Echoes of holy silence from Tabor- Commemorating His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I Catholicose and Malankara Metropolitan (of blessed memory), 26th May.

His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I, Catholicose and Malankara Metropolitan (of blessed memory)

In the liturgical sphere, beautiful voices indeed carry sacred power, capable of lifting hearts and leading souls toward moments of profound communion with the Creator. Thanks to social media, such soulful renditions are widely available to the community. Yet, like the glimmer of gold, such mesmerizing vocal gifts demand careful stewardship to avoid the peril of self-idolatry.

90 years ago, a young boy’s pure and resonant voice soared through the divine liturgy moving the heart of the celebrant- a saintly monk. The monk extended an invitation to the boy to join the monastery. As time passed, the mesmerising voice was only concerned with devotion to the Triune God, monastic discipline, and to lead a life into a symphony of silence and prayer.

After attending the World Council of Churches conference at Edinburgh in 1937, Very Rev CM Thomas Rambachan (later His Grace Thoma Mar Dionysius Metropolitan of blessed memory) joined the Oxford University for higher studies. After the completion of higher studies, Rambachan returned to Kerala and was accorded a warm welcome and celebrated the Holy Qurbana in his mother parish at Puthiyacavu, Mavelikara (Kerala). One teenager named CT Thomas was present as one of the altar assistants that day. This young boy’s rendition of the fifth Thubden (the Diptchys), soulful voice and impressive dictionduring the Holy Qurbana touched Rambachan’s heart. Rambachan had a divine inspiration that the Lord had chosen this young boy for his vineyard. After the Holy Qurbana got over, Rambachan went to his room, called for the Vicar and enquired about the lad. The boy’s name was CT Thomas. The boy and his father were asked to come and meet Rambachan.

Looking intently at the youngster, Rambachan asked him- “Are you interested in monastic life?”. Prompt came the reply- “Yes”. When Rambachan sought permission from the teenager’s father to take his son along with him to the monastery, his reply was thus- “Rambachan, I gave one son for the nation’s cause (he was enrolled in the military); this one I will give to you.” Pleased with the events that unfolded on that day, Rambachan later left for Pathanapuram.

Two days later after the blessed meeting, the 18-year-old CT Thomas and his father arrived at Mount Tabor Dayara, Pathanapuram. As promised, the father handed over his son to Rambachan and went back to his home in Mavelikara. A blessed journey of the teacher and the disciple thus began in a place that was initially bereft of civilization but later became a beacon of monastic life in the history of the Malankara Orthodox Church. The young boy CT Thomas grew in holiness and monastic discipline and as prophesized by his guru would one day become the shepherd of the whole Malankara Orthodox Church- His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I Catholicose and Malankara Metropolitan.

Brother CT Thomas (later His Grace Thomas Mar Timethios Metropolitan/H.H Didymos Bava Thirumeni), Brother C. Sakaria (later His Grace Zachariah Mar Dionysius Metropolitan), Brother NJ Thomas (later Rev Dr NJ Thomas Rambachan), Brother CO Yohanan and Brother CT Isaac were the initial inmates of the Mount Tabor monastery. Under the spiritual guidance of Superior Thirumeni (His Grace Thoma Mar Dionysius Metropolitan), the novices led a life of prayer, silence, fasting and monastic vows. Superior Thirumeni stressed the need for spiritual labour as well as manual labour.

Due to his intellectual capabilities, Brother CT Thomas was particularly favoured by Yohannan Achen, who instructed the monastery inmates in Syriac and liturgical worship. When Malpan Achen conveyed positive feedback about Brother CT Thomas to Superior Thirumeni, Thirumeni acknowledged that he had recognized the young man's brilliance, which was why he brought him to the monastery. Although Brother CT Thomas was not the eldest among the monastery inmates, it was universally accepted that he would be the one to uphold Superior Thirumeni's legacy. Upon the ordination of the initial monastery inmates into priesthood, Thoma Mar Dionysius Thirumeni provided essential guidance and remarked, "Superiority lies not in seniority but in sanctity," thereby indicating the significant roles and responsibilities that would be entrusted to Fr CT Thomas.

On August 24,1966, Ramban CT Thomas along with Fr. N. A. Youhanon Malpan (later His Grace Yuhanon Mar Severios Metropolitan of blessed memory) and Fr K Philipose (later His Grace Dr Philipose Mar Theophilus Metropolitan of blessed memory) were elevated as bishops at St. Peter's and St. Paul’s Church, Kolenchery. Ramban CT Thomas became His Grace Thomas Mar Timotheos Metropolitan.

