“He who prays to God everyday would never be without truth, morality, faith and devotion, and would never turn against his master or society “.

Saint Gregorios of Parumala is popularly known as ‘Parumala Thirumeni’. Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of the Malankara Orthodox Church, who passed away on November 2nd 1902, became the first declared saint from Malankara (Kerala, India).

 Birth and Parentage

Mar Gregorios was born on 15th June 1848 (M.E. Mithunam 3, 1023) to Kochu Mathai and Mariam of Pallathetta family in the Chathuruthy house at Mulamthuruthy. He was called by the name ‘Kochaippora’ and was given the baptismal name ‘Geevarghese’. Kochaippora had two brothers and two sisters: Kurian, Eli, Mariam and Varkey. Kochaippora was the youngest and was therefore the most beloved to everyone. Unfortunately, his mother passed away when he was only two years old. His eldest sister Mariam became to him all that a mother was meant. Mariam was married at that time and had a child of Kochaippora’s age.

Childhood and Education

Young Kochaippora started his formal education, at the age of five, under ‘Onakkavil Ayya’, a local Hindu (Ezhava) teacher. He also studied in a traditional village School (Mammoottil ManiAsan’s kalari). ‘Kochaipora’ had a deep fascination towards Syriac, the liturgical language of the Syriac Orthodox Church. His extraordinary ability to sing Syriac hymns beautifully & perfectly came to the notice of his uncle (father’s brother), Malpan Kassisso Geevarghese, who was an authority in Syriac and a celibate priest. Impressed by his nephew’s extraordinary divine qualities, Kassisso Geevarghese gave proper guidance to him. The other two personalities who had greatly influenced young Geevarghese were Malpan Kassisso Geevarghese Konattu (later Geevarghese Mor Julius) and St. Yuyakkim MOR Koorilos Bava, the Syrian Metropolitan, who was the Reesh Episcopa to Malankara.

Reader-Deacon and Further Education

He was ordained as a reader-deacon (Korooyo) on 14th Sept, 1858 at the age of ten by Palakkunnath Mathews Mar Athanasios, the Malankara Metropolitan, at Karingachira St. George Syrian Church. Korooyo Geevarghese continued his training under Geevarghese Malpan. One day Malpan became seriously ill with smallpox. Deacon Geevarghese stayed back and took care of him, while all others were sent home. On the eight day Malpan died and Deacon became ill with small pox. During this time, he had a vision of St. Mary in his dream, descending to console him, and exhorting him to dedicate the rest of his life to the Lord. He pledged “He would”. This was a heavenly vision that enabled him, to become a humble servant of God. Very soon the deacon miraculously recovered, and had the firm resolution to spend his life in prayer and monastic discipline.

Deacon Geevarghese moved to Pampakuda to continue his studies under Konat Geevarghese Malpan. During this time, Yuyakkim Mor Koorilos, the Reesh Episcopa to Malankara (Patriarchal delegate), from Syria visited India. Bishop Koorilos was very much impressed by Deacon Geevarghese’s wisdom, devotion and command in Syriac language. The deacon traveled with Mor Koorilos as his translator and guide. Mor Koorilos ordained deacon Geevarghese as a full deacon ‘Shamshono’. The very next month, in October 1865, at the age of 18, Shamshono Geevarghese was ordained a Kassisso (full priest) and later Cor-Episcopa, again at the blessed hands of Yuyakim Mor Koorilos Bava.

Vettickal Dayara

Geevarghese Cor-Episcopa’s short stay at Mulanthuruthy Marthommen Church gave him an inner conviction that he should lead a hermit’s life in a quieter place. He was much impressed by the monastic traditions and decided to be a follower of Christ in the monastic tradition of St. Anthony, a third century monk. He chose Vettickal Dayara, near Mulanthuruthy, as his abode, where he could live the monastic life of abstinence, discipline, devotion, practicing fasting, prayer, meditation and mortification. All this slowly started to sanctify his life. People living around Vettickal were immensely impressed by the strict ascetic discipline and this monk became a great inspiration to them. They started to visit him to seek advice and guidance. His name and fame started to spread.

Mor Dionysius V Joseph Pulikottil  raised him to the order of monks (Ramban) in April 7, 1872.

