St. Mor Gregorios of Parumala

Geevarghese (George), who would later be known to the world as St. Mor Gregorios of Parumala, was born on June 15, 1848, in the distinguished priestly family of Pallathattu Thanagattu in the village of Mulunthuruthy near Cochin, India. He was baptized at the historic Mulanthuruthy Mar Thoman Church, a sanctuary that would witness many pivotal moments in his spiritual journey.

Tragedy struck early in young Geevarghese's life when his mother passed away while he was still a small boy. From that moment forward, he was placed under the loving care of his elder sister Mariam, who became both mother and guardian to him. Despite this early loss, or perhaps because of it, Geevarghese developed an extraordinarily disciplined spiritual life from his childhood days, one that was enriched by constant prayer and rigorous fasting.

Known affectionately as Kochaipora in those early days, the young Geevarghese demonstrated a deep and abiding fascination with Syriac, the ancient liturgical language of the Syriac Orthodox Church. His extraordinary ability to sing Syriac hymns with both beauty and precision came to the attention of his uncle, Malpan Kassisso Geevarghese, who was himself an authority in the Syriac language and lived as a celibate priest. Deeply impressed by his nephew's divine qualities and spiritual inclination, Kassisso Geevarghese took it upon himself to provide proper guidance and instruction to the gifted youth.

The Malankara Church was witnessing the emergence of a remarkable spiritual figure. Through continuous prayers and unwavering devotion, young Geevarghese was making it abundantly clear to the world that prayer and devotion are mightier than any worldly possession. His short life would prove to be remarkable in many respects, as he ascended through the ecclesiastical ranks with unprecedented speed while maintaining profound humility.

Following his ordination as a monk, Ramban Geevarghese settled at the Vettickal Dayro near Mulunthuruthy, where he led an extraordinarily strict monastic life characterized by intense prayer, rigorous fasting, and complete devotion to the spiritual disciplines of the Church.

These were tumultuous times for the Syrian Church in Malankara. Protestant missionary activities, strongly supported by the British Government, had reached their zenith. These missionary groups and their supporters created innumerable hardships for the Syrian Church and its hierarchy. Patriarchal delegates were deported from the states of Travancore and Kochi. Indian Metropolitans were barred from entering their own churches. Priests who dared to oppose these missionaries were arrested and imprisoned. Many Syrian Christian churches were either forcibly taken over or closed by governmental decree.

To bring an end to this extraordinary and unjust situation, the faithful in Malankara came together under the leadership of Ramban Geevarghese Chathuruthy. On September 8, 1873, they organized a general body meeting of the Malankara Church at Parumala, seeking the help of the Church supreme, the Patriarch of Antioch, who was then residing at the ancient Monastery of Deir ez-Za'faran (Kurkumo Dayro) in Turkey.

In response to this earnest appeal, His Holiness Ignatius Peter IV (also referred to as Pathros III in many Malankara records), the Patriarch of the Apostolic See of Antioch and All the East and the Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, arrived in Malankara in June 1875. Ramban Geevarghese, who was exceptionally well-versed in Syriac, was appointed as the interpreter to the Patriarch. The Patriarch was so greatly impressed with the young Ramban that he chose him also as his private secretary.

When the historic Mulunthuruthy Synod was convened in June 1876, the assistance of Ramban Geevarghese proved invaluable to His Holiness. The Patriarch's esteem for the Ramban grew so high that His Holiness decided to elevate him to the sacred order of Metropolitan. On December 10, 1876, at the North Paravur St. Thomas Church, His Holiness the Patriarch ordained Ramban Geevarghese a Metropolitan, bestowing upon him the name Gregorios.

Following the departure of the Patriarch in 1877, at the behest of Kochu Thirumeni, all the newly ordained Metropolitans observed a forty-day period of fasting while staying at the Vettickal Dayro before assuming the responsibilities of their respective dioceses. On May 5, 1877, Mor Gregorios formally assumed the diocesan charge of Niranam.

Mor Gregorios was a man who grasped the profound value of education for the overall progress of both the Church and society in general. In his bishopric, he established various churches and became the primary motivator for founding schools in different parts of Malankara. In the late 1890s, 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 saintly father was closely and intimately associated with varied activities and the development of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church. He was greatly admired for his exceptional organizing ability and was immensely popular with the masses. Following the demise of the respective Metropolitans of Thumpamon and Kollam dioceses in 1884 and 1891, the administration of these dioceses also fell under his capable leadership.

While residing at Parumala Seminary, Mor Gregorios personally taught Syriac to the deacons. His exceptional ability to chant Syriac hymns was truly remarkable, a talent he had developed through his close association with the Syrian Metropolitan St. Yuyakim Mor Koorilos. Even in the midst of all his busy administrative schedules, he gave utmost priority to prayers and fasting.

