Memorial Feast of St. Gregorius of Parumala

(Paul Ciniraj, Malankara Sabha Missionary, Kottayam-686038, India)

Kottayam (India), SVM News, 6 October, 2008: The Indian (Malankara)
Orthodox Syrian Church celebrates 106th memorial festival of St.
Gregorios of Parumala on November 2 and 3. The whole week till
November 3 is being observed as 'Pilgrimage Week'. His Holiness Mar
Baselios Marthoma Didymos I, the Catholicose of the East, H.B
Paulose Mar Militheos Metropolitan, the Catholicose - Designate
along with all other bishops of the church and other sister churches
will be leading the festival programmes.

St. Gregorios of Parumala (1848-1902) is a great saint of Indian
(Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Church. He is the first proclaimed saint
of the Indian Christianity. He was canonized and proclaimed as a
Saint on 1947 by the Holy Episcopal Synod. Many many years of the
canonization he was accepted as a saint by the people of the church
and the pilgrims of his tomb through his great intercession and
miraculous healing.

St. Gregorios alias Parumala Thirumeni lived on a haunted island,
called Parumala, on the banks of Rivers Pampa and Achencovil in
Kerala in India at the fourth quarter of the 19th century till the
beginning of 20th century. He was the prophet of his time, who set
moral tone for his people. Powerful like Prophet Elijah and
glittering like John the Baptist, he remains the beacon and a great
Saint. Still his presence is there to glorify our Lord Jesus Christ
by interceding for millions upon millions of people in India and
abroad.

St. Gregorious of Parumala was born on June 15, 1848 in the priestly
family of "Pallithatta Thanagattu" of Chathuruthy, Mulanthuruthy,
Kerala. His parents were Kochu Mathai and Mariam, who had three sons
and two daughters and he was the youngest one. They called him Kochu
Iypera. After the birth of Kochu Iypera, his mother Mariam died. He
was baptised as Geevarghese at his home Parish, Marthoman Church
Mulunthuruthy. The disciplined life of Mar Gregorios enriched by
prayer and fasting helped him to commune with God from his childhood
days.

He had a thorough knowledge in Theology and Syriac, which he
developed through his teachers, Pallithatta Rev.Father Gheevarghese
Malpan (his uncle), Konat Malpan & the Patriarchal delegate Yuyakkim
Mar Koorilose. His Grace was a man of prayer and made it clear to
the world that Prayer and devotion is mightier than any worldly
possession. Parumala Thirumeni's short life was remarkable in many
respects. After the early days of education in Syriac and theology,
Kochu Iypera was ordained as decon on September 14, 1859, by
palakunnathu Mathews Mar Athanasios Metropolitan. He was only ten
years old at that time.

One day Malpan became seriously ill with smallpox. Deacon
Geevarghese was the only one who stayed and took care of him, while
all others were sent home. On the eight day Malpan died and Deacon
became ill. During this time he had a vision of St. Mary in his
dream, descending to console him, and exhorting him to dedicate the
rest of his life to the Lord. He pledged "He would". This was a
heavenly vision that enables him to become a humble servant of God.
Very soon the deacon recovered.

Deacon Geevarghese continued his theological training under Konat
Malpan at pampakuda.Some times later, he joined Yuyakim Mar Ivanios,
the Metropolitan of Syria who was sojourning in Malankara, as
private secretary as well as learning Syric from him. He was blessed
with the order of 'Korooyo' at the tender age of ten by Palakunnath
Mar Athnasius at the Karingachira St.George church. At the age of
18, he was elevated as 'Shamshono' and in 1865 Mar Ivanios ordained
the deacon as 'Kassisso' and 'Corepiscopa' by Yuyakkim Mor
Koorilose. Later he stayed at the Vettikkal Dayra and led a strict
monastic life. In 1872 he was ordained as Ramban Geevarghese (Monk-
Priest) by Pulikkottil Mar Dionysius.

Fr. Geevarghese ministered in Mulanthuruthy church for a time
residing at Vettikkal 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 7 am
followed by prayer and his light breakfast. From 9 am till 11 am he
taught deacons again. From 11 am to noon he took care of
administrative matters and again went to prayer at noon and then to
lunch. He rested till 1:30 pm and taught till 4 pm with a brief
prayer in between. From 4 pm to 5:30 pm he was busy with his
administrative duties. After evening prayers and supper he taught
Bible to the deacons. After the complaining, at 9 pm 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 Mar 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.

Four years, the Metropolitan served the diocese and was a strong
defence against the reform movement. Mar 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.

PARUMALA SEMINARY

The most important of the spiritual centers of the Malankara is the
Tomb of St. Gregorios of Parumala. The 30 cents of land that
Arikupuram Koruthu Mathen donated to Pulikkottil 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 Abdul Messiah, the Patriarch of Antioch
consecrated the Parumala Church. The Church is built and named after
the Apostles 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 (later
H.H. Baselios Geeverghese II) 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, the Catholicos of the East took place. Several
bishops were consecrated in different times.