Patriarchal Visit and the Synod of Mulanthuruthy

The protestant missionary activities, aided by the British Government, were at its heights, in those days. These missionary groups and their supporters created all sort of hardships for the Syrian Church and its hierarchy. The patriarchal delegates were deported from the states of Travancore and Kochi. The Indian metropolitans were not allowed to enter the churches. Priests who opposed these missionaries were arrested and jailed (Church history by E M Philip). Many Syrian Christian churches were either taken over or closed by the government. To bring an end to this situation, the faithful in Malankara came together under the leadership of Ramban Geevarghese Chathuruthy and organised a general body of Malankara Church on 8th September 1873 at Parumala to seek the help of the church supreme, the Patriarch of Antioch, then residing at the monastery of Deir ez-Za`faran (Kurkumo dayro) in Turkey.

Accordingly His Holiness Ignatius Peter IV (also referred as ‘Pathros III’ in many Malankara records), the Patriarch of the Apostolic See of Antioch & All the East and the Supreme pontiff of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, arrived in Malankara in June 1875.  Ramban Geevarghese who was well versed in Syriac was appointed as the interpreter to the Patriarch.  The Patriarch greatly impressed with the young Ramban, chose him also as his private secretary.  When the historic Mulanthuruthy Synod was convened in the month of June 1876, the assistance of Ramban Geevarghese was of much help to His Holiness. The Patriarch’s esteem of the Ramban grew so high that His Holiness decided to elevate him to the order of Metropolitan.

Consecration as Metropolitan

On 10th December 1876, H.H. the Patriarch ordained Ramban Geevarghese a Metropolitan by name ‘GREGORIOS’ at the North Paravur St. Thomas church. When in Malankara, His Holiness the Patriarch had consecrated six Metropolitans of which Mar Gregorios was the youngest and was only 28 and hence he came to be known by the endearing name KOCHU THIRUMENI. The ancestral house where Mar Gregorios was born and brought up was known by name ‘CHATHURUTHY’ and for that reason he is also often referred to as CHATHURUTHY THIRUMENI.

Mar Gregorios was appointed the bishop of Niranam, Kerala.

The other bishops and their Dioceses were:

Murimattath Mar Ivanios (Kandanad)

Kadavil Mar Athanasios (Kottayam)

Ambattu Mar Coorilos (Ankamaly)

Karottuveetil Simon Mar Dionysius (Cochin)

Konat Mar Julius (Thumpamon)

After the departure of the Patriarch in 1877, at the behest of our Kochu Thirumeni, all the newly ordained Metropolitans observed a 40 day fasting staying at the Vettickal dayro before assuming the responsibilities of their respective dioceses.

This fasting was both symbolic and effective in the pursuit of new life in an old church.

Mar Gregorios took charge of the Niranam Diocese and started staying at Parumala. There was at Parumala, at that time, a land donated by Arikupurath Koruth Mathen to the church and in this plot a small building was erected by the Malankara Metropolitan Pulikkottil Joseph Mor Dionysius. This building was known as ‘Azhippura’. Mar Gregorios lived there along with few other deacons, who came for priestly training. They worshipped in a thatched chapel during that time.

Ministry

Mar Gregorios engaged in a threefold activity of tireless service for the church: Diocesan administration, Ministerial formation of deacons, and Missionary witness of the church through inner spiritual and theological consolidation, along with evangelical reaching out. The saintly father was closely and intimately associated with varied activities and development of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church.  He was very much admired for his organizing ability and was very popular with the masses.

In his bishopric, he established various churches and was the motivator to establish schools in different parts of Malankara. Mar Gregorios was a man, who grasped the value of education for the overall progress of the Church, as well as the society in general. In late 1890’s, many educational institutions were started by the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church under the initiative and guidance of Parumala Kochu Thirumeni and Malankara Metropolitan Pulikottil Joseph Mor Dionysius. The St. Thomas School at Mulanthuruthy, St. Ignatius School at Kunnamkulam (named after his mentor the Patriarch Pathros IV (III)), the Syrian English School at Thiruvalla (now known as ‘MGM High School’), etc., were some of the well-known schools established at the behest of Parumala Thirumeni.

The missionary task of the Church was also evinced by his outreach program to the socially down trodden communities at Chennithala, Kalikunnu, Mallappally, Puthupally, Kallumkathara etc. Mar Gregorios also organized evangelical awakening program for non-Christians at various places like Aluva, under the leadership of the Seminary students. He was very keen in maintaining relationship with all sections of people, irrespective of caste or community. He always showed love and cared for the poor and suffering. He was very particular for helping the poor. His Grace took special interest in preaching the Holy Gospel of Our Lord among the backward communities and many were accepted into our fold.  He also worked hard to uplift this marginalized people.

A major task of Mar Gregorios was to motivate the clergy for effective ministry. With this aim, he formed the Malankara Syrian Clergy Association and took many progressive decisions and made many suggestions for the effective functioning of the priestly ministry.

