The first Seminarians.

His Grace Geevarghese Mar Ivanios Thirumeni of blessed memory shares the spiritual lessons learnt from the journey of the ‘first seminarians’-the holy Apostles. Excerpts below:

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The world’s first theological seminary was the place where the disciples received the doctrinal and spiritual instructions. The Lord Himself was their Teacher in the subject of theology. The below Scripture verses are from the notes of the last lecture that they attended to in the ‘classroom’.

“Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”  When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marvelled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence.” (St Luke 24: 36-43; NKJV)

Even after completing their ‘theological studies’ over the course of three and half years, the disciples still battled with doubts, disagreements and faithlessness.

Simon Peter was the leader of the disciple band; in the present-day seminary terms, he was selected as the ‘Reesh’ (leader) of this group.

The attributes of Simon Peter’s personality are reflective of the disposition of the entire disciple community. In a nutshell, he was an impulsive individual. There are many passages in the Holy Scripture that reveal this aspect of Simon Peter’s persona.

When Simon Peter saw that the Lord was walking over the waters, he too felt an urge to do the same (ref -St Matthew 14:22-33). The Lord called him- ‘Come’. Simon Peter got off the boat, looked onto the Lord, kept his foot on the waters and started walking. Suddenly the wind started blowing. Simon Peter got scared and started drowning. The Lord gave him a helping hand and safely took him ashore.

We need to pay attention to an important fact when we read about this incident. As soon as Simon Peter took his gaze off from the Lord, he started sinking in the waters! It isn’t the only lesson that we learn from this episode. These verses caution us of our desire to become Christ-like hastily, without putting any effort. In today’s times, everyone wants to quickly reach a stage when they can perform miracles. One nurtures a desire to be ‘the one’ who can walk on waters and be the object of awe of the mesmerized onlookers on the dry land. This thought of being ‘the one’- wherein we exaggerate our worth and wish to become the entity of reverence for others – this very thought is harmful for the spiritual life.

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Let us pray- O Lord, You who called the holy Apostles- ordinary men for a divine mission, transforming them- patiently and lovingly, in Your abundant mercy, transform and illumine our hardened hearts.

By the prayers and intercessions of the holy Apostles, may the Lord have mercy upon us and help us!

Wishing all a blessed Apostles Fast.

In Christ,

Rincy John

Reference: ‘Maunathinte Laavanyam’ (The Beauty of Silence); Chapter-2 ‘Gyanathinte Aathmaavu (‘The Spirit of Wisdom’), Baselian Books, Sixth Edition-Oct 2014 Pg-25, 26)

“One ‘sayippu’* is coming to see me”- A beautiful journey of discipleship.

Life and times of the saintly ascetic- His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymos I Bava Thirumeni (of blessed memory). Commemorated on 26^th May.

St Gregorios of Parumala was once visited by a pregnant lady who lamented about her health issues due to complications related to the pregnancy. Parumala Thirumeni assured her that he will keep this matter in prayers. Through the prayers of the saint, the pregnancy complications of the expectant mother went away. Parumala Thirumeni had a divine inspiration about this unborn child; the saint told the expectant mother that she will bear a son and the child should be dedicated to the Lord. Indeed, a male child was born and when the boy turned six years old, he was entrusted under the care of St Gregorios of Parumala who prayed for the little boy and set him apart for the Lord’s vineyard. Thus, master CM Thomas grew under the spiritual guidance of St Gregorios of Parumala. St Gregorios took utmost care in the education of the young boy who was admired by all for his academic brilliance especially his command over the English language.

History repeated itself few decades later when Ramban CM Thomas had a divine inspiration for a young lad named CT Thomas whose rendition of the Vth Thubden moved the Oxford returned Rambachan. Ramban CM Thomas took CT Thomas under his fold for a monastic life. In 1940, Ramban CM Thomas was ordained as His Grace Thoma Mar Dionysius Metropolitan by His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II Bava Thirumeni and he assumed the charge of Niranam diocese which was once led by newly ordained Bishop’s guru- St Gregorios of Parumala.

Brother CT Thomas (later His Grace Thomas Mar Timethios Metropolitan/H.H Didymos Bava Thirumeni), Brother C. Sakaria (later His Grace Zechariah Mar Dionysius Metropolitan), Brother NJ Thomas (later Rev Dr NJ Thomas Ramban), 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 on the need for spiritual labour as well as manual labour.

Because of his intellectual prowess, Brother CT Thomas was the favorite of Yohannan Achen who used to teach the monastery inmates Syriac and liturgical worship. When Malpan Achen shared a positive feedback about Brother CT Thomas to Superior Thirumeni, Thirumeni responded that he had sensed the brilliance of this young lad and that is the reason why Thirumeni took him to the monastery. Though Brother CT Thomas was not the eldest amongst the monastery inmates, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that he will be the one who will carry forward the legacy of Superior Thirumeni. When the initial inmates of the monastery were ordained to the order of priesthood, Thoma Mar Dionysius Thirumeni alongwith giving them necessary guidance, also said “Superiority lies not in seniority but in sanctity”, giving an indication of the greater role that Fr CT Thomas was going to be entrusted with.

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.

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 would observe the construction from his room and provide regular constructive feedback. Understanding Superior Thirumeni’s keen interest in the 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 once asked if he has encountered grief in his lifetime, Didymos Bava Thirumeni’s replied that his greatest sorrow was when His Grace Thoma Mar Dionysius Metropolitan left for heavenly abode. “He loved me like his own son” said our beloved shepherd reminiscing about his guru.

The Malankara Orthodox Church is blessed to have such monastic shepherds whose spiritual life has been an inspiration for many. May the monasteries and the monastics be blessed by the prayers and intercession of the holy fathers.

Pray for us always-O holy fathers!

In Christ,

Rincy John

Ref: HH Baselius Marthoma Didymus I Catholicos- Ashrama Aaramathil Vidarnna Panineer Pushpam (Biography), Edited by Elias Koshy Ramban, Published by Mount Tabor Publications, Pathanapuram, 26 May 2017

*sayippu- A Malayalee slang usually used to denote an Englishman.

Image- The departed spiritual stalwarts of Mount Tabor Dayara- His Grace Thoma Mar Dionysius Metropolitan (of blessed memory), His Holiness Baselius Marthoma Didymus I Bava Thirumeni (of blessed memory), His Grace Zechariah Mar Dionysius Metropolitan (of blessed memory), His Grace Job Mar Philexinos Metropolitan (of blessed memory).