The new church was built during the period of the Catholicose H.H.
Baselios Marthoma Mathews II and it was consecrated on 27th and 28th
of October, 2000. The installation of His Holiness Baselios Mar
Thoma Didymos I as Catholicos of the East took place at Parumala
Church on October 31, 2005.

November 1 and 2 are the main feast days. In connection with this
feast a whole week is being observed as 'Pilgrimage Week'.

St. Gregorius

St Gregorious - First declared Saint of the Church

St. Gregorious, popularly known as "Parumala Thirumeni" was born in the priestly family of "Pallithatta Thanagattu" in Mulunthuruthy near Cochin on 15th June 1848. The disciplined life of Mar Gregorious enriched by prayer & fasting helped him to commune with God from his childhood days. He had a thorough knowledge in Theology and Syriac. St. Gregorious was a man of prayer and made it clear to the world that Prayer and devotion is mightier than any worldly possession. Parumala Thirumeni's short life was remarkable in many respects. A deacon at the age of 10, a priest at the age of 18, a bishop at the young age of 28, passed away on November 2nd 1902, after a saintly life of prayer to become the brightest jewel in the Indian Orthodox Church.

In his bishopric, St. Gregorious established monasteries, churches and was the motivator to establish schools in different parts of Kerala and associated with varied activities and development of the Indian Orthodox Church. He was admired for his organising ability and was very popular with the masses. St. Gregorious tried to preach the Holy Gospel of Our Lord to the backward communities and many were accepted into our fold.

At the age of 54, St. Gregorious became seriously sick and passed away on 2nd November 1902, and the body was entombed at Parumala Seminary, Kottayam.

In 1947, The Holy Episcopal Synod of the Indian Orthodox Church canonised and Gregorious as the first Saint of the Indian Orthodox Church. There are hundreds of instances that proved his Saintliness. Thousands of 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.

November 1 and 2 are the main feast days of St. Gregorious.

source: http://www.sdioc.org/photogallery_saints.htm

Saint Thomas, the Apostle to India and East

Saint Thomas, the Apostle to India and East
Fr. George Pulikkottil D. Th.

Biblical records on Apostle Thomas: Little is recorded of St. Thomas the Apostle; nevertheless thanks to the fourth Gospel his personality is clearer to us than that of some others of the Twelve. His name occurs in all the lists of the Synoptic-Gospels (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6, cf. Acts 1:13), but in St. John he plays a distinctive part. First, when Jesus announced His intention of returning to Judea to visit Lazarus, "Thomas" who is called Didymus [the twin], said to his fellow disciples: "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (John 11:16). Again it was St. Thomas who during the discourse before the Last Supper raised an objection: "Thomas saith to him: Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" (John 14:5). But more especially St. Thomas is remembered for his incredulity when the other Apostles announced Christ's Resurrection to him: "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe" (John 20:25); but eight days later he made his act of faith, drawing down the rebuke of Jesus: "Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed" (John 20:29).

Saint Thomas and India: At the St. Thomas Day celebration in New Delhi on December 18, 1955, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India, said: "St. Thomas came to India when many of the countries of Europe had not yet become Christian, and so those Indians who trace their Christianity to him have a longer history and a higher ancestry than that of Christians of many of the European countries." It would be appropriate to cite here an extract from the radio message of Pope Pius XII on 31 December, 1952 on the occasion of the 19th century celebrations of the arrival of the Apostle in India: "Nineteen hundred years have passed since the Apostle came to India. During the centuries that India was cut off from the West and despite many trying vicissitudes, the Christian communities formed by the Apostle conserved intact the legacy he left them. This apostolic lineage, beloved sons and daughters, is the proud privilege of the many among you who glory in the name of Thomas Christians and we are happy on this occasion to acknowledge and bear witness to it."

According to the Indian Christian Tradition, St. Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, came to India in 52 A.D., and landed at Maliyankara, Kodungallur on the Malabar (presently Kerala) coast. He preached the Gospel to the Brahmin families of Kerala, many of whom received the faith. He established seven Churches there: Kodungallur, Kottakkavu, Palayur, Kollam, Kokkamangalam, Niranam and Chayil. It is also a tradition that he frequently visited Malayattoor hills for prayer. Later, he moved on to the east coast of India. He was martyred in 72 A.D. by a fanatic at Little Mount (near Madras) and his body was brought to Mylapore (near Madras) and was buried there. His tomb is venerated until this day.

This tradition is confirmed by the testimonies of many of the Fathers of the Church. It was not difficult for the Apostle to come to India, because extensive trade relations existed between Malabar and the Mediterranean countries even before the Christian era. There is nothing to contradict this tradition.

