Mor Gregorius Gheevarghese +1999

Mor Gregorius Gheevarghese +1999

February 22nd is anniversary of the demise of HG Mor Gregorios Geevarghese +1999. He is affectionately known as Perumpilly Thirumeni. Varghese (Kunjukunju) was born as the 7th son of Mathu Asan of Karapuzha Parappllil family & Annamma of Kanjiramtharyil family in the Puthupally (Valiyapally) Church. His father passed away when he was only 6 years old. After completing primary studies, he moved on to secure 1st rank in Bachelors of Oriental Languages along with teachers training program. Besides excelling in secular education, Varghese was deeply knowledgeable in the Syriac Orthodox faith & traditions due to his association with Mor Dionysius Mikhayel, Raban Geevarghese Kochuparambil, Rev. Malpan Yacoub Parayakulath (later Mor Timotheos Yac'ub ) & Rev. Ramban Yac'ub Madappad (later Mor Julius Yac'ub). He was ordained Quroyo in 1958 by Mor Yulios Elias Qoro delegate of the Apostolic See of Antioch. On August 1st 1959, he was ordained Qashisho & was appointed as the vicar of St. George Simhasana Church Perumpilly. Mor Yulios Elias Qoro gifted Fr. PM Varghese the e'skemo of St. Ignatius Elias III along with a silver coin. In addition to his duties as Vicar, he worked as a Malayalam school teacher, while prior to that he was an employee of the revenue department. A meeting held on January 24th 1974 selected him as a candidate for bishop & the request was sent to the Patriarch. This occurred during one of the most difficult periods in the history of the Malankara Church, when schismatics were spreading false propaganda & undermining the authority of the Patriarch of Antioch. Fr. PM Varghese along with Fr. Thomas Cheruvillil (later Catholicos Mor Baselius Thomas I) were consecrated with the titles Gregorios Geevarghese & Dionysius Thomas respectively. The consecration ceremony held on February 24 1974 was led by Patriarch Mor Ignatius Yac'ub III. Upon return to India, the two newly consecrated bishops were given a rousing welcoming. Sadly, the schismatics began to work their evil by filing false cases, spreading rumours & prohibiting the bishops from entering many parishes. However, Mor Gregorios was unfazed, remaining unwavering in his faith & loyalty to the Throne of Antioch. He helped initiate & support a number of parishes & institutions including Soonoro Church Elamkulam; St. Joseph Cathedral Kottyam, the renovated St. George Simhasana Church, Perumpilly, the Chapel in the name of St. Gregorios Geevarghese Chathuruthil at Perumpilly, Hail Mary English Medium High School, Hail Mary Hospital, M.G.M. Santhi Mandiram etc just to name a few. Even in the midst of his hectic schedule, Mor Gregorios Geevarghese remained a prolific writer. He wrote a number of books & translated prayers including Aradhana Manjari, Intercession Prayers to St. Mary, the service of Washing of Feet, Good Friday prayers, Bethel, the Biography of St. Mary, Marana Bhavanathil etc. In addition to books, Bhooswargham Perunnone, Sodarare kelppin Koodivarin, various huthomo, Rogam, Vyadhi, Vasanthakal, Keduthikal, Kopavadikal Mathave nin yachanamoolam mattidenam were some of the many beautiful hymns composed & translated by Thirumeni. During his tenure, Mor Gregorios Geevarghese took up many responsibilities in the Malankara Jacobite Church. He was the president of the Malankara Jacobite Suriyani Association from July 4 1974 until the consecration of HB Mor Baselios Paulose II in September 1975. He also served as diocesan Metropolitan of Kochi & Malabar along with being secretary of the Holy Synod. In 1980 he was appointed assistant Metropolitan of Kottayam Diocese & 2 years later after relinquishing the charge of Kochi, he took up the full responsibility for Kottayam. When Mor Coorilos Kuriakose passed away in 1995, Mor Gregorios was given the additional charge of southern dioceses. He also served as the president of the Holy Synod upon the demise of Catholicos HB Mor Baselios Paulose II. Thirumeni ordained around 178 individuals to the order of Holy Priesthood. Mor Gregorios was a beloved individual. He was an exceptional orator. His eccentric speeches captured the hearts of the faithful & strengthened their resolve during times of great tribulations. He provided wise advise to the newly married couples, consoled the sick, & extolled a deep veneration of St. Mary the mother of God whenever given the chance to speak. He was also very humble & all who approached him felt his fatherly affection. His zeal & love for the Holy Syriac Church was unparalleled. He will always be remembered as a able steward of the Holy Church & a spiritual guru to countless faithful. Mor Gregorios offered his final Holy Qurbono on December 9th 1998 at St. Ignatius Church Vazhamuttam. Even while undergoing treatment, he found time to visit his beloved children at Perumpilly Church twice. Mor Gregorios Geevarghese departed for the heavenly abode on February 22nd 1999. The archbishop of Sweden diocese, Mor Dioscorus Benyamen Atas, who was in Malankara for the dukhrono of St. Ignatius Elias III, along with Mor Julius Kuriakose the Patriarchal secretary, & the other bishops led the last rites the following day. Thousands of grieving faith thronged to get one last glimpse of Thirumeni. As per his wishes, the e'skemo of St. Ignatius Elias III & the silver coin, both which were gifted by Patriarchal Delegate Mor Yulios Elias Qoro, was kept in front of his tomb. The mortal remains of Mor Gregorios Geevarghese are interred in the sanctuary of Perumpilly Simhasana Church. Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Oh Mor Gregorios Geevarghese! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. http://sor.cua.edu/Personage/Malankara/MGregoriusGPerumpilly.html