His daily routine was a testament to his spiritual discipline. He would rise at four o'clock in the morning for prayer and strictly followed the Church practice of praying seven times a day. Observing all the Church lents, including the mandatory fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays, was a regular affair from his childhood days that continued throughout his life. Mor Gregorios was extraordinarily keen on maintaining relationships with all sections of people, irrespective of caste or community. He always showed love and care for the poor and suffering, and was particularly devoted to truthfulness and helping those in need.

His Grace took special interest in preaching the Holy Gospel of Our Lord among the backward communities, and many were welcomed into the Orthodox fold through his ministry. He worked tirelessly to uplift these marginalized people, seeing in them the face of Christ himself.

In January 1895, just before his historic visit to Jerusalem, Mor Gregorios, along with Malankara Metropolitan Mor Dionysius V Pulikottil, consecrated the St. Peter's Church (Seminary Church) at Parumala. This church would later become his final resting place and a major pilgrimage site.

His Grace's long-standing desire to visit the Holy Land was finally fulfilled in 1895, nineteen years after his ordination as Metropolitan. During his pilgrimage, he stayed at the Sehion Malika (Monastery of St. Mark), which served as the diocesan headquarters of the Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan in Jerusalem. During his stay there, His Grace visited almost all the important places of Christendom and had the blessed privilege of leading the Passion Week services at the altars of the Syrian Church in the Holy City.

Upon his return to Malankara, His Grace collected contributions from all the parishes and sent a magnificent silver cross as an offering to the Holy Church in Jerusalem, establishing a lasting connection between the Malankara faithful and the sacred sites of our Lord's earthly ministry.

At the age of 54, Thirumeni became seriously ill. With the spiritual insight that characterized his entire life, he knew that his end was near. As the Metropolitans, priests, and faithful gathered around him in prayer, Kochu Thirumeni uttered his final words, "MY LORD," and peacefully closed his eyes.

Kochu Thirumeni passed away on Monday, November 3, 1902 (some records erroneously state November 2, but historical documentation confirms November 3), and his mortal remains were laid to rest the next day, November 4, at the St. Peter's Church, Parumala. The church that he had helped consecrate just seven years earlier became his eternal resting place and would soon become one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Oriental Orthodox world.

On August 22, 1987, the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church, presided over by the late lamented Catholicos of the East, Aboon Mor Baselios Paulose II, made formal requests before the Church's spiritual head, the Patriarch, to permit the name of Mor Gregorios to be recited in the Fifth Tubden (Holy Diptych) along with the monks and martyrs of the Holy Church.

Consequent to this request, His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas issued the historical Bull dated December 20, 1987, authorizing the recital of the name of Mor Gregorios of Malankara in the Fifth Tubden in all Malankara churches worldwide. This Bull was first read in the home parish of our holy father at the Mulanthuruthy Mar Thoman Church, where he had been baptized 139 years earlier.

The name of the Holy Father is now recited in the Fifth Tubden, after the names of the late Patriarch of Antioch, Moran Mor Ignatius Elias III (Manjinikkara, 1932) and Maphryono Mor Baselios Yeldho (Kothamangalam, 1685), whose names were also included together with that of St. Gregorios.

The holy relics of St. Gregorios are now enshrined in many churches around the world. A large number of churches have been built in the holy father's name across the globe. The churches and shrines built by Malankara Syrian Christians in recent times and named after St. Gregorios are perhaps the largest in number, second only to those which bear the names of Mother Mary and St. Geevarghese Sahada (Mart Shmuni).

Remarkably, even before the Church officially conferred sainthood, one Parasseril Varkey, an ardent devotee of St. Gregorios Chathuruthy, established a small shrine in the name of our holy father in 1906, just four years after his heavenly repose. This is considered to be the first shrine established anywhere in the name of St. Gregorios Chathuruthy (Parumala Thirumeni). The descendants of Parasseril Varkey later surrendered this shrine and the adjoining land to the Vettickal Karmelkunnu St. Thomas Syrian Simhasana Church.

Mor Gregorios was a master of the Syriac language, which fascinated him greatly, especially its beauty, melody, glorious past, and spiritual history. To him, the prayers forming an integral part of the Holy Qurbono held real relevance and significance, which held him steadfast in his loyalty to the Apostolic See of Antioch founded by St. Peter, acknowledged as chief among the apostles.

He remained true to the traditions and history built up by the Holy Fathers listed in the Fifth Tubden, starting with the venerable St. James, Apostle, Martyr, and the first Prelate of Jerusalem. He had no doubts about the Church hierarchy as spelled out in the First Tubden, which gives the pride of place to Mor Ignatius, our Patriarch. His Salmusa bears ample testimony to his unflinching loyalty to the Holy Throne.

Mor Gregorios was the prophet of his time who set the moral tone for his people. He loved everybody, especially the poor and needy. A saint is one who is totally dedicated to God, and Mor Gregorios Bava was one who faithfully followed his master, Lord Jesus Christ, in every aspect of his life.