Rev. Fr. Philip Jacob was born on January 11, 1950 to Sosamma and Chacko Geevarghese. Their family is of the Nairkulangara House in Pathichira, Mavelikara, Kerala. Raju, as he was fondly called, was one among a devout family of four brothers and four sisters. His early education was all in Mavelikara, Kerala. He completed his undergraduate studies at the Bishop Moore College in Mavelikara.
After graduation, Philip attended to his divine calling as a seminarian of the Othara Dayara, one of the oldest and austere Orthodox monasteries of Kerala. This stay at the Dayara groomed Deacon Philip to serve as the Personal Assistant to the Metropolitan of Kollam Diocese in Kerala, His Grace Mathews Mar Coorilos (Now His Holiness The Late Moran Mar Baselius Mar Thoma Mathews II our Catholicos of divine memory). It was under His Grace’s divine mentorship that Deacon Philip blossomed as a true spiritual leader. Deacon Philip served His Grace Mar Coorilos for 2 years.
On August 26, 1973 Deacon Philip was married to Kunjujamma Cherian of the Nediyavilla Puthenveedu, Nariapuram, Pathanamthitta, Kerala. The ceremony was held at the St. John’s Orthodox Church, Pathichira, lead by His Grace Mathews Mar Coorilos.