Disciples of Thirumeni

Among the many disciples of Mar Gregorios, three deserve special notice:

1.            Vattasseril Rev.Fr.Geevarghese (later, Malankara Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Dionysius)

2.            Kuttikattu Rev.Fr.Paulose (later, Paulose Mar Athanasios of Aluva)

3.            Kallasseril Rev.Fr,Geevarghese (Punnoose) (later, Catholicos Baselios Geevarghese II)

Following the demise of the respective Metropolitans of Thumpamon and Kollam dioceses (in 1884 and 1891), the administration of these dioceses also fell under him. In 1887, the first block of the Parumala Seminary was opened and in January 1895, just before his historic visit to Jerusalem, he along with Malankara Metropolitan Mor Dionysius V Pulikottil consecrated the St. Peter’s church (seminary church) at Parumala. The newly constructed church was consecrated in 1895. Mar Gregorios was the co-celebrant for the consecration of two ex-Roman Catholic priests as bishops: Fr.Alvaris as Alvaris Mar Kulius for Bombay-Mangalore Diocese and Fr.Rene Vilatti as Rene Vilatti Mar Timotheos for America.

While staying at Parumala Seminary, Mar Gregorios taught Syriac to deacons. His ability to tack Syriac hymns was exceptional, a talent he developed through his close association with the Syrian Metropolitan St. Yuyakim Mor Koorilos. Even in the midst of all the busy schedules he gave utmost priority to prayers and fasting. He used to get up at 4 am for prayer and prayed till 5am. He taught deacons till 7am followed by prayer and his light breakfast. From 9am till 11am,he taught deacons again. From 11am to noon he took care of administrative matters and again went to prayer at noon and then to lunch. He rested till 1:30pm and taught till 4pm with a brief prayer in between. From 4pm to 5:30pm he was busy with his administrative duties. After evening prayers and supper he taught bible to the deacons. After the compline, at 9pm he would let the deacons go to bed, but he would still be praying until midnight. Observing all the Church Lents, including the fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays was a regular affair from his child-hood days. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Lenten days, he would fast till evening. Besides, he observed his own special fasts. People came from far and near to seek his blessings and paternal advises.

In his own words “Prayer brings truth, religious faith, honesty and respect among the people.”

Holy Land Pilgrimage

His Grace’s long standing desire to visit the Holy Land was fulfilled in 1895, nineteen years after his ordination as Metropolitan. During his pilgrimage, he stayed at the “Sehion Malika” (Monastery of St. Mark), which was the diocesan headquarters of the Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan. During his stay there, H.G. visited almost all the important places of Christendom and led the Passion Week services at the altars of our Syrian Church in the Holy City. On his return, His Grace collected a certain amount from all the Parishes in Malankara and sent a Silver Cross as offering to the Holy church in Jerusalem. He also published a travelogue under the title ‘Oorslem yathra vivaranam’ (a narrative of the Jerusalem visit). This book, published in 1895 is to be considered as the earliest printed travelogue in Malayalam. This book had its centenary edition in 1996 and translation into English in 2000.

Departure from the world

Mar Gregorios was already a piles-patient. It became chronic in 1902.Treatments proved futile and slowly His Grace became physically weaker and weaker, and around five days before his death, he called one of his chief disciples, Wattasseril Fr.Geevarghese by the bed side and entrusted him with the keys and other documents. His Grace then told his esteemed colleagues that he would leave this world within a few days. For the next couple of days, he lay speechless. On the third day towards midnight he asked those standing nearby “What is the date today?”. They replied ‘The Eighteenth’ (Malayalam era). “My Lord I must endure this pain for two more days”, sighed His Grace. The Holy Father actually knew the date of his death. Two days later, on Sunday the 20th (2nd November, 1902), “Kantheela”(Syriac word for the Holy Sacrament of the sick) was celebrated for Thirumeni. At around midnight the same day, Thirumeni in a feeble voice said “Ente Karthave” (Oh My Lord!!!) . Punnoose Ramban and other priests standing nearby had the Prayers then and suddenly the Great Saint of Malankara left this world submitting his soul to his Father God. Eye witnesses testify that they saw a bright light as he lay breathing his last.

The funeral was conducted at Parumala on Tuesday the 3rd of November 1902 in the presence of thousands of people and hundreds of priests. The many testimonies to the saintly intercession of Mar Gregorios made Parumala Church and the tomb a center of pilgrimage. In 1947 Mar Gregorios of blessed memory was declared a saint by the then Catholicos of the church, His Holiness Baselius Geevarghese II.