Fr.Geevarghese ministered in Mulanthuruthy church for a time residing at Vettical Dayara.It was here that the future Metropolitan trained his body and mind by ascetic virtues in gaining communion with God.Today it serves as head quarters of Kandanad diocese.
Pulikottil Joseph Mar Dionysios Metropolitan had established the frame of a future Seminary at Parumala in the south.Mar Dionysios soon put Fr.Geevarghese in charge of training deacons in theology and Syric.Mar Dionysios raised him to the order of monks(Ramban) in 1872.
When Patriarch Ignatius Mar Peter III visited Malankara in 1875, Ramban Geevarghese served as his secretary and interpreter,and traveled with him through out Kerala. Impressed by the simplicity,sincerity, commitment, and spirituality of Geevarghese Ramban.The Patriarch of Antioch consecrated four (4) Metropolitans at St.Thomas North Paravur church, Kerala in December 10, 1876. The youngest among them was Geevarghese Ramban and who was named Mar Gregorios. Because of his age everybody called him "Kochu Thirumeni"(Youngest Bishop). Mar Gregorios was appointed as the bishop of Niranam diocese, Kerala. He started a monastery at Parumala, Kerala.
Mar Gregorios was a man of God, who lived not according to the way of the flesh but according to the law of God. He led a virtuous and austere life, like a monk, living on frugal diet enriched by prayer and fasting.
At Parumala Seminary he led a austere life. He woke up at 4 am in the morning and prayed till 5am. He taught deacons till 7am followed by prayer and his light breakfast. From 9am till 11am he taught deacons again. From 11am to noon he took care of administrative matters and again went to prayer at noon and then to lunch. He rested till 1:30pm and taught till 4pm with a brief prayer in between. From 4pm to 5:30pm he was busy with his administrative duties. After evening prayers and supper he taught Bible to the deacons. After the complaining, at 9pm he would let the deacons go to bed, but he would still be praying until midnight. On Wednesdays and Fridays and lenten days, he would fast till evening. Besides, he observed his own special fasts. People came from far and near to seek his blessings and paternal advises.
In his own words "Prayer brings truth, religious faith, honesty and respect among the people."In his life time,Mar Gregorios was known for strict observance of ascetic rigorous in the footsteps of St.Antony and had gained divine powers.
Mar Gregorios had a wider acceptance among all the sections of the Syrian Church. In the earlier part of his life, Mar Gregorios spent most of his time in North Kerala. But after becoming a Metropolitan for Niranam diocese, his activities continued in the south. Until then, marriages between people staying North and South of Kerala, were not common. On the insistence of Mor Gregorios, who had a wider acceptance among the entire Syrian Christian community of Malankara, many marriages took place among these people and this resulted in having a closer cultural contact.
With the initiative of Parumala Kochu Thirumeni and Joseph Mar Dionysius, the then Malankara Metropolitan, many educational institutions were started by the Malankara
Four years,the Metropolitan served the diocese and was a strong defence against the reform movement. St. Gregorios became sick when he returned from Veeyapuram Church after blessing a marriage. Even from the beginning of his illness he knew that he was in his last days. The news of illness spread all over Malankara. Although he grew weaker day by day, his face shone brighter and brighter. It was on November 2, 1902, midnight he was ready to meet his heavenly father. He left his earthly abode and flew to his heavenly eternity. In 1947, The Holy Episcopal synod canonized and proclaimed Mar Gregorios as a Saint of the Orthodox Church. The Saint's tomb at Parumala today is a pilgrimage center. There are hundreds of instances that proved his Saintliness. Countless people receive favours and blessings through his intercession.
The growing flow of pilgrims to his tomb, several years after his demise, tells a story of a man of faith, prayer, healing, and great intercession.
What are some of the qualities that made ParumalaThirumeni and exemplary bishop and a spiritual leader.
1. Call of God. From his childhood he was aware of his call to serve the Lord and the Church.He surrendered his life completely to God and allowed the Holy Spirit toindwell in him and to control and guide his life.
2. Dependenceon God. He depended upon God for his physical,emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs. He was not concerned aboutwhat would happen to him in the future. He believed that God would providefor him. How many of us worry about what will happen in the future?
3. Communion withGod. He was a prayer "warrior". Hisdisciplined prayer life helped him to commune with God and receive guidancefrom Him. Before making any major decision, he used to spend time in fastingand prayer. Many of us recite our canonical prayers, but we don't knowhow to commune with God.
