Gregorios of Parumala

Saint Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala (Geevargese Mar Gregorios)
Metropolitan of Niranam
Born	Geevarghese 15 June 1848 Mulanthuruthy, Kerala, India
Died	2 November 1902 (aged 54) Parumala, Kerala, India
Venerated in	Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Syriac Orthodox Church
Canonized	2 November 1947 by Baselios Geevarghese II of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church 20 October 1987 by Ignatius Zakka I of Syriac Orthodox Church
Major shrine	Saint Peter's and Saint Paul's Orthodox Syrian Church, Parumala
Feast	2 November
Attributes	Wearing a bishop's vestment, pectoral cross worn around his neck while holding an crucifix and crozier
Patronage	Parumala

Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala (15 June 1848 – 2 November 1902), also known as Parumala Thirumeni, was a Metropolitan of the Malankara Church. Parumala Thirumeni became the first person of Indian origin to be canonised as saint. In 1947, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church declared Mar Gregorios as a saint, making him the first saint from India canonized by that church. Also, in November 1987, the Syriac Orthodox Church canonized him as a saint.

Early life

Geevarghese was born in the Pallathetta family of Chathuruthy house at Mulanthuruthy near Cochin, India on 15 June 1848. His parents were Mathai Geevarghese and Mariam Geevarghese. He was called by the name ‘Kochaippora’ and was given the baptismal name ‘Geevarghese’. Geevarghese had two brothers and two sisters; Kurian, Eli, Mariam and Varkey. Geevarghese was the youngest. Geevarghese's mother died when he was a small boy and since then he was under the loving care of his elder sister Mariam.

At a very young age, Geevarghese had shown interest in spiritual matters. His devotion, humility and above all, his ability to sing the traditional Syriac hymns beautifully and perfectly, came to the notice of his uncle Geevarghese Malpan. The uncle wanted to raise his nephew to be a priest and his family members, who knew Geevarghese's character, agreed to the Malpan's request.

Priesthood

Azhippura - Small building where Mar Gregorios stayed in Parumala. He used the same place for training deacons

Geevarghese Mar Gregorios was born into a well-known family of Malankara Christians, with a lineage that can be traced back to the brotherhood of Mor Anthrayos, a bishop of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Jerusalem. He was taught by his uncle Geevarghese Malpan and was ordained the 9-year-old Geevarghese, a qoruyo (sub-deacon) on the Feast of the Cross (Kanni 14, M.E.1033 / 26 September 1857) at the age of ten by Malankara Metropolitan Mathews Mar Athanasius at St. George Syrian Cathedral, Karingachira. He continued his training with Malpan until the latter died from smallpox. Gregorios was also infected with smallpox but survived. He was ordained as a Mshamshono (Deacon) by Yuyakim Mor Koorilos Reesh-Episcopa of Malankara (Patriarchal Delegate of Malankara) then after one month Priest at the age of 18 in 1865 also Cor-Episcopa (Monk-Archpriest) again by Yuyakim Mor Koorilos Reesh-Episcopa of Malankara (Patriarchal Delegate of Malankara) and as a Ramban (monk-priest) at the age of 22 by Malankara Metropolitan Joseph Mar Dionysios in 1872.

On 10 December 1876, the Ignatius Peter IV Patriarch of Antioch, promoted the 28-year old Gregorios to be a Metropolitan at St. Thomas Syrian Church, Vadakkan Paravoor, at which point his official name became Geevarghese Mar Gregorios. He was the youngest of who all were elevated as bishops and was called Kochu Thirumeni (Young Bishop). Gregorios was given the charge of Niranam Diocese.

Metropolitan

In his bishopric, in the Niranam Diocese, Gregorios established various churches and was the motivator to establish schools in different parts of Malankara. In the late 1890s, many educational institutions were started by the Malankara Church under the initiative and guidance of him and Joseph Mar Dionysius. Examples of these include St. Thomas School at Mulanthuruthy, St. Ignatius School at Kunnamkulam, and the Syrian English School (now known as MGM High School) at Thiruvalla.

Following the death of fellow metropolitans (bishops), the administration of Thumpamon and Kollam dioceses was also passed down to him. In 1887, the first block of the Parumala Seminary was consecrated.

By 1895, Gregorios had made Parumala his main spiritual centre. The church that he founded there in that year was consecrated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul. He would wake at 4 am to pray the Shehimo prayers and he fasted on Wednesday and Fridays, as well as during Lent.

Geevarghese visited Jerusalem in 1895. He visited almost all the important places of Christendom and led the Passion Week services at Syrian Orthodox Church in the Holy City with accompanied members Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril, Kochuparambil Paulose Mar Koorilos and Sleeba Mar Osthatheos (Later Patriarchal Delegate of Malankara) led as guide. On his return, he collected a certain amount from all the Parishes in Malankara and sent a Silver Cross as offering to the Holy church in Jerusalem.

Disciples

Among the many disciples of Gregorios, five deserve special notice

1. Vattasseril Geevarghese (later, Malankara Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril) ( served as the Private Secretary of Mar Gregorios)
2. Pampady Paulose (later, Paulose Mar Coorilose ).
3. Kuttikattu Paulose (later, Paulose Mar Athanasios)
4. Kallasseril Geevarghese (later, Catholicos of Malankara Church and Malankara Metropolitan Baselios Geevarghese II)
5. Rev Fr. V.I.Zachariah of Vadakkethalackal Mahakudumbam, Mavelikkara, the priest who involved himself in rebuilding Sabarimala Temple after the fire.

Death

Tomb of Gregorios at St. Peter and St. Paul Orthodox Syrian Church, Parumala

The Saint had been subjected to a stomach ulcer and it became chronic in 1902. Treatment proved futile and he grew weaker and weaker. On 2 November 1902, Thirumeni left for his heavenly abode. The funeral was conducted at Saint Peter's and Saint Paul's Orthodox Church, Parumala, on 3 November 1902. Thousands of people and hundreds of priests were present at the funeral who gave testimony of the saintly Gregorios. The mausoleum which Gregorios was interred in, has become a popular pilgrimage site.

Canonization

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

On the occasion of 45th death anniversary of Geevarghese Mar Gregorios, based on the decision of the episcopal synod held in 1947, Baselios Geevarghese II, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan declared Mar Gregorios as a saint for the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church on 2 November 1947.

Syriac Orthodox Church

According to the recommendation of the local synod of Church in India, held on 22 August 1987 Ignatius Zakka I, Patriarch of Antioch, head of Syriac Orthodox Church declared Mar Gregorios as canonized saint for Jacobite Syrian Christian Church on 20 October 1987.

Major Shrines

• Mulanthuruthy Church - St. Thomas Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Mulanthuruthy is the one of the major shrines of Parumala Mar Gregorios known as the baptized church.
• St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Parumala- It is a major pilgrim site for all Christians in kerala. The tomb of the late bishop is located in the Parumala church, administer by the Indian Orthodox Church.

External links

Media related to Gregorios of Parumala at Wikimedia Commons

• About thirumeni on the Official site of Malankara Church
• Official Site for Parumala Church