till ill health stood in the way. He was also leading the service once a month at the Holy Immanuel CSI Church, Mallappally. It was a time when I joined the choir. Achen was one person who encouraged me to take up situations of responsibility.

If I’m asked to locate a key word to mark a quality in Achen which has influenced me, I have the answer: ‘respect’. Achen’s words to us carried a strain of respect. I think he considered us not just as guys of the choir or youth movement, but as fellow-servants in the ministry of the Lord and His church. Of course, this doesn’t mean that he gave us a blank cheque. When needed, he didn’t hesitate to correct us, or restrain our rash decisions.

Respect is reciprocal. My respect for Achen grew when I had occasions to assist him at church. Especially when he was not feeling well, he would ask me to take the first part of the service, while he would do the sections of the Holy Communion. He lovingly urged me to wear my choir surplice on those occasions, saying that it denotes the significance and sacredness of the duty.

I can’t forget one casual talk I had with Achen when I visited him at his house. I was still in my student days then. Achen was telling me of his childhood days. “We were many children at home, and we had gone through days of difficulties….” I have not overcome the amazement I had then, at the simplicity of this sincere heart. He was not speaking merely of struggles; he was encouraging me to see the hands of God that moved in a family which was built on the solid rocks of faith and prayer.

Achen’s younger brother, Very Rev. P O Ninan, has brought to me another instance of the greatness of Varghese Achen. Ninan Achen was about to enter the ordained ministry. His elder brother, already a clergyman of the Diocese of Madhya Kerala, went to see Rt. Rev.M M John. It was an elder brother’s visit to make a recommendation for the achen-to-be. And, what did he ask for? “Thirumeni, my brother is taking up ordination. He says he wants to be a missionary. So… send him to a parish in the Diocese where difficulties are at their worst!” Varghese Achen was prepared even with a suggestion: Ayyappankovil in the Melukavu region. I challenge myself: can there be a parallel to this anywhere in our present day circles?

I thank God for P O Varghese Achen. And, I consider my life blessed when I think of the personal benediction my wife and I could have from him even as he was preparing for his departure. That is a New Year gift we want to cherish for the years yet to come, till we can join him in yearless eternity.