4. Life-long Student. Geevarghese Malpan and Konattu Malpan had great influence upon Deacon Geevarghese.Under the guidance of Konattu Malpan, he studied Syriac, the Holy Scriptures,theology, worship, and canon law. He also made very good use of MalpanAchen's library. He continued his studies during the rest of his life.
5. Dedicated andDevoted Teacher. His rigorous religioustraining at Pampakuda with Konattu Malpan Achen helped him to become adedicated and devoted teacher. He provided religious and spiritual trainingfor all the deacons who lived with him at Parumala Seminary. He influencedall of them by his life and example. Many of his students became spiritualleaders in Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church. How many of us have any influenceon the lives of our students?
6. Serving Others. He always remembered what Jesus said, "If you want to be great in the Kingdomof God, be a servant." He served God's people without expecting anythingin return. Since he had experienced the unconditional love of God, he sharedthat love with others. He reached out and touched the lives of many thatwere in need.
7. Trusting in God. Since he trusted in God to provide for his needs, he never worried about "tomorrow." Whatever he had, belonged to God, and he believed they were God's gifts. Whatever he received from the people belonged to the Church. How many of our leaders really trust in God? Don't we try to keep everything in our names?
8. Healing the Sick. During his ministry as a priest and bishop, people used to ask him to pray for them. They especially askedhim to pray for the sick and lay his hands on them for healing. Many miraculoushealing took place during his lifetime. The healing ministry of ParumalaThirumeni is still continuing. How many of us have time to pray for others?
9. Friend of the Poor. He was a friend of the poor, downtrodden,and untouchables. He encouraged the establishment of schools and the spread of the Gospel to the neighboring states and to low caste people who lived among the Syrian Christians.
10. Defender of the Faith. As a priest and a metropolitan,he defended the Orthodox faith and taught the believers through letters,articles, and sermons. Even though he was the Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese,his ministry extended all over Malankara.
11. Glorified God in Sickness. Even in his sickness and suffering, he glorified God and thanked Him for His grace. With Paul he was able to say, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Hedid not consider death "as an enemy" but "as a friend." How many of usare afraid of death?
May the life of Parumala Thirumeni be an inspiration for all of us. Let us ask him to intercede for us. May his prayers be a stronghold for us.
Parumala Seminary
The most important of the spiritual centers of the Malankara is the Tomb of His Holiness the "Parumala Thirumeni".
The 30 cents of land that Arikupuram Koruthu Mathen donated to Pulikottil Joseph Mar Dionysios in July 1872 became in later years Parumala Seminary. The Arikupuram family also gave land for building a church adjacent to the Seminary. The Church was constructed as a result of the efforts of Parumala Geevarghese Mar Gregorios. On 27 January 1825 a provisional consecration of the Church was conducted. Later, on 19 August 1912 His Holiness Abdheth Misheha, the Patriarch consecrated the Parumala Church. The Church is built and named after the Apostle St. Peter and St. Paul. The burial place of Yuyakim Mar Ivanios can also be seen here.
On 8 September 1912 Kallasseril Geevarghese Mar Gregorios and on 3 November 1930 Puthencavu Geevarghese Mar Philexinos were consecrated in Parumala. On 29 April 1991 at the seminary the installation of His Holiness Baselios mar Thoma Mathews II Catholicos took place. Here 5 Episcopas were consecrated on 30 April 1991 and on 16 August 1993 2 more Episcopas were consecrated.
Here the Malankara Association met in 1873 and on 18 February 1878 with Pulikkotil Joseph Dionysius in the chair and again on 10 September 1992 and on 26 May 1994. The Church is situated 1/2 a K.m away to the east from the Mannar Junction and is 10 Kms towards the south from Tiruvalla on Thiruvalla- Mavelikara Road and 9 K.ms towards the north from Mavelikara. Here on Fridays the Holy Qurbana with three celebrants (Munninmel) is conducted and meditative discourse is given. During the day of 'Pentecost' the 'tarrying Meet' and during the '3 day Fast' and the 'Lenten season', 'Meditation Meets' are conducted.
November 1 and 2 are the main feast days. In connection with this feast a whole week is being observed as 'Pilgrimage Week'. Various Seminars are conducted and lectures given. Medical camps are also held under the auspices of the Mar Gregorios Hospital in Parumala. The New Church in Parumala is being constructed at the cost of Rupees Three Crores. Rev.Fr. P.M.Kuriakose is the Manager.