The newly ordained bishops in 1966- His Grace Thomas Mar Timotheos, His Grace Yuhanon Mar Severios, His Grace Dr. Philipose Mar Theophilus.

At Mount Tabor Dayara, Superior Thirumeni was enthusiastically involved in the preparations to welcome his dear spiritual son – the newly ordained Metropolitan, to the monastery. A room near the chapel was constructed for Timethios Thirumeni’s stay.

The construction of this room was initiated long time back. Mammen Semmassen (later His Grace Job Mar Philexinos Metropolitan of blessed memory) and Elias Semmassen were entrusted to look after the progress. Dionysius Thirumeni observed the construction from his room and provided regular feedback. Understanding Superior Thirumeni’s keen interest in construction, they asked as to who was coming to stay there. Dionysius Thirumeni quipped- “One saiyppu is coming to see me and he is going to stay in this room”. It didn’t take long for Mammen Semmassen and Elias Semmassen to figure out that the ‘saiyppu’ was none other than Kochu Thirumeni/newly ordained Metropolitan. For them it was heartwarming to see Dionysius Thirumeni personally arranging the room, keeping all essential items required with his own hands. It showed how much Valiya Thirumeni loved his spiritual son.

When asked about experiencing grief, Didymos Bava Thirumeni replied that his greatest sorrow was when His Grace Thoma Mar Dionysius Metropolitan left for heavenly abode. “He loved me like his own son.”

Didymos Bava was once asked about his greatest strength, he responded- “The commandment is to pray during the seven watches. Except for midnight, I pray without disruption during the six watches. I believe this is my greatest strength. A good definition of religion is that it is a communion with God. Prayer is an important part of the relationship between the God- the Creator of the universe and the created human race. It is through fellowship than a man maintains a relationship with a friend likewise prayer is a spiritual fellowship that the created ones ought to have the Creator.”

Didymos Bava Thirumeni- “Parumala Thirumeni is my hero. My life’s ambition is to live this life the way St Gregorios of Parumala did.”

Prayer indeed was the core and breath of Bava Thirumeni’s life. When asked about the experience on the transition from the monastery life to that of being a bishop, Thirumeni responded that he felt “like a fish taken from the waters and kept on the shore.” He further added- “It suffocates me still that I am unable to continue the vow of silence and the strict prayer life as observed in the monasteries. I feel supremely contented when I am able to follow the (strict monastic) lifestyle that I learnt in the monastery.”

An anecdote by Fr Varghese Kurian is shared thus:  

“It was in May 1995 that I received my first opportunity to travel with Thirumeni. We were travelling from Kozhikode to Kottayam and at around 2 AM in the morning we reached Devalokam. Early morning, I and (Thirumeni’s secretary) Semmassan were startled by the knock on the doors of our room. We opened it to see Thirumeni standing therein who had just finished the liturgical prayers in the chapel. We hung our head in shame when he asked- “You desire to join the seminary, right. Don’t you need to have prayerful life?”. We had reached Devalokam Aramana at 2 AM and at 4:30 AM, Thirumeni was ready (after having done the usual morning routine including bath) for the liturgical prayers. Thirumeni maintained this discipline in prayer life, that he inculcated in the monastery, till the end of his earthly journey. For us prayer is an obligation, for him prayer was life.

Even when he was physically weak (after having abdicated the Catholicose position) and had feeble memory owing to old age, he would enthusiastically participate in liturgical prayers without showing any signs of ill health or memory loss. It wasn’t the medications but prayers which offered him comfort.

Even in mundane things, his actions implied the reliance on God’s mercy and grace. In old age, Thirumeni had to take medications related to diabetes and heart ailments. At each instance of taking those medications, he would keep the pills in his left hand and with his right would bless it with a sign of cross before consuming them. Before signing any documents, he would make a sign a cross, keep the matter in prayers and only then would he sign. He would say the customary prayers before taking a bath (as stated in the Pampakuda Namaskaaram) and bless the waters with a sign of cross before bathing.

There would be no change in his prayer routine even if the circumstances were such that Thirumeni had to spend the night at someone’s home. If a prayer mat was unavailable in that home, then Thirumeni would place newspapers on the floor and do the prostrations.

Whenever Thirumeni celebrated Holy Qurbana, he would spend atleast 45 minutes for ‘Thoyoobo’ (the preparatory prayers) and his prayers with tears have been a moving witness for those inside the Holy Altar.”

The traditions from the desert fathers and mothers hold great prominence to silence. Abba Arsenius, leading a solitary life in the desert, heard the commandment to “flee, be silent and pray always”. Silence was not just an absence of sound but a sacred pause- it is a stillness where the world’s noise ceases and the soul in the profound quietness, is able to gaze into the  interior selves.

