Gregorios of Parumala

Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala (15 June 1848 – 2 November 1902), also known as Parumala Thirumeni, was a Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan of the Malankara Syrian 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. On the 20th of October, 1987, His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I, the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, solemnly proclaimed the canonization of St. Gregorios of Parumala, thereby confirming his sanctity and establishing his veneration throughout the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church.

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 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.

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. 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.

Spiritual interventions

In the 1890s, Gregorios of Parumala visited Mazhuvannoor near Kolenchery and stayed there for a period of time. Local traditions link his visit to events such as efforts to protect the paddy fields of Njeriyamkuzhi Paadam from pest infestations and a prophecy concerning the Periyar River, which later became a key source of irrigation for the region through the Periyar Valley High Level Canal Project, even though the Muvattupuzha River is geographically closer. According to these accounts, he prayed that the river’s flow would reach the area and that the land would yield “a hundred, sixty, and thirtyfold harvest.”

Disciples Among the many disciples of Gregorios, five deserve special notice Sleeba of Amid (later Sleeba Mor Osthathios, Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Delegate of India) Vattasseril Geevarghese (later, Malankara Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril) ( served as the Private Secretary of Mar Gregorios) Pampady Paulose (later, Paulose Mar Coorilos e ). Kuttikattu Paulose (later, Paulose Mar Athanasios) Kallasseril Geevarghese (later, Catholicos of Malankara Church and Malankara Metropolitan Baselios Geevarghese II) Rev Fr. V.I.Zachariah of Vadakkethalackal Mahakudumbam, Mavelikkara, the priest who involved himself in rebuilding Sabarimala Temple after the fire and on the death of his father in law , Kochummen Muthalali of Polachirackal family who had contracted and funded the construction.

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. Major Shrines Mulanthuruthy Church - St. Thomas Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Mulanthuruthy is 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.