Mathews Mor Aphrem( former name James) was born to Skaria and Sossamma Chitteth on August 5, 1968 in Arincherumala, Wayanad District. His home parish is St. George Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in Kaniyambatta, Malabar diocese. He has served as an altar boy in his home parish from childhood. He was very active in Sunday school as a student and teacher , and actively involved in other spiritual organizations of the church. James was a very good singer in the Sunday School stages and consistently won prizes in Sunday school, district, diocese and association levels.
He had his schooling at the Government Higher Secondary School in Panamaram, Wynad.He started his college education at Goverment College Manathavady. He got BA in Economics from the University of Calicut. He also earned his M A in Economics from Maharajas College, Ernakulam affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University.
