Mor Gregorius of Jerusalem, North Parur (+1681)

Mor Gregorius of Jerusalem, North Parur (+1681)

April 27th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Gregorios Abdul Jaleel +1681 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.Abd al-Jaleel was born in Mosul Iraq to a wealthy family. After completing theological studies, he was ordained Qashisho followed by consecration as Metropolitan with the title Timotheos by HH Mor Ignatius Shem'vun I in 1654 for the diocese of Amid (Diyarbakir). Ten years later, he was appointed as the bishop of Jerusalem & given the ecclesiastical title Gregorios. In view of the historical importance of the city of Jerusalem in the Christendom, the Syriac Metropolitan of Jerusalem was often referred as the 5th Patriarch in the Syriac Orthodox Church. 'Mor Gregorios' was the honorable title entrusted to the Jerusalem Patriarch who was within the spiritual supremacy of the Holy Apostolic See of Antioch.In 1653, the Malankara Church held the Koonan Kurishu Sathyam after the heinous murder of Syriac Orthodox prelate Mor Ahathulla at the hands of the Portuguese. The Malankara Church was finally free from the shackles of Roman Catholic oppression. The leaders of Malankara, Itty Thommen Kathanar & Arkadiyokan Thoma sent letters to the Patriarchate for help, but the colonial might of the Portuguese made it both extremely difficult to communicate with the mother Church & to govern the Church in India as the Catholics strengthened their propaganda. With the arrival of the Dutch, the power of the Portuguese was weakened. Finally, the Malankara Church could successfully send word to the Patriarchate. A letter in Syriac explaining the entire situation was sent with a Syriac merchant, deacon Stephen Aspar of Amid. Upon receipt of the letter, a Synod was held at the Patriarchate & HH Mor Ignatius Abdul Messih I deputed Mor Gregorios to Malankara after Mor Gregorios volunteered to face the trials ahead.Mor Gregorios landed in the northern Kerala costal village of Ponnani. Due to the prevailing circumstances (the Portuguese got word that a Syriac prelate has managed to enter India) he had to remain disguised until he could reveal himself to the Malankara faithful. Mor Gregorios presented the Stathikon (statement of empowerment given in writing by the Supreme head of the Church the Patriarch of Antioch). An exact copy is kept at North Paravur Church while the original is kept in the library of the Thozhiyoor (Malabar Independent) Syrian Church of Kunnamkulam. On 1 July (Midhunam 17) 1665 Arkadiyokan Thoma was given full episcopal consecration with the title Mar Thoma I by Mor Gregorios. Those who accepted Mar Thoma I as the rightful Metropolitan under the authority of the Holy Apostolic See of Antioch are known as Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christians, while those who rejected him continued to be under the yoke of Roman Catholic supremacy (forming the Syro-Malabar Church).Mar Thoma I along with Mor Gregorios would lead the Malankara Church, strengthening the faithful to remain loyal to the Patriarch of Antioch even in the midst of persecution & coercion by the Portuguese Roman Catholics. Mor Gregorios was determined to return the Church to a state of Holy Orthodoxy. He destroyed the idols erected, reinstated the use of leavened host, allowed married men to be priests, amongst other corrections to errors brought by the Catholics as instituted in the illegal Synod of Diamper. Mor Gregorios with Marthoma I would jointly consecrate the successor of the latter, Mar Thoma II. Mor Gregorios was born to a rich family, so brought his share of property & belongings to Malankara & donated it to the Church. Among the valuables still preserved at North Paravur St.Thomas Church include a golden Cross & a silver ‘Caso & Pilaso’ set (Chalice & Paten, this is still used in the Holy Qurbono celebrated during the Saint's yearly feast). In addition, he had a large collection of gold coins, with which he bought land at 'thorakkal' for the Church.After serving the Malankara Church diligently & helping to rejuvenate Syriac Orthodoxy in India, Mor Gregorios spent his last days in St. Thomas Church North Paravur, knowing that his mission was successful. Foreseeing his demise, he took a bath, wore his vestments & entered the Church. He departed for the heavenly abode on April 27th 1681. Miraculously, the church bell rang on its own & a peculiar shining light spread around the confines of church. His mortal remains were interred in the 'Hykala' of St.Thomas Church at North Paravur as per his last wishes. The sacred tomb of the saintly father has subsequently became a Holy Place for Syriac Christians. Thousands of pilgrims visit the tomb every year seeking his intercession. The hand cross of Mor Gregorios contains the relics of 11 holy saints along with a portion of the Holy Cross of our Lord. The hand cross is exhibited each year on his feast for public veneration.Subsequent to the request from the Holy Synod in Malankara, in April 2000 vis Patriarchal Apostolic Bull 71/2000, the thrice blessed late Patriarch HH Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of blessed memory declared Mor Gregorios Abdul Jaleel as a saint, permitting the prayers at his tomb (Zadhiko). In February 2006 vis Patriarchal Apostolic Bull No. E50/06; the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East HH Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of blessed memory permitted the recitation of the name of St. Gregorios Abdul Jaleel in the 5th Thubden (Thubden d-Qadishe) at all Malankara parishes across the world.Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' and Syriac Christianity websiteOh Mor Gregorios Abdul Jaleel! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.To read the full biography of Mor Gregorios of Jerusalem and of the historical context of the Syriac Orthodox Christians of India at the time visit: http://www.syriacchristianity.info/PARAVUR/StGregorios.htmVideo narration of St. Gregorios' biography (courtesy Hymonutho): https://youtu.be/U_n4npfuphQ