On being asked why he usually remains quiet in the public life, Didymos Bava Thirumeni, whose life reflected the tradition of the desert fathers and mothers, responded thus: “The Holy Bible teaches us that idle talk leads to sin and ungodliness. Hence, I try to avoid lengthy and unnecessary conversations. The monastery life also taught me to avoid any unwanted chats. The inmates of the monastery need to follow ‘Greater Silence’ (complete silence) and ‘Lesser Silence’ (talking only when necessary). After the evening prayers we are commended to keep ‘Greater Silence’ (in the monastery) i.e. we would not speak at all and maintain complete silence till the Holy Qurbana got over.”

As we inch closer to the days of awaiting the Holy Spirit, may we reflect on the following counsel of Didymos Bava Thirumeni and seek the Holy Spirit to open our inner hearts to the fullness of life and guide our minds to understand what is really good and true.

“On being asked the meaning of education by one of his students, the great Socrates responded that knowing oneself is the right education. ‘Where did I come from’? ‘Why did I come into this world?’ ‘Where am I going?’- these questions should be contemplated by one who is born a human. Not only these three questions help a person in knowing himself but also help to a great extent in protecting the rhythm of life from going off track.

“For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:5; NKJV). We should always remind ourselves of the great glorious position bestowed upon human beings. How many people in these times ponder whether they are leading an angelic life? Very few. It is not surprising that numerous people are living a life devoid of wisdom and understanding. We learn a very important fact here, a principle that we have forgotten nowadays, that life is more than mere existence- how we are living the life is more valuable than life itself.”

By the prayers of our holy father among the saints- His Holiness Didymus I Bava Thirumeni, Lord have mercy upon us and help us.

In Christ,

Rincy

A meeting at Mount Tabor Medical Mission Hospital, Trichy.

Inauguration of the Mount Tabor Medical Mission Hospital, Trichy.

(L to R): His Grace Thomas Mar Timethios Metropolitan (later His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymos I Catholicose and Malankara Metropolitan), Rev Fr CC Geevarghese, Rev Fr Abraham Iype Mangat, Rev Fr George Panackamattom, Fr Joseph Mankidi. Photo taken in 1977 at a programme organized at St Mary’s School Auditorium, Kalina, Bombay by Dadar Youth Movement commemorating the 75th anniversary of departure of St. Gregorios of Parumala.

 “Kantheela Srushrusha” (Sacrament of anointing the sick) for His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews I Catholicose and Malankara Metropolitan (His Grace Thomas Mar Timethios Metropolitan/Didymos Bava Thirumeni at extreme right.)

His Grace Thomas Mar Timethios Metropolitan being elevated as the Catholicose of the Malankara Orthodox Church.

His Holiness Mathews II Bava Thirumeni with His Holiness Didymus I Bava Thirumeni

With the then Catholicose designate- His Grace Paulos Mar Milithios Metropolitan (later His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II Catholicose and Malankara Metropolitan (of blessed memory).

With the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church – His Holiness Abune Paulos (of blessed memory).

With the Catholicos of All Armenians- His Holiness Karekin II. 

Consecration of Holy Chrism at Devalokam Aramana chapel, 2009. Next to Didymus I Bava Thirumeni is the then Synod Secretary- His Grace Dr. Mathews Mar Severios Metropolitan (presently His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III Catholicose and Malankara Metropolitan). 

At Pathanapuram High School (Fr. CT Thomas served as Professor and Head of the Department of English at St. Stephen's College, Pathanapuram, as well as the vice-principal of the College).

“We should not think our children’s future is bright just because they are sent to educational institutions with modern facilities. If we fail to provide value based education to our children, living in the corrupt environment of selfishness and competition, the future of the society will be in grave danger”- Excerpt of Didymos Bava’s writing from an editorial in Malankara Sabha.

His Grace Paulose Mar Milithios Metropolitan being elevated to the office of Catholicose, 01 November, 2010

Mount Tabor Dayara chapel, Pathanapuram

Mount Tabor Dayara chapel, Pathanapuram

References:

1. ‘Jeevithathinte Jeevan’-Parishudha Didymus I Bava: Ashrama Aaramathil Vidarnna Panineer Pushpam (Biography), Edited by Elias Koshy Ramban, Published by Mount Tabor Publications, Pathanapuram, 26 May 2017.

2. Vishudhiyude Mauna Parvam (Life of HH Baselius Marthoma Didymus I Catholicos), Edited by Elias Koshy Ramban, Published by Sophia Books, Kottayam, 2016.

3. Photographs from various sources- of tomb/dayara chapel (clicked by the author), from the above referenced books and old publications of Malankara sabha magazines.