In a remarkable testament to faith and dedication, Simon Xavier Cochery, a Malayali expatriate in the UK and a member of the Syro-Malabar Diocese of Great Britain, has completed the extraordinary task of handwriting the entire Bible in both English and Malayalam. Undertaking this spiritual journey during his time in Britain, Simon sees this as his witness to the Word of God.
A devoted altar server at the St. John Maria Vianney Mission in CHEAM, London, Simon testifies that attending the Holy Mass regularly provided him with the strength to complete this endeavor. Even after transcribing the Bible twice, he never missed the sacred celebration, reinforcing his belief that the Eucharist was his guiding force.
The inspiration to embark on this mission took root on his father’s birthday, September 8, 2018. With a desire to deepen his connection to scripture through reading, studying, and prayer, he began writing the Malayalam Bible by hand on September 16, 2018. Astonishingly, he completed it within just 200 days, finishing on April 2, 2019. There were days when he devoted up to eight hours to transcription, driven by unwavering faith and spiritual fulfillment.
Encouraged by the transformative experience of handwriting the Malayalam Bible, Simon was motivated to undertake the same task in English. He began this manuscript on August 19, 2024, and after 212 days of diligent work, he successfully completed it on March 18, 2025.
Beyond his personal journey, Simon has been an integral part of faith formation, serving as a religious educator alongside his wife, Rosamma, for a decade. Currently, he continues his mission by mentoring 34 altar servers, further cementing his commitment to nurturing faith within the community. His home parish, St. Mary’s Church in Karukachal Koothrapalli, falls under the Archdiocese of Changanassery. His deep-rooted faith also shines through his family, with his eldest son, Deacon Tony, studying for the priesthood in Rome, while his younger son, Tom, is a student at Manchester University.
Simon’s remarkable achievement stands as a beacon of devotion, proving that faith, perseverance, and the grace of the Holy Mass can fuel even the most extraordinary spiritual journeys.