ST. GREGORIOS OF PARUMALA – Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Gregorios.
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) naturally
to be called, ‘Parumala Thirumeni’. He shines in the cloud of witnesses as a bright
luminary giving rays of hope to millions in their suffering and struggles.
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.
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 at Karingachira Church. Koroyo Geevarghese
continued his training under Geevarghese Malpan until the latter died due to small
pox. Although Deacon Geevarghese was also infected with small pox, he miraculously
survived it. Afterwards Deacon Geevarghese moved to Pampakuda to continued his studies
under Konat Geevarghese Malpan. In the mean time Deacon became associated with the
visiting Syrian Bishop Yuyakim Mar Coorilos. Mar Coorilos had great admiration for
the deacon and was pleased to ordain him as full deacon, priest and cor-episcopa
within few months in 1865.
VETTICKAL DAYARA
The new priest’s short stay at Mulanthuruthy Marthommen Church gave him an inner
conviction that he should lead a hermit’s life in a quieter place. Therefore he
shifted his residence to Vettickal Dayara. At Vettickal Dayara, Corepiscopa Geevarghese
started a strenuous life of prayer and fasting. Having heard about the vigorous
asceticism practised by corepiscopa Geevarghese, the then Malankara Metropolitan
Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius made him a ‘Ramban’ (Monk Priest) in 1872.
PATRIARCHAL VISIT AND THE SYNOD OF MULAMTHURUTHY
In 1875, the Antioch Patriarch His Holiness Peter III visited Malankara. The Patriarch
chose Ramban Geevarghese as his Secretary and translator during the entire visit.
Along with the Patriarch , the Ramban visited many churches. Ramban Geevarghese
also assisted the Patriarch in the consecration of the Holy Mooron and in the historic
synod of Mulanthuruthy in 1876.
CONSECRATION AS METROPOLITAN
Being pleased with the Ramban Geevarghese, the Patriarch decided to consecrate him
as Metropolitan. On December 10, 1876 the Patriarch consecrated six priests as bishops
including Ramban Geevarghese at St. Thomas Church, N Paravur. He was given the new
name Geevarghese Mar Gregorios and was given the charge of Niranam Diocese. The
other bishops and their Diocese were:
Murimattath Mar Ivanios (Kandanad)
Kadavil Mar Athanasios (Kottayam)
Ambattu Mar Coorilos (Ankamaly)
Karottuveetil Simon Mar Dionysius (Cochin)
Konat Mar Julius (Thumpamon)
St.Thomas Church, North Paravur
Mar Gregorios was only 28 years when he was made a bishop. Since he was the youngest
among all the bishops, he was dearly called by all as ‘Kochu Thirumeni’. The first
thing the new bishops undertook was a special fasting-vigil for forty days at Vettickal
Dayara under the leadership of ‘Kochu Thirumeni’. 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
Mar 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.
THREEFOLD ACTIVITY
Mar Gregorios engaged in a threefold activity of tireless service for the church:
Diocesan administration, Ministerial formation of deacons, Missionary witness of
the church through inner spiritual and theological consolidation, along with evangelical
reaching out. In addition to these, Mar Gregorios undertook the task of building
a church and seminary at Parumala. The diocesan administration, in the mean time,
was extended to two more dioceses, Thumpamon and Quilon. 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; Fr.Rene Vilatti as Rene Vilatti Mar Timotheos for America.
HOLY LAND - PILGRIMAGE
Mar Gregorios made the Holy Land Pilgrimage in 1895 as the fulfillment of a long
cherished dream. On his return he 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.
A VISION AND MISSION FOR THE ENTIRE CHURCH
Mar Gregorios believed that the church should engage in educational activity especially
to facilitate primary education and English teaching without discriminating gender
or religion. Accordingly he started schools at Kunnamkulam, Mulamthuruthy, Niranam,
Thumpamon, Thiruvalla etc. The missionary task of the Church was also evinced by
his outreach programme to the socially down trodden communities at Chennithala,
Kalikunnu, Mallappally, Puthupally, Kallumkathara etc. He also organized evangelical
awakening programme for non-Christians at various places like Aluva, under the leadership
of the Seminary students. 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)
DEPARTURE FROM THE WORLD
Mar Gregorios was a patient. It became chronic in 1902. Treatments proved futile
and slowly His Grace became physically weaker and weaker. At last the blessed soul
left the earthly abode on 2nd November 1902. 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 centre 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.