The Very Rev. Dr. Yohannan Sankarathil Cor-Episcopa is the vicar of St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Church, Levittown, Long Island and has been since its inception in 1986. He came to the United States in September of 1970 for higher theological studies at Union Theological Seminary, from where he graduated. He also earned five Master’s degrees (Malayalam & Sanskrit, Counseling Psychology, Rehab Counseling, Recreation Therapy, Theology) and a Doctorate in Theology. HH Baselious Augen I, Catholicos of the East, appointed him to organize parishes for the Malankara Orthodox Church in the United States on August 2nd, 1971. He was the first Vicar of the Malankara Orthodox Church in the United States. Rev. Fr. Yohannan has been instrumental in establishing various parishes in the early days of the Malankara Orthodox Church in the U.S and Canada. He is also a member of the “Sankarathil” family, a priestly family with ancient ties to the first Christians in Kerala. Rev. Fr. Yohannan also worked for 25 years for the NY State Mental Health system.