Rev. J.V. Thilagathas John

Author: Dr. Sam Arputha John

After Rev. J. V. Thilahadhas graduated with a BA degree in 1963, he was appointed as church worker in a village called Wills Nagar under Kanyakumari diocese. In the year 1965 he went on study leave to Yothmal theological college and took his BD degree in doctrine. He was ordained as pastor in the year 1969 and in the same year got married to Miss Saroja Nalini. She was a Maths teacher by profession. Their first son Sam Arputha John was born in the year 1970.

He was then promoted as District Minister and posted to the prestigious church of Marthandam in the year 1971. Their second son Prakash was born in the year 1972. He later joined the International Christian Endeavor Union on deputation as travelling secretary in the year 1973. For the next 5 years he travelled all over India and particularly to disaster stricken areas to render social service. His contributions to the cyclone affected Visakhapatnam during that time by building houses and by rehabilitation were significant.

As his wife, Mrs Saroja Nalini was working in a Government school in Vellore district they stayed in a place called Thirupattur during that time. He also rendered honorary pastoral service to the local church there between his tours.

In 1976 he had the opportunity to go to USA for his Masters in Theology for a year. After his 5 year tenure in Christian Endeavor he was appointed as District Minister for the church in Karungal in 1979.

He was then deputed to SPG Tamil Church Secunderabad, Medak diocese as Presbyter in charge during the years 1981 to 1986.

He later joined Kanyakumari diocese again in the year 1986 and was appointed to minister the church of Kulasekharam. During 1987 Mrs Saroja Nalini was diagnosed to have cancer and was started on treatment. His eldest son got admission for MBBS by merit the same year.

He then got transferred to the CSI church of Kodiyoor in 1991 and was then posted to the CSI church of Neyyoor in 1993. His wife succumbed to her illness on January 4, 1994. His eldest son Dr Sam got married to Dr Beneta Sam in 1996 and his younger son, Erg Prakash got married to Miss Rejila in the year 1998. He was then transferred to Home Church Nagercoil in the year 1997. He underwent cardiac bypass operation during that year.

In the year 1999 he suffered a massive stroke and went into coma. He was later shifted to CMC hospital, Vellore. After a month in ICU he was called by our Lord on June 4, 1999.

His elder son Dr.Sam is a Pediatric Surgeon working at present in Ministry of Health, Kuwait. He has two sons Joshua, Jerome and one daughter Michelle.

His younger son Erg. Prakash did his engineering and is working at present in the Kanyakumari diocese Engineering college. He has one son Roshan and a daughter Raina.

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