St. Gregorius of Parumala (+1902)

St. Gregorius of Parumala (+1902)

November 2nd is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Gregorios Geevarghese Chathuruthil of Parumala +1902 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.Mor Gregorios was born on June 15th 1848 to Mathew & Mary. He was baptized with the name Geevarghese but was fondly called Kochyppora. When he was 2 years old, his mother passed away & he was raised heavily by his eldest sister Mariam. Geevarghese was an ardent lover of Syriac, so his uncle Fr. Geevarghese malfono took him under his wing. He stayed under his tutelage until his uncle passed away in 1865 due to smallpox. His theological studies continued under Fr. Mathen Konat malfono & later under St. Coorilos Yuyakim the Reesh Episcopo & the Patriarchal Delegate to India. At the age of 10 he was ordained Quroyo by HG Mor Athanasius Matthews Palakkunnath at St. George Jacobite Syrian Church Karingachira. At the age of 18 he was ordained shamshono by St. Coorilos Yuyakim, followed by priestly & Cor-Episcopo ordinations. He was ordained as Raban by HG Mor Dionysius Joseph Pulikkottil II at Marthoman Church Mulanthuruthy (his home parish). At this point in history, the Syriac Orthodox Church in Malankara was facing the onslaught of Protestant reformists infiltrating the Church, spreading unorthodox faith, deporting Syriac prelates, arresting priests & closing down churches. To deal with these problems & to reinvigorate the true faith, under the leadership of Raban Geevarghese, the grievances of the Malankara faithful were sent to the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, & his timely intervention was sought to protect the Church in India. The thrice blessed late Patriarch HH Moran Mor Ignatius Peter IV arrived in Malankara in June 1875 at the request of his faithful children. Raban Geevarghese who was well versed in Syriac was appointed as the interpreter to the Patriarch. The Patriarch greatly impressed with the young Raban, chose him also as his private secretary. When the historic Mulanthuruthy Padiyola was convened in the month of June 1876, the assistance of Raban Geevarghese was of much help to the Patriarch. Raban Geevarghese was also present during the Mouron (Holy Myron/Chrism) consecration. On December 10th 1876, HH Mor Ignatius Peter IV consecrated Raban Geevarghese as Metropolitan with the title Gregorios at St. Thomas Church North Paravur. Mor Gregorios was only 28 years old at the time which is why he is fondly known as kochuthirumeni (young bishop). HH Mor Ignatius Peter IV used to call Mor Gregorios as Yuhannon, for he was the youngest of all the Metropolitans & the one whom HH loved the most. The Bull of HH written on 15 Makaram 1877 from Fort Kochi Church regarding the correct practices of sacraments & discipline was translated & published by Mor Gregorios. Mor Gregorios was appointed as the Metropolitan of Niranam diocese. HH would then return to the Patriarchate. During his tenure, Mor Gregorios established various churches & was the motivator to establish schools in different parts of Malankara. Mor Gregorios was a man who grasped the value of education for the overall progress of the Church as well as society in general. In the late 1890's, many educational institutions were started by the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church under the initiative & guidance of Mor Gregorios Geevarghese & the Malankara Metropolitan Mor Dionysius Joseph Pulikkottil. With the permission of HH Peter IV, Mor Gregorios ordained Fr. Alvares as Raban in 1889 (he would later be consecrated Metropolitan by Mor Athanasius Paulose). Later Mor Gregorios would consecrate Fr. Rene Vilate as Mor Timotheos at the church of Our Lady of Good Health, Sri Lanka in 1892.Arikupurathu Korula Mathen executed a deed in favour of the Metropolitan who will be ever loyal to the Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius seated on the Holy Throne of Antioch & All the East. Thus began the first stage of constructing Parumala Seminary. The construction of the church was completed & it was consecrated with Holy Chrism on 15 Makaram 1895. Soon afterwards, Mor Gregorios left for his Holy Land pilgrimage. Accompanying Mor Gregorios were a number of clergy & deacons. Mor Gregorios celebrated the entire Passion Week at the various Syriac Orthodox chapels in the Holy Land. The travelogue written by Mor Gregorios about his pilgrimage to the Holy Land was the first in the history of the Malayalam language. On his return, he collected a certain amount from all the parishes in Malankara & sent a Silver Cross as offering to the Holy church in Jerusalem.Even in the midst of all the busy schedules he gave utmost priority to prayers & fasting. He used to get up at 4am for prayer & strictly followed the Church practice of praying seven times a day. He faithfully observed all the Church Fasts, including the fast on Wednesdays & Fridays. He was a saintly figure throughout his tenure as Metropolitan. The strict fasting sadly took its toll on him & he became seriously ill. Mor Gregorios received the Qandilo prayers & last Holy Qurbono. While the Metropolitans, priests & others were praying, Mor Gregorios uttered, "My Lord" & breathed his last. Kochu Thirumeni passed away on 2nd November, 1902 & his mortal remains were laid to rest the next day at St. Peter's Church Parumala. As per the Apostolic Bull No. E 265/87 dated 20th October 1987 by HH Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the Patriarch of Antioch; the name of Mor Gregorios Geevarghese Chathuruthil of Parumala was added to the 5th Thubden (Thubden d-Qadishe) recited during every Holy Qurbono. Mor Gregorios Geevarghese Chathuruthil was the epitome of saintliness. He always showed love & care for the poor & suffering. He was very particular in following the path of righteousness. He took special interest in preaching the Holy Gospel of Our Lord among the backward communities & many accepted Christ. He also worked hard to uplift the marginalized people even against countless obstacles. Mor Gregorios was also a staunch Antiochian & stalwart son of the Syriac Orthodox Church & was steadfastly loyal to the Apostolic See of Antioch founded by St. Peter, the Chief of the Apostles & his rightful successor HH the Patriarch. Many miracles are attributed to St. Gregorios. Our Holy Church was blessed to have him in this world, & we are further blessed to have him interceding for us in the next. Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' & Syriac Christianity. Oh Mor Gregorios Geevarghese Chathuruthil of Parumala! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.A comprehensive website dedicated to Parumala Thirumeni: http://parumalathirumeni.org/Salmusa of St. Gregorios in Malayalam: https://tinyurl.com/bdfewazrSalmusa in English: https://tinyurl.com/t3ty3mexParumala Thirumeni songs including huthomo: https://goo.gl/bFJzzMhttps://urhotheway.com/2020/11/03/parumala-thirumeni/