Pathanamthitta: Could the parishioners bring themselves to part with the man who had guarded their church for 23 years? At the St Thomas Marthoma Church in Kozhencherry, last honours were arranged within the church itself for Prakkanam Idayadiel Ajikumar Kurup (59), who had served as its security staff.

On Sunday evening, Ajikumar passed away at his home following a heart attack. Earlier that morning, he had been at the church, making all the arrangements needed for worship, before returning home.

The vicar and the church committee decided that, before his body was taken home from the mortuary on Wednesday for the funeral, it should be placed within the church for public homage. His family gave their consent. Thus, between 9 and 10 in the morning, clergy and parishioners gathered to pay their respects.

On learning of his death, Vicar Rev Abraham Thomas, Secretary Shibu K John, Trustees Umman Varghese and Binu Parappuzha, and other office-bearers resolved that honour must be given to Aji, and arranged for this farewell within the church. For the first time in the church’s history, a non-Christian was allowed inside for last respects.

After the public homage at the church, priests and parishioners also took part in the last rites at his home. Remembering him, the parish said Aji had lived with the loyalty and devotion of a true member of the church family.

He is survived by wife Suja and children Jithin, Vishnu and Arya.