Testimonies: According to the Acts of Judas-Thomas, which probably originated in the last quarter of the second century A.D. or the first years of the third, the Apostle St. Thomas preached the Gospel in the land of Gundaphares, a Parthian King, during the second quarter of the first century.

Besides this literary tradition favoring a Thomistic apostolate on the north-west borders of Hindustan, there is another, in favor of his preaching among the Dravidian populations of the south where there is the living presence of a strong body of Christians. The findings of Palayur, Arthad, Nilamperur, and so on, the sanctuary of Mylapore venerated as the Martyrium of the Apostle, all bear strong testimony to the reliability of the local tradition of Malabar. It is believed that the bones of the Apostle were removed from India to Edessa during the lifetime of the king under whom he suffered martyrdom. According to Cardinal Parecattil, the first Cardinal of the Thomas Christians, the apostolate of St. Thomas in India is "a tradition not written in papyrus, not carved on stone but buried in the hearts of his (St. Thomas) spiritual children from whom it can never be removed." From time immemorial these Christians were called "Thomas Christians". Tradition has it that the Apostle ordained two bishops, Kepha and Paul, respectively for Malabar and Coromandal (Mylapore). This supposedly marks the beginnings of the first hierarchy of India.

The testimonies of Eusebius (early 4th cent.) and St. Jerome (342-420 A.D.) about the mission of Pantaenus, a Christian philosopher sent by bishop Demetrius of Alexandria, "to preach Christ to the Brahmins and to the philosophers of India" in A.D. 190 affirms the tradition. The testimonies of the Fathers of the Church like St. Ephrem (306-373 A.D.), St. Gregory of Nazianze (324-390 A.D.), St. Ambrose (333-397 A.D.), St. Jerome, St. Gregory of Tours (6th cent.) and Isidore of Seville (7th cent.) are also notable. In various ways, they speak about the apostolate of St. Thomas, about the Christians of India, and about the priestly succession there. This is also attested to by several ecclesiastical calendars, martyrologies and other liturgical books of the Coptic, Greek, Latin and Mesopotamian Churches.

Reference: Catholic Encyclopedia

Prepared by: Fr. George Pulikkottil, D. Th.

source: http://www.1church.org/articles/stthomas.htm

India Center for Social Change

About Us

'Theeram' focuses on young adults with intellectual disabilities and other developmental disabilities in Kerala, India. 'Theeram' now has regional centres at ten different parts of Kerala. 'Theeram' centres are functioning under India Centre for Social Change(ICSC), a trust registered under the Trust Act of the State of Kerala. 'Theeram's prime goal is to help the social process of empowering the mentally challenged.

About

India Center for Social Change

Welcome to India Center for Social Change (ICSC), a non- profit organization that seeks to provide support services to children and adults with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities in India.

ICSC, a non-governmental charitable organization, registered under the Government of India Charitable Trust Act, has been working among children with developmental disabilities since 2002.

ICSC is a viable instrument of social change; it emphasizes research, special education and health programs, by empowering people with disabilities, their families, and the community at large, to make decisions of life priorities for themselves.

Why ICSC?

It is estimated that in India there are about 90 million people who are categorized as ‘Disabled’, out of which 31.5 million people are considered those with mental challenges. Despite the fact that 2.5 to 3 percent of the Indian population constituted ‘the disabled’, it was only in June, 2000 that the Government of India officially announced that disability be included in Census 2001. People with disabilities in India are forced to live in isolation and receive little support except those provided by parents and relatives who themselves struggle to make both ends meet. People with intellectual challenges are, perhaps, the worst affected, with the onus of care on the family rather than the community. It is where the ICSC comes in.

ICSC is also designed to help local organizations that are already working in the filed of mental disabilities to provide support services to people with developmental disabilities, particularly to those with intellectual challenges. ICSC will enhance its ability to meet, its goal by monitoring and reporting performance aggregated at the community, national and organizational levels.

What does ICSC do?
India Center for Social Change does the following:

Conduct village based surveys to identify, people with developmental disabilities.

Operate village- based day care-cum-vocational training centers for children/youth in collaboration with local governing bodies and other non-governmental organizations.

Indian Center for Social Change 2

1.Madappally Theeram

Nalunnakkal is a picturesque village near Changanacherry in Kottayam District. The villagers, many of them farmers, are comfortable with their leisurely lifestyle. Though there is progress in many areas in the village, the plight of the poor and other marginalized sections, especially that of the mentally challenged population, has been pathetic. ICSC's intervention with its 'Theeram' center for the mentally challanged children brought new light and hope to these people. ICSC opened its first Theeram center at Madappally and later moved its center and the office headquarters to Nalunnakkal. Theeram center was inaugurated by children with developmental disabilities in a simple ceremony by lighting a nilavilakku, the ceremonial lamp of Kerala. Twenty Eight young adults come to the centre for training. They are picked up from their homes in the morning and returned to their homes in the evening. The support the center receives from the villagers has been particularly overwhelming and encouraging. Nalunnakkal Theeram center trains 28 students with vocational skills.

