Rev. Fr. Binu Mathews grew up in Houston, TX with St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral as his home parish. Binu Achen was one of few deacons in North America who started serving at a very young age, having been ordained as Reader in 1999 by His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas. He was then appointed as the Houston area Youth Minister, which he served as through 2002. He was also the first National Treasurer of MGOCSM from 2001 through 2004.
After completing his Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Houston, he went on to St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary and later transferred to St. Tikohn's Orthodox Theological Seminary. He completed the Master of Divinity program and was the first of our deacons (in North America) to graduate from St. Tikohn's. From there he went on to pursue his M.A. in Counseling from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX.
In 2010, he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Grace Alexios Mar Eusebius, who then appointed him as Assistant Vicar of St. Paul’s Orthodox Church. In July 2011 he was appointed as Vicar and served through August 2018. The interim Metropolitan of the Diocese of Southwest America, His Grace Zachariah Mar Aprem, appointed him as Vicar of St. James Orthodox Mission Church in September of 2018.