Parumala Mar Gregorious

Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala was born on 15th June 1848 to his parents Mathai Geevarghese and Mariam Geevarghese. Thirumeni is popularly known as Parumala Thirumeni, was a Metropolitan of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church. Parumala Thirumeni became the first person of Indian origin to be proclaimed 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. The Syrian Orthodox Church canonized him as a saint in November 1987.

Thirumeni was born in the Pallathetta family of Chathuruthy house at Mulanthuruthy a place near Cochin, India on 15 June 1848. He was called by the nick 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 of the five children of their parents. Mother of Geevarghese mother died during his young age and since then he was bought up by the loving care of his elder sister Mariam. At a very young age itself, Geevarghese had shown interest in spiritual matters. His dedication, humbleness and especially his ability to sing the traditional Syriac hymns beautifully and perfectly, came to the notice of Geevarghese Malpan, his uncle. The Malpan wanted to raise his nephew as a priest and his family members, who knew Geevarghese's character, agreed to the Malpan's request.

Young Geevarghese was ordained as Qoruyo (sub-deacon) at the age of 9 by Malankara Metropolitan Mathews Mar Athanasius at St. George Syrian Cathedral, Karingachira. He continued his training with Malpan until the latter died due to a contagious disease, smallpox. Deacon Geevarghese was also infected with smallpox but due to God’s grace, he survived it. Patriarchal Delegate of Malankara, Yuyakim Mor Koorilos Reesh-Episcopa of Malankara ordained Geevarghese as Mshamshono (Deacon), then after one month as Priest at the age of 18 in 1865. Fr. Geevarghese was ordained as a Ramban (monk-priest) at the age of 24 by then Malankara Metropolitan Joseph Mar Dionysios in 1872. On 10 December 1876, the Ignatius Peter IV Patriarch of Antioch, promoted the 28-year old Geevarghese Ramban to be a Metropolitan for Niranam Diocese, at St. Thomas Syrian Church, Vadakkan Paravoor. And his official name became Geevarghese Mar Gregorios. As Mar Gregorious was the youngest of who all were elevated as bishops, he was called as Kochu Thirumeni (Young Bishop).

During his period as Bishop of the Niranam Diocese, Mar Gregorios established various churches and 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 Kochuthirumeni and Bishop Joseph Mar Dionysius. Examples of these include St. Thomas School at Mulanthuruthy, St. Ignatius School at Kunnamkulam, and the Syrian English School, which is now known as MGM High School located at Thiruvalla. Mar Gregorios had made Parumala as his main spiritual headquarters in the year 1895. Saint Peter and Saint Paul are the patron saints of the church located at Parumala which he had founded.

Geevarghese Mar Gregorious visited Jerusalem in 1895. He visited almost all the important places for Christians and led the Passion Week services at Syrian Orthodox Church in the Holy City of Jerusalem. Parumala Thirumeni was accompanied by Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius, Kochuparambil Paulose Mar Koorilos and Sleeba Mar Osthatheos. On his return, he collected a certain amount as offerings from all the Parishes in Malankara and sent a Silver Cross to the Holy church in Jerusalem. Persistent fasting and Lent lead to the formation of ulcer in stomach and it became chronic in 1902. Treatment proved ineffectual and Thirumeni became weaker and weaker day after day. On 2nd November 1902, Thirumeni took his last breathe for his heavenly abode. The funeral was conducted at Saint Peter's and Saint Paul's Orthodox Church, Parumala, on 3 November 1902, in the presence of thousands of people and hundreds of priests, which gave testimony for the divinity of Mar Gregorios. The mausoleum where Mar Gregorios was interred, has become a place of relief and popular pilgrimage site.