2. Kurichy Theeram

Kurichy is a sleepy hamlet, south of Kottayam city in Kerala. The Theeram center in Kurichy is now awakening the villagers with its activities for children with developmental disabilities. Theeram at Kurichy hopes that the center would be a ‘shore’ for many children with developmental disabilities. We appreciate the support extended to us by the Kurichy Gramapanchayat and its leaders.

3. Alathur Theeram

Alathur, a village in Palakkad district, Kerala’s greenbelt, has become the home of India Center for Social Change’s third vocational training center. Alathur was one of the first villages where ICSC conducted its social survey. The center is housed in a traditional Kerala house in a picturesque location near a beautiful and popular Hindu temple. As in other Theeram centers, the Alathur center had already identified children with developmental disabilities. The Alathur Theeram center opened on February 24, 2005. At a well-attended function, the first 10 children who joined the center, inaugurated the new center by lighting the traditional lamp.

4. Kunnamthanam Theeram

ICSC’s fourth vocational training center for mentally challenged children was inaugurated on Saturday, 12th February, 2005. At a function held at Pulinthanam, a small village in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala State, mentally challenged children inaugurated the new center by lighting the lamp. Twenty mentally challenged children joined the center after ICSC staff identified about 45 such children in the village through a social survey.The transformation ICSC's Theeram has been able to make in the lives of the students is well apprciated by parents and the villagers.

5. Puthuppally Theeram

Mr. Oommen Chandy, the former Chief Minister of Kerala, formally inaugurated ICSC's "Theeram" vocational training center at Puthuppally in Kerala on Saturday, June 25, 2005. Inaugurating the new center, Mr. Chandy praised the services and contributions of ICSC towards the upliftment of mentally challenged children, a much neglected section of the society. He expressed his happiness about ICSC extending its presence to Puthuppally, Mr. Chandy's own electoral constituency, and offered every help to the center from his government.

6. Kuttoor Theeram

India Center for Social Change opened its sixth "Theeram" vocational training center at Kuttoor in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. The center was inaugurated on July 7, 2005. In the tradition of Theeram, 9 children who have joined the "Theeram" center in Kuttoor, have together inaugurated the new center by lighting, nilavilakku, the traditional lamp. The opening ceremony was attended by an enthusiastic crowd. Rev. Kuriakose Moolayil Corepiscopa (ICSC Director) presided over the function. Fr. Joseph Kulathramannil (on whose property the new center is constructed), Fr. Mathews Edathara (Vicar, St. Mary's Church, Augusta, USA), and Mrs. Mercy Joseph (Panchayat President, Kuttoor Panchayat) attended the inaugural function and spoke on the occasion. Mr. M.T. Jayan, co-ordinator of the center welcomed the gathering and Ms. Jayammol Thomas proposed vote of thanks. The function was followed by cultural programs presented by the mentally challenged children.

7. Alappad Theeram

The Tsunami affected village of Alappad was identified by "Theeram" for the support work sponsored by the Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of USA. We helped the villagers overcome the mental trauma of the tragedy. Several camps were conducted to help the affected. "Theeram" participated in the cleaning works of Alappadu village, immediately after the tragedy occured. A Theeram centre for the mentally challenged was started and is functioning well with the whole hearted support of the villagers. Several other supports measures are also being taken up. For more details see: (Tsunami Project)

8. Kasargod Theeram

Kasargod district is one of the most afflicted areas by the unscrupulous misuse of endosulfan pesticide. The percentage of severe mental retardation and the related disbilities here is alarming. ICSC undertook a detailed survey in 2006 and found the athetic plight of the affected people. Therefore we were prompted to start a center here. We identified Kayyur-Cheemeni panchayath and started a center on, 2007. 18 young adults are benefited by our works through this center. We almost had to close down this center due to financial pausity, but the timely intervention of Mr. Ajay George (Kuwait) with financial support helped us keep the center afloat. The Panchayat authorities too have agreed to bear certain percentage of the expenses there.

9. Karukachal Theeram

A Theeram center was inaugurated on 23 September, 2007 at Karukachal.Fifteen young adults have joined the center and are being trained by our committed staff. Overwhelming local support enabled us to locate and renovate a house where the center is now is functioning.

10. Kozhencherry Theeram

Theeram center at Kozhencherry is the newest and was inaugurated on 22 November 2007. Here the center is jointly organised by ICSC and the Rotary club of Kozhencherry. We are grateful to the Rotary Club for providing us with their facilities and a vehicle to pick the incumbants of the centre. We now have about 20 students at this center.

source: http://icsctheeram.org/theeramcentres.aspx