Part-1- Darkness before a dawn.
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
The Malankara Orthodox Church is blessed to have monks and ascetics whose prayerful life have been a fortress for the faithful and inspiration to many. We will commemorate one such saintly figure in the coming days. This series aims to provide some short and inspiring incidents from his life.
Fondly known as Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni, His Grace Geevarghese Mar Philexinos was born as the second son to Kizhakethalekal Thoma Kathanar (Fr Thomas of Kizhakethalekal family) and Sosamma Kochamma on June 10, 1897. Kizhakethalekal Thoma Kathanar was a renowned orator and a caring shepherd who held his flock in the True Faith. Sosamma kochamma was a saintly lady who deeply loved the Orthodox faith. It was, but natural that that the progeny of such virtuous couple would be a blessing to the Church.
There is a wonderful narrative around the birth of His Grace. Sosamma Kochamma, carrying baby Geevarghese, went into an early labour when she was eight months pregnant (Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni’s name was K. T. Geevarghese). She was milking the cow while going about her routine duties when the animal suddenly gave her a blow and she fell. Two days later she delivered a baby boy. The newborn didn’t cry, and nobody could confirm if the infant was alive/breathing. Though there was a strong suspicion that the baby had died but it was a divine intervention that prevented the household members to out rightly declare the newborn dead. He was instead kept under mother’s bed and the lady (‘aaya’) who looked after the new mother also kept an eye on the infant. The aaya witnessed that infant’s skin color would change frequently and sometimes even seven colors would be visible. Eventually the skin color turned bright red and then the soothing cries of the newborn was heard! Sosamma kochamma received complete consciousness after 3 days and she was informed about the baby being alive and well. Everybody felt that the Lord had a special purpose for this baby who came back from the clutches of death. Indeed, this was a special child- the one chosen to work in His vineyard. Indeed how lovely is the Scripture verse-
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you" (Jeremiah 1:5)
This child’s birth was a kept hidden from neighbors (for the family wasn’t sure if the infant was indeed alive) but when he finished his course on the earth at a young age of 54, an enormous number of faithful assembled to bid farewell to their beloved Kochu Thirumeni.
In Christ,
Rincy John
Ref: 1) Puthenkavu Kochuthirumeni Katholicattinte Karuthanaya Vakthavu, By- Adv. P. C. Mathew Pulikottil and K. V. Mammen Kottackal, Kottackal Publishers, 2004, pages 26, 27.
2) MC Kuriakose Ramban (of blessed memory), ‘Bethelile Thamara’, 10 May 1951, Malayala Manorama Press, Kottayam, Page 5.
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Fondly known as Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni, His Grace Geevarghese Mar Philexinos was born as the second son to Kizhakethalekal Thoma Kathanar (Fr Thomas of Kizhakethalekal family) and Sosamma Kochamma on June 10, 1897. Kizhakethalekal Thoma Kathanar was a renowned orator and a caring shepherd who held his flock in the True Faith. Sosamma kochamma was a saintly lady who deeply loved the Orthodox faith. It was, but natural that that the progeny of such virtuous couple would be a blessing to the Church.
There is a wonderful narrative around the birth of His Grace. Sosamma Kochamma, carrying baby Geevarghese, went into an early labour when she was eight months pregnant (Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni’s name was K. T. Geevarghese). She was milking the cow while going about her routine duties when the animal suddenly gave her a blow and she fell. Two days later she delivered a baby boy. The newborn didn’t cry, and nobody could confirm if the infant was alive/breathing. Though there was a strong suspicion that the baby had died but it was a divine intervention that prevented the household members to out rightly declare the newborn dead. He was instead kept under mother’s bed and the lady (‘aaya’) who looked after the new mother also kept an eye on the infant. The aaya witnessed that infant’s skin color would change frequently and sometimes even seven colors would be visible. Eventually the skin color turned bright red and then the soothing cries of the newborn was heard! Sosamma kochamma received complete consciousness after 3 days and she was informed about the baby being alive and well. Everybody felt that the Lord had a special purpose for this baby who came back from the clutches of death. Indeed, this was a special child- the one chosen to work in His vineyard. Indeed how lovely is the Scripture verse-
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you" (Jeremiah 1:5)
This child’s birth was a kept hidden from neighbors (for the family wasn’t sure if the infant was indeed alive) but when he finished his course on the earth at a young age of 54, an enormous number of faithful assembled to bid farewell to their beloved Kochu Thirumeni.
In Christ,
Rincy John
Ref: 1) Puthenkavu Kochuthirumeni Katholicattinte Karuthanaya Vakthavu, By- Adv. P. C. Mathew Pulikottil and K. V. Mammen Kottackal, Kottackal Publishers, 2004, pages 26, 27.
2) MC Kuriakose Ramban (of blessed memory), ‘Bethelile Thamara’, 10 May 1951, Malayala Manorama Press, Kottayam, Page 5.
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