At
the turn of the 20th century, there lived a holy man on
a haunted island, called Parumala, on the banks of River
Pampa in Kerala, India. 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 of the Malankara Orthodox
Church.
It
was on June 15, 1848, that Kochu Ipeora was born as the
youngest child in Chathuruthy family, Mulamthuruthy, Kerala.
His parents Kochu Mathai and Mariam had three sons and
two daughters. He was christened as 'GEEVARGHESE', at
his home parish, the Mulanthuruthy Marthomman Church.
About two years after his birth, mother Mariam died. Thereafter
his elder sister Mariam took care of his upbringing with
love and affection.
Young
Kochu Iypora started his formal education, at the age
of five, under 'Onakkavil Ayya', a local Hindu (Ezhava)
teacher. He also studied in a traditional village School
(Mammoottil ManiAsan's kalari). The young Ipeora was not
very much interested in worldly pleasures or the gaieties
of life, but was more inclined to Prayer, reading the
Holy Bible and listening to the stories of saints. He
carefully observed fasting even from his young
days. He was a model for his friends in showing his respect
to his teachers, humility, obedience and love. Fr. Geevarghese,
Kochu Ipeora's uncle, noticed his studious nature, noble
character, keen and penetrating insight, sharp intellect
and a wonderful memory undertook his coaching. The boy
studied theology and Syriac, from his uncle who was an
authority in it. At this young age itself, many observed
a spiritual ability and intelligence in Kochu Iypora and
he was able to sing Syriac hymns of the Church in proper
rhythm and diction. Proper
guidance given by Fr. Geevarghese influenced young Geevarghese,
increased his interest in the Holy Church and its traditions
and helped young Kochu Ipeora to lead a pious life. After
the early days of education under teacher (Malpan) Geevarghese
of Chathuruthy, Kochu Ipeora was ordained as deacon (Kooroyo)
at the age of 10, on September 14, 1858, by Palakkunnath
Mathews Mar Athanasius, the then Malankara Metropolitan.
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 enabled him, to become
a humble servant of God. Very soon the deacon recovered,
but with a firm resolution to spend his life in prayer
and monastic discipline. He then became a student of Konaattu
Malpan and learned cannon Law, Faith, Order and customs.
During
this time Yuyakkim Mar Koorilose, from Syria visited India.
Bishop Koorilose was very much impressed by Deacon Geevargheses
wisdom, devotion and command in Syriac language. The deacon
traveled with Mar Koorilose as his translator and guide.
Mar Koorilose ordained deacon Geevarghese as a full deacon
'Shamshono'. In October 1865, at the age of 18, Yuyakkim
Mar Koorilose, elevated Deacon Geevarghese to the order
of full Priest (Kassisso) and later 'Cor-Episcopa'.
Geevarghese
Cor Episcopa was much impressed by the monastic traditions
and decided to be a follower of Christ in the monastic
tradition of St. Anthony, a third century monk. He chose
Vettickal Dayara as his abode, where he could live the
monastic life of abstinence, discipline, devotion, practicing
fasting, prayer, meditation and mortification. All this
slowly started to sanctify his life. People living around
Vettickal were immensely impressed by the strict ascetic
discipline and this monk became a great inspiration to
them They started to visit him to seek advice and guidance.
His name and fame started to spread.
Pulikkottil
Joseph Mar Dionysios raised him to the order of monks
(Ramban) in April 7, 1872.
The Ramban became a close aide of the Patriarch of Antioch,
H. H. Ignatius Patriarch III, during the latters
visit to Indian. The Patriarch consecrated four metropolitans
at the St. Thomas Church Paravoor, Kerala on December
10, 1876. The young Chathruthy Geevarghese Ramban, was
named Mar Gregorios, after the title of the Metropolitan
of Jerusalem. The same year the Patriarch had consecrated
six Metropolitans. The 29-year-old Mar Gregorios was the
youngest of them and so everybody called him lovingly
as "Kochu Thirumeni" (youngest bishop). Mar
Gregorios was appointed the bishop of Niranam, Kerala.
He later on took charge of the Dioceses of Thumpamon and
Kollam. He then started to stay at Parumala and came to
be known as Parumala Kochu Thirumeni. He constructed
a Church and a seminary at Parumala.
At
Parumala Seminary he led an austere life. He woke up at
4am 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 complining, 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."
Parumala
Thirumeni's visit to the Holy Land in 1895 was a great
event of the time and a fulfillment of his long-standing
wish. Parumala Thirumeni later published a travelogue
("Yerusalaem Yatra Vivaranam") about his visit
to the Holy Land. This book is considered to be an excellent
travelogue. After his piligrimage Thirumeni ordained two
of his disciples as deacons, who later on rose to high
positions in the Church.
Last
few days of Thirumeni
Kochu
Thirumeni's body was becoming weaker and weaker, and around
five days before his death, he called one of his chief
disciples, Wattasseril Fr.Geevarghese by the bed side
and entrusted him with the keys and other documents. His
Grace then told his esteemed colleagues that he will leave
this world within a few days. Then for a couple of days
he lay speechless. On the third day towards midnight he
asked those standing nearby " What is the date today
?". Eighteenth (Malayalam era) they said. "My
Lord I must endure this pain for two more days",
sighed His Grace. Holy Father actually new even the date
of his death. Two days after, on Sunday the 20th (2nd
November,1902), "Kantheela"{-Syriac word for
the Holy Sacrament of the sick} was celebrated for Thirumeni.
At around midnight the same day, Thirumeni in a feeble
voice said "Ente Karthave" (Oh My Lord !!!)
. Punnoose Ramban and other priests standing nearby, had
the Prayers then and suddenly the Great Saint of Malankara
left this world submitting his soul to his Father, the
God. Eye witnesses testify that they saw a bright light
as he lay breathing his last.
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.