Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Mathew Chacko

Rev. Fr. Mathew C. Chacko has been serving as pastor of the parish - Saints Basilios-Gregorios Orthodox Church of Central Jersey [herein after mentions as SBGOC], from its inception, On Sunday October 1, 2000, the Feast day of Saint Basilios of Kothamangalam.

SBGOC is a parish in the North East American Diocese of the Malankara [Indian] Orthodox Church and is under the authority and supervision of His Holiness Baselius Dydimus I, Catholicos of the apostolic throne of St. Thomas established in India Ad. 52.

SBGOC is under the apostolic authority of His Eminence Mathews Mar Barnabas, the Diocesan Metroploitan for the North East America Diocese of the Indian Orthodox Church. Fr. Mathew C Chacko is appointed Vicar/Pastor of SBGOC by the Order of Metropolitan Barnabas dated October 8, 2000.

Fr. Chacko lives with his wife Ruthamma, and .their son Jacob M Chacko with family, and daughter Susan M Chack with family live in East Brunswick, New Jersey.

Fr. Mathews is an early immigrant to the USA. He entered the USA as a Fullbright Scholar to continue his theological Education at Union Theological seminary in the Fall of 1968 and he secured a Master of Sacred theology degree [STM] in 1969

Ordained deacon 'Korooyo' by His Holiness Moran Baselios Geevargese II on June 22, 1950.

Obtained Bachelors degree in Mathematics from C. M. S. College, Kottayam, University of Travancore in 1954

Obtained from Bishop's College, Calcutta a Bachelors degree in Divinity. B. D., in 1957

Ordained priest by Metropolitan His Eminence Mathews Mar Coorilos on St. Andrews Day, November 30, 1957.

Earned M. A. degree in Philosophy and Psychology from the University of Kerala, India, standing first and securing the Gold Medal -1964.

Served as assistant Vicar of St. George Orthodox Cathedral, Palayam and began research towards Ph. D. degree in Philosophy at the University College - 2 years, University of Kerala – 1962-64

Having received admission fellowship and Full Bright Travel he proceeded to USA. On his way, he served as Vicar of St. Thomas Church, Madras for a few months and 2 years in Calcutta St. Thomas as its Vicar.

Father Mathew arrived in the USA as Fulbright Scholar pursuing a Doctoral program in Theology and Psychology.

Received the degree of Master of Sacred Theology from Union Seminary New York - 1969

Received the Ph. D. degree in Psychology and Theology He received the Ph. D. degree from Hartford Seminary Foundation in 1972. His study was a comparison of the concept of Self-realization in Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and the concept of Self-actualization in the American Psychologist, Carl Rogers.

Fr. Chacko served as Staff Chaplain and Director of pastoral Care in New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation at the Sea View Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Staten Island, New York for almost 25 years and retired in 2000.

Member Working Committee: Served with HE Metropolitan Thomas Mar Makarios,. Fr. A. K. Cherian, Fr. Dr. M. E. Idiculla and Panam Kurian in the early days of the immigrant Indian Orthodox communities of America until the Metropolitan’s installation as the First metropolitan of the American Diocese.

Championed the first ever gathering of the Indian Orthodox Community’s celebration of St. Thomas Day in the Inter-Church Center in Manhattan under the leadership of Metopolitan Dr. Thomas Mar Makrios of blessed memory.

Vice President: The Council of Churches of the City NY, Manhattan - 4 years
President: The Staten Island Council of Churches - 4 years
President: The Kerala Samajam of Staten Island. - 4 years
President: Staten Island Clergy Association - Two-Year term

Published several articles to “Religiously Speaking Column of Staten Island Advance periodicals from 1977 - 2002

Professor - St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Seminary in Somerset, New Jersey Orthodox psychotherapy, Christian apologetics, Major World Religions, Counseling and Chaplaincy. – 2 years